Glossary

password The word you enter next to the password prompt at login time. Keep your password secret and change it occa- sionally in order to protect your account from unauthorized use. See also user ac- count.

path The hardware address of a device that is attached to the I/O system of your workstation.

pathname A series of names separated by slashes that describe the path of the operating system from some starting point in the network to a destination ob- ject. Pathnames begin with the name of the starting point, and include every di- rectory name between the starting point and the destination object. A pathname ends with the name of the destination ob- ject. See also name, object.

permissions A set of rights (read, write, execute) associated with an object in the file system. Determines who may use the object.

PID Process Identification. Also re- ferred to as a process ID. See also pro- cess ID.

pointer Sometimes called the “mouse pointer,” the pointer shows the mouse lo- cation on the screen. The pointer’s shape depends on its location. In the HP VUE Workspace, the pointer is an X. On a window frame, the pointer is an arrow.

process A computing environment in which you may execute programs; a pro- gram currently running in the system.

process ID A unique identification

number assigned to all processes by the operating system. Also referred to as a PID. See also PID.

program A unit of executable code, in binary or “source” form. Most HP-UX commands and routines consist of pro- grams.

prompt A message or symbol displayed by the system to let you know that it is ready for your input.

push button A graphic control that simulates a real-life push button. Use the pointer and mouse to push the button and immediately start an action.

RAM Random access memory.

ROM Read-only memory.

root See superuser.

scroll bar A vertical or horizontal bar located on the side or bottom of a win- dow that allows the user to view infor- mation that does not fit within the window.

SCSI See Small Computer System In- terface.

server A program that controls all ac- cess to input and output devices.

session The time between when you log in and when you log out. Also called a work session or a login session. See also current session.

shell A command-line interpreter pro-

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HP B180L, B132L, B160L manual Root See superuser, Scsi See Small Computer System In- terface