~F~
footer~FYI
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time
footer
n. One or more identifying lines printed at the bottom of a page. A footer may contain a folio (page number), a date, the author's name, and the document title. Also called running foot. Compare header (definition 1).
footprint
n. The surface area occupied by a personal computer or other device.
foreground1
adj. Currently having control of the system and responding to commands issued by the user. See also multitasking. Compare background1.
foreground2
n. 1. The color of displayed characters and graphics. Compare background2 (definition 1). 2. The condition of the program or document currently in control and affected by commands and data entry in a windowing environment. Compare background2 (definition 4).
fork1
n. One of the two parts of a file recognized by the Mac OS. A Macintosh file has a data fork and a resource fork. Most or all of a typical user-produced document is in the data fork; the resource fork usually contains application-oriented information, such as fonts, dialog boxes, and menus. See also data fork, resource fork.
fork2
vb. To initiate a child process in a multitasking system after a parent process has been started. See also multitasking.
form
n. 1. A structured document with spaces reserved for entering information and often containing special coding as well. 2. In some applications (especially databases), a structured window, box, or other self-contained presentation element with predefined areas for entering or changing information. A form is a visual "filter" for the underlying data it is presenting, generally offering the advantages of better data organization and greater ease of viewing. 3. In optical media, a data storage format used in compact disc technology. 4. In programming, a metalanguage (such as Backus-Naur form) used to describe the syntax of a language. See also Backus-Naur form.
format1
n. 1. In general, the structure or appearance of a unit of data. 2. The arrangement of data within a document file that typically permits the document to be read or written by a certain application. Many applications can store a file in a more generic format, such as plain ASCII text. 3. The layout of data storage areas (tracks and sectors) on a disk. 4. The order and types of fields in a database. 5. The attributes of a cell in a spreadsheet, such as its being alphabetic or numeric, the number of digits, the use of commas, and the use of currency signs. 6. The specifications for the placement of text on a page or in a paragraph.
format2
vb. 1. To change the appearance of selected text or the contents of a selected cell in a spreadsheet. 2. To prepare a disk for use by organizing its storage space into a collection of data "compartments," each of which can be located by the operating system so that data can be sorted and retrieved. When a previously used disk is formatted, any preexisting information on it is lost.
format bar
n. A toolbar within an application used for modifying the format of the document being displayed, such as changing font size or type.
formatting
n. 1. The elements of style and presentation that are added to documents through the use of margins, indents, and different sizes, weights, and styles of type. 2. The process of initializing a disk so that it can be used to store information. See also initialize.
form feed
n. A printer command that tells a printer to move to the top of the next page. In the ASCII character set, the form-feed character has the decimal value 12 (hexadecimal 0C). Because its purpose is to begin printing on a new page, form feed is also known as the page-eject character. Acronym: FF.
form letter
n. A letter created for printing and distribution to a group of people whose names and addresses are taken from a database and inserted by a mail-merge program into a single basic document. See also mail merge.
FORTRAN
or Fortran n. Acronym for formula translation. The first high-level computer language (developed over the period 1954-58 by John Backus) and the progenitor of many key high-level concepts, such as variables, expressions, statements, iterative and conditional statements, separately compiled subroutines, and formatted input/output. FORTRAN is a compiled, structured language. The name indicates its roots in science and engineering, where it is still used heavily, although the language itself has been expanded and improved vastly over the last 35 years to become a language that is useful in any field. See also compiled language, structured programming.
fortune cookie
n. A proverb, prediction, joke, or other phrase chosen at random from a collection of such items and output to the screen by a program. Fortune cookies are sometimes displayed at logon and logoff times by UNIX systems.
forum
n. A medium provided by an online service or BBS for users to carry on written discussions of a particular topic by posting messages and replying to them. On the Internet, the most widespread forums are the newsgroups in Usenet.
forward
vb. In e-mail, to send a received message, either modified or in its entirety, to a new recipient.
fractal
n. A word coined by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975 to describe a class of shapes characterized by irregularity, but in a way that evokes a pattern. Computer graphics technicians often use fractals to generate naturelike images such as landscapes, clouds, and forests. The distinguishing characteristic of fractals is that they are "self-similar"; any piece of a fractal, when magnified, has the same character as the whole. The standard analogy is that of a coastline, which has a similar structure whether viewed on a local or continental scale. Interestingly, it is often difficult to measure the length of the perimeter of such a shape exactly because the total distance measured depends on the size of the smallest element measured. For example, one could measure on a given coastline the perimeter of every peninsula and inlet, or at a higher magnification the perimeter of every small promontory and jetty, and so on. In fact, a given fractal may have a finite area but an infinite perimeter; such shapes are considered to have a fractional dimension--for example, between 1 (a line) and 2 (a plane)--hence the name fractal. See also cellular automata, graftal.
fractional T1
n. A shared connection to a T1 line, in which only a fraction of the 24 T1 voice or data channels are used. See also T1. Acronym: FT1.
fragmentation
n. The scattering of parts of the same disk file over different areas of the disk. Fragmentation occurs as files on a disk are deleted and new files are added. Such fragmentation slows disk access and degrades the overall performance of disk operations, although usually not severely. Utility programs are available for rearranging file storage on fragmented disks.
frame
n. 1. In asynchronous serial communications, a unit of transmission that is sometimes measured in elapsed time and begins with the start bit that precedes a character and ends with the last stop bit that follows the character. 2. In synchronous communications, a package of information transmitted as a single unit. Every frame follows the same basic organization and contains control information, such as synchronizing characters, station address, and an error-checking value, as well as a variable amount of data. For example, a frame used in the widely accepted HDLC and related SDLC protocols begins and ends with a unique flag (01111110). See also HDLC, SDLC. 3. A single screen-sized image that can be displayed in sequence with other, slightly different, images to create animated drawings. 4. The storage required to hold one screen-sized image of text, graphics, or both. 5. A rectangular space containing, and defining the proportions of, a graphic. 6. The part of an on-screen window (title bar and other elements) that is controlled by the operating system rather than by the application running in the window. 7. A rectangular section of the page displayed by a Web browser that is a separate HTML document from the rest of the page. Web pages can have multiple frames, each of which is a separate document. Associated with each frame are the same capabilities as for an unframed Web page, including scrolling and linking to another frame or Web site; these capabilities can be used independently of other frames on the page. Frames, which were introduced in Netscape Navigator 2.0, are often used as a table of contents for one or more HTML documents on a Web site. Most current Web browsers support frames, although older ones do not. See also HTML document, Web browser.
frame rate
n. 1. The speed at which full, single-screen images are transmitted to and displayed by a raster-scan monitor. Frame rate is calculated as the number of times per second (hertz) the electron beam sweeps the screen. 2. In animation, the number of times per second an image is updated. When the frame rate exceeds about 14 frames per second, animation seems to blend into smooth motion. See also animation.
frame relay
n. A packet-switching protocol for use on wide area networks. Frame relay transmits variable-length packets at up to 1.544 Mbps. It is a variant of X.25 but dispenses with some of X.25's error detection for the sake of speed. See also ATM (definition 1), X.25.
frame relay assembler/disassembler
n. A combination channel service unit/digital service unit (CSU/DSU) and router that connects an internal network to a frame relay connection. The device converts data (which may be in the form of IP packets or conform to some other network protocol) into packets for transmission over the frame relay network and converts such packets back to the original data. Since this type of connection is direct, without a firewall, other network protection is necessary. See also firewall, frame relay, IP. Acronym: FRAD.
frame source
n. In the HTML frames environment, a contents document that will look for the source document to display within a frame drawn by the local browser. See also HTML.
fred
n. 1. An interface utility for X.500. See also CCITT X series. 2. A placeholder string used by programmers in syntax examples to stand for a variable name. If a programmer has used fred, the next placeholder needed is likely to be barney. Compare foo.
FreeBSD
n. A freely distributed version of BSD UNIX (Berkeley Software Distribution UNIX) for IBM and IBM-compatible PCs. See also BSD UNIX.
Freenet
or free-net n. A community-based computer BBS and Internet service provider, usually operated by volunteers and providing free access to subscribers in the community or access for a very small fee. Many freenets are operated by public libraries or universities. See also ISP.
free software
n. Software, complete with source code, that is distributed freely to users who are in turn free to use, modify, and distribute it, provided that all alterations are clearly marked and that the name and copyright notice of the original author are not deleted or modified in any way. Unlike freeware, which a user might or might not have permission to modify, free software is protected by a license agreement. Free software is a concept pioneered by the Free Software Foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Compare freeware, public-domain software, shareware.
Free Software Foundation
n. An advocacy organization founded by Richard Stallman, dedicated to eliminating restrictions on people's right to use, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs for noncommercial purposes. The Free Software Foundation is the maintainer of GNU software, a UNIX system that can be freely distributed. See also GNU.
free space
n. Space on a floppy disk or a hard drive not currently occupied by data. See also floppy disk, hard disk.
freeware
n. A computer program given away free of charge and often made available on the Internet or through user groups. An independent program developer might offer a product as freeware either for personal satisfaction or to assess its reception among interested users. Freeware developers often retain all rights to their software, and users are not necessarily free to copy or distribute it further. Compare free software, public-domain software, shareware.
frequency
n. The measure of how often a periodic event occurs, such as a signal going through a complete cycle. Frequency is usually measured in hertz (Hz), with 1 Hz equaling 1 occurrence (cycle) per second. In the United States, household electricity is alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. Frequency is also measured in kilohertz (kHz, or 1,000 Hz), megahertz (MHz, or 1,000 kHz), gigahertz (GHz, or 1,000 MHz), or terahertz (THz, or 1,000 GHz). Compare wavelength.
frequency modulation
n. A way of encoding information in an electrical signal by varying its frequency. The FM radio band uses frequency modulation, as does the audio portion of broadcast television. Compare amplitude modulation. Acronym: FM.
frequency modulation encoding
n. Abbreviated FM encoding. A method of storing information on a disk in which both data and additional synchronizing information, called clock pulses, are recorded on the surface. FM encoding is relatively inefficient because of the extra disk space required by the clock pulses. It has been generally superseded by a more efficient method called modified frequency modulation (MFM) encoding and by the complex but extremely efficient technique called run-length limited (RLL) encoding. Compare modified frequency modulation encoding, run-length limited encoding.
friendly
adj. Referring to features built into hardware or software that make a computer or computer program easy to learn and easy to use. Friendliness is emphasized by most developers and sought after by most users. See also user-friendly.
fringeware
n. Freeware whose reliability and value are questionable. See also freeware.
front end
n. In applications, software or a feature of software that provides an interface to another application or tool. Front ends are often used to supply a common interface for a range of tools produced by a software manufacturer. A front end generally offers a more user-friendly interface than that of the application running "behind" it.
front-end processor
n. 1. Generally, a computer or processing unit that produces and manipulates data before another processor receives it. Compare back-end processor (definition 2). 2. In communications, a computer that is located between communications lines and a main (host) computer and is used to relieve the host of housekeeping chores related to communications; sometimes considered synonymous with communications controller. A front-end processor is dedicated entirely to handling transmitted information, including error detection and control; receipt, transmission, and possibly encoding of messages; and management of the lines running to and from other devices. See also communications controller.
front panel
n. The faceplate of a computer cabinet through which the control knobs, switches, and lights are available to an operator. See also console.
fry
vb. To destroy a circuit board or another component of a computer by applying excessive voltage. Even when applied voltage is not excessive, an electronic component can become fried when it breaks down, conducting more current than its design permits.
FTP1
n. 1. Acronym for File Transfer Protocol, the protocol used for copying files to and from remote computer systems on a network using TCP/IP, such as the Internet. This protocol also allows users to use FTP commands to work with files, such as listing files and directories on the remote system. See also TCP/IP. 2. A common logon ID for anonymous FTP.
FTP2
vb. To download files from or upload files to remote computer systems, via the Internet's File Transfer Protocol. The user needs an FTP client to transfer files to and from the remote system, which must have an FTP server. Generally, the user also needs to establish an account on the remote system to FTP files, although many FTP sites permit the use of anonymous FTP. See also FTP client, FTP server.
FTP client
or ftp client n. A program that enables the user to upload and download files to and from an FTP site over a network, such as the Internet, using the File Transfer Protocol. See also FTP1 (definition 1). Compare FTP server.
FTP commands
n. Commands that are part of the File Transfer Protocol. See also FTP1 (definition 1).
FTP server
n. A file server that uses the File Transfer Protocol to permit users to upload or download files through the Internet or any other TCP/IP network. See also file server, FTP1 (definition 1), TCP/IP. Compare FTP client.
FTP site
n. The collection of files and programs residing on an FTP server. See also FTP1 (definition 1), FTP server. See FTP server.
full justification
n. In typesetting, word processing, and desktop publishing, the process of aligning text evenly along both the left and right margins of a column or page. See also justify (definition 2).
full-motion video
n. Digital video that is displayed at 30 frames per second (fps). Compare freeze-frame video.
full-motion video adapter
n. An expansion card for a computer that can convert motion video from devices such as a video cassette recorder to a digital format that a computer can use such as AVI, MPEG, or Motion JPEG. See also AVI, Motion JPEG, MPEG.
full path
n. A pathname containing all the possible components of a pathname, including the drive, root directory, any subdirectories, and the file or object name. See also pathname, root directory, subdirectory. Compare relative path.
full pathname
n. In a hierarchical filing system, a listing of the directories or folders that lead from the root directory of a disk drive to a particular file. For example, the MS-DOS full pathname c:\book\chapter\myfile.doc indicates that myfile.doc is located in a directory called chapter, which in turn is located in a directory called book in the root directory of the C: drive. See also path (definition 2).
full-text search
n. A search for one or more documents, records, or strings based on all of the actual text data rather than on an index containing a limited set of keywords. For example, a full-text search can locate a document containing the words "albatrosses are clumsy on land" by searching files for just those words without the need of an index containing the keyword "albatross." See also index.
function key
n. Any of the 10 or more keys labeled F1, F2, F3, and so on, that are placed along the left side or across the top of a keyboard (or both) and are used for special tasks by different programs. The meaning of a function key is defined by a program or, in some instances, by the user. Function keys are used in application programs or the operating system to provide either a shortcut for a series of common instructions (such as calling up a program's on-screen help facility) or a feature that is not otherwise available. See also key (definition 1). Compare Command key, Control key, Escape key.
fuzzy logic
n. A form of logic used in some expert systems and other artificial-intelligence applications in which variables can have degrees of truthfulness or falsehood represented by a range of values between 1 (true) and 0 (false). With fuzzy logic, the outcome of an operation can be expressed as a probability rather than as a certainty. For example, an outcome might be probably true, possibly true, possibly false, or probably false. See also expert system.
FYI
n. 1. Acronym for for your information. An expression used in e-mail and newsgroups to introduce information that is thought to be useful to the reader. 2. An electronic document distributed through InterNIC like a request for comments (RFC), but intended to explain an Internet standard or feature for users rather than to define it for developers, as the RFC does. See also InterNIC. Compare RFC.
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time