Extended memory

Memory above 1MB that is accessed by 386 or 486 microprocessors when they are operating in protected or virtual mode. This memory is available to OS/2 programs, but is available to MS-DOS only if an extended memory manager program is installed. See also Expanded memory and OS/2.

Extension

A suffix of up to three characters which you can add to a filename to identify its contents or purpose. Some programs automatically create an extension for a filename when you create a file using the program.

File

A collection of information called records, or entries, stored together on a disk under a single name. Text files consist of words and sentences. Program files consist of codes and are used by computers to interpret and execute commands. See also Filename.

Filename

A name assigned to a file that distinguishes it from other files in a particular directory on a disk. MS-DOS filenames can be up to eight characters long and consist of letters, numbers, and certain punctuation marks.

Fixed disk

See Hard disk.

Glossary 9