108
Glossary
DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile [or Video] Disc Read-Only
Memory)
—A very high-capacity storage medium that uses
laser optics for reading data. Each DVD-ROM can hold as
much data as several CD-ROMs. Compare
CD-ROM
.
E
emulation
—A technique in which a device or program imitates
another device or program.
enable
—To turn on a computer option. See also
disable
.
eSATA
—An external device that supports hot swapping and
fast data transfer. Very useful in storing and transferring large
files.
executable file
—A computer program that is ready to run.
Application programs and batch files are examples of
executable files. Names of executable files usually end with
a .bat or .exe extension.
expansion device
—A device that connects to a computer to
expand its capabilities. Other names for an expansion device
are port expander, port replicator, docking station, or
network adapter.
extension
—See
file extension
.
external device
—See
device
.
F
file
—A collection of related information, saved on disk with a
unique name. A file may be a program, information used by a
program, or a document. See also
document
.
File Allocation Table (FAT)
—The section of a storage drive
that keeps track of the location of stored files.
file name
—A set of characters that uniquely identifies a file
within a particular folder. It consists of two parts: the actual
name and the file name extension. See also
file extension
.
file extension
—The three characters following the period
(pronounced “dot”) at the end of a file name. The extension
indicates the type of file. Examples are .exe for program files
and .hlp for help files. See also
file name
.
folder
—Also called directory. A container for organizing files
saved to a disk. A folder is symbolized on screen by a
graphical image (icon) of a file folder. A folder can contain
files and other folders.
