Xerox 4635 - Manual (Page 296)

GLOSSARY
XEROX 4635 LASER PRINTING SYSTEM MESSAGE GUIDE GLOSSARY-3
binary synchronous transmission Data transmission in which synchronization of characters is
controlled by timing signals generated at the sending and
receiving stations.
bit Abbreviation for binary digit, the smallest unit of information
recognized by a computer. See also binary digit.
bit map Visual representation of graphic images in which a bit defines a
picture element (pixel); for example, if a bit is 1, the
corresponding pixel is printed.
bit mapped Display image generated bit by bit for each point or dot. A
software-driven scanner is used to create characters or graphics.
blocking Process of combining two or more records into a single block of
data which can then be moved, operated upon, or stored, as a
single unit by the computer.
block length Number of characters or bytes contained in a block of data (the
block is treated as a unit within the computer). Block length is
usually invariable within a system and may be specified in units
such as records, words, computer words, or characters.
boot To load the initial instructions of a program into computer
memory; these instructions then direct the loading of the rest of
the program. Booting may require entry of a few commands at
the keyboard or the flip of a switch to begin the process.
bps bits per second. In serial communication, the instantaneous bit
speed with which a device or channel transmits a character.
BSC binary synchronous communication. 1. Communication using
binary synchronous line discipline. 2. Uniform procedure using
a standardized set of control characters and control character
sequences for synchronous transmission of binary-coded data
between stations.
buffer Compartment of memory in which this data is stored during
transfer from one device to another. This is useful for
accumulating data into blocks before storage or processing and
for adjusting differences of speed between devices, or between a
device and a communicating facility.
Bypass Transport Optional module that moves paper from the last stacker bin to a
finishing device.
byte Fixed number of bits (in data processing, usually 8) operated
upon as a unit. A byte may represent a character, a machine
instruction, or some other logical unit of information.