IBM 6580

GLOSSARY
This glossary includes definitions
developed by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) and the
International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). This material
is reproduced from the AMERICAN
NATIONAL DICTIONARY FOR INFOR-
MATION PROCESSING, copyright 1977
by the Computer and Business Equipment
Manufacturers Association, copies of
which may be purchased from the Ameri-
can National Standards Institute, 1430
Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018.
ANSI definitions are preceded by an
asterisk. The symbol "(SC1)" at the
beginning of a definition indicates
that it is reprinted from an early
working document of ISO Technical Com-
mittee 97, Subcommittee 1 and that
agreement has not yet been reached
among its members.
The
glossary does not include terms
that are defined in nontechnical dic-
tionaries and that have no special
meaning in data processing. Some
terms may have different meanings in
other contexts, or to people not
familiar with data processing industry
usage.
In the interest of clarity and con-
sistency of style, the glossary uses
the same method or arranging, organiz-
ing, and cross -referencing entries as
the AMERICAN NATIONAL DICTION-
ARY FOR INFORMATION PROCESSING
A
asynchronous communication. A com-
munication mode in which each single
byte of data is sychronized, usually
by the addition of start/stop bits.
Sometimes called start/stop communi-
cation.
B
Basic Assurance
Test
(BAT). A
series of tests executed in sequence
that are automatically started at POR.
BAT. Basic Assurance Test.
bisynchronous communication. A uni-
form procedure, using a standardized
set of control characters and control
character sequences, for synchronous
transmission of binary coded data
between stations.
Buffer. ~~ An isolating circuit used
to prevent a driven circuit from
influencing the driving circuit.
bus. One or more conductors used for
transmitting signals or power.
bypass ground. Frame ground.
byte. * A binary character operated
on as a unit.
C
characteristic. A distinguishing fea-
ture or attribute.
choice. A selection made from a menu.
configuration. A collection
of
devices that make up a system.
CRC. Cyclic redundancy check.
Glossary X-1