AMSTRAD CPC464 User Manual page 207

Graphics tablet
A device that plots the co-ordinate points of a given picture or drawing for manipulation
within the computer. A form of AID.
Handshaking
A sequence of electronic signals which initiates, checks and synchronises the exchange of
data between a computer and a peripheral, or between two computers.
Hard Copy
Paper printout of a program or other text - or of a graphics display. The transitory screen
equivalent is known as'soft copy'.
Hardware
The electronic and mechanical parts of a computer system -anything that isn't software or
firmware.
Hexadecimal notation
Numbers based on 16. See Appendix II. Signified in the CPC464 by the prefix & or &H.
High-level language
Languages which are written in 'near literal' form, where the actual language does most of
the work of interpreting. Slower than machine code orientated programs, but far simpler to
understand, like BASIC.
IEM~
One of the standard Interfaces for connecting devices to a microcomputer. Similar to - but not
wholly compatible with - the Centronics parallel interface in many respects.
Information technology
Anything relating to the use of electronics in the processing of information and
communications: wordprocessing, data communications, PRESTEL etc.
Initialise
Switch on a system, or declare specific values for variables before beginning to execute the
body of program - such as declaring them to be integers etc.
Input
Anything that enters the computer memory from its keyboard, cassette unit, disk unit, serial
interface or other input source.