User's Manual

Glossary

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard-

ized coding system for representing characters, such as numbers, let-

ters, and graphic symbols. An ASCII character occupies one byte of

storage. Files transmitted in ASCII code can be used by many

different computers, printers, and programs.

Asynchronous

A method of data transmission in which one machine sends data one

character at a time to another, without either machine preparing for

the transmission.

Backup

An extra copy of a program, data file, or disk, kept in case your

working copy is damaged or lost.

Bit

A binary digit

1).

The smallest unit of computer storage. The

value of a bit represents the presence

(1)

or absence

(0)

of an electric

charge.

Boot

To load a program or an operating system.

Byte

A sequence or group of eight bits that represents one character.

Character

Anything

that can print in a single space on the page or the screen.

Includes numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and graphic symbols.

CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. A method for making

silicon chips.

Code

A system of symbols for representing data or instructions. Also any

software program or part of a program.

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