RAM
Acronym for Random Access Memory. Semiconductor-based memory that can be read and written by the central processing unit (CPU) or other hardware devices. The term is generally understood to refer to volatile memory that does not permanently hold data or programs.
Readme
A file containing information that a user will either need or find informative when using or installing a particular program. Readme files are generally formatted as plain text (without extraneous or program-specific characters) so that they can be read easily by a variety of word processing programs.
Real Time Clock (RTC)
An independent timekeeping circuit 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.
reboot
To restart a computer by reloading the operating system. This can be done by performing either a cold boot (turning the computer system off and then back on) or a warm boot (without turning the computer off).
remote system
The computer or network that a user accesses via a modem.
removable disk
A disk that can be removed from a disk drive. Floppy disks are removable; hard disks usually are not.
Rich Text Format (RTF)
An adaptation of DCA (Document Content Architecture) that is used for transferring formatted text documents between applications, even those applications running on different platforms, such as between IBM and compatibles and Apple Macintoshes.
rollover problem
As related to the year 2000 issue, this refers to the inability of some computer hardware, usually the Real Time Clock or BIOS, to interpret the century as the twenty-first (20xx) when the two-digits allocated for the year "roll over" from "99" to "00." For some computers, the BIOS will incorrectly interpret the year as "1900" instead of "2000," and this may lead to inaccuracies within the computer system regarding dates and date calculations.
ROM
Acronym for Read-Only Memory. A semiconductor circuit into which code or data is permanently installed by the manufacturing process. ROM contains instructions or data that can be read but not modified.
run
To start or execute a program.
