ZX Computings - OpenLibra

S-100 Name of a bus or
connection standard shared
by many manufacturers and
employing 100 connection
positions. Unfortunately,
there are some minor
variations between different
manufacturers' versions of
the S-100 bus but the l-EEE
has now defined a universal
standard for it. Primarily
designed as a memory bus
and not for general purpose
use.
Software The different kinds
of program required to work a
computer.
Source code A program
written in one of the highlevel
languages and requiring
compilation into machine
language before use.
Static RAM Random Access
Memory which does not
require continuous refresh
signals but tends to use more
power than Dynamic RAM,
Computer Glossary
and still loses its contents
when power is removed.
String A sequence of
alphanumeric characters.
Terminal A device, normally
remote from the computer, at
which data can enter or leave
a communication network —
eg a tele-typewriter working
over telephone lines.
Thermal (Printer} A matrix
printer wherein the print
impression is made by heating
a selected pattern of wires
within a matrix (say 5 x 7) so
that the heat causes points
on the specially-treated paper
to darken, to form the
selected character.
Time-Sharing A method of
operating a computer
whereby two or more users
apparently enjoy simultaneous
access to and control of the
machine. In practice what is
happening is that the
computer is attending to the
users one at a time, but in a
sequence of time intervals so
short that none is normally
aware of any delay.
VDU Visual Display Unit - a
television-type screen on
which computer messages
can be displayed.
Word The specified number of
bits that a computer is
organised to process as a
group — eg 1 6 bit word: but
the popular 8-bit word is
called a byte.
Word Processor A computer
with software for entering,
editing, storing, formatting
and printing text, rather than
processing figures.
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