IBM 865741Y Handbook - Page 255

bus. One or more conductors used for transmitting signals, data, or power. See also address bus and data bus. bus master. A device or subsystem that controls data transfers between itself and a subordinate. C cable. The physical medium for transmitting signals; it includes copper conductors and optical fibers. cache. A buffer storage that contains frequently accessed instructions and data; it is used to reduce access time. CD. Compact disc. A disc, usually 4.75 inches in diameter, from which data is read optically by means of a laser. CD-ROM. Compact disc read only memory. High-capacity read-only memory in the form of an optically read compact disc. See also CD. central processing unit (CPU). (1) Synonym for processing unit. (T) (2) The part of a computer that includes the circuits that control the interpretation and execution of instructions. See central processor, processing unit, and processor. central processor. A processor that contains the sequencing and processing facilities for instruction execution, interruption action, timing functions, initial program loading, and other machine-related functions. client. A functional unit that receives shared services from a server. (T) clock. A device that generates periodic, accurately spaced signals used for purposes such as timing, regulation of the operations of a processor, or generation of interrupts. (T) code. A collection of instructions that is in a form that can be read and processed by a computer. collision. An unwanted condition that results from concurrent transmissions on a channel. (T) compatibility. The capability of a hardware or software component to conform to the interface requirements of a given computer without adversely affecting its functions. computer architecture. (1) The logical structure and functional characteristics of a computer, including the interrelationships among its hardware and software components. (2) The organizational structure of a computer system, including hardware and software. configuration. The manner in which the hardware and software of an information processing system are organized and interconnected. (T) Glossary 237