Toshiba A60 Manual Do Utilizador
Glossary-3
G
LOSSARY
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.
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.
AUTOEXEC.BAT: A batch file that
executes a series of MS-DOS commands
and programs each time you start the
computer.
executes a series of MS-DOS commands
and programs each time you start the
computer.
B
backup: A duplicate copy of files kept
as a spare in case the original is
destroyed.
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 com-
mands or executable files. See also
AUTOEXEC.BAT.
from the system prompt containing a
sequence of operating system com-
mands or executable files. See also
AUTOEXEC.BAT.
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.
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.
BIOS: Basic Input Output System. The
firmware that controls data flow within
the computer. See also firmware.
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.
basic unit of information used by the
computer. It is either zero or one. Eight
bits is one byte. See also byte.
Bluetooth: A short-range radio
technology designed to simplify
wireless communication among
computers, communication devices and
the Internet.
technology designed to simplify
wireless communication among
computers, communication devices and
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.
containing electronic components,
called chips, which perform a specific
function or 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.
that starts or restarts the computer. The
program reads instructions from a
storage device into the computer’s
memory.
bps: Bits per second. Typically used to
describe the data transmission speed of
a modem.
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.
memory where data is temporarily
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.
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.
character. A sequence of eight bits
treated as a single unit; also the smallest
addressable unit within the system.
Byte