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5–24 Learning More About Your Computer
Understanding Computer Terms
peripheral
An external device connected to a computer, such as a monitor,
keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer, and digital camera. See
component.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
A file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document
as an electronic image, which you can view, navigate, print, or
forward to someone else. PDF files are created using Adobe Acrobat,
Acrobat Capture, or similar products. To view and use the files, you
need the free Acrobat Reader, which you can easily download. Once
you have downloaded the Reader, it starts automatically whenever
you want to look at a PDF file.
photo CD
A CD format based on the CD-ROM XA and Orange Book Hybrid
Disc specifications; it is used to store photographic images for display
and printing.
physical format
The physical format of a CD determines how data is recorded in each
sector. The various physical formats are defined by the color book
standards, such as Red Book, Yellow Book, and Orange Book.
pixel (short for picture element)
One of the individual dots that compose a graphical image. See
graphics.
PMA (Program Memory Area)
An area on a recordable CD that temporarily contains the table of
contents information when tracks are written in a session that is not
yet closed. When the session is closed, this same information is
written in the session lead-in.
playlist
Tracks chosen to be played from a CD or DVD.