Block device: A device such as a disk drive that moves information in groups of bytes (blocks) rather than one byte at a time.
Block Editing: A capability of word processing programs that allows users to define, move, delete, or perform other operations on a block of text.
Blocked Tape: A storage technique used where records are grouped together on tape. This provides more storage and faster access by reducing the number of inter-record gaps.
Blocking Factor: The number of logical records combined into one physical record or block.
Boot: To start up the computer or operating system. The term "boot" is a contraction of "bootstrap", which in turn comes from the expression "to lift oneself by one's boot straps." The ROM BIOS on IBM PCs and compatibles reads in the first sector of the disk, which contains a short program of 512 bytes that reads in a portion of the operating system, which in turn reads in the remainder of the operating system.
Boot Drive: The disk drive from which the operating system was booted.
Boot sector: First sector on a logical drive that includes code to boot that drive, specific logical drive information, and error messages.
Bootstrap: A technique in which the first few instructions of a program are sufficient to bring the rest of itself into the computer from an input device.
Bottom Up Testing: Testing a computer program by beginning with individual subroutines or modules and then testing increasingly larger units.
Branch: A transfer of control from one instruction to another in a program that is not part of the normal sequential execution of the instructions of the program.
Breakpoint: When debugging, a memory location which when accessed causes a break in the normal flow of execution and the invocation of the debugger.
Bubble Memory: A type of nonvolatile memory where data are represented by the presence or absence of magnetized areas (bubble) formed on a thin piece of garnet.
Buffer: Temporary storage used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of data, or time of occurrence of events, when transmitting data from one device to another.
Bug: A euphemism for a defect.
Bus: A set of hardwire lines used for data transfer among the components of a computer system.
Byte: A set of 8 binary digits.
C: A low-level structural programming language developed by AT&T-Bell Laboratories. It resembles a machine-independent assembler language and is popular for software package development.
Cache: Caching is a method of increasing performance by keeping frequently used data in a location which is more quickly accessed.
Cache Memory: A high-speed temporary storage area in the CPU for storing parts of a program of data during processing.
Call: A transfer of program control to a subroutine.
Capacity Management: The use of planning and control methods to forecast and control information processing job loads, hardware and software usage, and other computer system resource requirements.
Cartridge Tape: A form of magnetic tape similar to cassette tape but with a much greater storage density. Used mainly with large computer system.
Cassette Tape: A form of magnetic tape, about one fourth inch wide, generally used for secondary storage with microcomputers.
CBIOS: The CBIOS is a real-mode BIOS which is compatible with the earlier products in the IBM PC family and PS/2 models with 8086 processors.
CDFS: CD-ROM file system, which controls access to the contents of CD-ROM drives.
CD-ROM: Compact disc read-only memory. It is a laser-encoded optical memory storage medium.
|
