Checksum: A calculated value used to test data for the presence of errors that can occur when data is transmitted or when it is written to disk.
Clean boot: Booting or starting a computer using the minimum system files in the operating system.
Clean installation: Installation of an operating system on a new computer or a computer with a reformatted hard disk.
Cluster: A specified number of sectors grouped together by the FORMAT command. The number and size is determined by the size of the logical drive. A cluster is the smallest storage unit for storing files.
CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor, A type of integrated circuit design known for its low power consumption.
CMOS RAM: A small amount (typically 64 or 128 bytes) of memory in real-time clock chip of system that is preserved by the clock's battery and is used for storing configuration information.
Code: computer instructions.
COM (Computer Output Microfilm): A technology that permits the output information produced by computers to be store on microfilm.
Command Mode: A mode of operation in which application program commands can be selected.
Complier: A program that translates a high-level programming language into a machine language program.
Compressed Volume File (CVF): A file with read-only, hidden, and system attributes, and that contains a compressed drive.
Computer Virus: A program that copies its destructive program routines into the computer systems of anyone who accesses computer systems which have used the program, or anyone who use copies of data or programs taken from such computers. This spreads the destruction of data and programs among many computer users.
Computer: A device that can accept data, perform certain functions on that data, and present the results of those operations.
Copy: (1) The process of making a duplicate files from an existing file. (2) The process of duplicating text or graphics on the screen for placement elsewhere while leaving the original text or graphics intact.
Corrective Maintenance: Maintenance done for the purpose of eliminating a problem. It may occur as either emergency maintenance or deferred maintenance.
Crash: A hardware or software failure that leads to an abnormal cessation of processing.
Current Directory Structure: The data record used by DOS to keep track of the current directory on a drive, whether the drive is valid, network, Substituted, or Joined and other pertinent information.
Cursor: A movable point of light displayed on most video display screens to assist the user in the input of data.
Cut and Paste: A feature in an application software package that cuts (erases) part or all of an object or text and places it in a buffer. The object or text may be pasted (inserted) at a later time.
Cylinder: The set of concentric tracks of data located at the same position on each data-bearing surface of the disk. A double-sided floppy will contain two tracks per cylinder.
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