Glossary 19
overwrite
Storing information at a location where information is already
stored, thus destroying the original information.
P
page
A type of message transmission in which a message is sent or
received via modem to a paging device from a computer (with
paging communications software) or telephone.
parallel interface
Interface that communicates eight bits at a time.
parallel printer
A printer with a parallel interface.
parameter
A characteristic of a device or system determined by a
command or setting whose purpose is to define or limit the
characterisitc.
password
A string of characters that the user must enter before the
system allows access or system privileges.
PCI
Peripheral Component Interface/Interconnect. A self-
configuring personal computer local bus designed by Intel.
Most modern PCs include a PCI bus in addition to a more
general ISA expansion bus. PCI is a 32-bit bus, but supports a
64-bit extension for new processors, such as the Pentium II.
It can run at clock speeds of 33 or 66 MHz. At 32 bits and
33 MHz, it yields a throughput rate of 133 megabits per
second. 64-bit implementations running at 66 MHz provide
524 Mbps. See ISA.
