Glossary 1GlossaryAAC(Alternating Current) The type of current available in wall outlets. All computers mustconvert alternating current to direct current to operate. See also DC.addressA label, name, or number that identifies a location in computer memory.ASCII(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) A standard number assigned to eachof the alphanumeric characters and keyboard control code keys to enable the transfer ofinformation between different types of computers and peripherals.Bbackplane slotA connector on the backplane board in desktop computers and expansion boxes that allowsyou to install circuit cards.backupA copy of data for safe-keeping. The data is copied from computer memory or disk to afloppy disk, magnetic tape, or other media.backup batteryThe battery in your computer that maintains the real-time clock and the configurationinformation when the computer's power is removed.base memoryAn area of memory between 0 and 640 kilobytes.baud rateThe speed with which data is transmitted during serial communication. The computer'soperating system and software program must be configured for the same baud rate as thecommunication device, such as a serial printer. See also bps.BIOS(Basic Input/Output System) A program stored in flash EPROM or ROM that controls thekeyboard, disk drives, video monitor, and other devices. See also flash EPROM, EPROM,and ROM.bitDerived from BInary digiT, a bit is the smallest unit of information a computer handles. Seealso byte.
