Commodore 128 Programmer's Reference Manual page 747

GLOSSARY 737
j |
Program: A series of instructions that direct the computer to perform a specific task.
Programs can be stored on diskette or cassette, reside in the computer's memory,
j j or be listed on a printer.
/ ( Program Line: A statement or series of statements preceded by a line number in a
program. The maximum length of a program line on the Commodore 128 is 160
p characters.
J 1 Programmable: Capable of being processed with computer instructions.
PROM: The acronym for Programmable Read Only Memory. A semiconductor memory
chip whose contents can be changed.
j | Protocol: The rules under which computers exchange information, including the
' ] organization of the units of data to be transferred.
Random Access Memory (RAM): The programmable area of the computer's memory
H that can be read from and written to (changed). All RAM locations are equally
/ I accessible at any time in any order. The contents of RAM are erased when the
computer is turned off.
p Random Number: A nine-digit decimal number from 0.000000001 to 0.999999999
j I generated by the RaNDom (RND) function.
Read Only Memory (ROM): The permanent portion of the computer's memory. The
contents of ROM locations can be read, but not changed. The ROM in the
Commodore 128 contains the BASIC language interpreter, character-image pat-
terns and the operating system.
Register: Internal storage compartments with the microprocessor that communicate
between system ROM, RAM, and themselves.
Release: The rate at which the volume of a musical note decreases from the sustain
level to 0.
Remark: Comments used to document a program. Remarks are not executed by the
computer, but are displayed in the program listing.
Resolution: The fineness of detail of a displayed image, determined by the density of
pixels on the screen.
RGBI Monitor: A high-resolution display device necessary to produce the C128 80-
column screen format. RGBI stands for Red/Green/Blue/Intensity.
Ribbon Cable: A group of attached parallel wires, usually made up of 25 lines for
RS-232 communication.
Ring Network: A system in which all stations are linked to form a continuous loop or
circle.
RS-232: A recommended standard for electronic and electromechanical specifications for
serial communication. The Commodore 128 parallel user port can be treated as a
serial port if accessed through software, sometimes with the addition of an
interface device.
Screen: A video display unit, which can be either a television or a video monitor.
Screen Code: The number assigned to represent a character in screen memory. When
you type a key on the keyboard, the screen code for that character is entered into
screen memory automatically. You can also display a character by storing its
screen code directly into screen memory with the POKE command.
Screen Memory: The area of the Commodore 128's memory that contains the infor
mation displayed on the video screen.