Compaq LA36 - Manual (Page 185)

GL-1
Glossary
Glossary
A4 Size
A standard paper size used in Japan and other countries. Paper is 210 X 295 mm (8.25 X
11.6 inches).
Application Software
Software programs that perform tasks on a computer. Such programs include word
processing, database management, and accounting, for example.
ASCII
The acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is a set of
256 codes (numbered 0 to 255) used to communicate information between a computer and
another device such as a printer.
Baud Rate
The speed, in bits per second, at which data is transmitted to a device such as a printer.
Baud rates apply to serial data only. 1200 baud equals approximately 120 characters per
second.
Bidirectional Printing
Alternate printing of lines from left to right and right to left. Bidirectional printing is faster
than unidirectional printing because there are no carriage returns.
Bit
The smallest unit of information in computer memory. A bit is a single digit, either a 1 or a
0, in the binary numbering system. Eight bits equal one byte.
Bottom Feed
Paper feeding through a slot at the bottom of the printer. The forms tractor unit, which must
be installed on the top of the printer, pulls paper through the printer. The desk or printer
rack, on which the printer sits, must have also a paper feed slot.
Buffer
A storage area for data in the printer or computer. The printer’s buffer consists of a print
buffer and a download buffer. The print buffer holds the data to be printed. The download
buffer holds downloaded data such as download (soft) fonts.
Byte
A byte consists of eight bits that constitute one symbol. A byte represents a single
character, such as number, letter, or special control character.