System information

user number: Number assigned to files in the disk directory so that different users need only
deal with their own files and have their own directories, even though they are all working from
the same disk. In CP/M, files can be divided into 16 user groups.
utility: Tool. Program that enables the user to perform certain operations, such as copying files,
erasing files, and editing files. The utilities are created for the convenience of programmers and
users.
vector: Location in memory. An entry point into the operating system used for making system
calls or interrupt handling.
warm start: Program termination by a jump to the warm start vector at location 0000H, a system
reset (BDOS Function 0), or a CTRL-C typed at the keyboard. A warm start reinitializes the disk
subsystem and returns control to the CP/M operating system at the CCP level. The warm start
vector is simply a jump to the WBOOT entry point in the BIOS.
WBOOT: Entry point to a routine in the BIOS used when a warm start occurs. A warm start is
performed when a user program branches to location 0000H, when the CPU is reset from the
front panel, or when the user types CTRL-C. The CCP and BDOS are reloaded from the system
tracks of drive A.
wildcard characters: Special characters that match certain specified items. In CP/M there are
two wildcard characters: ? and *. The ? can be substituted for any single character in a filename,
and the * can be substituted for the primary filename, the filetype, or both. By placing wildcard
characters in filenames, the user creates an ambiguous filename and can quickly reference one or
more files.
word: 16-bit or two-byte value, such as an address value. Although the Intel 8080 is an 8-bit
CPU, addresses occupy two bytes and are called word values.
WRITE: Entry point to a routine in the BIOS that writes the record at the currently selected
DMA address to the currently selected drive, track, and sector.
XLT: Logical-to-physical sector translation table located in the BIOS. SECTRAN uses XLT to
perform logical-to-physical sector number translation. XLT also refers to the two-byte address in
the disk parameter header at DPBASE + 0. If this parameter is zero, no sector translation takes
place. Otherwise this parameter is the address of the translation table.
ZERO PAGE: See page zero.
End of Appendix H
Appendix H : Glossary CP/M Operating System Manual
H-19