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G
graphics accelerator
A term referring to a higher end video controller that handles high-speed graphics and
usually contains several megabytes of onboard video memory.
GUI
Graphical User Interface. Method of presenting information on a computer screen utilizing
icons, pull-down menus, and a mouse.
H
hertz
(Hz) A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.
hexadecimal
A number system that uses 16 as the base. (Place value indicates powers of 16.) It uses the
digits 0-9 and A-F. Used around computers because a byte (eight binary digits) easily
converts to a two digit hexadecimal number. Hexadecimal numbers are often indicated with
the letter H, a dollar sign, or a subscripted 16 after the number. Compare binary, decimal.
host adapter
An expansion board that serves as a controller for SCSI devices.
hot key
Combination of two or three keys (such as Ctrl-Alt-D) that you press simultaneously for a
particular function.
hot plugging
The ability to add and remove devices to a computer while the computer is running and
have the operating system automatically recognize the change. The Universal Serial Bus
(see USB ) external bus standard supports hot plugging. This is also a feature of PCMCIA.
Hot plugging is also called hot swapping.
I
IDE
Intelligent Drive Electronics. A hard drive type that has controller electronics built into the
drive and delivers high throughput.
interface
A connection that enables two devices to communicate.
interrupt
A signal from part of a system, such as an I/O device, asking to use the CPU. Interrupts are
hierarchical, which prevents interrupts from interrupting each other. (Whichever interrupt
has higher priority makes the other interrupt wait.) When the CPU receives an interrupt
signal, it saves what it is doing, processes the routine associated with the interrupt, then
returns to what it was doing.
8 Glossary
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