Glossary
C
cache memory: High speed memory which stores data that increases
capacity: The amount of data that can be stored on a magnetic storage
card: Synonym for board. See board.
CardBus: An industry standard bus for 32-bit PC Cards.
CD-ROM: A Compact Disc-Read Only Memory is a high capacity disc that
CD-R: A Compact Disc-Recordable disc can be written once and read
CD-RW: A Compact Disc-Read/Write disc can be rewritten many times.
character: Any letter, number, punctuation mark, or symbol used by the
chassis: The frame containing the computer.
chip: A small semiconductor containing computer logic and circuitry for
CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. An electronic circuit
cold start: Starting a computer that is currently off (turning on the power).
COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4: The names assigned to the serial and
commands: Instructions you enter at the terminal keyboard that direct the
communications: The means by which a computer transmits and receives
compatibility: 1) The ability of one computer to accept and process data in
components: Elements or parts (of a system) which make up the whole
Glossary-4
processor speed and data transfer rate. When the CPU reads data
from main memory, it stores a copy of this data in cache memory.
The next time the CPU needs that same data, it looks for it in the
cache memory rather than the main memory, which saves time. The
computer has two cache levels. Level one is incorporated into the
processor and level two resides in external memory.
device such as a hard disk. It is usually described in terms of
kilobytes (KB), where one KB = 1024 bytes and megabytes (MB),
where one MB = 1024 KB.
can be read from but not written to. The CD-ROM drive uses a laser,
rather than magnetic heads, to read data from the disc.
many times. See also CD-ROM.
See also CD-ROM.
computer. Also synonymous with byte.
processing, memory, input/output functions and controlling other
chips.
fabricated on a silicon wafer that requires very little power.
Integrated circuits implemented in CMOS technology can be tightly
packaged and are highly reliable.
communication ports.
actions of the computer or its peripheral devices.
data to and from another computer or device. See parallel interface;
serial interface.
the same manner as another computer without modifying the data
or the media upon which it is being transferred.
2) the ability of one device to connect to or communicate with
another system or component.
(system).
User's Manual