User’s Manual
Glossary-7
Glossary
P
parity:
1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values
(integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1.
2) In serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a
group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can
be set to none, odd, or even.
peripheral device:
An I/O device that is external to the central processor
and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.
pixel:
A picture element. The smallest dot that can be made on a display or
printer. Also called a pel.
plug and play:
A capability with Windows that enables the system to
automatically recognize connections of external devices and make
the necessary configurations in the computer.
port:
The electrical connection through which the computer sends and
receives data to and from devices or other computers.
prompt:
A message the computer provides indicating it is ready for or
requires information or an action from you.
R
Random Access Memory (RAM):
High speed memory within the
computercircuitry that can be read or written to.
restart:
Resetting a computer without turning it off (also called "warm boot"
or "soft reset").
See also boot.
RJ11:
A modular telephone jack.
RJ45:
A modular LAN jack.
ROM:
Read Only Memory: A nonvolatile memory chip manufactured to
contain information that controls the computer’s basic operation.
You cannot access or change information stored in ROM.
S
SCSI:
Small Computer System Interface is an industry standard interface
for connection of a variety of peripheral devices.
soft key:
Key combinations that emulate keys on the IBM keyboard,
change some configuration options, stop program execution, and
access the numeric keypad overlay.
stop bit:
One or more bits of a byte that follow the transmitted character or
group codes in asynchronous serial communications.
system disk:
A disk that has been formatted with an operating system. For
MS-DOS the operating system is contained in two hidden files and
the COMMAND.COM file. You can boot a computer using a system
disk. Also called an operating system disk.