Commodore PC - Page 55

Terms 41
n
ENTER key See return key.
^^^ Erase A synonym for the ms-dos del command. See also Del.
Error messages Messages that appear on the screen after
ms-dos detects a problem while trying to process a command
/—•v or program. See the MS-DOS User's Reference for the appropriate
' response to each error message.
File A collection of related information. A file on a disk can F
(~*) be compared to a file folder in a desk drawer. For example, a file
folder named friends might contain the names and addresses of
your friends. A file on a disk could contain the same information,
/■-s and could also be named friends. Programs are also stored in files.
Filename A filename can be from one to eight characters in
length and can have an extension of up to three characters
(~^) separated from the filename by a period (.). An example of a com
plete filename isprogressrpt. Certain filenames are reserved by
ms-dos and should not be used when naming your files. These
/—N filenames are: aux, clocks, com, con, kybdS, Ipt, 1st, nul,prn,
and scrnS.
Filename extension A filename extension contains from one
(***) to three characters. Most application programs supply their own
extensions for files they create. For example, all gw-basic files
use a filename extension of .has. See also Filename.
<i Fixed disk See Hard disk.
Floppy disk Used for storing programs and files.
• ' Format An ms-dos command that structures blank disks so that
ms-dos can store data on them. You must format every blank disk
before it can be used with ms-dos. Format also checks the disk for
(\ defective spots.
GW-BASIC A general-purpose computer language. Often, basic (or G
—s. gw-basic ) is the first computer language that people learn.
Hard disk Sometimes called a fixed disk, one that is built into H
the computer. A hard disk can store much more information than
/■"■N a floppy disk, and the computer can retrieve information from
it faster.
OEBBEBB
Memory Another name for computer storage. M
Monitor The computer screen.
MS-DOS master disk ms-dos is distributed on one or more floppy
C^\ disks (called master disks) along with the user's manuals. Before
you start using ms-dos on a routine basis, you should always make
a backup copy of the master disk or disks.