NEC Express 5800 120Eg, User Manual

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120Eg User Guide - Glossary
Glossary - 1
Glossary
A
AC
(Alternating Current) The type of current available in wall outlets. All computers must
convert alternating current to direct current to operate. See also DC.
address
A label, name, or number that identifies a location in computer memory.
B
backup
A copy of data for safe-keeping. The data is copied from computer memory or disk to a
floppy disk, magnetic tape, or other media.
base memory
An area of memory between 0 and 640 kilobytes.
baud rate
The speed with which data is transmitted during serial communication. The computer's
operating system and software program must be configured for the same baud rate as
the communication device, such as a serial printer. See also bps.
BIOS
(Basic Input/Output System) A program stored in flash EPROM or ROM that controls
the keyboard, disk drives, video monitor, and other devices. See also flash EPROM,
EPROM, and ROM.
bit
Derived from BInary digiT, a bit is the smallest unit of information a computer handles.
See also byte.
boot
The process of loading the operating system into memory.
byte
A group of eight bits.
C
cache memory
A very fast, limited portion of RAM set aside for temporary storage of data for direct
access by the microprocessor.