VECTOR 4 USER'S
MANUAL
GLOSSARY
OF
TERMS
MICROPROCESSOR -
The
"brain"
of
the
computer.
A "Ghip" which
performs
calculations,
determines
logical
values,
and
guides
the
functions
of
the
computer, according
to
the
SOFTWARE
and the user
COMMANDS.
OPERATING
SYSTEM
- A
program
that
controls the flow of
data
into and
out
of
the components of the computer, manages
paES
and
allows
the
user
to
load
application PROGRAMS.
PIP
-
Peripheral
Interchange
Program.
A TRANSIENT
COMMAND
used
to
copy
Fn.ES from one disk (or device)
to
another.
PRINTER - A
hardware
component of
the
computer
that
is used for
the
output of
data
onto
hard copy.
PROGRAM
- A
set
of
instructions,
specially
coded
in
a way
that
control
the
computer
HARDWARE
in
order
to
perform
functions
determined
by
the
programmer. "Application programs"
are
used
to
perform a specific task.
RAM
- Random
Access
Memory. A type of volatile (changeable) memory used by
the
microprocessor
to
store
data
that
it
is
changing,
or
to
store
the
instructions
called
by
user
commands. Also
used
to
store
the
operating
system.
RESIDENT
COMMANDS
- A
group
of
commands
that
are
loaded into the internal
memory of
the
computer during the booting process. These commands
are
part
of
the
CCP.
ROM
-
Read-Only
Memory. A
type
of
stable
memory which allows
the
computer
to
retain
instructions
even
with
the
power
off.
The
booting
program,
for
example, is
stored
in
ROM
chips.
SOFTWARE
-
Instructions
written
for
the
computer
to
tell
it
how
to
perform
various functions.
There
are
two
kinds
of
software:
application
programs,
written
to
perform a specific
task
(such as
calculate
a balance or add material
to
a
data
base);
and
system
software,
which
controls
the
computer
HARDWARE
so
that
the application software
can
function.
TRANSIENT
COMMANDS
- A
group
of
utility
programs
included
on the systems
disk; used for file maintenance and as
support
to
the
OPERATING SYSTEM.
The
transient
commands
must
be
on the disk in order
to
use them, and they
may
be
moved or copied
to
other
disks for use
by
the operator.
TPA -
Transient
Program Area. The
"left
over" portion of
the
RAM
after
booting,
used for storing applications
programs,
transient
commands, and
data
being
entered.
Also a RESIDENT
COMMAND
which allows the user
to
return
to
the
last
task he or she was performing.
UNAMmGUOUS
Fn.ENAME - A
specific
filename
only
satisfied
by one file on a
directory.
For
example,
if
you
request
STAT.COM, only one
file
can
be
accessed
because
there
is
only
one
file
with
that
name.
See
also
AMBIGUOUS
Fn.ENAME.
Rev. A - 9-1-82
7100-0001
X
D-3
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