12. GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY - A ,B
APPLICATION PROGRAM
Software purchased or written for performing specific tasks. It makes a person’s
job easier and more efficient. Some of the popular programs are WordStar, dBASE,
WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3 and PageMaker.
ASCII (AMERICAN STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE)
A standardised coding system for letters and symbols.It contains characters found
on a keyboard and a few control commands. It is widely used by most manufacturers
of computers, printers and software developers.
BAUD
A method for denoting data transmission rate: it is equivalent to bits per second.
This term is normally associated with serial communication.
BI-DIRECTIONAL PRINTING
A printing mode where the print head can print both from left to right and right
to left.
BINARY
A number system where combinations of 1s and 0s are used to represent all types
of data.
BIT
The smallest unit for representing data: a binary digit(0 or 1). In the computer
world it is represented by a voltage pattern-low for 0 and high for 1. Eightbits
make a byte. And one byte is the equivalent of a character or symbol.
BIT MAP
A method of describing what is to be printed. The software specifies the value of
each pixel or dot to be printed. Computer software send graphics in bitmap form
to the printers.
BUFFER
Just like a computer, a printer also has a memory. The buffer refers to that portion
in the memory that stores the characters not yet printed. When the data transfer
from the computer to the printer is faster than the printer’s printing capability
the extra characters are stored in this buffer.
BUILT-IN FONT
Fonts (styles of character sets) that a printer comes with, located in ROM (Read
Only Memory) chips on the logic board of a printer.
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