Glossary
Accessory
devices
- additional
equipment
\.Uhich
attaches
to
the
computf'f
;:jnn
f'xtp.nns
its
functions
and
capabilities. Included
are
preprogrammed
Command
Modules*
and
units
which send, receive or
store
computer
data,
such
as
printers
and
disks,
These
are
often
called peripherals.
Array
- a collection of numeric
or
string
variables,
arranged
in a list
or
matrix
for
processing by the computer,
Each
element in
an
array
is referenced
by
a subscript*
descnbmg
Its
position in the list.
ASCII
- the American
Standard
Code
for
Information
Interchange.
the code
structure
used
internally in most personal
computers
to
represent
letters, numbers.
and
special
characters.
BASIC
- an easy-to-use popular
programming
language used
in
most personal
computers
The
word BASIC is
an
acronym for "Beginners All-
purpose
Symbolic
Instruction
Code"
Baud
- commonly used
to
refer to bits
per
second.
Binary
- a
number
system
based
on two digits,
oand 1.
The
internal language
and
operations
of the
computer
are
based
on the binary system.
Branch
- a
departure
from the sequential
performance
of
program
statements.
An
unconditional
branch
causes
the
computer
to
jump
to
a specified
program
line every time the
branching
statement
is
encountered. A
conditional
branch transfers prOb'Tam control
based on the result of
some
arithmetic
or
logical
operation.
Breakpoint
- a point in the
program
specified
by the
BREAK
command
where
program
execution
can
be
suspended.
During
a
breakpoint,
you
can
perform
operations
in the
Command Mode* to help you locate
program
errors.
Program
execution
can
be
resumed
with
a
CONTINUE
command,
unless editing
took
place while
the
program
was
stopped.
Buffer
an
area
of
computer
memory for
temporary
storage
of
an
input
or
output
record.
*See definition in
Glossary.
User's
Reference
GUlde
Bug
- a
hardware
defect
or
programming
error
which
causes
the intended operation to be
performed incorrectly.
Byte
- a
string
of binary* digits (bits)
treated
as
a unit, often represemillg
olle
tlala
dUil
ader".
The
computer's memory capacity is often
expressed
as
the
number
of
bytf'-s
available.
For
example, a
computer
with
16K
byte::;
uf
memury
has
about
16,000 bytes available for storing
programs and data.
Character
- a letter,
number,
punctuation
symbol. or special graphics symbol.
Command
- an instruction which the
CUllJIJuler
performs immediately.
Commands
are
not a
part
of a
program
and
thus
are
entered
with no
preceding
line number.
Command
Mode
-
when
no program is
running, the
computer
is in
the
Command
lor.
Immediate) Mode and performs
each
task
as
It
is entered.
Command
Modules
-
preprogrammed
ROM"
modules which
are
easily inserted in the
TI
computer
to extend its capabilities.
Concatenation
- linking two or more strings*
to
make
a longer string.
The
.'&" is the
concatenation operator.
Constant
- a specific
numeric
or string* value.
A numeric
constant
is
any
real
number,
such
as
1.2
or
-9054.
A
string
constam
is any
combination of up
to
112
characters
enclosed in
quotes. such
as
"HELLO
THERE"
or "275
FIRST
ST."
Cursor
- a symbol which indicates where the
nf'xt character* will
appear
on
the
screen
when
you press a key.
Data
- basic elements of information which
are
processed
or
produced
by
the
computer.
Default
- a
standard
characteristic
or value
whir.h
the
computer
assumes
if certain
specifications
are
omitted within a statement* or
a program*.
Device
(see
Accessory
Devices)
Disk
- a
mass
storage
device capable of
ranrlom and sequential access.
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