Appendix C
Glossary
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized
coding system for representing characters, such as numbers, letters, and
graphic symbols. An ASCII character occupies one byte of storage. Files
transmitted in ASCII code can be used by many different computers,
printers, and programs.
Asynchronous
A method of data transmission in which one machine sends data one
character at a time to another, without either machine preparing for the
transmission.
Backup
An extra copy of a program, data file, or diskette, kept in case your
working copy is damaged or lost.
Bit
A binary digit (0 or 1). The smallest unit of computer storage. The value
of a bit represents the presence (1) or absence (0) of an electric charge.
Boot
To load a program or an operating system.
Byte
A sequence or group of eight bits that represents one character.
Character
Anything that can print in a single space on the page or the screen.
Includes numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and graphic symbols.
CMOS
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. A method for making
silicon chips.
Code
A system of symbols for representing data or instructions. Also any soft-
ware program or part of a program.
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