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Glossary
Bit
- The smallest unit of digital data. In binary code, a bit is
represented logically as a either 1 or a 0.
Buffer
- RAM cache that temporarily stores data so it can be
delivered to a device as it is needed.
Bus
- An electronic link for the transmission of data between digital
devices, such as computers and computer peripherals.
Byte
- A unit of digital data, usually made up of eight bits.
Data Stream
- The flow of data between digital devices such as
computers and hard drives.
Driver
- Software that enables the computer to communicate with
a peripheral.
Gigabyte
- 1,024 Megabytes, or approximately one billion bytes.
The capacity of most hard drives is measured in Gigabytes.
Hardware
- Physical components of a computer system (computer,
hard drives, printers, etc.)
Hub
- A device which links peripherals together onto the same
bus.
Interface
- Junction between two items of hardware or software for
the exchange of data.
Mb (Megabit)
- One million bits.
Mbps (Megabits per second)
- A data transmission speed of one
million bits per second. Data transmissions are typically measured
in bits (kilobits, megabits etc) per second.
MB (Megabyte)
- 1,048,576 bytes.
Operating System (OS)
- Software that controls the assignment
and use of hardware and application software resources.
Peripheral
- A generic term for hard drives, printers, scanners and
other discreet devices that add functionality to a computer.
