Toshiba Satellite A80-127 User Manual page 170

RAM: random access memory
ROM: read only memory
RTC: real time clock
SCSI: small computer system interface
TFT: thin-film transistor
USB: Universal Serial Bus
VESA: Video Electronic Standards Association
VGA: video graphics array
XGA: extended graphics array
A
adaptor: A device that provides an interface between two dissimilar
application: A group of programs that together are used for a specific task
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII code
B
BIOS: Basic Input Output System. The firmware that controls data flow
bit:
Derived from "binary digit," the basic unit of information used by the
boot: Short for bootstrap. A program that starts or restarts the computer.
bps: Bits per second. Typically used to describe the data transmission
buffer: The portion of the computer's memory where data is temporarily
bus: An interface for transmission of signals, data or electric power.
byte: The representation of a single character. A sequence of eight bits
Toshiba A80
electronic devices. For example, the AC adaptor modifies the power
from a wall outlet for use by the computer. This term also refers to
the add-in circuit cards that control external devices, such as video
monitors and magnetic tape devices.
such as accounting, financial planning, spreadsheets, word
processing and games.
is a set of 256 binary codes that represent the most commonly used
letters, numbers, and symbols.
within the computer. See also firmware.
computer. It is either zero or one. Eight bits is one byte. See also
byte.
The program reads instructions from a storage device into the
computer's memory.
speed of a modem.
stored. Buffers often compensate for differences in the rate of flow
from one device to another.
treated as a single unit; also the smallest addressable unit within the
system.
Glossary
Glossary-2