Glossary
H/PC
A Handheld PC.
Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML)
A language that formats information for mobile phones or handheld computers in the same way that HTML does for PCs. It was originally developed by Unwired Planet (now phone.com) and is considered to be the forerunner of WML (Wireless Markup Language). Most current HDML browsers are capable of interpreting WML sites.
Handhelds
Communication devices sized to fit one's hand or palm.
handle
1. A pointer to a pointer; that is, a variable that contains the address of another variable, which in turn contains the address of the desired object. In certain operating systems, the handle points to a pointer stored in a fixed location in memory, whereas that pointer points to a movable block. If applications start from the handle whenever they access the block, the operating system can perform memory management tasks such as garbage collection without affecting the applications.
2. Any token that an application can use to identify and access an object such as a device, a file, a window, or a dialog box. 3. One of several small squares displayed around a graphical object in a drawing application. The user can move or reshape the object by clicking on a handle and dragging.
handwriting recognition
Translates words and letters written using pen into computer text. Great for taking notes and quickly entering phone numbers and appointments.
hard icons
The icons located along the right side of your touch screen are hard icons. Tap these icons to open the HP settings, HP backup, HP dialup and Windows Media Player applications.
hard key
A faceplate key that is used for system commands. It is typically labeled on the faceplate and mapped to one virtual key code. Hard keys are bezel-specific.
hardware abstraction layer (HAL)
A layer that consists of hardware and device driver mechanisms that insulate applications from device-specific implementation details. If a capability requested by an application is not implemented by the current hardware, the capability will be emulated by the software.
hardware blitter
A hardware component, built into the display adapter, that performs efficient blit operations.
hardware development platform
The hardware on which a Windows CE–based platform runs. Hardware development platforms can simulate embedded devices. Platform Builder supports many hardware development platforms, which include the ARM Integrator AP SDB, Emulator, Hitachi SH7729 HARP SDB, Hitachi SH7750 HARP SDB, Intel XScale Microarchitecture Handheld Development Platform, NEC DDB-Vr4122 (Eagle) SDB, NEC DDB-Vrc5476 (Boston) SDB, SA-1110/SA-1111 Development Kit, and x86 SDBs. Also called a standard development board.
hardware emulation layer (HEL)
A middleware layer that provides software-based emulation of features that are not present in hardware.
hardware key
1. A security device connected to an I/O port to permit the use of a particular software package on that computer. The use of the hardware key permits backup copying of software but prevents its unlicensed use on additional computers. Also called dongle.
2. Any physical device used to secure a computer system from unauthorized access, such as the lock on the front of the cabinet of some personal computers.
hardware reference platform for Windows CE
A standardized set of hardware that is used to develop, test, and certify the quality of a Windows CE-based platform.
hardware-assisted profiling
An application programming interface (API) that supports process-level tracking. You can use hardware-assisted profiling to write an application that can be notified when a process or thread is created or terminated, or when a thread is scheduled to run.
hash value
A value used in creating digital signatures. This value is generated by imposing a hashing algorithm onto a message. This value is then transformed, or signed, by a private key to produce a digital signature. Also called message digest.
hashing algorithm
A formula used to generate hash values and digital signatures.
HDC
Handle to a device context.
header control
A horizontal window that is usually positioned above columns of data. It is divided into partitions that correspond to the columns, and each partition contains the title for the column below it.
heap
A portion of memory reserved for an application to use for the temporary storage of data structures whose existence or size cannot be determined until the application is running. The application can request free memory from the heap to hold such elements, use it as necessary, and later free the memory.
hibernation
The way in which a Windows CE-based device manages a memory shortage by requesting applications to free memory that is not currently needed.
hibernation threshold
The point at which the system enters a limited-memory state.
High Sierra Specification
An industry wide format specification for the logical structure, file structure, and record structure on a compact disc.
High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD)
HSCSD is a circuit-linked technology for higher transmission speeds, up to 57 kilobits per second, primarily in GSM systems.
High-Performance Addressing (HPA)
An passive-matrix display technology the provides better response rates and contrast than conventional LCD displays. Although HPA displays aren't quite as crisp or fast as active-matrix (TFT) displays, they're considerably less expensive to produce. Consequently, HPA is being used by a number of computer manufacturers for their low-end notebook computers.
high-resolution performance counter
Hardware that provides high-resolution timing, which is useful in improving the performance of applications.
hook
A location in a routine or application in which the programmer can connect or insert other routines for the purpose of debugging or enhancing functionality. Windows CE does not support hooking.
host
A device on a TCP/IP network that can be identified by a logical IP address.
host identifier
An address that identifies a workstation, server, router, or other TCP/IP host within a network. Each host address must be unique to the network identifier.
host-side component
An application developer's desktop computer that contains a software development kit (SDK) and a Visual C++ or Visual Basic toolkit. The Windows CE toolkits create the host-side component after receiving a platform SDK. The platform SDK contains source files for the different transport technologies that are enabled on a device and selected during the SDK build process.
hot key
A keystroke or combination of keystrokes that switches the user to a different application, often a terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) application or the operating system user interface. Hot keys generate a WM_HOTKEY message.
hot spot
The pixel in a cursor that marks the exact screen location affected by a mouse or pen action, such as a button click. Messages include the coordinates of a hot spot.
HREF (horizontal refresh)
In a video stream, the HREF is active to signal that the display is to begin a new scan line.
HRP
One of the reference platforms supported by Windows CE for Automotive. This reference platform is based upon the Hitachi SH4 processor.
HTMLHelp viewer
A windows application that displays help content to the user in HTML format. It consists of a left window pane to display a hierarchy of topics and sections, a right window pane to display help topics, and a navigation bar with toolbuttons for navigating through the content.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
A markup language derived from the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). Used to create a text document with formatting specifications that tells a software browser how to display the page or pages included in the document.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) viewer control
1. A control that provides programmers with the ability to implement the Windows CE Pocket Internet Explorer and the Help engine. It also provides independent software vendors (ISVs) with the ability to implement additional viewers based on the HTML viewer control.
2. A control that enables a user to render HTML text, display embedded images, and notify an application of user events.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The client/server protocol used to access information on the Web.