Pocket Computer Glossary


Address

An address specifies a certain Position in memory which contains a single byte.
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Accu

Accu = Accumulator. A battery which can be recharged.
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Array

An array consists of several variables which are indexed by a number beginning with 0. The variables in the array have the same name. Example: DIM A(4) consists of 5 variables A, A(0) to A(5). There are more dimensional arrays, too, which have more indexes: DIM A(2,3). Now you have A(0,0) A(0,1)... A(2,0)... A(2,3)
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ASCII

The ASCII code assigns a character to each byte. With this it was possible to print readable characters on the screen! Example: The code of A is 65.
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Assembler

An assembler is a program, which allows the easy editing of machine language.
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BASIC

BASIC is a simple programming language which is often used by interpreters. The commands of this language are easy to understand.
Here you can get the BASIC commands for PC-1360
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Baud Rate

Baud means switchings/second. When you have extra start and stop bits (i.e. serial transmission), the baud rate is higher than the real data rate.
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BCD format

The BCD format makes it possible to store real numbers in bytes. Each byte is parted in two "nibbles" consisting of 4 bits.

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Bit

A bit is the smallest unit a computer can use. It can only have the value 0 or 1.
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Byte

A byte consists of 8 bits and can get 2^8 = 256 different values. The first bit is bit 0 and has the value 2^0 = 1. The second is bit 1 with 2^1 = 2. Then up to bit 7 with a value of 2^7 = 128. When you set the bits 3 and 7 you get the value 2^3+2^7 = 8+128 = 136.
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CMOS

A chip technology which has a low power consumption.
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Compiler

A compiler translates a program before running it to machine language. So the program gets much faster than with an interpreter. But you can find errors only in the compiler and this is not that easy.
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CPU

Central Processing Unit. This complex chip does the work in a computer. It executes the commands in its memory and can communicate with other devices through its ports.
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DEF

The DEF key is used to start programs. If you write a line like 10 "A" Program... you can start it with DEF + A, too!
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Emulator

An emulator can make your computer "playing" another device.
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EOT code

The pocket computer sends a certain byte after a program transmission. After a reset this is &1A.
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Function

A command which can return a value.
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HB

HB = high byte. It is the upper part of a word.
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Header

A header contains necessary information. For example, the RAM cards get a header when initializing. This header contains information about size, BASIC, reserve mode, etc. Each with DIM initialized variable gets a header, too, which stores size, length, name and type (number or string).
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Hexadecimal

The hexadecimal system uses 16 values for each digit instead of 10 like the decimal system. The digits 10-15 are replaced by A-F. To mark these type of number, a small h or & symbol are used.
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Interface

An interface connects a computer to other devices.
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Interpreter

An interpreter executes a program step by step. So you can find errors very fast but the program gets quite slow.
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LB

LB = low byte. It is the lower part of a word.
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Line Ending Code

This code is sent at the end of each line during a serial transmission. CR means Chr(13) and LF = Chr(10), CR+LF is both.
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Mapping

When you access data in memory (i.e. display) there is an area where the same data is stored. When you change data, the data in the second area is changed, too. So this area is mapped.
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Machine Language

Machine language consists of numbers which make the CPU do certain things. To write machine language, an Assembler is used. So you don't have to know the numbers but you have to write mnemonics. Some commands need parameters which are added behind the mnemonic.
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Mnemonic

A mnemonic is an easy to remember word for a machine language command. You use mnemonics in an assembler. Example: LIA is a mnemonic.
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Operator

An operator is a symbol which means addition, subtraction, multiplication, division but also logical operators which calculate with bits like AND, OR or NOT.
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Parity

There is an even and an odd parity. So you can detect errors in serial transmissions. A single bit is added after the data bits. If the number of high data bits is even an even parity bit is set and vice versa.
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Pointer

A pointer contains an address. It points to a memory location. Example: The BASIC pointer. It points to the beginning of the BASIC program.
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Port

Ports are digital input and output lines from the CPU. They can be read and set with certain commands.
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Program Mode

In this mode you can edit BASIC programs.
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Program

A program is a sequence of commands which have a certain purpose. A BASIC program for example consists of BASIC commands.
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RAM

RAM = Random Access Memory. This is memory which can be written to.
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Register

A register is a memory location inside the CPU. You can read and write to registers using certain commands. Some registers are only for internal purposes and can't be read.
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Reserve Mode

The reserve mode allows to edit the shortcuts you can insert by pressing SHIFT + letter.
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ROM

ROM = Read Only Memory. This kind of memory is only for reading. Any write access will be ignored. In PC-1360 the ROM is divided up in banks. There are 8 banks and the internal ROM of the CPU.
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Run Mode

In this mode you can run programs but you can't change them.
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Serial Interface

The serial interface is a common interface. The protocol consists of a start bit, data bits, parity bit and stop bits. The speed is defined with the baud rate.
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SIO

SIO = serial interface.
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Stack

An area in the memory of the CPU. Here the CPU stores the return addresses of the programs which call subroutines.
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String

A string is a chain of characters in ASCII code. Each character needs one byte in memory.
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Variable

Variables are areas in memory which contain data like numbers or text. They have a name which makes access possible. PC-1360 allows only up to 2 characters for a name: A, AB and B2 are valid names. Forbidden are symbols or spaces and you can't use a number for the first character or BASIC commands. Assign a value to a variable with =. Example: A = 10
To store text to a variable you must add a dollar sign to the name: AB$ = "Text". The text must have "! Such a variable contains a string. Variables can be arrays, too.
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Word

A word consists of 2 bytes, a LB and a HB. The value of a word is HB * 256 + LB.
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Copyright © Simon Lehmayr (Parts of my page were made with the help of Laurent Duveau)
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