Refers to data represented by a physical variable that varies in a continuous rather than discrete manner and is usually represented by an electrical signal.
American National Standards Institute, Inc. ANSI establishes standards for transmission codes and protocols.
Software that performs a specific application or task, such as word processing, accounting, or financial planning in contrast to a utility or system program that is used to carry out file management and housekeeping functions during or in conjunction with application software tasks.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. The standard specifies the correspondence between 128 graphic and control symbols to a 7-bit code.
Parameters that describe files and printers.
A procedure for making a duplicate copy of data for use if the primary data are lost or destroyed.
A PC DOS file that contains a sequence of DOS commands. You enter the name of the batch file on the keyboard; PC DOS then executes all the commands stored in the batch file as if they were typed from the keyboard.
The name of an elementary unit of information that has two states. Usually the two states are called 0 and 1.
A contiguous vector of bits that is read or written as a unit.
At start-up of a computer system, the first record read from disk contains a program used to read the remainder of the operating system into memory. The first record read is called the bootstrap program.
An area of computer memory that is used for performing input or output operations. Data are read into a buffer or written from a buffer.
The name of an 8-bit group.
Eighty consecutive characters of information, or one line.
Characters used to control vertical spacing of print lines.
A common parallel interface for printers. Developed by Centronics Corporation.
Direct method of attaching printers to S/370 mainframes.
A single letter, digit, symbol, space, or punctuation mark.
Asynchronous serial ports 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the PC.
Something you instruct the computer to do, such as run a program.
Programs that convert instructions written in high-level languages to the machine language that the computer can interpret.
A specific combination of hardware that forms a system. When talking about the IBM PC, the term configuration describes characteristics such as the type of monitor adapter, the number and description of printers, the amount of memory, and description of serial ports.
The device used to control the operation of a computer, including a keyboard and display or printers.
Abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. The component of a computer system that performs instruction sequencing, logic and arithmetic, and controls input/output. In a microcomputer, this is a single chip.
A representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or automatic means.
The Dataproducts interface, which originated with the Dataproducts Corporation, is used for driving high-speed printers and typesetting equipment.
Direct Access Vertical Forms Unit. A control sequence of characters used to define a vertical print form. The DAVFU convention was first established by Dataproducts Corporation.
The input and output unit connected to the computer such as printer, plotter, and monitor.
A number that uniquely names a device.
IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System. (See PC DOS).
Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code. The standard specifies the correspondence between 256 graphic and control symbols to an 8-bit code. The code was first used with the IBM System/360.
Systematic alteration of data which prevents unauthorized persons from viewing and using the data.
One to three characters following the file name after the period. Example: STUDY5.JOB.
Forms Control Buffer Load. A record sent from a host to a remote to specify vertical forms control.
Federal Communications Commission.
Mechanism used to meter output to devices (printers) so that data are not sent faster than they can be accepted.
The 40 key options
A device that uses protocol conversion to connect dissimilar communications systems. BARR/RJE and BARR/HASP each serve as a gateway between a local area network and a mainframe.
Symbols that are represented by a picture in contrast to ones with an alphabetic name such as carriage return.
The physical components in a computer system. Examples: processor, memory, display, and printer. These are the hard components of a computing environment as opposed to the soft information components that include programs and data processed by the computer.
Data at the start of a file. Describes the file and how it is to be printed.
A notation for writing numbers that employs base 16. The digits in this notation are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F.
The large computer that has databases, communications networking control, and large computing and memory capacity.
International Business Machines Corporation.
International Business Machines Personal Computer.
International Business Machines Personal System/2.
Information that is read into a computer.
Process in which the BARR/SPOOL description of the PC is specified.
The connection between any two components in a system. The term is used for the connection between both software and hardware components.
Mechanism used to stop a program for an event needing immediate attention.
Job Control Language. A language interpreted by the operating system.
Job Entry Subsystems of the IBM MVS Operating System. These subsystems are used for entering jobs into the MVS Operating System and dispensing the output from the jobs.
Abbreviation for Kilobyte.
A unit of computer memory that is 1024 bytes. Each byte is eight bits long. 1024 in decimal notation is the same as 10000000000 in binary notation. The kilo- prefix means times 1024 in computer literature.
See Local Area Network.
A language consists of a set of symbols, the rules that define what sequences of symbols are syntactically correct, and the meanings attached to various parts of the language. Some languages include FORTRAN, C, COBOL, ALGOL, English, and French.
A high-speed communications network. Typically several PCs are linked together, and the network is usually restricted to a single building or campus.
Parallel printers 1, 2, and 3 of the PC.
An instruction in a source language that points to a sequence of instructions in the same language to replace it. The macro can also specify values for parameters in the replacement instructions.
Term used for a large central computer that offers a full set of computing services. The term originated in the days when the central processor, memory, and input/output channels were located in one central housing called the mainframe.
(Modulate/Demodulate) A device designed to interface between a digital communication link and an analog communication link. Usually the digital communication link is a computer or terminal. The analog communication link is usually a telephone line. Modulate is to convert a digital signal from the computer into an analog signal capable of being transmitted by the telephone system. Demodulate is the opposite of modulate.
Multiple Virtual Storage operating system. A large IBM Operating System that operates on System/370, 3081, and 3091 processors.
Network Basic Input/Output System is a standard interface between PC software and LAN adapters such as Token Ring, Ethernet, or ARCNET adapters.
Device that deletes output.
Disconnected from system. Processing that is performed in isolation.
Connected to system. Processing that is performed during direct communications between a workstation and a computer.
A master program that manages the resources of the computer. The operating system provides a set of services to all programs for input/output, data management, program loading, memory allocation, and communication facilities for job entry and output dispatching.
Operating System.
Written information from the computer.
A device interface to the computer that reads and writes groups of bits at the same time. A common way for printers to be connected to the IBM PC.
A variable that is given a constant value for a specified application.
The operating system supported by IBM on the IBM PC.
Appendages to the computer that serve as memory, sources of information, or are controlled by the computer. Peripheral devices include disk drives, printers, and communications devices such as modems.
Output from host that is to be written to a graphics plotter device.
Data used to specify the operating mode of the printer.
A program or processor attached to a local area network that manages file printing.
Logical organization of files to be printed. With BARR/SPOOL, physically the files reside in the assigned spool directory. The logical order in which the files print is reflected on the Print Spool screen.
Capability for managing the printing of files on one or more printers.
A disk used in daily operation of the PC.
A set of instructions that gives step-by-step details of how to complete a task. For a computer, the instructions can be written in a high-level language like FORTRAN, BASIC, or PASCAL. Instructions in a form directly usable by the computer are called machine language instructions.
A list of items waiting for service in a system.
To obtain data from a communications line.
Options that control the manner in which files are received. S/370 IBM mainframe machine architecture. See also Channel Attached.
Interface ports that send and receive data one bit at a time using the RS232 standard.
Files read from a serial port (e.g. COM1).
Screen or group of screens devoted to a particular activity.
Refers to the programmable instructions for operating the physical machinery of a computer system. Examples: programs, data bases, and files (in contrast to the hardware components such as the processor, printer, and disk drive).
A flexible magnetic-coated Mylar disk used to record information. Synonymous with diskette, flexible disk, or floppy disk.
Installation Description parameter which specifies the location of files to be printed by BARR/SPOOL.
Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line. Spooling denotes a system that allows several independent flows of data to proceed concurrently. See also Print Spool and Print Spooling.
A set of rules established by an industry or governmental organization. Usually implies an extensive review process.
A character that causes advancement of the printer to a tab stop.
The end of a communication line. A simple terminal is a keyboard and a TV-like display. More powerful terminals include disk storage, a computer, printers, and plotters.
An interface adapter installed in the 3745 or 3725 to connect to a Token Ring Network.
High-speed communication network that consists of physical equipment and architecture. This is the IBM architecture for Local Area Networks. The network is characterized by ring structure with a single token continuously circling the ring.
Process of converting from one coding convention to another.
Parameters that assist in easy operation of BARR/SPOOL.
Universal Character Set. Some printers require loading a UCS buffer to match the print train or band installed. Example printers: IBM 3203 and IBM 3211.
A super-minicomputer made by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Specification for spacing of lines on print form.
No glossary entries.