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POS. See point-of-sale.
POST . Power-on self-test.
power-on self-test (POST) . A series of diagnostic
tests that are run automatically each time the
computer's power is switched on.
problem determination. The process of determining
the source of a problem; for example, a program
component, machine failure, telecommunication
facilities, user or contractor-installed programs or
equipment, environmental failure such as a power loss,
or user error.
procedure. (1) A set of related control statements that
cause one or more programs to be performed. (2) A set
of instructions that gives a service representative a
step-by-step procedure for tracing a symptom to the
cause of failure.
processor. In a computer, a functional unit that
interprets and executes instructions. (A) (I)
protocol. (1) A set of semantic and syntactic rules that
determine the behavior of functional units in achieving
communication. (I) (2) A specification for the format and
relative timing of information exchanged between
communicating parties.
R
RAM. See random access memory.
random access memory (RAM). A computer's or
adapter's volatile memory, which can be accessed
nonsequentially.
read. To acquire or to interpret data from a storage
device, from a data medium, or from another source. (I)
(A)
real-time. (1) Pertaining to the actual time during
which a physical process occurs. (2) Pertaining to data
collected concurrently with physical events, so that the
results of the collection operation may be used to
influence the sequence of events.
receive. To obtain and store information transmitted
from a device.
record. A collection of related items of data, treated as
a unit; for example, in stock control, each invoice could
constitute one record. A complete set of such records
may form a file.
repeater. A device that amplifies or regenerates data
signals in order to extend the range of transmission
between devices in a network.
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S
SBCS. See single-byte character set.
scanner. A device that examines the bar code on
merchandise tickets, credit cards, and employee badges
and generates analog or digital signals corresponding to
the bar code.
serial port. On personal computers, a port used to
attach devices such as display devices, letter-quality
printers, modems, plotters, and pointing devices such as
light pens and mice; it transmits data one bit at a time.
Contrast with parallel port.
signal. A variation of a physical attribute, used to
convey data. (A)
single-byte character set (SBCS). Single-byte
character set. A character set in which each character is
represented by a one-byte code. Contrast with
double-byte character set.
socket. (1) An opening that holds something. (2)
Synonym for port.
source. The origin of any data involved in a data
transfer.
subsystem. A secondary or subordinate system,
usually capable of operating independently of, or
asynchronously with, a controlling system. (T)
switch. (1) A device for making and breaking electrical
connections, for making a selection, or for requesting a
function or operation. (2) On an adapter, a mechanism
used to select a value for, enable, or disable a
configurable option or feature.
system. (1) In data processing, a collection of people,
machines, and methods organized to accomplish a set
of specific functions. (I) (A) See also data processing
system, operating system, and system unit. (2) In the
IBM StorePlace Distributed Data Services for OS/2, a
group of nodes for which files are managed.
system board. In a system unit, the main circuit board
that supports a variety of basic system devices, such as
a keyboard or a mouse, and provides other basic
system functions.
system configuration. A process that specifies the
devices and programs that form a particular data
processing system.
system unit. (1) A part of a computer that contains the
processing unit and may contain devices such as disk
and diskette drives. (2) In an IBM Personal Computer,
the unit that contains the processor circuitry, read-only
memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and
the I/O channel. It may have one or more disk or
diskette drives. (3) In an IBM Store System terminal, the
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