Commodore 128 Programmer's Reference Manual page 743

GLOSSARY 733
Collision Detection: Determination of collision between two or more sprites or
between sprites and data.
r? Color Memory: The area in the Commodore 128's memory that controls the color of
I \ each location in screen memory.
Command: A BASIC instruction used in direct mode to perform an action. See Direct
p Mode./
| I Compiler: A program that translates a high-level language, such as BASIC, into
machine\language.
^ Composite Monitor: A device used to provide the C128 40-column video display.
j | Computer: An electronic, digital device that inputs, processes, and outputs information.
' ■ Condition: Expression(s) between the words IF and THEN, in an IF ... THEN
statement, evaluated as either true or false. The conditional IF ... THEN
R statement gives the computer the ability to make decisions.
I ( Coordinate: A single point on a grid having vertical (Y) and horizontal (X) values.
Counter: A variable used to keep track of the number of times an event has occurred in
<—j a program.
j | CPU: Acronym for Central Processing Unit, the part of the computer containing the
circuits that control and perform the execution of computer instructions.
Crunch: To minimize the amount of computer memory used to store a program.
I Cursor: The flashing square that marks the current location on the screen.
I Data: Numbers, letters or symbols that are input into the computer and are to be
processed.
pj Database: A large amount of related data stored in a well-organized manner. A
j J database management system is a program that allows access to the information.
Data Link Layer: A logical portion of data communications control that mainly
ensures that communication between adjacent devices is error-free.
' \ Data Packet: A means of transmitting serial data in an efficient package that includes
^ an error-checking sequence.
Data Rate or Data Transfer Rate: The speed at which data is sent to a receiving
f"| computer—given in baud, or bits per second (bps).
I ( Datassette: A device used to store programs and data files sequentially on tape.
Debug: To correct errors in a program.
r< Decay: The rate at which the volume of a musical note decreases from its peak value to
} I a midrange volume called the sustain level. See Sustain.
Decrement: To decrease an index variable or counter by a specific value.
Dedicated Line or Leased Line: A special telephone line arrangement supplied by
P| the telephone company, and required by certain computers or terminals, whereby
I ! the connection is always established.
Delay Loop: An empty FOR . . . NEXT loop that slows the execution of a
r^ program.
} [ Dial-Up Line: The normal switched telephone line that can be used as a transmission
medium for data communications.
Digital: Of or relating to the technology of computers and data communications
R where all information is encoded as bits of Is or Os that represent on or off
1 • ■ states.