| A | B |
|---|
| Page Break | A place in a document where one page ends and the next begins. Word processors will break pages automatically, or allow you to insert page breaks where desired. |
| Palette | A set of colors or line styles from which you can make a selection by clicking the one you want. |
| Parameter | Same as Argument |
| Parent Directory | The directory one level above the current one. |
| Password | In applications software, a specific word required to gain access to protected information. |
| Paste | To insert cut or copied text into a document. |
| Path | Same as Directory Path |
| PC | Short for Personal Computer. See Microcomputer. |
| PC-DOS | A proprietary operating system distributed by IBM. Functionally similar to MS-DOS, both of which are usually simply called DOS. |
| Personal Computer | Mircocomputer |
| Pitch | The width of a letter character. |
| Point (noun) | A unit of mearsure for font. For text in a document, 10 or 12 point is usually considered a normal size; 24 point is large; 8 point is small. |
| Point (verb) | To move the mouse until the tip of the pointer rests on the item to be selected or chosen. |
| Pointer | See Mouse Pointer |
| Pointing Device | Any control thta allows the user to position the pointer, insertion point, or cursor, to select items, or to perform commands. Examples include: mouse, joystick, and keyboard cursor keys. |
| Pop-up List | A list of mutually exclusive options which appear when a pop-up button is pressed. The button label displays the currently selected options. |
| Power Bar | A row of option buttons displayed on the screen just beneath the Toolbar. They control formatting settings, and the face of each button displays the current setting. |
| Print Merge | See Merge |
| Print queue | A list of submitted print jobs waiting for a particular printer. |
| Program | A complete set of coded instructions that tells a computer how to do something. Sometimes called "application" or "software." |
| Programming | The process of writing coded instructions for a program. |
| Prompt | A message or symbol (such as the DOS pompt) displayed by interactive software, requesting information or instructions from the user. |
| Pull down | To display the contents of a menu. Also a type of menu. |
| Quick Format | A feature in Word that allows you to copy text format settings or styles from one paragraph or text selection to another. |
| Random access memory | RAM. "Ordinary" computer memory which can be used |
| Read-only Memory | ROM. Memory which can be read but not written to except by special means. |
| Reboot | To restart the computer and prepare it for operation. |
| Restore | Return a window to tis size and position prior to being minimized or maximized. |
| Restore Button | Icon containing two overlapping boxes located at the right end of the title bar. It is used to restore the window to its previous size. |
| Root Directory | The highest level directory in the system of heirarchial directories. |
