User guide
4 User’s Guide
handles numeric processing. A graphics
coprocessor handles video rendering. The
Intel Pentium microprocessor includes an
integrated math coprocessor.
Abbreviation for characters per inch.
#
Abbreviation for central processing unit.
See also microprocessor.
In character-based MS-DOS programs,
the cursor is usually a block or an under-
score (possibly blinking) that represents
the position at which the next character
typed will appear. Windows programs can
design their own cursors—common cur-
sor symbols include the pointer arrow and
the text-insertion I-beam.
"
Acronym for digital audio tape.
Abbreviation for decibel(s).
Abbreviation for adjusted decibel(s).
Abbreviation for direct current.
Acronym for display data channel. A
VESA
®
standard mechanism that allows
the system to communicate with the
monitor and retrieve information about its
capabilities.
**
A device driver allows the operating sys-
tem or a program to interface correctly
with a peripheral such as a printer or net-
work card. Some device drivers—such as
network drivers—must be loaded from
the config.sys file (with a device= state-
ment) or as memory-resident programs
(usually, from the autoexec.bat file). Oth-
ers—such as video drivers—must load
when you start the program for which
they were designed.
+
Acronym for Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol.
See diskette-based diagnostics.
((
Acronym for dual in-line memory module.
Acronym for Deutsche Industrie Norm.
Acronym for dual in-line package. A circuit
board, such as a system board or expan-
sion card, may contain DIP switches for
configuring the circuit board. DIP switch-
es are always toggle switches, with an
ON position and an OFF position.
Directories help keep related files orga-
nized in a hierarchical, "inverted tree"
structure. Each disk has a "root" directory;
for example, a C:\> prompt normally indi-
cates that you are at the root directory of
hard-disk drive C. Additional directories
that branch off of the root directory are
called subdirectories. Subdirectories may
contain additional directories branching
off of them.