BIOS

views updated May 17 2018

BIOS Acronym for basic input/output system. The firmware permanently resident in microcomputer systems that is responsible for performing input and output operations when so directed. The BIOS is usually called from the operating system, but can be called directly from applications. Calling the BIOS directly can result in performance gains and loss of portability.

A Dictionary of Computing JOHN DAINTITH

BIOS

views updated May 14 2018

BIOS (ˈbaɪɒs) Computing basic input-output system
• Biological Investigations of Space
• (or bios) Astronautics biological satellite
• British Intelligence Objectives Subcommittee

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH