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Glossary – Texas Instruments 4000M User Manual

Page 281

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device driver — The small programs used to control
external devices or to run other programs. A device driver
directs production, manipulation, and presentation of
appropriate signals by the computer so that the external
device will perform as required.

diagnostics programs — The programs that test the
components of your computer to verify proper operation or
to diagnose problems.

directory — The list of all files, which itself is a file, on your
computer storage medium for easy reference.

disk controller — A device that controls how information is
transferred between the system unit and the hard disk or
floppies.

disk drive — A device that rotates magnetic media and
accesses data by means of a read/write head.

diskette — See floppy.

DOS — The disk operating system, programs that act as
translator between you and your computer; also see
operating system.

expanded memory — The memory that utilizes an area of
the computer memory as a window, through which pages of
data are “passed.”

expansion bus connector — A coupling device that
connects an external device to your computer.

extended memory — The internal

RAM

above the 1,024 KB

of conventional memory.

Glossary

Glossary 7