Expanded memory

Memory that specially-written MS-DOS programs can use when an expanded memory manager program maps that memory into an accessible area. See also LIM EMS 4.0.

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