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.