| Term |
Description |
Backup |
Backups
can be made by copying files under a different name or by
copying them to another directory, another drive, or a different
storage media. Backups are used to replace or restore files
if they should become lost or corrupted. |
Bandwidth |
Bandwidth
is the range of frequencies that a communication cable or
channel can carry. In the computer world, it generally refers
to the amount of data that can be carried by a specific cable
or bus. |
BIOS |
Basic
Input Output System - Sometimes called the ROM Bios, this
is firmware that controls most of your computers basic input
and output functions such as communications with the drives
or the system memory. |
BMP |
Bit
mapped file. A type of graphics file that is stored and written
as a series of binary digits or bits arranged in a grid format.
The files have a .bmp extension and can be viewed, changed,
or printed from any graphics program that supports that format.
See Bitmapped Image. |
Bootable
Disk |
A
floppy disk that contains the necessary system files that
will complete the computers boot up sequence and load a basic
Operating System. |
Booting |
The
process and functions that a computer goes through when it
first starts up, ending in the proper loading of the Operating
System and preparing it to receive commands. |
Bus |
The
electronic pathways that link different devices to each other.
In a computer, these pathways can carry data and information
in digital form (binary digits or 'bits') to and from each
of the different components (CPU, RAM, expansion cards, etc.)
The amount of data that can be moved along a bus is determined
by the number of lines or connections it has for moving binary
information. For instance, a 32-bit bus will have 32 connectors
and be able to move 32 bits at a time. It would be considered
32 bits wide. |
