NOT. A logical operator having the property
that
if P is a
statement, then the
NOT
of P
is
true if P is false, false if P
is
true.
NRZI. Non-return-to-zero change-on-ones recording.
ns. Nanosecond; 0.000 000 001 second.
NUL. The null character.
null character (NUL). A control character
that
is used to
accomplish media-fill or time-fill, and
that
may be inserted into or
removed from, a sequence of characters without affecting the
meaning of the sequence; however, the control of the equipment
or the format may
be
affected by this character.
odd-even check. Synonym for parity check.
offline. Pertaining to the operation of a functional unit without
the continual control of a computer.
one-shot. A circuit that delivers one output pulse of desired
duration for each input (trigger) pulse.
open circuit.
(1)
A discontinuous circuit;
that
is, one
that
is
broken
at
one or more points and, consequently, cannot conduct
current. Contrast with closed circuit.
(2)
Pertaining to a no-load
condition; for example, the open-circuit voltage of a power
supply.
open coUector. A switching transistor without an internal
connection between its collector and the voltage supply. A
connection from the collector to the voltage supply
is
made
through an external (pull-up) resistor.
operand.
(1)
An
entity to which an operation
is
applied.
(2)
That
~
which
is
operated upon.
An
operand
is
usually identified by an
address part of an instruction.
Glossary-24