ZEOS PANTERA User's Guide download pdf (Page 73)

DIP Switches - Small switches on a piece of

hardware such as a CPU, a printer, or an option

card. DIP switch settings control various functions

and provide a system with information about itself.

DIP stands for Dual In-Line Package.

Directory - A list of the files stored on a disk or a

part of a disk.

Disk Drive - The physical device which allows the

computer to read from and write to a disk. A floppy

disk drive has a disk slot into which you insert

floppy disks. A hard disk drive is permanently

fixed inside the system unit.

DOS - Disk Operating System. A computer

program which continuously runs and mediates

between the computer user and the Application

Program, and allows access to disk data by disk

filenames. The Disk Operating System controls the

computer’s input and output functions. See

Operating System.

File - A group of related pieces of information

called records, or entries, stored together on disk.

Text files consist of words and sentences. Program

files consist of codes and are used by computers to

interpret and carry out instructions.

Floppy disk - a flat piece of flexible plastic coated

with magnetic material and used to store data

permanently.

Format - To prepare a new disk (or erase an old

one) so it can receive information. Formatting a

disk divides it into tracks and sectors which create

addressable locations on it.

Hard Disk Drive - Commonly called rigid disk

drives, or fixed disk drives. Unlike floppy disks,

hard disks are fixed in place inside the system unit.

They can process data faster and store many more

files than floppy disks.

Hardware - Any physical component of a

computer system, such as a monitor, printer,

keyboard, or CPU.

Address (Physical) - A specific location in memory

where a unit record, or sector, of data is stored.

Application Program - Computer program that

actually performs a useful task. Word processors,

spreadsheets, and desktop publishing programs are

application programs.

AUTOEXEC.BAT File - An MS-DOS batch file

containing commands which execute automatically

when you turn on your computer.

Batch File - A file containing several commands

that execute in sequence as a group, or batch. MS-

DOS batch files must have a filename extension of

.BAT.

Boot - Short for Bootstrap. Transfer of a disk

operating system program from storage on floppy

disk or hard disk drive to computer’s working

memory.

Boot Disk - A disk with an operating system

installed which loads the system on power up.

Character - Anything that can print in a single

space on the page or the screen. Includes numbers,

letters, punctuation marks, and graphic symbols.

Command Processor - The part of an operating

system that processes commands entered by you.

The command processor in MS-DOS is contained in

the COMMAND.COM file.

CPU - Central Processing Unit. The piece of

hardware which interprets instructions, performs the

tasks you indicate, keeps track of stored data, and

controls all input and output operations.

Crash - A malfunction in the computer hardware or

software, usually causing loss of data.

Cursor - The highlighted marker which shows your

position on the screen and moves as you enter words

or numbers.

Diagnostics - The tests and procedures the

computer performs to check its internal circuitry and

set up its configuration.

Glossary

This glossary provides general definitions of key terms. For an expanded list look in

standard reference books on computers.

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ZEOS PANTERA User's Guide Page 73

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