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Glossary
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device driver—A program (called a “driver”) that permits a computer to
communicate with a device.
dialog box—An on-screen window displayed by the operating system or
a program giving a direction or requesting input from the user.
Direct Current (DC)—The type of power usually supplied by batteries.
DC flows in one direction. Compare Alternating Current (AC).
Direct Memory Access (DMA)—A dedicated channel, bypassing the
CPU, that enables direct data transfer between memory and a
device.
directory—See folder.
disable—To turn a computer option off. See also enable.
disc—A round, flat piece of material, designed to be read from and
written to by optical (laser) technology, and used in the production
of optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs. Compare disk.
disk—A round, flat piece of material that can be magnetically influenced
to hold information in digital form, and used in the production of
magnetic disks, such as hard disks. Compare disc. See also hard
disk.
disk drive—The device that reads and writes information and programs
on external media or hard disk. It rotates the disk at high speed past
one or more read/write heads.
document—Any file created with an application and, if saved to disk,
given a name by which it can be retrieved. See also file.
double-click—To press and release the pointing device’s primary button
rapidly twice without moving the pointing device. In the Windows
®
operating system, this refers to the pointing device’s left button,
unless otherwise stated.
download—(1) In communications, to receive a file from another
computer through a modem or network. (2) To send font data from
the computer to a printer. See also upload.
drag—To hold down the mouse button while moving the pointer to drag
a selected object. In the Windows
®
operating system, this refers to
the left mouse button, unless otherwise stated.
driver—See device driver.