User’s Manual
Glossary-6
Glossary
controller:
Built-in hardware and software that controls the functions of a
specific internal or peripheral device (e.g. keyboard controller).
co-processor:
A circuit built into the processor that is dedicated to
intensive math calculations.
CPS:
Characters Per Second. Typically used to indicate the transmission
speed of a printer.
CPU:
Central Processing Unit. The portion of the computer that interprets
and executes instructions.
CRT:
Cathode Ray Tube. A vacuum tube in which beams projected on a
fluorescent screen-producing luminous spots. An example is the
television set.
cursor:
A small, blinking rectangle or line that indicates the current
position on the display screen.
D
data:
Information that is factual, measurable or statistical that a computer
can process, store, or retrieve.
data bits:
A data communications parameter controlling the number of bits
(binary digits) used to make up a byte. If data bits = 7 the computer
can generate 128 unique characters. If data bits = 8 the computer
can generate 256 unique characters.
DC:
Direct Current. Electric current that flows in one direction. This type of
power is usually supplied by batteries.
default:
The parameter value automatically selected by the system when
you or the program do not provide instructions. Also called a preset
value.
delete:
To remove data from a disk or other data storage device.
Synonymous with erase.
device driver:
A program that controls communication between a specific
peripheral device and the computer. The CONFIG.SYS file contains
device drivers that MS-DOS loads when you turn the computer on.
dialog box:
A window that accepts user input to make system settings or
record other information.
Digital Audio:
An audio compression standard that enables high-quality
transmission and real-time playback of sound files.
disk drive:
The device that randomly accesses information on a disk and
copies it to the computer’s memory. It also writes data from memory
to the disk. To accomplish these tasks, the unit physically rotates
the disk at high speed past a read-write head.
disk storage:
Storing data on magnetic disk. Data is arranged on
concentric tracks much like a phonograph record.
