ZX Computings - OpenLibra

Compiler A program whose
function is to read another
program written in a highlevel
language, such as
COBOL or FORTRAN, and
convert it to machine code
which a computer can obey.
CP/M Control
Program/Microprocessor. A
popular disc-based operating
system for microcomputers
using the 8080 and Z80
processors.
cps Characters (rarely cycles)
Per Second (sometimes chps).
CUTS Computer Users' Tape
System — a standard for
recording data on cassette
tape.
Daisy Wheel The typehead
component of a sequential
printer — like the go/fball but
faster — whose characters
are held on the periphery of a
serrated plastic disc.
Data base A system for
organising elements of
information in a machine code
file so that a program can
readily select from this data
any particular abstraction or
combination of information
that may be called for. For
instance, a customer data
base might include full details
of all customers (as required
for service and distribution
departments as well as sales
and marketing) and also of
every service call and delivery
as well as each item invoiced
to these customers during a
year or longer. A suitable
program could access that
data base to answer such
questions as "identify the
customers buying more than
£1,000 of item A' in less
than five deliveries and
receiving less than two
service calls in the year."
Debug To correct the errors in
a program.
Disc (Disk) Magnetic storage
device allowing fast random
access to any selection from
a large volume of data. A fullsize
hard disc will hold say 5
megabytes or more, a smaller
floppy disc typically holds
from 80 to 250 kilobytes but
in either case the capacity is
being increased all the time.
Diskette A floppy disc,
especially the smaller 5%"
size.
ZX COMPUTING SUMMER 1982 119
Computer Glossary