ZEOS PANTERA, User Manual

Page: 73 / 77

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.