AmigaOS Manual: Workbench Glossary

This glossary provides definitions of terms used in the Amiga manuals.

acceleration

An option, selected through the Input editor, that causes the pointer movement to increase as the mouse is moved at a constant speed. Acceleration provides a higher degree of control for small mouse movements and less control, but greater mouse speed, for large movements.

action gadget

A gadget in a window that performs an operation in the window when you select the gadget. Common action gadgets are Save, Continue, and Cancel.

active

Used in reference to the screen, Shell window, or Workbench window that is accepting input..

Advanced Graphics Architecture (AGA)

An Amiga custom chip set that delivers more displayable colors and improved performance.

alias

An alternative name for an AmigaDOS command or command string, specified with the ALIAS command.

AmigaDOS

The disk operating system (DOS) used by Amiga computers. A disk operating system provides the basic functions of the computer.

AppIcon

An icon created and used by an application.

application

A program or collection of programs that perform a specific task, such as a word processor, database, or video title.

AppWindow

An application window into which you can drag an icon to load the icon file into the application. The MultiView window and Amiga file requester are AppWindows.

archive

1. (n) A backup copy of a file or files.
2. (v) To copy files to disk or tape for backup purposes.

argument

An additional piece of information, such as a file name, value, or option, included along with a command. This information determines the exact actions of the command.

argument passing

Specifying parameters on the command line for a program or command to follow.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

A standardized format for text that assigns code numbers to characters, allowing the exchange of information between different types of computers.

aspect ratio

The proportion of an image's height to its width.

assign

To link a logical device name to a directory name with the ASSIGN command. This lets programs that use that directory use a single device name in all cases. For example, the device name T: is commonly assigned to the directory name RAM:T.

attributes

A series of flags stored with every file. Attributes indicate file type and control the operations (read, write, delete, and so forth) permissible on the file. Also called protection bits.

autoscroll

To automatically move a screen when the pointer reaches the edges of the viewable area.

backdrop

A special type of window that has no borders, is as large as the screen, and is always behind all other windows on the screen.

backup

A copy of a file on disk or tape used to replace lost data.

back up

To make a backup copy.

baud rate

The speed at which a device receives or transmits information in serial communication. Roughly equivalent to bits per second.

binary

The base-2 number system that uses only the digits 0 and 1.

bit

A single binary digit (1 or 0).

bitplane

An area of RAM that holds screen graphics data. Each bit in a bitplane controls one screen pixel. The number of bitplanes for a screen controls the maximum number of simultaneous colors possible for that screen.

block

1. A contiguous series of bytes (usually 512) treated as a single logical unit in RAM or permanent storage media.
2. A user-marked area of a text file.

boot

To start the system by reading the information needed from a storage device, such as a floppy or hard disk, into the computer's memory. Also refers to items used in this process: the boot disk. (See reboot.)

bootable

Refers to a device from which the Amiga can boot. A bootable disk must contain all the system files needed for the computer to start operation.

Bridgeboard

An expansion board from Commodore that allows hardware emulation of PC-compatible computers.

brush

An IFF graphics file, usually a section cut from a full-sized picture.

buffer

A temporary storage area in RAM.

bug

An error in software or hardware.

busy pointer

An image of a stopwatch that appears in place of the normal pointer when the Workbench is busy and cannot accept further input. Also called the wait pointer.

byte

A unit of memory consisting of eight bits, usually equivalent to one character.

cache memory

A temporary area in memory with extremely fast access that improves the system performance.

catalog

The files that contain the system texts and messages translated to a different language.

CD-ROM

A read only storage media. Stores upward of 550 MB on a disk similar to an audio compact disc.

check box

A gadget that lets you turn an option on or off. When a check mark appears in the box, the option is selected, or on.

chip

A miniaturized electronic circuit, housed in a small, black, rectangular block edged by metal connector pins. A computer is made up of a variety of specialized chips.

Chip RAM

The area of RAM accessible to the Amiga's custom chip set. This memory is used for graphics and sound data. Also called graphics memory.

clear

1. To change a bit or flag to its 0, off, or disabled state. Opposite of set.
2. To erase a screen or window display.

CLI (Command Line Interface)

A means of communicating with a computer by issuing commands from the keyboard. The Shell is the Amiga's CLI.

click

To press and release a mouse button. Refers to the selection (left) mouse button unless otherwise specified.

Clipboard

An area in memory that is used to store text and graphics while they are being transferred between programs.

close

To remove a window from the screen, to end a program, or to finish the access to a data file.

close gadget

A gadget that can appear in the upper left corner of a window to allow you to close the window.

cold boot

To boot the Amiga from a powered off state.

color correction

A printing option, selected through the PrinterGfx editor, that tries to better match the colors of a printout to the colors on the screen.

command

A statement given to the Amiga to perform a task or achieve a result.

command history

A feature of the Shell that allows you to recall previously entered command lines by using the cursor keys.

command line

The line on which commands and their arguments are typed. Also, all the information that has been typed on the line.

console window

A window used for the input and output of text, such as a Shell window.

Control-key combination

A key combination that performs a special function, entered by holding down Ctrl while pressing another key on the keyboard. Some Control-key combinations are executed as soon as they are pressed, such as when Ctrl+C is used to abort the execution of an AmigaDOS command. Some produce a reversed character image and have no immediate effect.

coprocessor

A separate processor chip that assists the CPU by performing specific tasks, such as mathematical computations or rapid data transfer.

copy and paste

The act of copying a block of text or graphics and inserting it at a new location.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The "brain" of a computer; the integrated circuit chip primarily responsible for executing the instructions in a program.

current directory

The current location in the directory structure. The directory AmigaDOS uses as the default directory to operate within, if no other directory is specified.

current window

The highlighted window that accepts input from the keyboard. A Shell window is current when it is opened.

cursor

A highlighted rectangle or vertical bar on the screen used to indicate text position.

cycle gadget

A gadget for selecting one of several options. One option is displayed at a time and as the gadget is selected, the other options become visible. The displayed option is the selected option.

cylinder

A logical division of a magnetic storage disk. Amiga 3.5 inch floppy disks are divided into 80 cylinders during the formatting process.

data

A collection of information.

dead key

A key, or key combination, that modifies the output of the next key to be pressed. For example, on an American keyboard. Alt+H superimposes a caret (^) symbol over the next key to be pressed. Alt+H is a dead key combination.

debug

To find and fix mistakes in software or hardware.

default

A value or action assumed if you have not specified something else.

Default Tool

A tool specified in a project icon's Information window. When the project icon is opened, the Default Tool is automatically loaded and run.

delete

To erase or discard a file, buffer, or other stored item.

delimiter

A special character marking the beginning and end of a string.

density

The number of printer dots per inch. Many printers support several print densities. Usually, the higher the density, the darker and sharper the printout.

depth gadget

A gadget that may appear in the upper right corner of a window or screen for moving that window or screen in front of or behind other windows or screens. This is sometimes referred to as depth arranging.

destination

The device, directory, or file that is receiving information.

device

A physical mechanism, such as a printer or disk drive, or a software entity (logical device), such as CON: or NIL:, used as a source or destination for information.

device name

A short name, such as DF0:, PC1:, or PRT:, that identifies a particular hardware or software device. Device names must end in a colon (:).

directory

A subdivision in a computer's filing system used to organize files and other directories (subdirectories). Directories are represented on the Workbench by drawer icons.

disk

A medium for mass storage of computer data. Most computer disks store information magnetically; optical (laser-read) disks are also used.

disk drive

A storage device that reads and writes data from and to a storage disk such as a floppy disk.

disk operating system (DOS)

The software that controls the basic input and storage functions of a computer.

display box

A rectangular box, usually under a scroll gadget or next to a selection gadget, that displays the current selection. You cannot edit a display box.

display mode

A name given to the set of parameters, such as resolution and scan frequency, that define a screen. For example, a High Res display mode is 640 pixels wide and 200 pixels high (for NTSC Amigas).

dithering

1. Creating smoother color or grey scale shading of screen or printed displays by altering pixel color or density. The PrinterGfx and PrinterPS Preferences editors provides several settings for automatic dithering of printed graphics.
2. Creating the illusion of a color by using a pattern of other colors. For example, creating the illusion of purple by alternating pixels of red and blue.

double-click

To quickly press and release the selection button twice.

drag

To move an icon, window, gadget, or screen across the display by pointing to the object, holding down the selection button, and moving the mouse.

drag selection

The process of selecting several icons at once by holding down the selection button and using the mouse to draw a box around the icons you want to select. When you release the mouse button, all the icons in the box are selected.

drawer

A subdivision of a disk storage area. A drawer corresponds to an AmigaDOS directory.

drive name

The device name assigned to a disk drive, such as DF0: or DH1:.

dump

A printout of the image displayed on the screen.

ECS (Enhanced Chip Set)

The upgraded versions of the Amiga's Agnus and Denise coprocessor chips. The Enhanced Chip Set offers additional display modes (ECS modes) and expands previous graphics capabilities. Many of the benefits of the ECS are available only in conjunction with Release 2 or higher of the operating system.

editor

A program that lets you create and/or modify certain types of files. The Amiga provides Preferences editors to change Prefs settings and the text editors, MEmacs and ED, for changing text files.

escape sequence

A sequence of characters, beginning with the Escape character, that performs a special function when entered on a command line or printed as part of a string. Escape sequences are typically used to alter the style of type used by a printer or in a console window.

execute

To carry out the instructions in a command line, program, or script.

extended selection

The process of selecting several icons at once by holding down Shift while selecting each icon with the mouse.

extension

A sequence of characters beginning with a period, such as .info, added to the end of a filename to identify the type of file.

Extra Halfbrite

A special graphics mode that doubles the number of colors on the screen by duplicating existing colors at half their brightness.

Fast RAM

General memory used by programs and data. As the name implies, normally faster than Chip RAM.

field

The screen area behind the text of a Workbench icon label. The color of the field can be changed with the Font editor.

file

An organized collection of data referred to by a name and stored on some type of media.

file system

The organization and software that controls the data, files, and directories stored on a volume. The primary types of Amiga file systems are FFS (FastFileSystem) and OFS (OldFileSystem).

floppy disk

A removable magnetic storage medium. The Amiga uses 3.5 inch, double-sided, floppy disk in a rigid plastic case.

font

Also called typeface. A particular design of a set of letters, symbols, and numbers used for text display, such as Topaz and Helvetica. Fonts are usually available in several sizes, defined in points (10 point, 12 point, and so on).

format

To prepare a disk for use with the Amiga. Formatting a disk erases all previously stored data.: A way of describing the proper syntax for AmigaDOS commands.

fragmentation

A scattered distribution of data on a disk or in memory. Disk fragmentation results in slower disk performance; memory fragmentation can prevent some programs from running properly.

function keys

Keys at the top of the Amiga keyboard, labeled F1 to F10, that can be programmed to perform special tasks.

gadget

Any of various programmed graphic images that may appear in a window, requester, or screen and can be manipulated with the mouse to perform a certain function. Each gadget is of a specific type and performs a specific action. Most gadgets appear raised and when selected, appear to sink into the screen.

genlock

A piece of hardware that allows Amiga graphics to be overlaid onto another video source, for example, from a camera or VCR. A genlock is typically used for applying titles or captions to video media.

ghosting

Displaying menu or gadget items on the screen less distinctly than normal to indicate that they are currently unavailable.

graphics memory

See Chip RAM.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A visually-oriented system allowing you to tell a computer what to do by manipulating graphic symbols rather than by typing in commands. The Workbench is the Amiga GUI.

HAM (Hold And Modify)

An Amiga graphics mode that allows the full Amiga color palette to be displayed on the screen.

handshaking

The electronic protocol required for serial communication between two computing devices.

hard disk

A high-speed, large-capacity mass-storage device from which the disks usually cannot be removed. Often called a hard drive or hard disk drive.

hierarchical

A term used to describe the multi-leveled AmigaDOS file structure in which directories can contain other directories and/or files.

history buffer

A section of memory that stores the most recent commands for a given Shell.

hold down

To continually press a mouse button until instructed to release it.

hot key

A key or key combination used by Commodity Exchange programs to open a hidden window.

hot spot

The pixel in a pointer, normally the tip of an arrow or the center of a crosshair, that must be touching an object on the screen to select it.

icon

An image appearing on the screen to represent a disk, drawer, project or tool. Icons can be moved and selected with the mouse to allow you to work with the items they represent.

IFF (Interchange File Format)

The standardized format in which the Amiga stores picture, sound, and other types of data.

.info file

A file containing the image and position data for an icon (referred to as "dot-info").

initialize

A synonym for format.

input buffer

An area of memory used during serial communication to hold incoming information.

interlace

A property of some Amiga display modes that doubles the vertical screen resolution.

Internal

Refers to an AmigaDOS command that is built into the Shell, rather than loaded from disk.

KB (Kilobyte)

1024 bytes. Often abbreviated as K.

keyboard shortcut

A method for performing a mouse action by pressing a key or key combination.

keymap

A file that determines the arrangement of characters on the keyboard and determines the meaning of each key. Different languages have different keymaps.