Specifications

Glossary
33
FORMAT The DOS/Windows format program
that performs both low- and high-level formatting
on floppy disks but only high-level formatting on
hard disks.
formatted capacity The total number of bytes
of data that can fit on a formatted disk. The unfor-
matted capacity is higher because space is lost
defining the boundaries between sectors.
formatting Preparing a disk so the computer
can read or write to it. The disk is checked for
defects and an organizational system is constructed
to manage information on the disk.
FORTRAN (formula translator) A high-level
programming language developed in 1954 by John
Backus at IBM primarily for programs dealing with
mathematical formulas and expressions similar to
algebra and used primarily in scientific and tech-
nical applications.
four-way server A server containing four
processors.
fragmentation The state of having a file scat-
tered around a disk in pieces rather than existing in
one contiguous area of the disk. Fragmented files
are slower to read than files stored in contiguous
areas and can be more difficult to recover if the
FAT or a directory becomes damaged.
frame 1) A data communications term for a
block of data with header and trailer information
attached. The added information usually includes a
frame number, block size data, error-check codes,
and start/end indicators. 2) A single, complete pic-
ture in a video or film recording. A video frame
consists of two interlaced fields of either 525 lines
(NTSC) or 625 lines (PAL/SECAM), running at 30
frames per second (NTSC) or 25 frames per second
(PAL/SECAM).
frame buffer A memory device that stores,
pixel by pixel, the contents of an image. Frame
buffers are used to refresh a raster image. Some-
times they incorporate local processing capability.
The “depth” of the frame buffer is the number of
bits per pixel, which determines the number of
colors or intensities that can be displayed.
frame rate The speed at which video frames are
scanned or displayed: 30 frames per second for
NTSC and 25 frames per second for PAL/SECAM.
frames per second (fps) The number of video
frames displayed per second. See also frame rate.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) A method of
transferring files over the Internet. FTP can be used
to transfer files between two machines on which
the user has accounts. Anonymous FTP can be used
to retrieve a file from a server without having an
account on that server.
full duplex Signal flow in both directions at the
same time. In microcomputer communications, it
also can refer to the suppression of the online local
echo. 100BASE-TX network cards capable of full-
duplex operations can run at an effective speed of
200Mbps when full-duplex operation is enabled.
full-height drive A drive unit that is 3 1/4"
high, 5 1/4" wide, and 8" deep. Equal to two half-
height drive bays.
full-motion video A video sequence displayed
at full television standard resolutions and frame
rates. In the U.S., this equates to NTSC video at
30 frames per second.
function keys Special-purpose keys that can be
programmed to perform various operations. They
serve many functions, depending on the program
being used.
G.lite A popular form of ADSL, G.lite can be self-
installed by the user. Also referred to as the G.992.2
standard.
gas-plasma display Commonly used in
portable systems, it’s a type of display that operates
by exciting a gas—usually neon or an argon-neon
mixture—through the application of a voltage.
When sufficient voltage is applied at the intersec-
tion of two electrodes, the gas glows an orange-red.
Because gas-plasma displays generate light, they
require no backlighting.
gateway Officially, an application-to-application
conversion program or system. For example, an
email gateway converts from SMTP (Internet) email
format to MHS (Novell) email format. The term
gateway is also used as a slang term for router. See
also router.
GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate) A type
of DRAM memory similar to DDR but designed
exclusively for graphics applications. A number of
versions have been released including GDDR,
GDDR2, GDDR3, etc.
Appendix A
24_0789736977_AppA.qxd 8/15/07 9:24 AM Page 33