interprocess communication (IPC)
A file or directory that is a pointer to another file or directory on a disk. When an application or command calls the initial file or directory the linked file or directory is used. (Also called a hard link.)
An assigned directory or software device that is referred to by a device, but points to a directory or device handler.
A text file in the DEVS: directory that contains information about connected or logically defined devices. The MOUNT command uses this information to activate devices.
The ability to run more than one program simultaneously. For example, on the Amiga you can start several programs from a single Shell window using the RUN command.
Multiple levels of IF statements within scripts or programs or multiple levels of subdirectories within directories.
Commands that occupy the Shell while processing, preventing the Shell's use or closure until completion.
Information that provides the system with the location of a particular file. This can include a volume or drive name and subdirectory names. See also search path.
A way of searching files and directories that match a specified pattern; this can be done with wildcard characters.
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, an organization that establishes standards for memory card slot devices.
An Interprocess Communication (IPC) mechanism for sending the output of one command as input to another.
An Amiga operating system task that can communicate with AmigaDOS to access files. Each process is identified with a number that can be displayed using the STATUS command.
A special customizable text string that always appears at the start of a Shell window line to indicate that the system is ready to receive another command line.
Attributes that indicate a file's type and the operations permitted on it. Use the LIST command to display the protection bits associated with a file.
Describes a command or program that can be made resident. If a file is pure, the p protection bit is set.
The process of sending command input or output to a destination other than the Shell; for example, to a file.
Commands stored in memory so that they do not have to be reloaded each time they are used. These commands should be pure.
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
An interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to a computer system. (This is pronounced "scuzzy.")
A series of directories in which AmigaDOS looks for commands that are entered without paths. The default search path includes the C: directory, the current directory, and several other directories specified in the standard Startup-sequence.
A text-oriented user interface in which you type in command lines and receive output in a special Shell or console window. Also called CLI (Command Line Interface).
A file or directory link that can span multiple devices or volumes. This is not currently supported on the Amiga.
An AmigaDOS Shell window opened from MEmacs using the MEmacs New-CLI command. AmigaDOS commands entered into the spawn window do not interface with MEmacs.
An area of the computer's memory that is set aside by a program for intermediate storage. Allocating insufficient stack space can cause program failure.
A series of text characters treated as a unit, such as a message printed by ECHO. A string usually requires delimiter characters, such as spaces or quotation marks, to mark its beginning and end.
The date and time associated with a file. This reflects when the file was created or the date and time that changes to the file were last saved.
A special script file that you create to customize your system's startup. If a User-startup file exists, it is automatically executed by the Startup-sequence.
Characters with special meaning when used in file name specifications. These characters are used in pattern matching operations.
