NCR PC4I, Owner'S Manual

Page: 141 / 167

GLOSSARY
BASIC
1. Acronym for the programming language Beginner’s All­
purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. BASIC uses common
English words and is relatively easy to use.
2. The computer program which translates statements made in
BASIC programming language into instructions to the
computer.
BINARY CODE
A system of numbering which uses only two values, zero and one.
For example, the ASCII letter D is represented as 01000100.
BINARY DIGIT (bit)
Either of the characters 0 or 1, abbreviated as bit.
BLOCK
A physical unit of data that can be conveniently stored by a
computer on an input or output device. The term is synonymous
with physical record. The block is normally composed of one or
more logical records or a portion of a logical record.
BPI
Abbreviation for bits per inch. The standard measure for the
density of data recording on disks/diskettes/tapes.
BPS
An abbreviation for bits per second. In serial transmission, the
instantaneous bit speed with which a device or channel transmits
a character.
BYTE
A sequence of adjacent bits operated upon as a unit. The smallest
addressable memory element; usually represents one character.
In your computer, each byte consists of eight bits plus one parity
bit.
C
CARTRIDGE
A container with a reel of magnetic tape for the storage of data
and a takeup reel for transfer of the tape within the cartridge by
means of a capstan drive system.
GG OWNER S MANUAL