Toshiba Satellite A300 - Manual (Page 187)

User’s Manual Glossary-5
Glossary
CD-RW: A Compact Disc-ReWritable disc can be rewritten many times.
See also CD-ROM.
character: Any letter, number, punctuation mark, or symbol used by the
computer. Also synonymous with byte.
chassis: The frame containing the computer.
chip: A small semiconductor containing computer logic and circuitry for
processing, memory, input/output functions and controlling other
chips.
click: To press and release the pointing device's primary button without
moving the pointing device. In the Windows? operating system,
this refers to the pointing device's left button, unless otherwise
stated. See also double-click.
CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. An electronic circuit
fabricated on a silicon wafer that requires very little power.
Integrated circuits implemented in CMOS technology can be tightly
packaged and are highly reliable.
cold start: Starting a computer that is currently off (turning on the power).
COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4: The names assigned to the serial and
communication ports.
commands: Instructions you enter at the terminal keyboard that direct
the actions of the computer or its peripheral devices.
compatibility: 1) The ability of one computer to accept and process data
in the same manner as another computer without modifying the
data or the media upon which it is being transferred. 2) the ability
of one device to connect to or communicate with another system
or component.
components: Elements or parts (of a system) which make up the whole
(system).
computer program: A set of instructions written for a computer that
enable it to achieve a desired result.
computer system: A combination of hardware, software, firmware, and
peripheral components assembled to process data into useful
information.
configuration: The specific components in your system (such as the
terminal, printer, and disk drives) and the settings that define how
your system works. You use the HW Setup program to control your
system configuration.
controller: Built-in hardware and software that controls the functions of a
specific internal or peripheral device (e.g. keyboard controller).