System disk/partition
is a disk/partition from which an operating system may
be booted. Such disk usually contains the boot sector and system files of this
operating system.
System file
is a file that contains the code and constant data for an operating
system. Each operating system has its own system file set.
System folder
. Some operating systems keep most of their files in a special
folder on a partition that may be different from the system one. For example
for Windows 95/98/ME operating systems IO.SYS system file resides on the
system partition, while other system files are located in the system folder
which is usually called WINDOWS. Program Files folder can also be treated
as system since it resides on the same partition as WINDOWS and also con-
tains files that are relevant to the operating system.
Status
. A flag that shows if a partition is active. This flag is stored in the par-
tition table and has no meaning for logical partitions.
Track
. Disks are divided into concentric circles called tracks. Information from
one track can be accessed without moving the head.
User interface
is a set of principles, concepts, and means by which programs
interact with the user. For example in window interface all input and output
is done in windows, the mouse is utilized quite often.
80
Appendix B : Glossary
