Glossary
operating system A set of programs that translates commands given
directly or through an application so that a
computer and devices attached to it can carry them
out.
parallel interface an interface which deals with several signals sent "in
parallel" (at the same time).
parity Usually one "bit" of a byte used to check that the
byte has been transmitted and received correctly.
park Secure the heads of a hard disk so that they are not
damaged if the disk is moved - the hard disk fitted in
your computer has self-parking heads.
PCI bus Peripheral Component Interconnect, a type of local
bus (see local bus).
pixel The smallest entity which cab be displayed on a
monitor when in a graphics mode. Sometimes
referred to as a dot.
port A plug, connector, socket or interface.
power supply unit
(PSU)
The unit which supplies power to the computer.
processor chip See CPU.
program A complete set of instructions written in a computer
language for handling a particular task.
PSU See power supply unit.
RAM Random access memory, also known as user or
program memory, which stores programs and data
loaded from disk ready for processing.
real-time clock (RTC) A clock inside a computer which keeps time whether
the computer is switched on or off.
reboot See reset.
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