User’s Manual Glossary-5GlossaryCOM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4: The names assigned to the serial andcommunication ports.commands: Instructions you enter at the terminal keyboard that direct theactions of the computer or its peripheral devices.compatibility: 1) The ability of one computer to accept and process data inthe same manner as another computer without modifying the dataor the media upon which it is being transferred. 2) the ability of onedevice to connect to or communicate with another system orcomponent.components: Elements or parts (of a system) which make up the whole(system).computer program: A set of instructions written for a computer that enableit to achieve a desired result.computer system: A combination of hardware, software, firmware, andperipheral components assembled to process data into usefulinformation.configuration: The specific components in your system (such as theterminal, printer, and disk drives) and the settings that define howyour system works. You use the HW Setup program to control yoursystem configuration.controller: Built-in hardware and software that controls the functions of aspecific internal or peripheral device (e.g. keyboard controller).CPU: Central Processing Unit. The portion of the computer that interpretsand executes instructions.CRT: Cathode Ray Tube. A vacuum tube in which beams projected on afluorescent screen-producing luminous spots. An example is thetelevision set.cursor: A small, blinking rectangle or line that indicates the current positionon the display screen.Ddata: Information that is factual, measurable or statistical that a computercan process, store, or retrieve.data bits: A data communications parameter controlling the number of bits(binary digits) used to make up a byte. If data bits = 7 the computercan generate 128 unique characters. If data bits = 8 the computercan generate 256 unique characters.DC: Direct Current. Electric current that flows in one direction. This type ofpower is usually supplied by batteries.default: The parameter value automatically selected by the system whenyou or the program do not provide instructions. Also called a presetvalue.delete: To remove data from a disk or other data storage device.Synonymous with erase.
