Toshiba P10-792 User Guide
Glossary
Satellite P10 Series
2
Satellite P10 Series
Version
1
Last Saved on 26/08/2003 14:06
ENGLISH using Euro_M.dot –– Printed on 26/08/2003 as IM_P10EN
asynchronous:
Lacking regular time relationship. As applied to computer
communications, asynchronous refers to the method of
transmitting data that does not require a steady stream of bits to
be transmitted at regular time intervals.
transmitting data that does not require a steady stream of bits to
be transmitted at regular time intervals.
AUTOEXEC.BAT:
A batch file that executes a series of MS-DOS
commands and programs each time you start the computer. This
is no longer necessarily used when booting Windows NT 4.0 and
higher.
is no longer necessarily used when booting Windows NT 4.0 and
higher.
B
backup:
A duplicate copy of files kept as a spare in case the original is
destroyed.
batch file:
A file that can be executed from the system prompt containing
a sequence of operating system commands or executable files.
See also AUTOEXEC.BAT.
See also AUTOEXEC.BAT.
billion byte (Bi.B):
A unit of data storage equal to 1,000,000,000 bytes.
See also million byte.
binary:
The base two number system composed of zeros and ones (off or
on), used by most digital computers. The right most digit of a
binary number has a value of 1, the next a value of 2, then 4, 8, 16,
and so on. For example, the binary number 101 has a value of 5.
See also ASCII.
binary number has a value of 1, the next a value of 2, then 4, 8, 16,
and so on. For example, the binary number 101 has a value of 5.
See also ASCII.
BIOS:
Basic Input Output System. The firmware that controls data flow
within the computer. See also firmware.
bit:
Derived from "binary digit," the basic unit of information used by the
computer. It is either zero or one. Eight bits is one byte. See also
byte.
byte.
Bluetooth:
A short-range radio technology designed to simplify wireless
communication among computers, communication devices and
the Internet.
the Internet.
board:
A circuit board. An internal card containing electronic
components, called chips, which perform a specific function or
increase the capabilities of the system.
increase the capabilities of the system.
boot:
Short for bootstrap. A program that starts or restarts the computer.
The program reads instructions from a storage device into the
computer’s memory.
computer’s memory.
bps:
Bits per second. Typically used to describe the data transmission
speed of a modem.
buffer:
The portion of the computer’s memory where data is temporarily
stored. Buffers often compensate for differences in the rate of flow
from one device to another.
stored. Buffers often compensate for differences in the rate of flow
from one device to another.
bus:
An interface for transmission of signals, data or electric power.
byte:
The representation of a single character. A sequence of eight bits
treated as a single unit; also the smallest addressable unit within
the system.
the system.