User’s Manual Glossary-11
Glossary
nonvolatile memory: Memory, usually read-only (ROM), that is capable of
permanently storing information. Turning the computer’s power off
does not alter data stored in nonvolatile memory.
numeric keypad overlay: A feature that allows you to use certain keys on
the keyboard to perform numeric entry, or to control cursor and page
movement.
O
OCR wand: A device that reads, using an optical device, hand written or
machine printed symbols into a computer. See also OCR.
OCR: Optical Character Recognition (reader). A technique or device that
uses laser or visible light to identify characters and input them into a
storage device.
on-line state: A functional state of a peripheral device when it is ready to
receive or transmit data.
operating system: A group of programs that controls the basic operation
of a computer. Operating system functions include interpreting
programs, creating data files, and controlling the transmission and
receipt (input/output) of data to and from memory and peripheral
devices.
output: The results of a computer operation. Output commonly indicates
data 1) printed on paper, 2) displayed at a terminal, 3) sent through
the serial port of internal modem, or 4) stored on some magnetic
media.
P
parallel interface: Refers to a type of information exchange that transmits
information one byte (8 bits) at a time. See also serial interface.
parallel: Refers to two or more processes or events that can occur
simultaneously, and without interfering with each other. See also
serial.
parity: 1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values
(integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1.
2) In serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a
group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can
be set to none, odd, or even.
password: A unique string of characters used to identify a specific user.
The computer provides various levels of password protection such
as user, supervisor and eject.
pel: The smallest area of the display that can be addressed by software.
Equal in size to a pixel or group of pixels. See pixel.
peripheral component interconnect: An industry standard 32-bit bus.
peripheral device: An I/O device that is external to the central processor
and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.
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