ZX Computings - OpenLibra

Computer Glossary
COMPUTING GLOSSARY
Address The number, eg
62768, identifying a place in
memory,
Aluminised (paper) Printer
paper surfaced with a thin
deposit of metal. The
characters are formed by
darkening caused by electric
current flowing onto the
paper from the pins of a
matrix print head.
ASCII American Standard
Code for Information
Interchange — representing
letters, numbers etc by 1 28
permutations of a 7-bit code.
Assembler Program which
converts the low-level
mnemonic instructions of
assembly language to the
binary machine language
instructions required to drive
a centra! processor.
BASIC Beginners' All-purpose
Symbolic Instruction Code —
a popular high-level
programming language
developed at Dartmouth
College, USA.
Batch (Processing) A method
of computer working in which
a large number of
transactions are grouped
together before processing
(so that control totals, etc
can be taken) and which are
then passed through the
various stages of processing
as a group or batch. This was
the original method of data
processing for commercial
work and contrasts with
interactive and demand
processing.
Baud A rate of data
transmission commonly,
though strictly not correctly,
taken as synonymous with
bits per second.
BCD Binary Coded Decimal -
a 4-bit system for
representing the 1 0 decimal
digits.
Benchmark A standard
computing task used to
measure the relative speeds
of different processors.
Binary Numbering system
with the base 2. using the
digits 0 and 1 instead of the
decimal series 0 to 9. All
digital computers work on
data and instructions
presented as binary numbers.
Bit Binary digit (contraction).
Must be 0 or 1.
Block A sequence of data
words or bytes treated as a
unit, especially when working
with magnetic tape.
Boot An instruction or very
short program which will
initiate a computer's
operating system (short for
bootstrap).
bps Bits Per Second — a rate
of data transmission between
devices. Eg 300 bps is a
popular rate for some
terminals, roughly equivalent
to 30 characters per second
(cps or chps).
Bubble memory A compact,
high-capacity random access
memory device which holds
data as minute magnetic
domains or 'bubbles'. The
data is not lost when power
is removed.
Buffer (1) An area of memory
designated to hold data being
transferred between devices
working at different speeds,
eg the fast processor and the
slower keyboard, printer or
disc.
(2) An electronic
device in a signal path
designed to allow signals to
pass in one direction but to
hold back unwanted reverse
voltages which might damage
the sending apparatus.
Bug An error in software.
Bus (sometimes spelt Buss)
Basically means the multiple
wiring common to several
parts of a computer and the
number of channels therein —
eg a 16-bit bus addressing
64K memory locations or a
20-way bus addressing 1
megabyte. Bus is now
generally identified with the
pattern of connections to the
plugs and sockets whereby
optional units (eg more
memory) may be connected
to a computer.
Byte A unit of data 8 bits
long.
CAD/l/l Computer Aided
Design/Instruction/Learning.
Cartridge A protective carrier
of magnetic tape (a variant of
the familiar cassette) or disc.
Central processor The heart
of a computer in which the
actual program instructions
are effected.
Chain A process whereby one
computer program
automatically follows another.
COBOL Common Business
Oriented Language.
118 ZX COMPUTING SUMMER 1982