Appendix A – Terminology

AEC	Architecture, Engineering and Construction
APT	Automatically Programmed Tool
Batch Mode	Computer execution of submitted jobs in a sequential manner
bit	Smallest unit of data manipulated by a computer system
bpi	Bits per inch – typically in regards to magnetic tape
bps	Bits Per Second
Bps	Bytes Per Second
Byte	Eight bits unit of data or memory
CAD	Computer-Aided Design or Drafting
CAE	Computer-Aided Engineering
CAM	Computer-Aided Manufacturing
CPU	Central Processing Unit – the main logic unit of a computer
CRT	Cathode Ray Tube such as used in TVs and computer monitors
Database	A method of storing computer data in an organized manner
Digitizer	Device for converting information on paper to a digital format
FEA	Finite Element Analysis
FEM	Finite Element Modeling – also known as Finite Element Mesh
	Generator
GB	Billions of Bytes
IGES	Initial Graphic Exchange Specification
KB	Thousand of Bytes (actually 1024)
Layer	Method separate drawing data by type
Light Pen	CRT display input device that senses light as item is displayed
Macro	Method of combining multiple individual commands into a single
	Command
Mainframe	Term used to define large computer typically used in a batch mode
MB	Millions of Bytes
MHz	Millions of clock cycles per second
MIPS	Million of Instructions Per Second
MIT	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NC	Numerical Control
Node	A specific computer or other device in a network
NURBS	Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines
PADL	Part & Assembly Description Language (University of Rochester)
PC	Personal Computer
P&ID	Process and Instrumentation Diagram
Post Processor	Software that converts an NC program’s output to work with a
	specific machine tool
Turnkey	All components of a system, hardware and software, are sold by a
	single vendor
UNIX	Operating system originally developed at Bell Laboratories