(1) (Programmable Interrupt Controller) An Intel 8259A chip that controls interrupts. Starting with the 286-based AT, there are two PICs in a PC, providing a total of 15 usable IRQs. The PIC has been superseded by an Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller, or 82489DX chip, that is enhanced for multiprocessing. See IRQ.
(2) (Port Interface Card) An expansion board that plugs into a router to add network interfaces. PICs may have only one port or multiple ports of the same type.
(3) (PICture) A file extension used for graphics formats. Lotus PIC is a vector format for 1-2-3 charts and graphs. Videoshow PIC is a vector format that is a subset of the NAPLPS standard.
(4) A family of 8-bit and 16-bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler, AZ (www.microchip.com). Used in myriad applications, Microchip's PIC chips come in a wide variety of packages and configurations. See microcontroller.
(5) (Position Independent Code) Instructions that can be placed and executed anywhere in memory.
(6) See PIC code.
Download Computer Desktop Encyclopedia to your iPhone/iTouch
