B

background task
a task of low priority. Will be given fewer time slices.
backup
a copy of a file or set of files
band printer
Uses characters on a chain that is moved into place before striking the characters onto the paper.
BASIC
Beginner's All Symbolic Instruction Code Written in 1964 for college students to use to learn programming concepts.
bay
place in a computer case to put drives and other devices
bidirectional
a printer which prints left to right and then right to left
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. A limited set of instructions to the computer which gets it started.
bit
short for "binary digit". One on/off position in a digital number
block
a logical division of data on magnetic tape.
booting
starting the computer
borders
lines around a page or table
bridge
connects networks of the same type
brownout
period of lower voltage
buffer
location for temporary data storage while processing is going on
bus
any path that data travels inside the computer
bus width
amount of data that the bus can carry at one time. Measured in bits.
bus configuration
network configuration where all devices are connected to the same communications line
button
a graphic which looks like you could press it. Clicking on a button executes a command.
byte
8 bits