Parameter
A qualifier added to a command that tells your operating
system what data to process, where it should locate or store a
file, or how it should operate. See also
Stitch.
Parity
A method used to verify the accuracy of data transmissions by
making the total of the number of l’s in a group of bits odd
(odd parity), even (even parity), or none (no parity).
Partition
(1) The area an operating system defines on a hard disk so you
can use that area as though it were a physically separate device;
(2)
to divide a hard disk into separate logical areas. You can
create a primary partition and one or more extended partitions
on
a hard disk.
Password
The unique sequence of characters you type after you turn on
or reset the computer in order to access and use your system. In
a computer network, a password may also set certain access
privileges to restrict the operations you can perform.
Pathname
The directory name(s) you specify to locate a file. For example,
the pathname for the file SALES, stored in the subdirectory
BUSINESS, is \BUSINESS\SALES.
Peripheral device
An external device (such as a printer or a modem) connected to
a computer that depends on the computer for its operation.
Glossary 17
