Glossary - B

4 A C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W X 

Base Name:  The file name without a drive, path, or extension.  For 
example, in the file name C:\DIR1\LETTER.DAT the base name is LETTER. 

BAT File:  See Batch File. 

Batch File:  A text file containing a sequence of commands for the command 
processor to execute.  Batch files are used to save command sequences so 
that they can be re-executed at any time, transferred to another system, 
etc.  The extension of a batch file may be .BAT, .CMD, or .BTM, depending 
on the operating system and command processor you are using. 

Batch File Parameter:  A numbered variable (e.g. %2) used within a batch 
file, allowing a different value to be used at that spot in the file each 
time it is executed. 

Binary File:  A file containing information which does not represent or 
cannot sensibly be interpreted as text.  See also ASCII File. 

BIOS or Basic Input Output System:  The software (or "firmware") stored on 
chips inside PC systems.  The BIOS provides basic low-level control of 
devices required to operate the system, such as the keyboard, floppy disk, 
and screen; it also handles system self-tests at startup, and intiates 
loading of the operating system. 

Block Device:  A physical device for input or output which can transmit or 
receive large blocks of data while the computer is engaged in other 
activities.  Examples include disk, tape, and CD-ROM drives.  See also 
Character Device. 

Boot Directory:  The current directory at the time the system is booted, 
usually the root directory of the boot drive. 

Boot Drive:  The disk drive that the system is booted from, usually A: 
(the floppy disk) or C: (the hard disk). 

Boot:  The process of starting the computer and loading the operating 
system into memory.  See also Reboot, Cold Reboot, and Warm Reboot. 

Break:  A signal sent to a program to tell it to halt what it is doing. 
 The Ctrl-C key  or Ctrl-Break key is used to send this signal.  Some 
external commands abort when they receive a break signal; others return to 
a previous screen or menu, or abort the current operation. 

BTM File:  A special type of CMD.EXE batch file which is loaded into 
memory to speed up execution. 

Buffer:  An area of memory set aside for storage.  For example, disk 
buffers are used to save information as it is transferred between your 
program and the disk, and the keyboard buffer holds keystrokes until a 
program can use them.