TECHNOLOGY 

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – Backus–Naur form:
Backus–Naur form is a metalanguage used to formally describe the syntax of programming languages and other formal languages. It provides a structured way to define how language elements are constructed and combined. In Backus–Naur form, the syntax of a language is described using a series of rules. Each rule defines a language component called a metavariable, which is typically written inside angle brackets, in terms of actual symbols known as terminals and other metavariables. These definitions allow both language designers and users to understand how valid statements in the language should be structured. Backus–Naur form is widely used in computer science for specifying the grammar of programming languages and compilers.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – backward chaining:
Backward chaining is a reasoning method used in expert systems and artificial intelligence for solving problems and drawing conclusions. The process begins with a goal or statement that needs to be verified and then works backward through a set of rules that could lead to that conclusion. The system checks whether the conditions required by each rule can be satisfied using information stored in a database of known facts. By repeatedly matching rules with available data, the system determines whether the original statement can be confirmed or disproved. Backward chaining is often used in rule-based systems where conclusions are derived by analyzing possible causes or supporting evidence.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – back panel:
The back panel is the rear section of a computer case or cabinet where external connections are made. This panel typically contains ports and connectors used to attach peripherals and external devices such as keyboards, monitors, printers, network cables, audio devices, and power supplies. Because most external connections are located at the back of the computer, the back panel serves as the primary interface between the internal components of the computer and external equipment.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bad block:
A bad block is a defective location in a storage medium or memory device that cannot reliably store or retrieve data. When a computer system starts up or performs a diagnostic check, the memory controller may identify these faulty areas during a self-test procedure. Once detected, the system marks the bad block so that it is not used for storing data. Avoiding these defective areas helps prevent data corruption and ensures the reliability of the storage system.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – balanced line:
A balanced line is a type of transmission line used in communication systems that contains two conductors designed to carry electrical signals with equal voltage but opposite polarity. These signals travel in opposite directions through the conductors, which helps maintain signal stability and consistency during transmission.


Balanced lines are commonly used in twisted-pair cables and other communication wiring systems because they reduce the effects of electrical interference and noise. By maintaining equal and opposite currents in the conductors, balanced lines improve signal quality and reliability, making them suitable for telecommunications and networking applications.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – band:
In computer printing and graphics processing, a band refers to a rectangular section of an image that is sent from a computer to a printer during the printing process. By dividing a large graphic into smaller sections called bands, the printer can process and print each portion sequentially instead of loading the entire image into memory at once.


In communication systems, the term band refers to a continuous range of frequencies used for transmitting signals. Different frequency bands are allocated for specific purposes such as radio broadcasting, television transmission, and wireless communication, allowing multiple communication services to operate without interfering with one another.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – ball printer:
A ball printer is a type of impact printer that uses a small spherical print head with raised characters molded onto its surface. The ball-shaped head rotates and tilts so that the desired character aligns with the printing position.


Once the correct character is positioned, the printer strikes the ball against an ink ribbon, transferring the character onto the paper. This printing mechanism was famously used in the IBM Selectric typewriter and provided a faster and more flexible method of printing compared to traditional typebars.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – Balloon Help:
Balloon Help is an on-screen assistance feature originally developed for the Macintosh operating system by Apple Computer. The feature displays help information in the form of a cartoon-style dialog balloon that appears near items on the screen when the user requests assistance.


After activating Balloon Help by clicking the balloon icon in the system toolbar, users can move the cursor over interface elements such as icons, buttons, or menu items. A dialog balloon then appears, providing a brief explanation of the selected item’s function, helping users understand how to use different features of the operating system.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – balloons:
In document editing environments such as print layout or Web layout views, balloons are visual elements used to display markup information in the margins of a document. These balloons show details such as comments, suggested edits, or tracked changes made by reviewers during the editing process.


By placing these annotations in the margins rather than within the main text, balloons allow users to clearly see feedback and revisions without disrupting the original document layout. This feature makes it easier to review changes, respond to comments, and manage collaborative editing workflows.


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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – .bak:
A bak file is an auxiliary file that stores a previous version of a document or data file. It is typically created automatically by software applications or generated when a user explicitly chooses to create a backup version of a file. The file has the same name as the original file but uses the extension “.bak,” which indicates that it contains a backup copy of the data.


This type of file usually holds the second-most-recent version of a document so that the user can recover earlier content if the latest version becomes corrupted, accidentally deleted, or incorrectly modified. Many programs generate bak files as a safety mechanism to protect users from data loss and to allow easy restoration of earlier file versions.


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