beautypg.com

Toshiba Satellite A110 (PSAB0) User Manual

Page 157

background image

User’s Manual

Glossary-7

Glossary

operating system: A group of programs that controls the basic operation

of a computer. Operating system functions include interpreting

programs, creating data files, and controlling the transmission and

receipt (input/output) of data to and from memory and peripheral

devices.

output: The results of a computer operation. Output commonly indicates

data.

1) printed on paper, 2) displayed at a terminal, 3) sent through the

serial port of internal modem, or 4) stored on some magnetic media.

P

parity: 1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values

(integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1.

2) In serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a

group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can

be set to none, odd, or even.

peripheral device: An I/O device that is external to the central processor

and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.

pixel: A picture element. The smallest dot that can be made on a display or

printer. Also called a pel.

plug and play: A capability with Windows that enables the system to

automatically recognize connections of external devices and make

the necessary configurations in the computer.

port: The electrical connection through which the computer sends and

receives data to and from devices or other computers.

prompt: A message the computer provides indicating it is ready for or

requires information or an action from you.

R

Random Access Memory (RAM): High speed memory within the

computer circuitry that can be read or written to.

restart: Resetting a computer without turning it off (also called "warm boot"

or "soft reset"). See also boot.

RJ11: A modular telephone jack.
RJ45: A modular LAN jack.
ROM: Read Only Memory: A nonvolatile memory chip manufactured to

contain information that controls the computer’s basic operation.

You cannot access or change information stored in ROM.

S

SCSI: Small Computer System Interface is an industry standard interface

for connection of a variety of peripheral devices.

soft key: Key combinations that emulate keys on the IBM keyboard,

change some configuration options, stop program execution, and

access the numeric keypad overlay.

This manual is related to the following products: