program: (v.) To write instructions for the computer—to talk to the computer in terms it understands. (n.) A set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.

program disk: A disk that contains an operating system and a self-starting application program.

programmer: A person who writes computer programs.

program selector: A program that lets you switch application programs without restarting the computer.

prompt: A character displayed on the screen to prompt the user to take some action. For example, a bracket (]) prompt character is used in the Applesoft BASIC programming language.

public-domain software: Software that is free for the taking. You can get it at users-group meetings or through computer bulletin boards.

pull-down menu: A menu that is hidden until you press on its title with the mouse.

radio-frequency (RF) modulator: A device that transforms your television set into a computer display device.

RAM: See random-access memory.

RAM disk: A cross between a disk and random-access memory. Like a disk, it must be formatted before you can put files on it; also like a disk, it must be addressed by its volume name (disk name) or by its slot number. As with RAM, the computer can access the information on it very quickly. Also like RAM, what's stored on it is stored temporarily; when the power is turned off, the information on it is lost.

random-access memory: Abbreviated RAM. Temporary memory. RAM stores applications and data for the microprocessor.

read: To get information from a disk and put it in memory.

read-only memory: Abbreviated ROM. Permanent memory. Applesoft BASIC is stored in ROM along with other programs that regulate communication between the microprocessor and other parts of the computer system.

record: All the information about one person or one thing in your data base.

remote computer: The computer on the other end of the phone line; it can be across the room or across the country. You can use your Apple IIGS, a modem, and a communications application to communicate with a remote computer.

report: A subset of the information in your data base. You may have a data base with information about your employees—like their names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, social security numbers, and salaries. There are times when you want only a list of names and salaries—that's one report. Other times you want names and phone numbers—that's another report. You can generate all sorts of different reports from one data base.

Reset: The key with a triangle on it that you can press in combination with Control and to restart an application.

resolution: The degree of clarity of your display. A monitor has better resolution than a television set used as a monitor. An RGB color monitor has better resolution than a composite color monitor.

Return: A key that you can press to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. Also in many in many applications to accept choices or indicate that you've finished doing something and are ready to proceed.

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Glossary