The Ultimate Computer Reference
`
`The Comprehensive Standard for Business,
`School, Library, and Home
`
`er 600 terms anddefimtions
`5 illustrations and diagrams
`et and Web coverage
`ured in Microsoft° Bookshelf 97
`
`000001
`
`Symantec 1029
`IPR2015-01892 - Symantec v. Finjan
`
`

`
`Microsoft Press
`&K&crspsq>& ffe-ess
`
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`Third Edition
`Third edition
`
`MicrosoftePress
`MicrossttPress
`
`000002
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`

`
`PUBLISHED BY
`PUBLISHED BY
`Microsoft Press
`Microsoft Press
`A Division of Microsoft Corporation
`A Division of Microsoft Corporation
`One Microsoft Way
`One Microsoft Way
`Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
`Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
`Copyright A 1997 by Microsoft Corporation
`Copyright © 1997 by Microsoft Corporation
`All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
`All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
`in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.
`in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.
`Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data pending.
`Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data pending.
`
`rsBN 1-57231-743-4
`ISBN 1-57231-743-4
`Printed and bound in the United States of America.
`Printed and bound in the United States of America.
`9 QMQM 210987
`12345678
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 QMQM 2 1 0 9 8 7
`Distributed to the book trade in Canada by Macmillan of Canada. a division of Canada
`Distributed to the book trade in Canada by Macmillan of Canada, a division of Canada
`Publishing Corporation.
`Publishing Corporation.
`A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
`A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
`Microsoft Press books are available through booksellers and distributors worldwide. For fuither
`Microsoft Press books are available through booksellers and distributors worldwide. For further
`information about international editions, contact your local Microsoft Corporation office. Or
`information about international editions, contact your local Microsoft Corporation office. Or
`contact Microsoft Press Intemational directiy at fax (425) g36q3Tg. Visit our Web site at
`contact Microsoft Press International directly at fax (425) 936-7329. Visit our Web site at
`mspress.microsoft.com.
`mspress. microsoft. com.
`Macintosh, Power Macintosh, euickrime, and rrueType fonts are registered trademarks of
`Macintosh, Power Macintosh, QuickTime, and TrueType fonts are registered trademarks of
`Apple computer, Inc' Intel is a registered trademark of Intel corporation. Directlnpui, DirectX,
`Apple Computer, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. DirectInput, DirectX,
`Microsoft, Microsoft press, MS-DoS. visuar Basic, visuar c+i, win:2, win32s, windows,
`Microsoft, Microsoft Press, MS-DOS, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Win32, Win32s, Windows,
`Windows NT, and XENIX are registered trademarks and ActiveMovie, ActiveX, and visual
`Windows NT, and XENIX are registered trademarks and ActiveMovie, ActiveX, and Visual
`J++ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
`J++ axe trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
`other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respec_
`Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respec-
`tive owners.
`trve o.wners.
`Acquisitions Editor: Kim Fryer
`Acquisitions Editor: Kim Fryer
`Project Editors: Maureen Williams Zimmerman, Anne Taussig
`Project Editors: Maureen Williams Zimmerman, Anne Taussig
`Technical Editors: Dail Magee Jr., Gary Nerson, Jean Ross, Jim Fuchs, John conrow,
`Technical Editors: Dail Magee Jr., Gary Nelson, Jean Ross, Jim Fuchs, John Conrow,
`Kurt Meyer, Robert Lyon, Roslyn Lutsch
`Kurt Meyer, Robert Lyon, Roslyn Lutsch
`
`l*i',
`
`000003
`
`

`
`.arc
`
`arithirrletic
`
`\ n. The file extension that
`.arc \ dot-ark-, (cid:9)
`identifies compressed archive files encoded using
`the Advanced RISC Computing Specification (ARC)
`format. See also compressed file.
`arcade game \ ar-kad- gam' \ n. 1. A coin-operated
`computer game for one or more players that fea-
`tures high-quality screen graphics, sound, and
`rapid action. 2. Any computer game, designed to
`mimic the style of a coin-operated arcade game,
`such as games marketed for the home computer.
`See also computer game.
`Archie \ ar-che \ n. An Internet utility for finding
`files in public archives obtainable by anonymous
`F IP. The master Archie server at McGill Univer-
`sity in Montreal downloads F IP indexes from par-
`ticipating FTP servers and merges them into a
`master list and sends updated copies of the mas-
`ter list to other Archie servers each day. Archie is
`a shortened form of archive. See also anonymous
`FTP, FTP' (definition 1). Compare Jughead,
`Veronica.
`Archie client \ ar-che kli'ant \ n. See Archie.
`Archie server \ ar-che saevar \ n. On the Internet,
`a server that contains Archie indexes to the
`names and addresses of files in public FTP
`archives. See also Archie, FTP' (definition 1),
`server (definition 2).
`architecture \ ar'ka-tek' char \ n. 1. The physical
`construction or design of a computer system and
`its components. See also cache, CISC, closed
`architecture, network architecture, open architec-
`ture, pipelining, RISC. 2. The data-handling
`capacity of a microprocessor. 3. The design of
`application software incorporating protocols and
`the means for expansion and interfacing with
`other programs.
`archive' \ allay \ n. 1. A tape or disk containing
`files copied from another storage device and used
`as backup storage. 2. A compressed file. 3. A file
`directory on the Internet that is available by File
`Transfer Protocol (FTP) or an Internet directory
`established for dissemination of stored files.
`archive2 \ dekiv \ vb. 1. To copy files onto a tape
`or disk for long-term storage. 2. To compress a
`file.
`\ n. A bit that is associated
`archive bit \ arldv (cid:9)
`with a file and is used to indicate whether or not
`the file has been backed up. See also back up, bit.
`
`fir \ n. A file that contains a set
`archive file \ (cid:9)
`of files, such as a program with its documentation
`and example input files, or collected postings from
`a newsgroup. On UNIX systems, archive files can
`be created using the tar program; they can then be
`compressed using compress or gzip. PKZIP under
`MS-DOS and Windows and Stun under Mac OS
`create archive files that are already compressed.
`See also compress', gzip, PKZIP, Stufflt, tars .
`archive site \ ar-kiv sir \ n. A site on the Internet
`that stores files. The files are usually accessed
`through one of the following ways: downloaded
`through anonymous FTP, retrieved through
`Gopher, or viewed on the World Wide Web. See
`also anonymous FTP, Gopher.
`area chart \ ar-e-a chart' \ n. A graphical presenta-
`tion, such as of quarterly sales figures, that uses
`shading or coloring to emphasize the difference
`between the line representing one set of data
`points and the line representing a separate
`but
`related set of data points. See the illustration.
`
`Quarterly Sales Summary
`
`Qtr 2 (cid:9)
`
`Qtr 3
`
`Quarter
`
`Area chart.
`area search \ ar-e-a sarch' \ n. In information man-
`agement, the examination of a group of docu-
`ments for the purpose of identifying those that are
`relevant to a particular subject or category.
`arg \ arg \ n. See argument.
`argument \ ar'gya-manr \ n. An independent vari-
`able, used with an operator or passed to a subpro-
`gram that uses the argument- to carry out specific
`operations. See also algorithm, operator (definition
`1), parameter, subprogram.
`arithmetic' \ ar-ith-met-ik \ adj. Pertaining to the
`mathematical operations of addition, subtraction,
`multiplication, and division.
`arithmetic2 \ (cid:9)
`\ n. The branch of
`mathematics dealing with the addition, subtrac-
`tion, multiplication, and division of real numbers.
`
`29
`
`000004
`
`

`
`base RAM \bas’ ram, R—A—M‘\ a. See conventional
`memory.
`Basic or BASIC \ba’sik, B‘A—S—I—C’\ n. Acronym
`for Beginner’s All—purpose Symbolic Instruction
`Code, a high—level programming language devel-
`oped in the mid-1960s by John Kemeny and Tho-
`mas Kurtz at Dartmouth College.
`It
`is widely
`considered one of the easiest programming lan-
`guages to learn. See also True BASIC, Visual Basic.
`Basic Rate Interface \ba‘sik rat in’tar—fas\ n. See
`BRI.
`
`\dot—bat’, —B‘A—T’\ n. The file extension that
`.bat
`identifies a batch program file. In MS—DOS,
`.bat
`files are executable files that contain calls to other
`
`program files. See also batch file.
`batch \bach\ n. A group of documents or data
`records that are processed as a unit. See also batch
`job, batch processing.
`batch file \bach’ fTl\ n. An ASCII text file contain-
`
`ing a sequence of operating-system commands,
`possibly including parameters and operators sup-
`ported by the batch command language. When the
`user types a batch filename at
`the command
`prompt,
`the commands are processed sequen-
`tially. Also called batch program.
`See also
`AUTOEXEC.BAT, .bat.
`‘
`batch file transmission \bach‘ fil tranz—mish’9n\
`n. The transmission of multiplelfles as the result of
`a single command. Acronym: BFT (B‘F—T’).
`batch job \bach’ job\ W. A program or set of com-
`mands that runs without user interaction. See also
`batch processing.
`batch processing \bach’ pros‘es—éng\ n. 1. Exe-
`cution of a batch file. See also batch file. 2. The
`
`practice of acquiring programs and data sets from
`users, running them one or a few at a time, and
`then providing the results to the users. 53. The
`practice of storing transactions for a period of time
`before they are posted to a master file, typically in
`a separate operation undertaken at night. Com-
`pare transaction processing.
`batch program \bach’ pr6‘gram\ a. A program
`that executes without interacting with the user. See
`also batch file. Compare interactive program.
`batch system \bach’ si‘st9m\ n. A system that
`processes data in discrete groups of previously
`scheduled operations rather than interactively or
`in real time.
`
`v batch total \bach’ t6‘t9l\ n. A total calculated for
`an element common to a group (batch) of records,
`used as a control to verify that all information is
`accounted for and has been entered correctly. For
`example, the total of a day’s sales can be used as
`a batch total to verify the records of all individual
`sales.
`
`battery \bat’9r-é‘\ 71. Two or more cells in a con-
`tainer that produces an electrical current when
`two electrodes within the container touch an
`
`electrolyte. In personal computers, batteries are
`used as an auxiliary source of power when the
`main power is shut off, as a power source for lap-
`top and notebook computers (rechargeable bat-
`teries,
`such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal
`hydride, and lithium ion, are used), and as a
`method to keep the internal clock and the cir-
`cuitry responsible for the part of RAM that stores
`important system information always powered
`up. See also lead ion battery, lithium ion battery,
`nickel cadmium battery, nickel metal hydride bat-
`tery, RAM.
`battery backup \bat‘9r—é bak’up\ TL. 1. A battery-
`operated power supply used as an auxiliary
`source of electricity in the event of a power failure.
`2. Any use of a battery to keep a circuit running
`when the main power is shut off, such as power-
`ing a computer’s clock/calendar and the special
`RAM that stores important system information
`between sessions. See also UPS.
`
`battery meter \bat’ar—é mé‘t9r\ n. A device used
`to measure the current (capacity) of an electrical
`cell.
`.
`
`baud \bad, b6d\ n. One signal change per second,
`a measure of data transmission speed. Named after
`the French engineer and telegrapher]ean—Maurice—
`Emile Baudot and originally used to measure the
`transmission speed of telegraph equipment,
`the
`term now most commonly refers to the data trans-
`mission speed of a modem. See also baud rate.
`Baudot code \b6—d6’ k6d‘\
`n. A 5-bit coding
`scheme used principally for telex transmissions,
`originally developed for telegraphy by the French
`engineer and telegrapher Jean—Maurice—Emile Bau-
`dot. Sometimes it
`is equated, although inaccu-
`rately, with the International Alphabet Number 2
`proposed by the Comité Consultatif International
`Télégraphique et Téléphonique (CCITT).
`
`000005
`
`

`
`a :
`
`'t:
`t:
`
`data carrier'
`
`r-rinstead of by passing sequentiaily through all stor-
`instead of by passing sequentially through all stor-
`':,;,,age areas. Fol example. a disk drive is a DASD, but
`age areas. For example, a disk drive is a DASD, but
`.;'4 tape unit is not, because. witl-r a tape unit. the
`a tape unit is not, because, with a tape unit, the
`:,.data is stored as a linear seqLrence. See also clirect
`data is stored as a linear sequence. See also direct
`access. Compare sequential access
`access. Compare sequential access.
`\dot-dat-, dot'D-A,T-\ n. A generic file exten_
`.dat \ dot-dar, dot'D-A-T- \ n. A generic file exten-
`:::sion for a data file
`sion for a data file.
`*AT \dar, D'A-T-\ n. See digital audio rape.
`\ n. See digital audio tape,
`DAT \ dat, (cid:9)
`r-dnamic address translation.
`dynamic address translation.
`;ifata \da1a, dat'a\ n. plural of rl-re Latin datum,
`data \ c15.-ta, dat'a \ n. Plural of the Latin datum,
`meaning an iten of information. In Dractice. data
`meaning an item of information. In practice, data
`is often used for rhe singular as *eli as the plural
`is often used for the singular as well as the plural
`r.:, form of the noun. Compare information
`form of the noun. Compare information.
`:@ta acquisition \da'ta a-kwa-zi'shan. dat'a\ n
`data acquisition \ da to a-lcwa-zi "shan, dat \ n.
`::,: The process of obtaining data from another
`The process of obtaining data from another
`source, usually one outside a specific svstem
`source, usually one outside a specific system.
`aggregate \da'ta a'gra-gor. dar-a\ n. A col_
`data aggregate \ cla-ta a'gra-gat, clat'a \ n. A col-
`...,lection of data recorcls. It usually inclr-rdes a
`lection of data records. It usually includes a
`description of fie placement of the data blocks
`description of the placement of the data blocks
`i' and their relation to the entrre set.
`and their relation to the entire set.
`illataattfibute \d?-ta a'tri-b1z@1, dat-a\ n. Strr-rc_
`data attribute \ dVta a'tri-byoot, dat-a\ n. Struc-
`rural information about data that describes its con_
`tural information about data that describes its con-
`text and meaning.
`text and meaning.
`+ilata bank \dt'ta bank' . dat-a\ iz. Any substantial
`data bank \ cla'ta bank' . dat'a \ n. Any substantial
`-: collection of data.
`collection of data.
`t'1. A file composed of
`\ da-ta-bas\
`database \ "ta-bas \ n. A file composed of
`records, each containing fields together with a set
`records, each containing fields together with a set
`' of operations for searching, sorting. recombining,
`of operations for searching, sorting, recombining,
`and othel functions.
`and other functions.
`,Jatabase administrator \da'ta-bas ad_min._as_
`'ta-bas ad-min'-as-
`database administrator \
`a ra-ter\ n. One who manages a database. The
`tra-tar \ n. One who manages a database. The
`i:: administrator determines the content. inremal
`administrator determines the content, internal
`str-ucture, and access strateg.v for a clatabase
`structure, and access strategy for a database.
`-:i defines securiry and iniegrity, and monitors perfor_
`defines security and integrity, and monitors perfor-
`::,mance. Acronym: DBA (D' B_A -). Also called data_
`mance. Acronym: DBA (D‘B-A-). Also called data-
`base manager.
`it: base manager
`,d^tab^se analyst \da1e-bas an'a-list\ n. One nho
`database analyst \ dVta-bas aria-list \ n. One who
`: provides rhe analytic funcrions needed to design
`provides the analytic functions needed to design
`and rnaintain appiicarions requiring a daiabase
`and maintain applications requiring a database.
`,database designer \di-ta-bas da-zi-nar\ n. One
`database designer \ da -ta-bas da-zr'nar \ n. One
`who designs and implements functions reqr_rirecl
`who designs and implements functions required
`for applications thar use a database.
`for applications that use a database.
`.databaseengine \da-ta-bas er-r'jan\ rz. The oro-
`database engine \ clg."ta-ba's erijan \ n. The pro-
`gram module or modtiles that provide o.."r, ,o n
`gram module or modules that provide access to a
`database managernenr system (DBMS).
`database management system (DBMS).
`".i database machine \da'ta-bas rna-shen-\ n. 1. A
`database machine \ cid -to-bars ma-shen' \ n. 1. A
`1r peripheral tirat executes database tasks, thereby
`peripheral that executes database tasks, thereby
`i. relieving the main computer from perfonning
`relieving the main computer from performing
`
`them. 2. A database server that performs only
`them. 2. A database server that performs only
`database tasks.
`database tasks.
`database {ranagement system \da.ta_bas
`database management system \ da to-bas
`man-aj-mant si'stam\ n. A soffware interface
`man'aj-mant si'stam \ n. A software interface
`betw'een the database and the user. A database
`between the database and the user. A database
`managernent system handles user fequests for
`management system handles user requests for
`database actions and allows for control of ,"..rrrty
`database actions and allows for control of security
`and data integriry requirernents. Acronyrn: DBMS
`and data integrity requirements. Acronym: DBMS
`(D'B-M-S-). Also called database manaqer. See also
`(D'B-M-S'). Also called database manager. See also
`database engine.
`database engine.
`datzbaserl;rarrager \da-te-bas man-a_jar\ n. See
`database manager \ da-ta-bas man'a-jar \ n. See
`database adrninistrator, database management sys_
`database administrator, database management sys-
`tem.
`tem.
`database publishing \di-te-bis pu.ble_sh€ns\ a.
`database publishing \ da-ta-bas pu'bla-sheng \ n.
`The use of desktop publishing or Interner technol_
`The use of desktop publishing or Internet technol-
`ogy to produce reports containing information
`ogy to produce reports containing information
`obtained from a database.
`obtained from a database.
`database setver \da1a-bas saivar\ ,?. A nefwork
`database server \ cia'ta-bas saevar \ n. A network
`node. or sration, dedicated to storing and provid-
`node, or station, dedicated to storing and provid-
`rng access to a shared database. Also called data_
`ing access to a shared database. Also called data-
`base machine.
`base rnac.hine.
`database structure \da'ta-bas struk-chur\ n. A
`database structure \ da-ta-bas struk'chur \ n. A
`generai descr.iption of tl-re format of records in a
`general description of the format of records in a
`database, inclr_rdir-rg the number of fields, specifi_
`database, including the number of fields, specifi-
`carions r-egarding the rype of data that can be
`cations regarding the type of data that can be
`entered in each field, and the field names used.
`entered in each field, and the field names used.
`databit \da1a bif , dat-a\ n. In asynchronous
`data bit \ dna bit', clat'a \ n. In asynchronous
`communications, one of a group of from 5 to g bits
`communications, one of a group of from 5 to 8 bits
`that represents a single character of data for trans_
`that represents a single character of data for trans-
`mission. Data bits ar.e preceded by a stan bit and
`mission. Data bits are preceded by a start bit and
`followed by an optional p4riry bit and one or more
`followed by an optional parity bit and one or more
`stop bits. See also asynchronous transmission, bit,
`stop bits. See also asynchronous transmission, bit,
`cornntnnications paratneter.
`communications parameter.
`data buffer \da-te bufar, dat.a\ n. An area kt
`data buffer \ 'to bear, dat'a \ n. An area in
`memory where data is temporarily stored while
`memory where data is temporarily stored while
`beir-rg moved from one location to another. .ree
`being moved from one location to another. See
`--1
`a/so DuIIef'.
`also buffers.
`data bus \da-ta bus', dat'a\ n..9ee br-rs.
`data bus \
`'to bus', clat'a \ n. See bus.
`datacable \da-ta ka'bl, dat-a\ n. Fiber-opric or
`data cable \ da—ta ka bl, clat'a \ n. Fiber-optic or
`wire cable used to transfer data from one device
`wire cable used to transfer data from one device
`to allother.
`to another.
`datacapture \da'ta kap'chur, dat-a\ n. 1. Trle
`data capture \
`-ta kap'chur, dat-a\ n. 1. The
`collection of inforrnation at the time of a transac_
`collection of information at the time of a transac-
`tion. 2. The process of saving on a storage
`tion. 2. The process of saving on a storage
`nedium a record of interchanges between a user
`medium a record of interchanges between a user
`and a rernote infor-mation utility.
`and a remote information utility.
`data carrier \da'ta k2ie-er, dat.a\ n. See cal:iier
`data carrier \ d'a'ta Idee-er, dat'a \ n. See carrier
`(definition 1).
`(definition 1).
`
`w a
`
`iiir
`1249
`
`,abeel is
`wheel is
`
`d the emitter
`d the emitter,.
`I the second.!
`f the second.
`n amplifica-
`n amplifica-
`
`n. See
`n. See Dar-
`
`lee Defense,,;
`Defense
`
`\-nef \
`n.
`k 'net' \ (cid:9)
`n-
`rch Projects,l
`rch Projects
`
`l for direct
`T1 for direct
`e device by
`e device by
`ed directly,
`ed directly.
`
`000006
`
`

`
`.fidonetorg
`
`,fidonet.org \dot-fi'do-net-dot-org'\ n On the
`.fidonet.org \ dot-fi'do-net-dot-org- \ n. On the
`Intemet, the maior domain speciiying that an
`Internet, the major domain specifying that an
`address is located on Fidonet.
`address is located on Fidonet.
`field \f€ld\ n. L. A location ln a record in which a
`field Weld\ n. 1. A location in a record in which a
`particular type of data is stored For example'
`particular type of data is stored. For example,
`-eUpfOVnn-nfCORD
`EMPLOYEE-RECORD might contain fields to store
`rnight contain fields to store
`Last-Name, First-Name, Address, Ciry' State, Zip-
`Last-Name, First-Name, Address, City, State, Zip-
`Code, Hire-Date, Current-Salary, Title, Department,
`Code, Hire-Date, Curreni-Salary, Title, Department'
`and so on. individual fielcls are chalacterized by
`and so on. Individual fields are characterized by
`their maximum length and the type of data (for
`their maximum length and the type of data (for
`example, alphabetic, numeric, or financial) that can
`example, alphabetic, numeric' or financial) that can
`be placed in tl-rem' The faciliry for creating ihese
`be placed in them. The facility for creating these
`specifications usually is contained in the data def-
`specifications usually is contained in the data def-
`inition language (DDL) In relational database man-
`inition language (DDL). In relational database man-
`agement systerls, fields are called columns 2' L
`agement systems, fields are called columns. 2. A
`space in an on-screen form where the user can
`space in an on-screen form where the user can
`enter a specific item of info|mation
`enter a specific item of information.
`-star'\ n
`field-effect transistor \ feld' a-fekt tranz-i
`field-effect transistor \ feld'a-fekt tranz-i 'star \ n.
`See FET.
`See FET.
`fleld-programmable logic array \ feld' pr6-gram-
`field-programmable logic array \ feld'pro-gram-
`a-bl loj'ik ar-a'\ n- An integrated circuit containtng
`a-b1 loj'ik ar-a \ n. An integrated circuit containing
`ar\ arny of logic circuits in which the connections
`an array of logic circuits in which the connections
`between the individual circuits, and thus the logic
`between the individual circuits, and thus the logic
`funcrions of the array. can be programmed after
`functions of the array, can be programmed after
`manufacture, rypical1y at the time of installation in
`manufacture, typically at the time of installation in
`the field. Proglamming can be performed only
`the field. Programming can be performed only
`once, typically by passing high current through
`once, typically by passing high current through
`ftrsible links on the chip Acronynt: FPLA (F-P-l--
`fusible links on the chip. Acronym: FPLA
`L'). Also calledPLA, programmable logic array
`A'). Also called PLA, programmable logic array.
`field separator \f€ld' sep'ar-d-tar\ n' Any chatac-
`field separator \ fad- sep'ar-d-tar \ n. Any charac-
`ter that separates one field of data from anoiher'
`ter that separates one field of data from another.
`See abo delimiter, field (definition 1)
`See also delimiter, field (definition 1).
`FIFO \fi'fo, F'I-F-O'\ n. See first in, first ottt'
`FIFO \ (cid:9)
`\ n. See first in, first out.
`flfth-generation computer \fifth'jen-ar-a-shan
`fifth-generation computer \ fifthlen-ar-5' shan
`kam-py6'tar\ t't. See comPuter'
`kam-pycro-tar \ n. See computer.
`fifth normal form \fifth' n6r'-ma1 f6rt-r-r-\ l'L
`fifth normal form \ fifth' normal form' \ n.
`Abbreviated 5NF. See nolmal form (deflnition 1)
`Abbreviated 5NF. See normal form (definition 1).
`file \fII\ n. A complete, named collection of infor-
`file \ fil \ n. A complete, named collection of infor-
`mation, such as a program' a set of data r:sed by a
`mation, such as a program, a set of data used by a
`program) or a user-created docr'tnent A file is the
`program, or a user-created document. A file is the
`basic unit of storage that enables a coinputer to
`basic unit of storage that enables a computer to
`distinguish one set of information from another' A
`distinguish one set of information from another. A
`file is the "glue" that binds a conglomeration of
`file is the "glue" that binds a conglomeration of
`instructions, numbers, words, ol images inio a
`instructions, numbers, words, or images into a
`coherent unit thai a Llsel c3n r'etrieve' change,
`coherent unit that a user can retrieve, change,
`delete, save. or send to an oLltpLlt devlce
`delete, save, or send to an output device.
`file allocation table \fTl- al-a-ka'shan tZ'bl\ tz A
`file allocation table \ fir al-a-ka'shan to
`(cid:9) n. A
`table or list maintained b1'some operating s\/stems
`table or list maintained by some operating systems
`
`to manage disk space used for file storage.
`to manage disk space used for file storage'
`a disk are stored, as sPace allows, in
`a disk are stored, as space allows, in fix
`groups of bytes (characters) rather thas
`groups of bytes (characters) rather thaik
`Leginning to end as contiguous strings ofJ
`beginning to end as contiguous strings of
`numbers. A single file can thus be
`numbers. A single file can thus be sca
`pieces over many separate storage areas.
`pieces oYet' many separate storage areas-
`allocation table maps available disk storage
`allocation table maps available disk
`so that it can mark flawed segments &4ii
`so that it can mark flawed segments that
`not be usecl and can find and link the
`not be used and can find and link the piece-
`file. In lviS-DOS, the file allocation table
`file. In MS-DOS, the file allocation table is
`monly known as the FAT. See also FAT file
`monly knon'n as the FAT. See alsoFNT hle
`file attribute \fiI' a'tra-bY6t\ n A
`file attribute \ fil" a' tra-byabt \ n. A r
`label attacl'red to a file that describes and
`label attached to a file that describes and re
`its use-for example, hidden, system' l@
`its use—for example, hidden, system, re'
`archive, and so forth. In MS-DOS, this i
`archive, and so forth. In MS-DOS, this
`is stored as part of the file's directory eatg
`is stored as part of the file's directory entry
`file backup \fil' bak'lrp\ n. Seebac1r'r:l?::ii
`file backup \ fir bak'up \ n. See backup.
`file compression \fil' kam-presh'an\ n{
`file compression \ fir kam-presh'an \ n.
`cess of reducing tl-re size of a file tor 1ry
`cess of reducing the size of a file for
`or storage. See also data compresslon' .,.:-ril
`or storage. See also data compression.
`file control block \ fiI' kan-trol' blok\ '*;
`file control block \ fir kan-troy blok \
`block of memory temporarily assigned$
`block of memory temporarily assigned:
`putef's operating system to hold info
`puter's operating system to hold info
`an opened file. A file control block
`an opened file. A file control block typ
`tains such information as the file's
`tains such information as the file's id
`its location on disk, and a pointer that
`its location on disk, and a pointer that
`user's current (or last) position in the
`user's current (or last) position in the
`nlir FCB (F'C-B')
`nym: FCB (F'C-B
`;
`file conversion \fiI- kan-var'zhan\ *tl;:3
`kan-var' zhan \
`file conversion \ (cid:9)
`cess of transforming the data in a file
`cess of transforming il-re clata in a file fu@*
`rrrat to another without altering its
`mat to another without altering its
`example. convel'ting a file from a word!
`example, converting a file from a word
`format to its ASCII equivalent'
`format to its ASCII equivalent.
`file extension \fiI' eks-ten'shan\ n
`file extension \ fir eks-tenshan \ n. Sc
`(deflnition 1).
`(definition 1).
`fileextent \frl'eks-tent'\ n See ext€g*
`file extent \ fir eks-tent \ n. See extent.
`file format \fiI- for"mat\ n. The
`file format \ fir for'mat \ n. The stru
`that defines the way it is stored and laid
`that defines the way it is stored and
`scfeen or in plint. The forrnat can be
`screen or in print. The format can be
`rnri comnton. as 3re files srored as -$
`and common, as are files stored as
`texi, or it c:rn be qr-rite complex and foa
`text, or it can be quite complex and
`ou.s types of control instructions acid
`ous types of control instructions anti
`by programs. printers, and other derr
`by programs, printers, and other dev-
`ples include RTF (Rich TeK Formal)' t
`ples include RTF (Rich Text Format),
`ment Content Architectlue), PIC:}-":
`ment Content Architecture), PICT,
`Interchange Folmat), DXF, TIFF
`Interchange Format), DXF, TIFF (T
`File Format), and EPSF (
`File Format), and EPSF (Encapsu •
`fofiIat).
`Format).
`
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`umbers
`lud:€j
`lats,
`lats,
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`of
`of values_
`t numbesl
`t numbers
`ions on
`iions €E*
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`poff nq
`point noor
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`asourrt #$
`amount
`zctefs la
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`grvea fw-,i
`given foni_
`:e.
`. See monct ea...--:
`. See
`
`Any non..0--„ (cid:9)
`Arty
`iat is sealed
`]at is
`
`{\ n. Se
`n. See
`
`spa.-seng\
`
`ksd-ward
`that applie+
`that applies
`to the
`to the unift=
`ls, *rat are
`
`Is, that are (cid:9)
`r and
`r and sh
`lware linesi
`aware lines
`ixed-word-1
`Lxed-word-
`Macintosh
`Macintosh
`ork with 2
`ork with 2
`
`. the maior
`the major
`Lt an addn
`at an adds
`
`ay.
`ker of some
`ker of some
`ng or interprei:-_-::
`og or mte
`the existence
`the existence
`Flags are used =-
`Flags are
`programming,
`)fogrammmg,
`ling on is
`ling on its use. a
`n data, that ident-
`n data, that
`- one or more bils
`3 one or mofe
`Aware to indical.,,
`lftware to
`l5 an elror or
`as an error or tt
`s. 2, In the
`s. 2. In the HDLC
`lag is the u
`tag is the unique
`
`of bits 0111i110. used to start and end a
`of bits 01111110, used to start and end a
`ion frame (message unit). SeealsoHDLC
`:mission frame (message unit). See also HDLC.
`\flam\ n. An abr-rsive or personallv insult-
`\ flam \ n. An abusive or personally insult-
`nessage of newsgroup posting
`ail message or newsgroup posting.
`\flam\ u&. 1. To send an abusive or per-
`\ flarn \ vb. 1. To send an abusive or per-
`insulting e-mail message or newsgroup
`insulting e-mail message or newsgroup
`2. To criticize personaily by means of e-
`ing. 2. To criticize personally by means of e-
`or newsgroup postrngs.
`essages or newsgroup postings.
`$4it \flam' bat\ n. A posting to a mailing
`bat \ n. A posting to a mailing
`bait \ (cid:9)
`i-:wsgroup, or other online conference that is
`#wsgroup. or other online conference that is
`to nrovoke flanres often because it
`o provoke flames, often because it
`:sses a controversial opinion on l highly
`s a controversial opinion on a highly
`I topic. See also flamel, flame war. Com-
`:.-tional topic. See also flame', flame war. Corn-
`ARAL
`€roll
`n. A series of inflammatory
`\flam'fest\
`fest \ flamlest \ n. A series of inflammatory
`ln a newsgroup or oiner
`or articles
`,ages or articles in a newsgroup or other
`e conference.
`conference
`\fl2-mar\ z. A person who sends or posts
`fla-rnar \ n. A person who sends or posts
`messages via e-mai.l. in nen'sgroups and
`_', five messages via e-mail, in newsgroups and
`online forums. and in online chats. See ako
`zi• online forums, and in online chats. See also
`inition 1), neq.'sgloup
`tr-i (definition 1), newsgroup.
`\flam'wor\ n. A discussion in a mail-
`war \ flam' (cid:9)
`\ n. A discussion in a mail-
`other online conference
`fist, newsgroup, or other online conference
`protracted exchange of
`has turned into a protracted exchange of
`=es, See also flame'.
`ry \flash' mem'ar-e\ r?. A rype of
`h memory \ flash' mem'ar-e\ n. A type of
`tile memory. Flash menrory is similar'
`nvolatile memory. Flash memory is similar
`M memorv in function b\lr it musr
`FEPROM memory in function but it must
`d in blocks. whereas EEPROM can be
`used in blocks, whereas EEPROM can be
`rd