Epson 486SX - Manual (Page 218)

Parallel
The type of interface that transmits all the bits in a byte of data
simultaneously over separate lines. See also
Interface
and Serial.
Parameter
A qualifier added to a command that tells the program what
particular conditions to look for and specifies information such
as what data you want to process and where to locate or store a
file.
Purity
A method used to verify the accuracy of data transmissions by
adding a bit that makes the total of the byte count odd for odd
parity or even for even parity.
Partition
(1) The area defined on a hard disk for use by an operating
system; (2) to divide a hard disk into separate sections or logical
drives. You can define a primary partition and one or more
extended partitions on a hard disk.
P a t h n a m e
The directory name(s) you specify to locate a file. For example,
the pathname for the file SALES, stored in the subdirectory
BUSINESS, is \BUSINESS\SALES.
Peripheral device
An external device (such as a printer or a modem) connected to
a computer that depends on the computer for its operation.
Port
A physical input/output socket on a computer where you
can
connect a peripheral device.
14 Glossary