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████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
A GLOSSARY FOR BEGINNERS
THE CHEAT SHEET
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Address. Location of a specific piece of computer information in
computer RAM memory. Also a specific cell location in a spreadsheet
(e.g., address A22 in a spreadsheet: meaning the cell at
intersection of column A, row 22.)
[Alt] key. The key labeled Alt at the left of your keyboard.
This key is often used by holding down Alt and hitting another
key.
Autoexec.bat. The batch file runs automatically when you start
your computer it is a text file containing a list of DOS
commands.
Batch file (bat file). A text file containing a list of DOS
commands to be carried out or executed.
Cell. A single box in a spreadsheet used for data entry.
Clock/calendar. An optional circuit which keeps the correct time
and date. Many computers contain the circuit as standard
equipment.
Command line. The DOS command line where you type in a DOS
command to cause work to be done. Example: c>Diskcopy a: b:
is a command line.
[Ctrl] key. The key labeled Ctrl at the left of your keyboard.
This key is often used by holding down Ctrl and hitting another
key. Also called control key.
Cursor. The flashing bright square your screen which shows where
information will appear when you press a key.
Cylinder. A set of disk tracks at a specific location of a hard
drive platter or set of platters which can be read or written
simultaneously by the read/write heads. Conceptually, a cylinder
looks something like an empty tin can with the top and bottom
removed.
Database. An organized collection of records or information.
Default. A standard computer setting when nothing otherwise is
specified. Can be changed in many programs temporarily or
permanently. If you are not sure of a setting in a program, it
may supply a default value automatically.
Directory. An imaginary storage space on your disk which
contains files.
DOS. Disk Operating System. DOS allows you to input information
from the keyboard to the computer,run programs, prepare files
for disks and other necessary tasks.
[Enter] key. The large key to the right of your keyboard. On
many computers, this is labeled [Return].
[Esc] key. The key on your computer labeled Esc, meaning Escape.
This key allows you to abort many computer entries and
operations.
Extension. The last part of a filename, preceded by a dot which
frequently shows the file type.
External commands. DOS commands such as FORMAT (and others)
which are retained only on disk and are temporarily loaded into
ram for use then disappear from ram after a task is complete.
Field. An area of the screen (frequently a database program)
where data or text is entered. A field is essentially a category
of information.
File. A collection of data on a disk or in memory which has been
grouped together. This can be the text of a document, numbers
and formulas in a spreadsheet, or codes to run a program or
application.
Floppy or floppy drive. A permanent magnetic storage medium for
retaining data when the computer is off. Similar to a tape
cassette. It stores data, can be erased and re-used and
modified.
Function keys. The keys labeled F1 - F10 on your keyboard. Some
computers have 12 function keys.
Heads. A reference to the read/write heads of a floppy or hard
drive. They are small electromagnetic coils attached to an arm
which moves freely over the surface of the spinning platter or
disk. Electric pulses to these coils creative small fields of
magnetism on the spinning surface below the heads.
High level formatting. Is a process performed to a hard disk
after low level formatting (see below). This high level format
creates the directory structure of the disk (or file allocation
table area) which DOS will later use.
Interleave factor. The spacing of non-consecutive sectors around
the track of a hard disk. Usually this is given as a ratio.
Optimal interleave spaces these non-consecutive sectors for
optimum speedy data retrieval from the hard disk.
LAN. Local area network. Circuits to allows several or many
computers to talk to each other and share data. Of interest to
business and office computer users, but of only passing interest
to home and home/office users having only one machine.
Low level format. A preliminary process which is usually done to
a hard drive to prepare it for accepting data. Low level
formatting establishes tracks and sectors on the disk so the
drive can accept data and locate it for later retrieval.
Normally this will destroy all previous data!
Macro. A sequence of keystrokes or commands that can be recorded
and played back to execute a program or task of data entry thus
saving you keystrokes.
Operating system. Another name for DOS. The essential "core"
software which itself runs other programs and talks to the
keyboard and printer.
Parameter. Information sent to a program. Example: /p is the
parameter of the DOS command dir/p.
Parking the heads. Refers to the process of running a software
program to cause the read/write heads of a hard disk mechanism
to move to a track area of the disk which is of low use or is a
designated safe zone. Somewhat like lifting the needle from a
phonograph record and placing it on the "needle rest." This
prevents the possibility that the heads will drop or otherwise
gouge into the soft magnetic surface of the platters below. The
heads are usually parked while the disk is spinning and once
parked the machine is turned off. A few expensive hard drives
automatically park the heads, but this is not common for most
hard drive units.
Partition. A subdivision which is created by the FDISK utility
of DOS. A partition can be used to subdivide a hard disk into
more than one logical drive (e.g., C: and D:) or run various
operating systems from the same disk such as DOS and Unix. It is
usually established after a preliminary high-level format
process.
Path. A list of subdirectories where DOS searches for
information. You can set this with the DOS PATH command. The
path command is usually set within the AUTOEXEC.BAT file
mentioned above.
Password. A word or phrase which must input at the keyboard
before a program or operation can begin.
Platter. The physical disk medium of a hard drive or floppy
system onto which data is recorded and read back. Usually a
platter refers to a hard drive disk which is aluminum and coated
with a metallic iron oxide.
RAM. Temporary memory in your computer (random access memory).
When you turn the computer off, all RAM contents are lost until
replaced from data stored on a disk.
Record. A set of information elements in a database. For example
the data Mr. Smith including his address, income, telephone
number and occupation would together constitute a single record.
Resident commands. DOS commands such as COPY, TYPE, DIR, DEL
which are retained in RAM instead of disk. Also called internal
commands.
Resident program. Program(s) which are loaded into your computer
temporarily and remain available until the computer is turned
off. Resident programs are also known as TSR programs (terminate
and stay resident.)
Sector. The smallest unit of storage on a hard or floppy disk
consisting of 512 bytes - typically there are either 17 or 26
sectors per track on a hard drive.
Track. Concentric rings or circles of data sectors on a disk
platter which contain data and mark position points for the
read/write heads.