GLOSSARY
Installation Planning Guide GLOSSARY-3
buffer Compartment of memory in which data is stored during
transfer from one device to another. Useful for (1)
accumulating data into blocks before storage or
processing, and (2) for adjusting differences of speed
between devices, or between a device and a
communicating facility.
bypass transport Optional module that moves paper from the printer to a
finishing device.
byte Fixed number of bits (in data processing, usually 8)
operated upon as a unit. A byte may represent a
character, a machine instruction, or some other logical
unit of information.
case–sensitive Treating lowercase and uppercase characters differently.
central processing unit (CPU) Interprets and executes instructions, performs all
operations and calculations, and controls input and
output units and auxiliary attachments.
channel 1. In data communications, a path or line that enables
two or more devices to communicate (sometimes
called a circuit, facility, or link).
2. In computers, a path for communication between the
central processing unit (CPU) and input/output units,
or between the CPU and peripheral devices.
character Single printable letter (A-Z), numeral (0-9), symbol (& %
#), or punctuation mark (, . ! ?) used to represent data.
Characters can also be nonprinting, such as space, tab,
or carriage return.
character cell Digitized space containing a single character within a
font set.
character code Code representing alphanumeric information, for
example, ASCII.
character set Number of different characters used by a particular
device, including alphabetic, numeric, and special
characters such as symbols.
characters per inch (cpi) Designates the number of characters per inch for a
particular typeface. Refer to pitch.
client software Software that manages the submission of print jobs to
the controller.
client workstation Workstation connected to the network used to create
print jobs (documents) and submit them to the controller.
command Statement entered that instructs the system to perform
an operation.
