Satellite® A350 Series User's Guide - Kmart
Satellite® A350 Series User's Guide - Kmart
Satellite® A350 Series User's Guide - Kmart
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Glossary 209<br />
central processing unit (CPU) — The chip that functions as the “brain”<br />
of the computer. It takes information from outside sources, such as<br />
memory or keyboard input, processes the information, and sends the<br />
results to another device that uses the information.<br />
character — Any letter, number, or symbol you can use on the<br />
computer. Some characters are non-printing characters, such as a<br />
paragraph break in a word-processing program. A character<br />
occupies one byte of computer storage.<br />
chip — A small piece of silicon containing computer logic and circuits<br />
for processing, memory, input/output, and/or control functions.<br />
Chips are mounted on printed circuit boards.<br />
click — To press and release the pointing device’s primary button<br />
without moving the pointing device. In the Windows ® operating<br />
system, this refers to the pointing device’s left button, unless<br />
otherwise stated. See also double-click.<br />
color palette — A set of specified colors that establishes the colors that<br />
can be displayed on the screen at a particular time.<br />
compatibility — The extent to which computers, programs, or devices<br />
can work together harmoniously, using the same commands,<br />
formats, or language as another.<br />
configuration — (1) The collection of components that make up a single<br />
computer system. (2) How parts of the system are set up (that is,<br />
configured).<br />
controller — A device that controls the transfer of data from a computer<br />
to a peripheral device and vice versa. For example, disk drives,<br />
monitors, keyboards, and printers all require controllers.<br />
CPU — See central processing unit (CPU).<br />
CPU cache — A section of very fast memory residing between the CPU<br />
and the computer’s main memory that temporarily stores data and<br />
instructions the CPU will need to execute commands and programs.<br />
See also cache, L1 cache, L2 cache.<br />
cursor — A symbol that indicates the current position on the screen. The<br />
shape of the cursor varies, depending on the program you are using<br />
and what you are doing.