User’s Manual
Glossary-10
Glossary
N
nonvolatile memory:
Memory, usually read-only (ROM), that is capable of
permanently storing information. Turning the computer's power off
does not alter data stored in nonvolatile memory.
numeric keypad overlay:
A feature that allows you to use certain keys on
the keyboard to perform numeric entry, or to control cursor and page
movement.
O
OCR:
Optical Character Recognition (reader). A technique or device that
uses laser or visible light to identify characters and input them into a
storage device.
online state:
A functional state of a peripheral device when it is ready to
receive or transmit data.
operating system:
A group of programs that controls the basic operation
of a computer. Operating system functions include interpreting
programs, creating data files, and controlling the transmission and
receipt (input/output) of data to and from memory and peripheral
devices.
output:
The results of a computer operation. Output commonly indicates
data.
1) printed on paper, 2) displayed at a terminal, 3) sent through the
serial port of internal modem, or 4) stored on some magnetic media.
P
parity:
1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values
(integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1.
2) In serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a
group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can
be set to none, odd, or even.
password:
A unique string of characters used to identify a specific user.
The computer provides various levels of password protection such
as user, supervisor and eject.
pel:
The smallest area of the display that can be addressed by software.
Equal in size to a pixel or group of pixels.
See
pixel.
peripheral component interconnect:
An industry standard 32-bit bus.
peripheral device:
An I/O device that is external to the central processor
and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.
pixel:
A picture element. The smallest dot that can be made on a display or
printer. Also called a pel.
plug and play:
A capability with Windows
®
that enables the system to
automatically recognize connections of external devices and make
the necessary configurations in the computer.
port:
The electrical connection through which the computer sends and
receives data to and from devices or other computers.
