GLOSSARY
Glossary-6
disk storage: Storing data on magnetic
disk. Data is arranged on concentric
tracks much like a phonograph record.
diskette: A removable disk that stores
magnetically encoded data used on a
microcomputer. Also called floppy
disk.
display: A CRT, plasma screen, LCD,
or other image producing device used
to view computer output.
documentation: The set of manual
and/or other instructions written for
the users of a computer system or
application. Computer system
documentation typically includes
procedural and tutorial information as
well as system functions.
DOS: Disk operating system. See
operating system.
driver: A software program, generally
part of the operating system, that
controls a specific piece of hardware
(frequently a peripheral device such as
a printer or mouse).
E
echo: To send back a reflection of the
transmitted data to the sending device.
You can display the information on the
screen, or output it to the printer, or
both. When a computer receives back
data it transmitted to a CRT (or other
peripheral device) and then retransmits
the data to printer, the printer is said to
echo the CRT.
erase: See delete.
escape: 1) A code ( ASCII code 27),
signaling the computer that what
follows are commands; used with
peripheral devices such as printers
and modems. 2) A means of aborting
the task currently in progress.
escape guard time: A time before and
after an escape code is sent to the
modem which distinguishes between
escapes that are part of the transmit-
ted data, and escapes that are in-
tended as a command to the modem.
execute: To interpret and execute an
instruction.
Extended Capability Port: An industry
standard that provides a data buffer,
switchable forward and reverse data
transmission, and run length encoding
(RLE) support.
F
fast infrared: An industry standard
that enables cableless infrared serial
data transfer at speeds of up to 4
Mbps.
file: A collection of related informa-
tion; a file can contain data, programs,
or both.
firmware: A set of instructions built
into the hardware which controls and
directs a microprocessor’s activities.
fixed disk: See hard disk.
disk storage
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