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Glossary
183
file extension — The three characters following the period (pronounced
“dot”) at the end of a file name. The extension indicates the type of
file. Examples are .exe for program files and .hlp for help files. See
also file name.
folder — Also called directory. A container for organizing files saved to
a disk. A folder is symbolized on screen by a graphical image (icon)
of a file folder. A folder can contain files and other folders.
format — (verb) To prepare a blank disk for use with the computer’s
operating system. Formatting creates a structure on the disk so the
operating system can write information to the disk or read
information from it.
frontside bus — The primary pathway (bus) between the CPU and the
computer’s main memory. Also called “system bus.” See also bus.
function keys — The keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located on
the keyboard. Their function is determined by the operating system
and/or individual programs.
G
ground — A conductor to which all components of an electric circuit are
connected. It has a potential of zero (0) volts, is connected to the
earth, and is the point of reference for voltages in the circuit.
H
hard disk — A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that
can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more
information than diskettes and are used for long-term storage of
programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in a computer is
usually fixed, but some computers have secondary hard disks that
are removable. By default, the hard disk is referred to as drive C.
hardware — The physical components of a computer system. Compare
software.
Hibernation — A feature of many Toshiba notebook computers that
saves to the hard disk the current state of your work, including all
open files and programs, when you turn the computer off. When
you turn on the computer again, your work is returned to the same
state it was when the computer was turned off. See also Sleep,
Suspend.
high-density diskette — A 3.5-inch diskette that holds 1.44 MB of data.
See also diskette.