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API
Application Program Interface. The interface through which an application
program accesses the OS and other services.
APIC
Advanced programmable interrupt controller. Prioritizes and manages IRQs
for the various devices in a PC. Without an APIC, the microprocessor must
control IRQs.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. The basis of character
sets used in many present-day computers. ASCII can be used to convey some
control codes, the space character, numbers, most basic punctuation, and
unaccented lower- and upper-case letters.
AT
Advanced Technology. An IBM® PC introduced in 1984 that has an Intel
80286 microprocessor, 16-bit bus, and 1.2 MB floppy drive.
ATA
Advanced Technology Attachment. A specification for drive interface. See IDE.
ATAPI
Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface. An interface used to
connect CD, tape, and other drives with a computer.
Binary
A system of numbers having 2 as its base and using 0 and 1 for its notation.
Binary code is used by computers because it works well with digital electronics
and logic.
BIOS
Basic input/output system. Composed of software and data stored on a ROM
chip. The BIOS initializes communication between the microprocessor and
devices such as the keyboard and video adapter. The BIOS also controls
system functions such as error messages and beep codes. The BIOS can be
updated, or “flashed,” which can correct errors, support new hardware, and
so on. System setup allows you to configure certain options in the BIOS.
Bit
A shortened reference to binary digit. A bit is the smallest unit of storage and
represents a quantity that can have only one of two possible values, such as
true or false, or 0 or 1.