clock
As related to the year 2000 issue, an independent timekeeping circuit (called the Real Time Clock or RTC) used within a microcomputer to keep track of the time and calendar date. A clock/calendar circuit is battery powered, so it continues running even when the computer is turned off. The time and date kept by the clock/calendar can be used by the operating system (for example, to "stamp" files with the date and time of creation or revision) and by application programs (for example, to insert the date or time in a document) via calls to the BIOS. Not to be confused with the computer's system clock, one of the prime determinants of the overall processing speed.
CMOS
As related to the year 2000 issue, the battery-backed memory used to store parameter values needed to boot microcomputers. These stored parameters include information about the type of disk drives, the amount of memory, and the clock/calendar time.
CMOS setup
A system configuration utility, accessible at boot time, for setting up certain system options, such as the date and time, the kind of drives installed, the amount of memory and port configuration.
code
Program instructions written by a programmer in a programming language.
cold boot
Starting the computer after the computer's power has been turned off. Typically, a cold boot involves some basic hardware checking by the system, after which the operating system is loaded into memory.
compatibility
The degree to which a computer, an attached device, a data file, or a program can work with or understand the same commands, formats or language as another. Compatibility between two computers indicates whether, and to what degree, the computers can communicate, share data, or run the same programs. Software compatibility also refers to the extent to which programs can work together and share data.
compressed file
A file whose contents have been compressed by a special utility program so that it occupies less space on a disk or other storage device than in its decompressed (normal) state.
configuration
In reference to a single microcomputer, the sum of a system's internal and external components, including memory, disk drives, keyboard, video, and generally less critical add-on hardware, such as a mouse, modem, or printer. Configuration also refers to software: the operating system and various device drivers, the user's choices established through configuration files and any hardware settings that were made.
control panel
In Windows and Macintosh systems, a utility that allows the user to control aspects of the operating system or hardware, such as time and date, keyboard characteristics and networking parameters.
cosmetic dates
Refers to two-digit-year dates that are seen only by human eyes, and are neither read nor further processed by the computer in subsequent calculations.
