Glossary

 

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named item
An OLE COM object (preferably one that supports OLE Automation) that the host deems interesting to the script. Examples include the HTML page and browser in a web browser, and the Document and Dialogs in Microsoft Word.

named macro
A macro that enables you to name, save, and edit the actions you record. A named macro uses the Visual Basic, Scripting Edition (VBScript) programming language.

NaN
Not a number.

NAND
Not AND. The Boolean function which is true unless both its arguments are true, the logical compliment of AND. A NAND B = NOT (A AND B) = (NOT A) OR (NOT B) NAND. NAND forms a complete set of Boolean functions on its own because it can be used to make NOT, AND, OR, and any other Boolean function.

national language support (NLS)
A function that enables you to specify system and user locale information.

native device driver
A software component that enables a computer system to communicate with a device. In Windows CE, a native device driver is linked with the GWES component. The driver consists of a model device driver (MDD) layer and a platform-dependent driver (PDD) layer. Together, these layers make it possible for applications to access physically different, but functionally equivalent, hardware resources in the same way on all Windows CE-based platforms. Also called a built-in device driver.

natural language
A language spoken or written by humans, as opposed to a language used to program or communicate with computers.

navigation control
On a device, a moveable piece, such as a wheel or key, that sends virtual key codes. These virtual key codes are often used to move the cursor, alter the view of the current document, or launch a new application. A navigation control usually exists on a device that does not require a full hardware keyboard, such as a Palm-size PC.

NDIS driver
A device driver for NDIS network adapters.

Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS)
A programming interface that allows different protocols to share the same network hardware.

network identifier
An identifier for systems located on the same physical network.

Network interface card (NIC)
A card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. 180 HP Jornada 700 Series Handheld PC Network interface cards can provide a dedicated, fulltime connection to a network.

network stack
An operating system component responsible for processing data that is transmitted or received over a network.

NFTL translation layer
A separate implementation of the flash translation layer (FTL) for NAND-based linear flash memory, which includes M-Systems, Inc. Series 2000 and DiskOnChip.

Nmake.exe
The Microsoft Program Maintenance Utility. A 32-bit tool that builds projects based on commands contained in a makefile (.mak) file.

node
1. In local area networks, a device that is connected to the network and is capable of communicating with other network devices.
2. In tree structures, a location on the tree that can have links to one or more nodes below it. Some authors make a distinction between node and element, with an element being a given data type and a node comprising one or more elements as well as any supporting data structures.


non-strict localization
A type of localization that does not require all resource script files to be available when Platform Builder generates an operating system image. Use non-strict localization during the debug process to retest modules and components without having to have all resource script files localized.

non-yielding grammar
An interrupt that cannot be overruled by another service request. A hardware interrupt is called nonmaskable if it cannot be masked by the processor's interrupt enable flag.

nonclient area
The parts of a window that are not a part of the client area. A window's nonclient area consists of the border, menu bar, title bar, and scroll bar.

nonsignaled
State of a synchronization object.

NOR
Not OR. The Boolean function which is true if none of its inputs are true and false otherwise, the logical complement of inclusive OR. The binary NOR function can be defined as: A NOR B = NOT (A OR B) = (NOT A) AND (NOT B).

normal vector
An imaginary ray extending perpendicularly from a surface that defines the face's orientation.

Notepad
The basic text editor included with Microsoft Windows.

notification
A signal from the operating system that an event has occurred. This could be a timer event or a system event such as establishing a network connection. An application registers a notification for an event and the system generates a notification when the event occurs. Windows CE provides an application programming interface (API) that can be used to register events and select options that determine the type of notification.

notification function
A Windows CE function that allows an application to register its name and an event with the system. When the event occurs, the kernel automatically starts the named application.

notification message
A message that a control sends to its parent window when events, such as input from the user, occur.

NTFL translation layer
A separate implementation of the FTL for NAND-based linear flash memory, which includes M-Systems, Inc. Series 2000 and DiskOnChip.

null modem cable
A serial port cable that is specially wired to simulate the behavior of a pair of modems when used to connect the serial ports of two computers.