Terminology	Explanation
Flash	A large storage memory for images
RAM	A temporary memory for storing data at high speed
EEPROM	A memory which can save and retrieve small parameter data
LINUX	A language used for controlling the operation of a computer system
WINDOW	An area on a display
STRING	A sequence of characters to form a word or sentence
INTEGER	A number without decimal point
FLOAT	A number with decimal point
Interface	Connection between 2 or more systems
Parallel	Bits of data are sent at the same time over 4, 8 wires or more
Serial	Data is sent sequentially one bit at a time
RS232	Serial data first bit always the same (high) followed by 8 bits+parity 1 wire
RS485	Serial data first bit always the same (high) followed by 8 bits+parity 1 wire
SPI	Serial peripheral interface requires clock, data in and dta out - 3 wires
I2C	Interface communication with input and output on the same wire + clock - 2 wire
ADC	Analogue to Digital converter
PWM	Pulse width modulation
Analogue	Variable voltage between the supply
Digital	Voltage set to limits of the supply for the system 0V or 5V
8/16/32 bit	The number of binary bits by which data is communicated
Path	The directory route to locate a file in a memory on a system
Debounce	The delay before a switch can be considered stable
RTC	Real time clock
Protocol	A method of sending data with a certain format and checking method
CANBUS	A protocol developed by Bosch for automotive systems
MODBUS	A protocol developed developed by Modicon
PROFIBUS	A protocol developed by Siemens
Checksum	A method of adding up the character values in a string of data for checking purposes
Debug	Looking for mistakes in a program
Firmware	The code which operates a hardware system
Software	The code which operates and application working with the system firmware
High / Low	Logic sytes have a 5V or 3V supply. A signal switched high is at 5V/3V a low is 0V
Rising Edge	Signals move between low and high
Falling edge	Signals move from high to low
Duplex	Full duplex - separate transmit and receive wires. Half duplex - common send and receive
Baud Rate	The speed of a serial clock 4800 bits per second - 115,200 bits per second
Parity	A method of checking for errors in 8 bits of data
Stop bit	A delay between packets of data
I/O	A pin allowing input or output