Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision 		Previous revision
glossary [2016/05/29 18:57]
ex_writer 		glossary [2016/06/05 16:15] (current)
ex_writer [B]
Line 15: Line 15:
 === B === === B ===
  
-**BCD**:+**Binary-coded decimal (BCD)**: "A class of binary encodings of decimal numbers where each decimal digit is represented by a fixed number of bits, usually four or eight."​ The Bally Arcade uses packed BCD, meaning that each nibble of a byte holds a decimal digit between 0–9 (e.g., $36 = 37D). Numbers between $A–F are considered invalid. ([[wp>​Binary-coded decimal]])
  
 **Bootstrap**:​ A program that coordinates the minimum amount of necessary peripherals to load a larger program into the computer. (SC:113) **Bootstrap**:​ A program that coordinates the minimum amount of necessary peripherals to load a larger program into the computer. (SC:113)
Line 33: Line 33:
  
 **Dope vector**: **Dope vector**:
-"A data structure used to hold information about a data object, e.g. an array, especially its memory layout...The dope vector includes an identifier, a length, a parent address, and a next child address."​\\ **Source:​** ​[[wp>​Dope vector]]+"A data structure used to hold information about a data object, e.g. an array, especially its memory layout...The dope vector includes an identifier, a length, a parent address, and a next child address." ​([[wp>​Dope vector]])
  
 ---- ----
-=== E === 
  
-**Endian**: 
- 
----- 
 === F === === F ===
  
Line 48: Line 44:
 **Flag**: A bit attached to a word for identification or for the purpose of signaling some condition. Typical microprocessors include carry, zero, sign, overflow, and half-carry status flags. (SC:326) **Flag**: A bit attached to a word for identification or for the purpose of signaling some condition. Typical microprocessors include carry, zero, sign, overflow, and half-carry status flags. (SC:326)
  
-**Framebuffer**:​ +**Framebuffer**:​ A framebuffer (frame buffer, or sometimes framestore) is a portion of RAM[1] containing a bitmap that is driven to a video display from a memory buffer containing a complete frame of data. ([[wp>​Framebuffer]])
-"A framebuffer (frame buffer, or sometimes framestore) is a portion of RAM[1] containing a bitmap that is driven to a video display from a memory buffer containing a complete frame of data."\\ **Source:​** ​[[wp>​Framebuffer]]+
  
 ---- ----
Line 117: Line 112:
  
 **Pointer**:​ A storage place that contains the address of a data item rather than the item itself. A pointer tells where the item is located. (LV) **Pointer**:​ A storage place that contains the address of a data item rather than the item itself. A pointer tells where the item is located. (LV)
 +
 +**Port**: A place through which inputs and outputs—either data or instructions—are channeled. A microprocessor can have more than one port or can address many. (BS:18)
  
 **Program counter (PC)**: Contains a 16-bit address in memory from which the current instruction will be fetched. Following execution of the instruction,​ the PC counter is either incremented,​ if the program is to proceed to the next byte in memory, or the present PC contents are replaced with a new value, if a jump or call instruction is to be executed. (SC:28) **Program counter (PC)**: Contains a 16-bit address in memory from which the current instruction will be fetched. Following execution of the instruction,​ the PC counter is either incremented,​ if the program is to proceed to the next byte in memory, or the present PC contents are replaced with a new value, if a jump or call instruction is to be executed. (SC:28)
Line 123: Line 120:
 === R === === R ===
  
-**Reentrant**:​ A computer program or subroutine that can be interrupted in the middle of its execution and then safely called again ("​re-entered"​) before its previous invocations complete execution.\\ **Source:​** ​[[wp>​Reentrancy (computing)]]+**Reentrant**:​ A computer program or subroutine that can be interrupted in the middle of its execution and then safely called again ("​re-entered"​) before its previous invocations complete execution. ​([[wp>​Reentrancy (computing)]])
  
 **Register**:​ A memory device directly accessible by the central processor used for the temporary storage of a computer word during arithmetic, logical, or I/O operations. (SC:​327–8) **Register**:​ A memory device directly accessible by the central processor used for the temporary storage of a computer word during arithmetic, logical, or I/O operations. (SC:​327–8)
Line 132: Line 129:
 === S === === S ===
  
-**Scratchpad**:​ An area of main memory set aside for short and frequently-used calculations. (BS:17)+**Scratchpad**:​ An area of main memory set aside for short and frequently-used calculations. (BS:18)
  
-**Semaphore**:​ A variable or abstract data type used for controlling access, by multiple processes, to a common resource in a concurrent system such as a multiprogramming operating system. A trivial semaphore is a plain variable that is changed (for example, incremented or decremented,​ or toggled) depending on programmer-defined conditions. The variable is then used as a condition to control access to some system resource.\\ **Source:​** ​[[wp>​Semaphore (programming)]]+**Semaphore**:​ A variable or abstract data type used for controlling access, by multiple processes, to a common resource in a concurrent system such as a multiprogramming operating system. A trivial semaphore is a plain variable that is changed (for example, incremented or decremented,​ or toggled) depending on programmer-defined conditions. The variable is then used as a condition to control access to some system resource. ​([[wp>​Semaphore (programming)]])
  
 **Stack**: A reserved area of several memory locations, the top of which is indicated by the contents of the stack pointer. Memory location are organized as a last-in, first-out file. By looking at particular entries in the stack, the central processor returns to a main program regardless of the depth of nested subroutines. (SC: 28-9) **Stack**: A reserved area of several memory locations, the top of which is indicated by the contents of the stack pointer. Memory location are organized as a last-in, first-out file. By looking at particular entries in the stack, the central processor returns to a main program regardless of the depth of nested subroutines. (SC: 28-9)
Line 140: Line 137:
 **Strobe**: A signal that identifies or describes another set of signals and can be used to control a buffer, latch, or register. (LV:484) **Strobe**: A signal that identifies or describes another set of signals and can be used to control a buffer, latch, or register. (LV:484)
  
-**Subroutine**:​ A program within a program that performs a specific, often-used function. (BS:17) +**Subroutine**:​ A program within a program that performs a specific, often-used function. (BS:18)
- +
----- +
-=== T === +
- +
----- +
-=== U ===+
  
 ---- ----
Line 154: Line 145:
  
 **Vector** (2): A quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially for determining an object'​s position in space. **Vector** (2): A quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially for determining an object'​s position in space.
 +
 +**Vector** (3): A specific address loaded into a microprocessor'​s program counter to force the microprocessor to start processing at a specific address. (BS:18)
  
 ---- ----