HP B132L+, Owner'S Manual, Page: 245 / 256

Glossary
231
pathname.
file server A workstation whose prima-
ry task is to control the storage and re-
trieval of data from hard disks. Any
number of other workstations can be
linked to the file server in order to use it
to access data.
file system The organized set of files
and directories on a hard disk.
firmware The control software that is
embedded in ROM and is always resi-
dent despite the status of the operating
system. It handles the booting of the sys-
tem, initialization of I/O, and starts the
loading of the operating system.
floppy diskette A thin, record-shaped
plate that stores data on its magnetic sur-
faces. The system uses heads (similar to
heads in tape recorders) to read and write
data on concentric disk tracks.
floppy drive A device that stores data
on a flexible diskette.
hard disk A type of disk that is rigid as
opposed to a floppy diskette, which is
flexible.
hard disk drive A device that stores
data on a hard disk. The hard disk is a
permanent part of the drive and cannot
be removed.
HCRX color graphics Accelerated 8-
plane or 24-plane graphics. See also
CRX color graphics.
Help Manager The HP VUE applica-
tion that provides online help.
$HOME The environment variable rep-
resenting the home directory. This is the
directory in which you are placed after
you log in. Typically, this is
/users/
login, or
/home/
login, where login is
your username. See also home directo-
ry.
home directory A shorthand way of re-
ferring to a frequently used directory, al-
most always the login directory.
host See cluster server.
host name See internet protocol ad-
dress.
HP-UX cluster See cluster node, clus-
ter server.
HP Visual User Environment A user
interface that draws a graphical layer
over the complexities of the other layers
of the system (the hardware, operating
system, and X Window system), en-
abling you to control your workstation
by directly manipulating graphical ob-
jects instead of by typing commands at a
command-line prompt.
HP VUE See HP Visual User Envi-
ronment.
icon A small, graphic representation of
an object. Objects can be “iconized”
(turned into icons) to clear a cluttered
workspace. Icons can be restored to their
original appearance when needed. What-
ever processes are executing in an object
continue to execute when the object is