Toshiba 8100 series, User Manual

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Part III: Appendixes
Glossary
304
infrared port: A port that allows data to be transferred by infrared signals
instead of a cable. It works on the same principle as a remote control
for a television set.
input: Information received by a computer from a storage device such as
a disk, or an input device such as the keyboard.
input/output (I/O): Input and output are two of the three functions that
computers perform (the other is processing). Input/Output describes
the interrelated tasks of providing data to the computer and
providing the results of processing to users. I/O devices include
keyboards (input) and printers (output). A disk drive is both an input
and an output device, since it can both provide information to the
computer and receive information from the computer.
instruction: A statement in a computer program that performs a
particular function or task.
interface: A connection between two parts of a system that lets them
work together. There are different types of interface: 1) Elements
such as the graphics design, prompts and menus of an application
program allow you to interact with the program. These elements
make up the user interface. 2) A physical connection between one
system or device and another so that information can be exchanged.
interlaced: A method of refreshing a computer screen, in which only
every other line of pixels is refreshed. Interlaced monitors take two
passes to create a complete screen image.
Internet: The collection of computers located throughout the world that
are connected over telephone lines to provide electronic mail and
other services.
Intranet: World Wide Web pages designed to serve a limited group of
people, such as the employees of a particular company. Users must
enter a password to access the information provided.
I/O adapter: See port expander.
K
keyboard: The device you use to type information into the computer.
Each key on the keyboard is a switch that is activated when you
press it. The switch sends a specific code, representing the character
printed on the key, to the processor.