Glossary 213
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file — A collection of related information, saved on disk with a unique name. A file may be a program, information used by a program, or a document. See also document.
File Allocation Table (FAT) — The section of a storage drive that keeps track of the location of stored files.
file name — A set of characters that uniquely identifies a file within a particular folder. It consists of two parts: the actual name and the file name extension. See also file extension.
file extension — The three characters following the period (pronounced “dot”) at the end of a file name. The extension indicates the type of file. Examples are .exe for program files and .hlp for help files. See also file name.
folder — Also called directory. A container for organizing files saved to a disk. A folder is symbolized on screen by a graphical image (icon) of a file folder. A folder can contain files and other folders.
format — (verb) To prepare a blank disk for use with the computer’s operating system. Formatting creates a structure on the disk so the operating system can write information to the disk or read information from it.
frontside bus — The primary pathway (bus) between the CPU and the computer’s main memory. Also called “system bus.” See also bus.
function keys — The keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located on the keyboard. Their function is determined by the operating system and/or individual programs.
ground — A conductor to which all components of an electric circuit are connected. It has a potential of zero (0) volts, is connected to the earth, and is the point of reference for voltages in the circuit.
hard disk — A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more information than some external media and are used for
hardware — The physical components of a computer system. Compare
