Specifications

baud—A unit that measures the speed of data transmission: one baud equals one bit
per second.
bearer bar—Printed box which frames a bar code.
binary code—Code which employs only the characters 0 and 1 to represent values.
buffer—Storage area to temporarily hold data being transmitted between a
peripheral device and a computer that allows for the differences in their respective
working speeds.
byte—1) Fixed number of bits, often corresponding to a single character and operated
on as a single unit; 2) Collection of eight bits capable of representing an
alphanumeric or special character.
character—1) In bar codes, a single group of bars and spaces which represents an
individual number, letter or other symbol; 2) In computers, it is any symbol that
can be stored and processed by a computer; 3) Letter, digit or other special symbol
used as part of the organization, control or representation of data.
character pitch—Number of characters printed per horizontal inch of space. Twelve
pitch (elite) prints twelve characters per inch; ten pitch (pica) prints ten characters
per inch.
character string—A group of characters, such as “JOHN SMITH” or “DIAGRAPH.”
check digit—Character used in a bar code to provide additional data security and
checks errors; derived with an algorithm employing the other digits in the code.
check valve—Valve that allows liquid to flow in one direction only.
checksum—Entry at the end of a block of data corresponding to the binary sum of all
information in the block. Used in error-checking procedures.
Code 2 of 5—Bar code used in the late sixties for warehouse storage systems and
sequentially numbered airline tickets. The code is read through the width of the
bars and the spaces between the bars.
Code 39—Bar code; a discrete, self-checking, variable length symbology that can
readily be printed by a variety of technologies. Its bars can be read in either
direction and is sometimes referred to as “3 of 9 Code”.
Code 39 MOD 43—Bar code required by the Health Care Industry, alphanumeric,
variable-length, self-checking and includes a Modulus 43 check character for
greater data integrity.
COM —Abbreviation for a serial communications port on a computer. Usually
expressed as “COM port” or associated with a number, “COM 1” or “COM 2.”
configuration—Selection of compatible hardware devices and software programs to
focus the application technology on specific tasks.
controller—Device or program that operates automatically to regulate a controlled
variable.
cpi—characters per inch
CPU—Abbreviation for the Central Processing Unit that controls the operation of the
entire computer system and executes its arithmetical and logical functions. In a
microcomputer, the CPU is a single chip.
data—Plural of the word datum, “a single fact.” Data then are facts and figures.
disk—Memory storage device on which information is stored on one or both sides of
a magnetically sensitive rotating disk. Information is retrieved by heads mounted
on moving or fixed arms.