User's Guide to OS/2 Warp Version 3 - Glossary

A

 * archive:(1) A flag of files and directories that OS/2 uses to determine which files are new or modified. Files with this flag are included when a backup copy is made or when all the files are restored on a hard disk.
 * (2) A copy of one or more files or a copy of a database that is saved for future reference or for recovery purposes in case the original data is damaged or lost.


 * attribute:A characteristic or property of a file, directory, or object; for example, its size, last modification date, or flag. See also setting.
 * audio:Pertaining to the portion of recorded information that can be heard.
 * AUTOEXEC.BAT:A batch file whose main purpose is to process commands that set up the operating system for DOS sessions.
 * audio:Pertaining to the portion of recorded information that can be heard.
 * audio processing:In multimedia applications, manipulating digital audio; for example, by editing or creating special effects.
 * audio segment:A contiguous set of recorded data from an audio track. An audio segment might or might not be associated with a video segment.
 * audio track:(1) The audio portion of a program.
 * (2) The physical location where the audio is placed beside the image. (A system with two audio tracks can have either stereo sound or two independent audio tracks.)
 * (3) Synonymous with sound track&per.


 * AudioVisual Connection (AVC):An IBM product that enables a user to develop and deliver professional-quality audio-visual shows on a PS/2 computer.
 * authoring:A structured approach to combining all the media elements in an interactive production, assisted by computer software designed for this purpose.
 * authoring system:The software tools necessary to integrate computers and peripherals, such as CD-ROMs and laser videodiscs.

B

 * background:In multiprogramming, the conditions under which low-priority programs run when high-priority programs are not using the system resources. A background session runs one program step at a time. It does not run interactively with the user; processing continues on other sessions in the foreground.
 * back up:To copy information onto a diskette or hard disk for record keeping or recovery purposes.
 * batch file:A file that contains a series of commands to be processed sequentially. A batch file can have either a CMD or a BAT extension.
 * baud rate:A number representing the speed at which information travels over a communication line. The higher the number, the faster communication occurs.
 * bit map:A representation of an image by an array of bits.
 * bookmark:A menu choice in online books that is used to save your place in the document that you are viewing, by marking the topic that is displayed.
 * border:A visual indicator of a window's boundaries.
 * button:A mechanism on a pointing device, such as a mouse, or an area on the computer screen, used to request or initiate an action. See also maximize button, hide button, push button, radio button, and restore button.
 * byte:A group of eight adjacent binary digits that are treated as a unit, and that often represent a character.

C

 * cache:A storage buffer that contains frequently accessed instructions and data; it is used to reduce hard disk access time.
 * cascade:A choice in a menu that arranges the secondary windows so that each window is offset on two sides from the window it overlaps. The windows appear to be stacked, one behind the other.
 * cascading choice:A menu choice that has an arrow to the right of it. If this arrow is selected, a cascaded menu appears. A three-dimensional arrow indicates that a cascaded choice is preselected and is the default action when you select the main choice. A one-dimensional arrow indicates that additional choices are available; however, there is no default action. See also cascaded menu.
 * cascaded menu:A menu that appears when the arrow to the right of a cascading choice is selected. It contains a set of choices that are related to the cascading choice. Cascaded menus are used to reduce the length of a menu.
 * case-sensitive:A condition in which entries for an entry field must conform to a specific lowercase, uppercase, or mixed-case format in order to be valid.
 * CD-ROM:High capacity, read-only memory in the form of an optically read compact disc. See also compact disc.
 * character:A letter, digit, or other symbol that is used as part of the organization, control, or representation of data.
 * check box:A square box with associated text that represents one choice in a set of multiple choices. When you select a choice, a check mark appears in the check box to indicate that the choice is in effect. You can clear the check box by selecting the choice again. Contrast with radio button.
 * check mark:A symbol that shows that a choice is currently active. This symbol is used in menus and check boxes. See also checkbox.
 * chip set:An integrated circuit or a set of integrated circuits which provide hardware support for a related set of functions, such as generation of video.
 * choice:Any item that you can select. A choice can appear in a selection field, in a menu, or in text (a list of selectable choices), or it might be represented by an icon.
 * circular slider control:A knob-like control that performs like a control on a TV or stereo.
 * click:To press and release the select button on a pointing device without moving the pointer off the choice. See also double-click.
 * clip:A section of recorded, filmed, or videotaped material.
 * clipboard:An area of memory that temporarily holds data being passed from one program to another. Data is placed on the clipboard by selecting from a menu.
 * close:A choice in Window List and in those programs that have a system menu. This is also a cascading choice from the Windows choice on a pop-up menu. This choice ends highlighted programs and objects and their associated windows.
 * command prompt:A displayed symbol that indicates where you enter commands.
 * compact disc:A disc, usually 4.75 inches in diameter, from which data is read optically by means of a laser.
 * CONFIG.SYS:A file that the operating system adds to the root directory during installation. This file contains statements that set up the system configuration each time you restart the operating system.
 * configuration:(1) The manner in which hardware and software of an information processing system are organized and interconnected.
 * (2) The arrangement and relationship of the components in a system or network.


 * configure:To describe to a system the devices, optional features, and programs installed on the system.
 * container:An object that holds other objects. A folder is an example of a container object.
 * copy:(1) A reproduction of an original.
 * (2) To make a reproduction of an object in a new location. After the copy action, the original object remains in the original location and a duplicate exists in the new location. A menu choice that places onto the clipboard a copy of what you have selected. This choice is also used to make copies of objects from a pop-up menu.


 * cut:A choice in a menu of a program that removes a selected object, or a part of an object, to the clipboard, usually compressing the space it occupied in a window. Removes a selected object or a part of an object to the clipboard, usually compressing the space it occupied in a window.

D
contains information about the file such as size and date of last change. (2) A named grouping of files in a file system. See also folder. prompt is displayed in a DOS window or DOS full screen. Contrast with OS/2 command prompt.
 * data:The coded representation of information for use in a computer. Data has certain attributes such as type and length.
 * database:A collection of data with a given structure for accepting, storing, and providing, on demand, data for multiple users.
 * data-file object:An object that represents a file in the file system. The primary purpose is to convey information, such as text, graphics, audio, or video. A letter or spreadsheet is an example of data-file objects.
 * default:A value, attribute, or option that is assumed when another is not explicitly specified.
 * default action:An action that is performed when you press Enter while pointing at an object, double-click the selection button on an object, or perform a direct-manipulation operation. The default action is intended to be the action that you would most likely want in the given situation.
 * default choice:A selected choice that a program provides for the initial appearance of a group of selection choices.
 * deselect:The process of removing selection highlighting from one or more choices. Contrast with select.
 * desktop:A folder that fills the entire screen and holds all of the objects that enable you to interact with and perform operations on the system.
 * device driver:A program that contains the code needed to attach and use a device, such as a display, plotter, printer, or mouse. The driver might also include data such as help information.
 * device font:A font particular to, and loaded in the memory of a device such as a video display or printer. Some device fonts have size and language-support restrictions.
 * device object:An object that provides a means of communication between a computer and another piece of equipment, such as a printer or disk drive. See also printer object.
 * digital:Pertaining to data in the form of numeric characters.
 * digital audio:Audible information that has been converted to and stored in digital form.
 * digital video:Visual material that has been converted to digital form.
 * direct manipulation:The action of using a mouse or another pointing device to work with objects, rather than through menus. For example, changing the size of a window by dragging one of its edges is direct manipulation. Moving or printing an object by dragging it to the printer is another example. See also drag.
 * directory:(1) A list of the files that are stored on a disk or diskette. A directory also
 * directory tree:An outline of all the directories and subdirectories on the current drive.
 * disk:A round, flat, data medium that is rotated in order to read or write data. See also compact disc, hard disk, and diskette.
 * diskette:A removable magnetic disk enclosed in a protective cover used to store information. See also diskette drive.
 * diskette drive:A mechanism used to seek, read, and write data on diskettes.
 * DOS command prompt:A displayed symbol that indicates where you enter commands. The DOS command
 * DOS session:A session created by the OS/2 operating system that supports the independent execution of a DOS program. The DOS program appears to run independent of any other programs in the system.
 * double-click:To press and release the select button on a pointing device twice in rapid succession while the pointer is over the intended target of the operation. See also click.
 * downloaded font:A soft font copied (downloaded) to the memory of a printer.
 * drag:To use a mouse or another pointing device to move an object. The following are examples: (1) pointing to an object; then pressing and holding mouse button 2 while moving to a new location, or (2) pointing to a window border; then holding down mouse button 1 or 2 while moving the border to change the size of the window. Dragging ends when the mouse button is released.
 * dynamic data exchange:The exchange of data between programs or between a program and a data-file object. Any change you make to information in one program or session is applied to the identical data created by the other program. For example, with the dynamic data exchange (DDE) feature enabled, you can select the duplicate of a spreadsheet that is embedded in a report. Then, if you make changes to the spreadsheet copy in the report, the same changes are made to the original spreadsheet file.

E

 * enable:(1) To make functional.
 * (2) The state of a processing unit that allows the occurrence of certain types of interruptions.
 * (3) To initiate the operation of a circuit or device.


 * environment variables:A series of commands placed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files that dictate the way the operating system is going to run and what external devices it is going to recognize. These commands also can be specified as settings of DOS programs.
 * extended attributes:Additional information that the system or a program associates with a file. An extended attribute can be any format, for example text, a bit map, or binary data.

F

 * field:An identifiable area in a window used to contain data. Examples of fields are: an entry field, into which you can type text; and a field of radio buttons, from which you can select one choice.
 * file:A collection of related data that is stored and retrieved by an assigned name. For example, a file can include information that starts a program, program-file object, can contain text or graphics data-file object, or can process a series of commands such as a batch file.
 * file allocation table (FAT):A table used by DOS to allocate disk space for a file. It also locates and chains together parts of the file that may be scattered on different sectors so that the file can be used in a random or sequential manner. Contrast with High Performance File System (HPFS).
 * file name:(1) The name used by a program to identify a file.
 * (2) When referring to the file allocation table (FAT) file system, the file name is the portion of the identifying name that precedes the extension. When referring to the high performance file system (HPFS), the file name includes an extension (if there is one). If you are using the HPFS, the file name can be up to 254 characters and can include any number of periods. The following is an example of a path and file name in the HPFS file system where C: is the drive, the first \ is the root, INCOME is the directory, and SALES.FIGURES.SEPTEMBER is the file name:

C:\INCOME\SALES.FIGURES.SEPTEMBER If you are using the FAT file system, the file name can be up to eight characters and can be followed by an optional three-character extension. The following is an example of a path and file name in the FAT file system where C: is the drive, the first \ is the root, INCOME is the directory, TAX is a subdirectory, and SALES.TXT is the file name and extension: C:\INCOME\TAX\SALES.TXT
 * flag:A characteristic of a file or directory that enables it to be used in certain ways. See also archive, hidden, read-only, and system.
 * folder:A container used to organize objects, programs, documents, other folders, or any combination of these. The folders on the desktop represent the directories in the file system. For example, a folder can have other folders within it. This is similar to a subdirectory within a directory.
 * font:A particular style (shape), size, slant, and weight, defined for an entire character set; for example, 9-point Helvetica italic bold. When applied to outline or scalable character sets, which can be scaled to any size, font refers to style, slant, and weight, but not to size.
 * foreground:In multiprogramming, the environment in which interactive high-priority programs run. These programs run interactively with the user.
 * format:To check a hard disk or diskette for defects and prepare it to hold information.
 * Format 0 MIDI file:All MIDI data is stored on a single track.
 * Format 1 MIDI file:All MIDI data is stored on multiple tracks.

H

 * hard disk:A rigid disk in a hard disk drive that you cannot remove. The hard disk can be partitioned into storage areas of variable sizes that are subdivided into directories and subdirectories. See also partition.
 * Help:A choice on a pop-up menu that gives you assistance and information; for example, general help about the purpose of the object. (This information is the same as highlighting the choice and pressing F1.) If you select the arrow to the right of Help, a cascaded menu appears from which you can request further help. The Help choice also can appear in those programs that have a menu bar.
 * Help Index:A choice in the Help cascaded menu that presents an alphabetic listing of help topics for an object. The Help index choice also can appear in those programs that have Help on a menu bar.
 * Help push button:A push button that, when selected, provides information about the item the cursor is on or about the entire window.
 * hidden:A flag that indicates that a file or directory should not be displayed in the directory tree or the directory window.
 * hide:To remove a window from the desktop. Hidden windows are displayed in the Window List.
 * hide button:A small button located in the right-hand corner of the title bar of a window that, when selected, removes all of the windows associated with that window from the screen and are displayed in the Window List.
 * highlighting:Emphasizing a display element or segment by modifying its visual attributes.
 * high performance file system (HPFS):An installable file system that uses high-speed buffer storage, known as a cache, to provide fast access to large disk volumes. The file system also supports the coexistence of multiple, active file systems on a single personal computer, with the capability of multiple and different storage devices. File names used with HPFS can have as many as 254 characters.

I

 * icon:A graphical representation of an object, consisting of an image, image background, and a label.
 * image file:A file that is created from a DOS startup diskette. The image file is a copy of the information on the startup diskette. Just as a DOS session can be started from a DOS startup diskette, a DOS session can be started from an image file of that same diskette.
 * inactive window:A window you are not currently interacting with. This window cannot receive input from the mouse or keyboard. Contrast with active window.
 * install:(1) To physically copy the files from the shipped diskettes of an operating system or program to specified areas (directories) of a hard disk.
 * (2) Installing a printer driver, queue driver, or port means adding the driver to the INI file (and copying to the hard disk only if required). Deleting a printer driver, queue driver, or port removes the entry from the INI file, but leaves the program file on your hard disk.


 * interrupt request (IRQ):A request for processing on a particular priority level. It may be generated by the active program, the processing unit, or an I/O device.
 * IRQ:See interrupt request (IRQ).

J

 * job:A data file sent to a printer to be printed.

K

 * kernel:(1) The part of an operating system that performs basic functions such as allocating hardware resources.
 * (2) A part of a program that must be in main storage in order to load other parts of the program.


 * keys help:A choice in the Help cascaded menu that presents a listing of all the key assignments for an object or a product. This choice also can appear in those programs that have Help on a menu bar.
 * kilobyte (KB):A term meaning 1024 bytes.

L
resource sharing.
 * LAN:Local Area Network. (1) Two or more computing units connected for local
 * (2) A network in which communications are limited to a moderate-sized geographic area, such as a single office building, warehouse, or campus, and that do not extend across public rights-of-way.


 * list box:A vertical, scrollable list of objects or settings choices that you can select.
 * log in:(1) To begin a session with a remote resource (2) The act of identifying yourself as authorized to use the resource. Often, the system requires a user ID and password to check your authorization to use the resource.
 * log out:(1) To end a session or request that a session be ended.
 * (2) The act of removing access to a remote resource from a workstation. Contrast with log in.

M
choice to enlarge the window to its largest possible size. window that, when selected, enlarges the window to its largest possible size. Contrast with hide button. See also restore button.
 * M-Audio Capture and Playback Adapter (M-ACPA):An adapter card (for use with the IBM PS/2 product line) that provides the ability to record and play back high quality sound. The adapter converts the audio input (analog) signals to a digital format that is compressed and stored for later use.
 * mark:A menu choice of a program that you select to highlight text or graphics that you want to perform clipboard operations on. The clipboard operations are cut, copy, paste, clear, and delete.
 * Master Help Index:An object on the desktop that, when selected, presents an alphabetic listing of operating system tasks and topics.
 * maximize:A menu choice available from the Windows choice on a pop-up menu. Select this
 * maximize button:A large, square button located in the rightmost corner of the title bar of a
 * megabyte (MB):A term meaning approximately 1000000 bytes.
 * memory:(1) The storage on electronic chips; for example, random access memory, where your programs and data are held while you use them, or read-only memory where information is stored that your system can refer to but not change.
 * (2) Program-addressable storage; the locations by which the operating system and your programs can locate information that is temporarily held in memory. With the OS/2 operating system, program-addressable memory might be larger than the electronic chip memory in your computer.

the window, that contains choices that provide access to other menus. device-independent playback of MIDI sequences. version of a system.
 * menu:A displayed list of available items from which you can make a selection. See also popup menu.
 * menu bar:The area near the top of the window, below the title bar and above the rest of
 * MIDI:Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
 * MIDI Mapper:Provides the ability to translate and redirect MIDI messages to achieve
 * migrate:(1) To move to a changed operating environment, usually to a new release or
 * (2) To move data from one hierarchy of storage to another.

See also hide. selected, reduces the window to its smallest possible size and removes all of the windows associated with that window from the screen. Contrast with maximize button and hide button. outputs. be transmitted on a telecommunications line and that converts the received signal to data for the computer. screen. It allows you to select a choice or function to be performed or to perform operations on the screen, such as dragging or drawing lines from one position to another.
 * minimize:To remove a window (using the minimize button) to one of the following:
 * Minimized Window Viewer
 * Window List
 * Desktop Folder.
 * minimize button:A button, located next to the rightmost button in a title bar, that when
 * Minimized Window Viewer:A folder that contains icons of minimized windows. See also minimize button and minimize.
 * mix:The combining of audio or video sources during postproduction.
 * mixer:A device used to simultaneously combine and blend several inputs into one or two
 * modem:A device that converts digital data from a computer to an analog signal that can
 * mouse:A pointing device that you move on a flat surface to position a pointer on the
 * mouse button:A mechanism on a mouse that you press to select choices or initiate actions.
 * move:To change the location of an object. After the move action, the original exists in its new location and no longer exists in its original location. Contrast with copy.
 * Move:A choice on the pop-up menu of objects that you select to move the objects to other containers. Select to position a window on the screen.
 * multimedia:(1) The combination of different elements of media (for example, text, graphics, audio, and still images) for display and control from a personal computer.
 * (2) Material presented in a combination of text, graphics, video, image, animation, and sound.

execution of two or more tasks.
 * multimedia system:A system capable of presenting multiple types and formats of material in their entirety.
 * multiple DOS sessions:A system service that coordinates the concurrent operation of separate DOS sessions.
 * multiple virtual DOS machines:See multiple DOS sessions.
 * multitasking:A mode of operation that provides for concurrent performance, or interleaved
 * Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI):A protocol that enables a synthesizer to send signals to another synthesizer or to a computer, or enables a computer to send signals to a musical instrument or to another computer.

N

 * network:A configuration of data-processing devices and software connected for the purpose of sharing resources and for information interchange. See also LAN.
 * network administrator:The person responsible for the installation, management, and control of a network. The network administrator gives authorization to you for accessing shared resources and determines the type of access those users can have.
 * network group:A folder representing a Local Area Network or a group of objects that you have permission to access.
 * notebook:A graphical representation that resembles a bound notebook that contains pages separated into sections by tabbed divider-pages. It contains a mechanism that you can use to turn the pages. For example, you can select a tab to turn the page to the section identified by the tab label.

O

 * object:Something that you work with to perform a task. Text and graphics are examples of objects. See also data-file object, folder, program object and device object.
 * open:To create a file or make an existing file available for processing or use.
 * operating system:Software that controls the processing of programs and that may provide services such as resource allocation, scheduling, input/output control, and data management. Although operating systems are predominantly software, partial hardware implementations are possible.
 * OS/2 command prompt:A displayed symbol that indicates where you enter commands. The OS/2 command prompt is displayed in an OS/2 window or OS/2 full screen. Contrast with DOS command prompt.

P

 * parallel:Pertaining to the simultaneous transmission of individual parts of a whole. When a printer is connected to a parallel port, it receives an entire byte (character) at a time. See also serial.
 * parameter:A variable used in conjunction with a command to affect its result.
 * parity check:A mathematical operation on the numerical representation of the information communicated between two pieces. For example, if parity is odd, any character represented by an even number has a bit added to it, making it odd, and an information receiver checks that each unit of information has an odd value.
 * PARSEDB:A utility program that creates a similar database to the Migrate Applications default database (DATABASE.DAT). The Migrate Applications program uses information in this database when migrating programs. The database you create with PARSEDB contains similar information to the default database, but for different programs.
 * partition:A fixed-size division of storage. On a personal computer hard disk, one of four possible storage areas of variable size; one might be accessed by DOS, and each of the others might be assigned to another operating system.
 * password:A string of characters that you, a program, or a computer operator must specify to meet security requirements before gaining access to a system and to the information stored within it.
 * paste:(1) A choice in the menu of a program that, when selected, moves the contents of the clipboard into a preselected location that you can select in a window.
 * (2) Move the contents of the clipboard into a preselected location that you can select in a window.


 * path:A statement that indicates where a file is stored on a particular drive. The path consists of all the directories that must be opened to get to a particular file. The directory names are separated by the backslash (\). The first backslash represents the root directory. For example, a file named things that is located in the EDIT directory of drive C has a path of: c:\edit\things
 * A path is sometimes followed by a file name and a file name extension (if there is one). It is sometimes preceded by a drive letter and a colon.


 * path and file name:The path and file name make up a statement that indicates where a file is stored in a particular drive. It consists of all the directories that must be opened to get to a particular file. The backslash (\) separates directory names and the file name; the first \ indicates the root. File names in the HPFS file system can be up to 254 characters and can include any number of periods. The following is an example: \INCOME\SALES.FIGURES.FOR.SEPTEMBER File names in the FAT file system can be up to eight characters and can be followed by an optional three-character extension. The following is an example: \INCOME\TAX\SALES.TXT
 * plotter:An output device that uses multiple pens to draw on paper or transparencies.
 * pointer:The symbol displayed on the screen that you move with a pointing device, such as a mouse.
 * pop-up menu:A menu that, when requested, is displayed next to the object it is associated with. It contains choices appropriate for a given object or set of objects in their current context. The menu is displayed by clicking mouse button 2 on an object or on the desktop.
 * pop-up window:A movable window, fixed in size, in which you provide information required by an application so that the application can continue to process your request.
 * port:A connector on a computer to which cables for devices, such as display stations and printers, or communications lines are attached. Ports can be parallel or serial.
 * port designation:A 4-character identifier (such as LPT1 or COM1) assigned to a printer, plotter, or communications device so that the system has a unique way to refer to the resource.
 * printer driver:A file that describes the physical characteristics of a printer, plotter, or other peripheral device, and is used to convert graphics into device-specific data at the time of printing or plotting. A Presentation Manager printer driver allows you to print or plot from an application program that creates printer-independent files.
 * printer-independent file:A file in a format that is independent of a particular printer type. For example, with a Presentation Manager spooler, a file in the metafile format is printer-independent. See also printer-specific file.
 * printer object:An object representing a physical printer or plotter, its printer driver, queue, and other settings. See also device object.
 * printer-specific file:A file that can be printed on only one type of printer. See also printer-independent file.
 * private:When the WIN_CLIPBOARD setting is set to Off, this disables (makes private) the sharing of clipboard information among DOS, OS/2 and Windows programs. When the WIN_DDE (dynamic data exchange) setting is set to Off, this disables (makes private) the sharing of data among OS/2 and Windows programs.
 * program:A sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and process.
 * program-file object:An object that starts a program. Program files commonly have extensions of .EXE, .COM, .CMD, or .BAT. Contrast with data-file object.
 * program object:An object representing the file that starts a program. You can change the settings for this object to specify how you want the program to start or where the files related to the program are stored. For example, you can specify that an editor always starts with the NOTABS option. See also program-file object.
 * program title:A name that you type for a selected program. It is displayed with the icon. It can be any name you want to use to refer to the program. For example, My Favorite Editor could be used as the program title for an editor whose actual title is ABC.
 * program type:See session.
 * property:(1) Synonym for setting.
 * (2) Like a setting, but used by the OS/2 operating system to refer to printer, plotter, or print job set up.


 * public:When the WIN_CLIPBOARD setting is set to On, this enables (makes public) the sharing of clipboard information among DOS, OS/2, and Windows programs. When the WIN_DDE (dynamic data exchange) setting set to On, this enables (makes public) the sharing of data among OS/2 and Windows programs.
 * push button:A rounded-corner rectangular control containing text or graphics, or both. Push buttons are used in windows for actions that occur immediately when the push button is selected.

Q

 * queue:A line or list formed by items waiting to be processed; for example, a list of print jobs waiting to be printed. See also spooling and spooler.
 * queue driver:A software processor that takes a print job from a queue, and sends it to the appropriate printer driver to prepare it for printing.

R

 * radio button:A round button on the screen with text beside it. Radio buttons are combined to show you a fixed set of choices from which only one can be selected. The circle is partially filled when a choice is selected. Contrast with check box.
 * read-only:A flag that prevents a file from being modified. The file with this flag set can be viewed, copied, or printed.
 * refresh:An action that updates changed information to its current status.
 * remote:Pertaining to a system, program, or device that is accessed through a telecommunication line.
 * resolution:(1) Density or sharpness of an image. For bit-map material, resolution is expressed in dots-per-inch, with higher quality output having more dots-per-inch. Resolution can be adjusted for some printers. Low-resolution images are printed faster, but appear coarser than high-resolution images. A printer's memory size can limit the resolution you can choose.
 * (2) The number of lines in an image that an imaging system (for example, a telescope, the human eye, or a camera) can resolve. Higher resolution makes text and graphics appear clearer.


 * resource:Any facility of a computing system or operating system needed to perform required operations; includes disk storage, input devices, output devices (such as printers), a processing unit, data files, and programs.
 * restore button:A button that appears in the rightmost corner of the title bar after a window has been maximized. When the restore button is selected, the window returns to the size it was before it was maximized. See also maximize button and hide button.
 * root directory:The first directory on a drive in which all other files and subdirectories exist, such as C:\.

S

 * scroll:To move a display image vertically or horizontally to view data that is not otherwise visible in a display screen or window.
 * scroll bar:A part of a window, associated with a scrollable area, that you interact with to see information that is not currently visible. Scroll bars can be displayed vertically and horizontally. The scroll bar can be selected only with a mouse.
 * select:To use the selection button to highlight or choose an item such as an object or a menu choice. When you make a selection, there is a subsequent action that will apply. Contrast with deselect.
 * serial:Pertaining to the sequential transmission of one element at a time. Serial ports pass one bit at a time. If a port has word length 7, it must pass seven separate elements before the receiver can assemble those elements into a single recognizable whole unit (character). See also parallel.
 * server:(1) On a local area network (LAN), a workstation that provides facilities to other workstations.
 * (2) A computer that shares its resources with other computers on a network. An example of a server is a file server, a print server, or a mail server.


 * session:(1) A logical connection between two machines on a network.
 * (2) One instance of a started program or command prompt. Each session is separate from all other sessions that might be running on the computer. The operating system is responsible for coordinating the resources that each session uses, such as computer memory, allocation of processor time, and windows on the screen. The session types are OS/2 window, OS/2 full screen, DOS window, DOS full screen, WIN-OS/2 full screen, WIN-OS/2 window, and WIN-OS/2 window separate session.


 * setting:A unique characteristic of an object that can be changed or modified. The setting of an object describes the object. The name of the object is an example of a setting.
 * Settings:A choice that defines characteristics of objects or displays identifying characteristics of objects.
 * shadow:A link between duplicate objects. The objects can be located in different folders. If you make a change in either the duplicate or the original, the change takes effect in the other as well. Or, suppose you have a program on a drive other than drive C and want to use it from the desktop. You can make a shadow of the program for the desktop. The program is not physically moved or copied, which means you save space on your hard disk, but you can use it from the desktop.
 * shutdown:The process of selecting the Shut down choice before the computer is powered off so that data and configuration information is not lost.
 * slider:A control that represents a quantity and its relationship to the range of possible values for that quantity. In some cases, you can change the value of the quantity.
 * soft font:Optional fonts shipped as files. Soft fonts must be installed onto the hard disk before they can be selected from programs. See also downloaded font.
 * source diskette:In a diskette-copying procedure, the diskette from which information is read. Contrast with target diskette.
 * source drive:The drive from which information is read. Contrast with target drive.
 * specific DOS:An actual DOS program product that is purchased independently of the OS/2 operating system. Examples include IBM DOS Version 3.x, Microsoft DOS Version 3.x, Digital Research** Version 5.0.  Some programs are dependent on the internals of a specific DOS version.  You can run these programs with the OS/2 operating system by starting a DOS session with a specific DOS version. Contrast with DOS session.
 * spooler:A program that intercepts data going to a device driver and writes it to disk. The data is later printed or plotted when the required device is available. A spooler prevents output from different sources from being intermixed.
 * spooling:The process of temporarily storing print jobs while waiting for an available printer or port. Spooling jobs frees system resources from waiting for a relatively slow device to provide output, and keeps the contents of each print job separated from the contents of every other print job.
 * sticky keys:An input method that enables you to press and release a series of keys sequentially (for example, Ctrl+Alt+Del), yet have the keys behave as if they were pressed and released at the same time. This method can be used for those who require special-needs settings to make the keyboard easier to use.
 * system:A flag that indicates that a file or directory is part of the operating system.
 * system font:One of the fonts available for screen display and printing. You can specify any size for this font, and it supports any language. Contrast with device font.

T
object that is open in the window. You can use the object to display the pop-up menu or close a window.
 * tab:(1) An action, achieved by pressing the Tab key that moves the cursor to the next field. (2) A graphical representation of a book-like tab on a notebook that, when selected, turns the notebook page.
 * target diskette:In a diskette or storage copying procedure, the diskette onto which information is written. Contrast with source diskette.
 * target drive:The drive to which information is written. Contrast with source drive.
 * template:An object that you can use as a model to create additional objects. When you drag a template you create another of the original object, as though you were peeling one of the objects off a stack.
 * tile:A choice in a menu that modifies the size of each window and arranges them so that they appear side-by-side and top-to-bottom.
 * title bar:The area at the top of each window that can contain the window title and a title-bar icon. When appropriate, it also contains the hide, maximize, and restore buttons.
 * title-bar icon:The mini-icon in the upper-left corner of the title bar that represents the

U

 * user interface:The hardware, software, or both that allows you to interact with and perform operations on a computer.
 * Using Help:A cascaded choice on the Help menu that gives you information about how the help function works. This choice is also available on those programs that have Help as a choice on a menu bar.

V

 * value:A quantity assigned to a constant, a variable, or a parameter.
 * videodisc:A disc on which programs are recorded for playback on a computer (or a television set); a recording on a videodisc.
 * view:The appearance of the contents of an open object (for example, a folder can be displayed in icon view, tree view, settings view or details view.
 * virtual device driver:A type of device driver used by DOS programs running in a DOS virtual machine, in order to access devices such as the screen or mouse which must be shared with other processes in the system. The virtual device driver maps DOS device commands to the normal (physical) device driver under OS/2 Version 3.
 * virtual DOS machine:See DOS session.

W

 * waveform:(1) A graphic representation of the shape of a wave that indicates the wave's characteristics, such as frequency and amplitude.
 * (2) A digital method of storing and manipulating audio data within a computer.
 * (3) A series of digital samples of the audio input stream taken at regular intervals over the duration of the audio event.


 * wildcard character:Either a question mark (?) or an asterisk (*) used as a variable in a file name or file name extension when referring to a particular file or group of files.
 * WIN-OS/2:WIN-OS/2 is a feature of OS/2 that enables OS/2 to run supported Windows programs. See supported Windows programs.
 * WIN-OS/2 session:A WIN-OS/2 session created by the OS/2 operating system that supports the independent processing of a Windows program. The Windows program can run in a WIN-OS/2 full-screen, WIN-OS/2 window, or WIN-OS/2 window separate session.
 * window:An area of the screen with visible boundaries within which information is displayed. A window can be smaller than or the same size as the screen. Windows can appear to overlap on the screen.
 * Window List:A menu choice that displays a list of all of the open windows in a product. Use the Window List choice to switch to an active program, to tile or cascade open program windows, to surface hidden windows, or to close a program.
 * Windows program:A program written for the Microsoft Windows application programming interface.
 * workarea:A folder setting that enables you to organize your desktop by grouping together objects for a specific task. For example, you could group a plotter object with data-file objects that contain charts and documents.
 * working directory:A specified directory that becomes the current directory when a program is started. The current directory is the first directory in which the operating system looks for programs and files and stores temporary files and output. Some programs require a working directory.
 * Workplace Shell:A graphical user interface that makes working with your computer easier. The Workplace shell lets you manage your work without having to learn the complexities of the operating system.