ASCII: Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange; pronounced ASK-ee. A communications code that defines the representation of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

assembly language: A programming language very close to the language of electrical impulses that is the Apple IIGS's native tongue. Because assembly-language programs require very little translation, they can be very fast.

auto-repeat: To happen again and again. The keys on the Apple IIGS keyboard are auto-repeat keys: if you hold one down, the computer will keep generating that character automatically.

backspace: To move the cursor to the left.

backup copy: A duplicate of a disk. Making a backup copy of a disk is like making a photocopy of a paper document.

BASIC: Acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. The most popular language for personal computers; a version of it is built into your Apple IIGS.

baud: The rate of transmission used in exchanging information between a computer and its peripheral devices.

BBS: See bulletin board system.

binary numbering system: A system in which every number is expressed as a combination of zeros and ones. It's perfectly suited to computers because the computer's microprocessor is made up of switches—like light switches—that can be either on or off. On is represented as the number 1; off as 0.

bit: Contraction of the words binary and digit. The smallest item of useful information a computer can handle. Usually represented as a 1 or a O. Eight bits equal one byte.

bits per second: Abbreviated bps. The rate of transmission used in exchanging information between a computer and its peripheral devices.

boot: See startup.

bps: See bits per second.

buffer: An area of memory where information is kept until the computer or a peripheral device is ready to deal with it—sort of an overflow tank for the microprocessor.

bug: An error in an application or a problem with hardware. The expression comes from the early days of computing when a moth flew into a roomsize computer and caused a breakdown.

bulletin board system: Abbreviated BBS. A computerized version of the bulletin boards frequently found in grocery stores—places to leave messages and to advertise things you want to buy or sell. One thing you get from a computerized bulletin board that you can't get from a cork board is free software. See public-domain software.

business graphics application: An application that lets you analyze numerical information in a visual way.

button: The raised area on top of the mouse. You press it when you want to choose from a menu or perform other activities in mouse-based applications. Also, in mouse-based applications, a rectangle with rounded corners and a word inside that you click to designate, confirm, or cancel an action.

byte: A sequence of eight bits that represents an instruction, a letter, a number, or a punctuation mark.

C: A programming language that makes it relatively easy for programmers to adapt applications designed for one type of computer for use on others.

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Glossary