Glossary 7
bootable device
Any type of hardware that carries the information (software)
required by the computer to start properly. This device must
also have the capacity to be recognized by the computer in the
first stages of the boot process.
boot block
The part of a disk that contains the software (such as the
operating system loader) that enables the computer to start.
boot sector
The part of the boot block that contains the operating system
loader, a program that starts by itself and loads the operating
system.
bps
Bits per second. The number of bits of data that can be
transmitted in one second. Because data compression schemes
enable more than one bit per voltage transition, bps is
equivalent to baud only if no compression is used.
buffer
A place, especially in RAM, for the temporary storage of data
for the purpose of speeding up an operation such as printing or
drive access. Data from a buffer is available more quickly than
data from where the buffer got it. Typically buffers get data
before it is needed so it will be ready quickly when it is
needed. Similar to cache.
burst mode
When a device seizes control of the bus, sends data, then
relinquishes control of the bus. Any time a device sends data
without interruption instead of taking turns with other devices.
