conversational language
`
`controller chip controls access to a computer's memory
`and is the control unit for that memory.
`
`control varlable «a. In programming,the variable in a
`control statement that dictates the flow of execution. For
`
`example, the index variable in a FOR loop controls the
`number of times a group of statements are executed. See
`alse control statement.
`
`convenlence adapter n. See port replicator.
`
`convention #. Any standard that is used more or less uni-
`versally in a given situation. Many conventions are applied
`to microcomputers. In programming, for example, a lan-
`puage such as C relies on formally accepted symbols and
`abbreviations that must be used in programs. Less formally,
`programmers usually adopt the convention of indenting
`subordinate instructions in a routine so that the structure of
`
`the program is more easily visualized. National and inter-
`national committees often discuss and arbitrate conventions
`
`for programming languages, data structures, communica-
`tion standards, and device characteristics. See alse CCITT,
`ISO, NTSC, standard (definition 1).
`
`conventional memory «a. The amount of RAM address-
`able by an IBM PC or compatible machine operating in
`real mode. This is typically 640 kilobytes (KB). Without
`the use of special techniques, conventional memory is the
`only kind of RAM accessible to MS-DOS programs. See
`also protected mode, real mode. Compare expanded mem-
`ory, extended memory.
`
`convergence na. A coming together. Convergence can
`occur between different disciplines and technologies, as
`when telephone communications and computing converge
`in the field of telecommunications. It can also occur within
`
`a program, such as a spreadsheet, when a circular set of
`formulas are repeatedly recalculated (iterated), with the
`results of each iteration coming closer to a true solution.
`
`conversational adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of
`the mode of operation, typical of microcomputers, in which
`the computer user and the system engage in a dialogue of
`commands and system responses. See alse interactive.
`conversational Interaction a. Interaction in which two
`
`or more parties alternately transmit and receive messages
`from each other. See also interactive processing.
`
`conversatlonal language n. Any programming lan-
`puage that allows the programmerto instruct the computer
`in a conversational mode, as opposed to more formal,
`structured languages. For example, ina COBOL program,
`in order to execute a procedure called CHECK 10 times, a
`
`S
`
`Control key.
`
`controller a. A device that other devices rely on for
`access to a computer subsystem. A disk controller, for
`example, controls access to one or more disk drives, man-
`aging physical and logical access to the drive or drives.
`
`control logic n. The electronic circuitry that generates,
`interprets, and uses control data.
`
`control panel n. In Windows and Macintosh systems, a
`utility that allows the user to control aspects of the operat-
`ing system or hardware, such as system time and date,
`keyboard characteristics, and networking parameters.
`
`control panel device n. See cdev.
`
`control sequence n. See control code.
`
`control slgnal n. An electronic signal used to control
`internal or external devices or processes.
`control statement a. A statement that affects the flow of
`
`execution through a program. Control statements include
`conditional statements (CASE, IF-THEN-ELSE),iterative
`statements (DO, FOR, REPEAT, WHILE), and transfer
`statements (GOTO). See also conditional statement, itera-
`tive statement, statement, transfer statement.
`
`control strip n. 1. An equipment calibration tool used to
`determine the corrections needed to restore accuracy by
`comparing recorded data against known values. 2. A util-
`ity that groups shortcuts to commonly used items or infor-
`mation, such as time, battery powerlevel, desktop items,
`and programs, in an easily accessible place. See also
`shortcut.
`
`control structure nm. A portion of a program defined by
`the relationship between the statements, used in structured
`programming. There are three basic control structures:
`sequence, where one statement simply follows another;
`selection, where program flow depends on which criteria
`are met; and iteration, where an action is repeated until
`some condition occurs.
`
`control unlit a. A device or circuit that performs an arbi-
`trating or regulating function. For example, a memory
`
`E
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