TECHNOLOGY 

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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit mask:
A bit mask is a special value used in combination with bitwise operations to examine or modify specific bits within a data value. These operations may include logical functions such as AND, OR, XOR, NOT, and similar operators that manipulate bits directly.
By applying a mask, programmers can selectively test, set, or clear particular bits in a binary field without affecting the other bits. This technique is widely used in low-level programming and system operations where precise control over binary data is required.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – BITNET:
BITNET, which stands for Because It’s Time Network, was a wide area network established in 1981 to facilitate communication among universities and research institutions. Operated by the Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN), the network connected mainframe computers in North America, Europe, and Japan.
Although BITNET primarily used the IBM Network Job Entry protocol rather than the TCP/IP protocol used by the Internet, it still allowed users to exchange electronic mail with Internet systems. The network also played an important role in the early development of mailing list software, including the widely used Listserv system.


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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit. newsgroups:
Bit. newsgroups refer to a category within the hierarchy of Internet discussion groups that reproduced or mirrored the content of mailing lists originally hosted on the BITNET network. These newsgroups allowed users on the Internet to access and participate in discussions that originated on BITNET mailing lists.
Through this arrangement, messages posted on BITNET mailing lists were automatically distributed to corresponding Internet newsgroups. This integration helped extend discussions beyond BITNET users and allowed wider participation from the global Internet community.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit-oriented protocol:
A bit-oriented protocol is a type of communication protocol in which information is transmitted as a continuous stream of bits rather than as separate characters. Because the transmitted bits do not represent specific characters directly, control information is conveyed using special bit sequences rather than reserved characters from a character set.
This method allows greater flexibility and efficiency in data communication systems. An example of a bit-oriented protocol is High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC), which uses defined bit patterns to manage communication between devices.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit parallel:
Bit parallel refers to a method of transmitting data in which all bits in a set, such as the bits in a byte, are sent simultaneously. Each bit travels along a separate wire within a cable, allowing the entire data unit to be transmitted at the same time.
This approach contrasts with serial transmission, where bits are sent one after another along a single channel. Parallel transmission is often faster over short distances because multiple bits move at once, though it can be more complex due to the need for multiple data lines.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit pattern:
A bit pattern is a specific arrangement or sequence of binary digits, consisting of zeros and ones. Different combinations of bits can represent various forms of information, such as numbers, characters, or instructions within a computer system.
The number of possible combinations depends on the number of bits used. For example, three bits can create eight unique patterns, while eight bits can produce 256 combinations. In graphics systems, bit patterns may also represent arrangements of pixels that form visual images.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bitplane:
A bitplane is one layer of several bitmaps that together form a complete color image in memory. Each bitplane contains information corresponding to a single bit of the data used to represent a pixel. When multiple bitplanes are combined, they produce the full color value of each pixel in the image.
For example, one bitplane can represent two colors, two bitplanes allow four colors, and three bitplanes allow eight colors. These layers function like stacked sheets that collectively create the final image. Bitplane structures were commonly used in graphics systems such as EGA and VGA displays operating in certain color modes.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit rate:
Bit rate refers to the speed at which binary digits are transmitted through a communication channel. It represents how many bits of data can be sent from one device to another within a given time period. Higher bit rates generally indicate faster data transmission and more efficient communication between systems.
In modern networks, bit rate is also used to describe the streaming speed of digital content such as audio or video transmitted over the Internet. It is typically measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), although higher-capacity systems may use megabits per second (Mbps) or greater units.
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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit serial:
Bit serial refers to a method of transmitting data in which the bits of a byte are sent sequentially over a single wire. Instead of sending all bits simultaneously, each bit travels one after another along the same communication path.
This approach is commonly used in serial communication systems because it requires fewer physical connections than parallel transmission. Although serial transmission may send bits more slowly in some situations, it is often more reliable over longer distances.
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​ KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bit slice microprocessor:
A bit slice microprocessor is a modular component used to construct custom microprocessors designed for specialized applications. Each bit slice chip processes only a small portion of data, typically handling two or four bits at a time.
To create a full processor capable of handling larger word sizes, multiple bit slice chips are combined together. This modular design allows engineers to build processors tailored for specific tasks or performance requirements.
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