Glossary
dark light
A light source that removes illumination from a scene, created by specifying negative values for the colors of the light.
DAT File
A file that is run by a Windows CE system after it has started that can create directories, copy files, etc.
data access library
An API that attempts to provide universal access to various kinds of databases, concentrating on those containing sets of records in tables. Such an API has been described as a "bridge program" between a database and the low-level interface to databases, such as Microsoft's OLE DB. Examples of older data access libraries are Data Access Objects (DAO) and Remote Data Objects (ADO) which is now the program interface Microsoft recommends for new programs.
data bind
The association of a data source with a server control.
Data Encryption Standard (DES)
A block cipher that encrypts data in 64-bit blocks. DES is a symmetric algorithm that uses the same algorithm and key for encryption and decryption.
data link
A connection between any two devices capable of sending and receiving information, such as a computer and a printer or a main computer and a terminal. Sometimes the term is extended to include equipment, such as a modem, that enables transmission and receiving. Such devices follow protocols that govern data transmission.
Data sharing
Transferring and updating data among devices and/or the network.
data sink
A recording medium where data can be stored until needed. In communications, a data sink is also the portion of a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device that receives transmitted data.
database synchronization
The process of bringing two separate copies of a database into agreement.
database system application programming interface
A set of functions that enable you to create and manipulate Windows CE databases. Each database consists of an arbitrary number of records, and each record consists of at least one property.
database type identifier
A user-specified token, or number, that is attached to a database. The token can be used to identify related databases by associating the same value, or related values, with each database.
database volume
A file that contains all of the data necessary for a database. A database volume can be up to 16 MB.
datagram
A data packet, containing sufficient delivery information, that can be routed through a packet-switching network without reliance on exchanges between the source and destination computer.
Date and Time Picker control (DTP)
A control that displays information about dates and times, and provides users with an easy way to modify this information.
datum
A frame of reference for coordinates used to describe horizontal or vertical position on or near the surface of the earth.
DB File
A file that lists databases and records that should be on a system after startup.
de-emphasis
Resets the signal magnitude on an audio channel. Compare pre-emphasis.
dead key
A key used with another key to create an accented character. A dead key, when pressed, produces no visible character but indicates that the accent mark it represents is to be combined with the character produced by the next letter key pressed.
debug configuration
A project that is built with full symbolic debugging information and without optimization. The debug configuration is necessary for debugging.
debug serial port
An I/O channel that is used for debugging a device driver or platform. The debugging information is transmitted one bit at a time over a single wire.
Debug shell (Shell.exe)
An interface to communicate with Cesh.exe on a development workstation.
debug zone mask
A named bit mask in application source code that is used to turn a debug zone on or off.
debugger window
A window that displays debugging information for an application. Examples include the Output window, the Watch window, and the Variables window.
decal
A texture that is rendered directly as a visual. Decals are rendered into a viewport-aligned rectangle. Also, a secondary image place on top of an object in a 3-D scene to create the effect of masking an object. The second type of decal is often used to create effects such as burn marks or tire tracks.
deck
A group of one or more cards.
decryption
The process of returning encrypted data to its original form.
default unit system
The default unit system is based on one line equaling 100 units, as indicated by the DefaultWeight field in the ControlPager class.
delegated evaluator
A filter that uses a custom method to evaluate the specified data.
dependency
A directed relationship between two objects, such as components, objects, or features. For example, if feature A depends on feature B, B is a dependency of A.
dependency line
A .mak file entry that specifies one or more targets and zero or more dependents.
dependent trees
The list of core trees that your platform is dependent on. This list is kept in the _DEPTREES environment variable during build time.
derived session key
A session key created by an application as needed. Before creating a derived session key, an application prompts the user for a password.
description block
The commands that run if the dependency is not current. Also called an inference rule.
deserialize
The process of converting a series of bytes back into an object.
desktop
An on-screen work area that uses icons and menus to simulate the top of a desk. Its intent is to make a computer easier to use by enabling users to move pictures of objects and to start and stop tasks in much the same way as they would if they were working on a physical desktop.
desktop connectivity
The services required to connect a Windows CE-based device to a desktop computer.
desktop provider module
One of two DLLs that comprise a service provider. The desktop provider module handles the bulk of communication with the service manager and implements two COM interfaces.
destination color key
The color that, in the case of blitting, will be replaced or, in the case of overlays, be covered up on the destination surface.
determinate
A type of event in which the resulting control action is always intended to be the same, regardless of the edit state or "mode" of the control.
development workstation
The PC-based computer on which you install Windows CE development toolkits and develop software for your Windows CE-based platform.
device
1. A generic term for a computer subsystem. Printers, serial ports, and disk drives are often referred to as devices; such subsystems frequently require their own controlling software, called device drivers.
2. A hardware feature that can-or must-be part of the target platform. For example, a built-in device could be a low-battery notification LED, while a PC Card modem is an installable device.
device adapter
A Mobile Internet Controls Runtime class that adapts the behavior of mobile pages and controls based on the target device.
device capabilities
The set of device functionality available through the HasCapability method or the <Choice> element.
Device Context (DC)
A GDI structure containing information about the target hardware device onto which graphics are rendered.
device definition
The characteristics of a device available through the MobileCapabilities class and the DeviceSpecific control.
device driver
A software component that permits a computer system to communicate with a device. In most cases, the driver also manipulates the hardware in order to transmit the data to the device. However, device drivers associated with application packages typically perform only the data translation; these higher-level drivers then rely on lower-level drivers to actually send the data to the device. Many devices will not work properly-if at all-without the correct device drivers installed in the system.
Device Driver Interface (DDI)
1. The interface between applications and the device drivers.
2. A set of functions implemented in the model device driver and called by the Graphics, Windowing, and Events Subsystem (GWES).
device filter
Provides a named construct to a comparative evaluation of MobileCapabilitites properties or to a delegate evaluation method that utilizes the MobileCapabilitites object.
device manager
An application, included on all Windows CE-based platforms, that manages stream interface device drivers. The device manager handles loading and unloading stream interface device drivers, identifying the correct driver for plug-and-play devices, managing running device drivers, and notifying stream interface device drivers of power-up and power-down events.
device partnership
A device partnership is a registry key on a Windows CE device that a desktop computer uses to identify a Windows CE device to which a desktop computer is connected. The key defines values for synchronization, file conversions, and backup and restore information, which enable multiple Windows CE devices to connect to the same desktop computer. A device partnership is created the first time you connect a Windows CE device to a desktop computer.
device provider module
One of two DLLs that comprise a service provider. The device provider module handles communication between the service manager and the device.
device window
A visible application window that DirectDraw uses for display. Applications can have a device window for each display output in a device.
Device-agnostic
Open to any brand of device or operating system.
Device-Dependent Bitmap (DDB)
An array of bits that can only be used with a particular display or printer.
Device-Independent Bitmap (DIB)
An array of bits combined with several structures that specify the width and height of the bitmap image (in pixels), the color format of the device with which the image was created, and the resolution of the device used to create that image. A DIB generally has its own color table, and can therefore be displayed on a variety of devices.
dial-up boot loader (DUB)
A tool for upgrading a version of an operating system on a target device.
Dial-Up Boot loader (DUB) boot code
System code that runs when the target device boots. The code can determine whether to boot into the target device operating system or the dial-up boot loader operating system.
Dial-Up Boot loader (DUB) operating system
Part of the Windows CE operating system that includes code for downloading and installing an operating system image and programming the operating system image to flash memory.
dial-up connection
A connection between your HP Jornada and another computer by modem. You can have a dial-up connection with an ISP, a network, or with a modem attached to a PC.
dial-up networking
A Windows CE-based application that enables remote users to connect to a network.
dialog box
A temporary window that contains controls. You can use it to display status information and to get user input.
dialog box procedure
An application-defined callback function that the system calls when it has input for a dialog box or has tasks for a dialog box to carry out.
dialog box template
A binary description of a dialog box and the controls it contains. You can create this template as a resource to be loaded from the application's executable file or created in memory while the application runs.
dialog editor
A resource editor that allows you to create and edit dialog boxes.
Dialog Unit (DLU)
A unit of horizontal or vertical distance within a dialog box. A horizontal DLU is the average width of the current dialog box font divided by 4. A vertical DLU is the average height of the current dialog-box font divided by 8.
dialogue
An interaction between the user and a speech control. Only one dialogue is allowed at a time. If a speech control desires to initiate a dialogue with the user and this dialogue is assigned a higher priority level than the current dialogue, then the new dialogue may interrupt.
digital rights management
Applications that create audio content and use DRM can prevent users from transferring it to another system for playback. This encryption covers the properties of the file as well as the audio content, so that information, such as title, author, and rating, is set and made more secure from modification.
digital signature
Binary data attached to a message that uniquely identifies a sender. A digital signature can be used with hash values to ensure that a transmitted message has not been tampered with.
Direct Cable Connection (DCC)
A RAS networking connection between two computers, or between a computer and a Windows CE-based device, which uses a serial or parallel cable directly connected between the systems instead of a modem and a phone line.
direct connection
A connection between your HP Jornada and another computer by means of the serial sync cable, USB cable or IR port.
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
Memory access that does not involve the microprocessor and is frequently used for data transfer directly between memory and an "intelligent" peripheral device, such as a disk drive.
directional
A light source that is attached to a frame but appears to illuminate all objects with equal intensity, as if it were at an infinite distance from the objects. Directional light has orientation but no position, and it is commonly used to simulate distant light sources, such as the sun.
DirectShow
A multimedia architecture that controls and processes streams of multimedia data through custom or built-in filters.
dirs file
A file that lists the subdirectories which contain source code or additional dirs files. Build.exe uses a dirs file to determine which subdirectories have source code that needs building.
discrete speech recognition
A type of speech recognition by an electronic device that resolves a speech command separated by pauses. A discrete speech command can be one word, such as "radio", or a short phrase, such as "What can I say?". Discrete speech recognition allows for higher accuracy and lower memory management requirements than continuous speech recognition that recognizes uninterrupted speech.
display type
Displays are measured by the number of characters or letter that can be displayed across and the number of lines up and down. The more characters and lines, the more information that you can view on the screen at one time. Many PC Companions have the ability to display graphics as well.
DLS
Downloadable sounds, sometimes called downloadable samples. Digital samples in software that are used by a synthesizer to create instrument timbres.
dockable window
A window that can be attached to a docking area or that can float anywhere on the screen. A dockable window has two display modes: floating or docked.
docked mode
One of the operational states of a dockable window or toolbar. In docked mode, a window is attached to a docking area along any of the four borders of the main Platform Builder window. A toolbar docks vertically on a vertical docking area and horizontally on a horizontal docking area.
docking cradle
a stand or bracket designed to hold a phone or handheld computer in place on your desktop, or mounted to your dashboard. It may incorporate recharging or data transfer functions.
document window
A framed child window that may contain source code or other text. A document window can be displayed in a cascade or tiled arrangement.
Domain Name System (DNS)
A name service that resolves system names to current IP addresses and uses a tiered or hierarchical model to pass name resolutions between domains.
dotted decimal notation
The process of formatting an Internet Protocol (IP) address as a 32-bit identifier made up of four groups of numbers, with each group separated by a period. For example, 123.432.154.12.
Double-Layer SuperTwist Nematic (DSTN)
A passive-matrix LCD technology that uses two display layers to counteract the color shifting that occurs with conventional supertwist displays.
downcast
The process of converting a base class pointer or reference to a derived class pointer or reference.
drag-and-drop
A technique for moving or copying data between applications, between windows within an application, or within a single window in an application. The user selects the data to be transferred and drags the data to the desired destination. Windows CE supports drag-and-drop operations. However, nondefault drag-and-drop operations, equivalent to right mouse button drag-and-drop operations, are not supported.
drawing mode
Defines how foreground colors are mixed with window or screen colors for pen, brush, bitmap, and text operations.
driver
A software component, managed by the OS, that manages the operation of a device or service and exposes the functionality of that device or service in a standard way.
Driver Development Kit (DDK)
A set of tools and libraries that enable programmers to write Windows-based software used to run hardware devices such as printers.
Driver Development Test Kit (DDTK)
A set of tools and libraries that enable you to test the porting of your device drivers to the Windows CE operating system.
drop-down menu
A menu that drops from the menu bar when requested and remains open without further action until the user closes it or chooses a menu item.
Dual Band
European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Dual Band cell phones can work on networks that operate on different frequency bands. This is especially useful if you travel between areas covered by different networks, for example GSM 900 and GSM 1800.
dummy file filter
A means for transferring files of nonstandard or possibly unknown extensions for which no translation is necessary. Passing the file through the dummy filter keeps the No Converter Selected dialog box from appearing.
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
An interprocess communication method that allows two or more applications running simultaneously to exchange data and commands.
dynamic grammars
Grammars that are build using the command control APIs either from "scratch" or from a file that is provided as input.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
A TCP/IP protocol that enables a network connected to the Internet to automatically assign a temporary Internet protocol (IP) address to a host when the host connects to the network.
Dynamic Link Library (DLL)
A separate file containing functions that can be called by a C/C++ program, or by another DLL, in order to execute programming tasks required by the program. DLLs are identified by the file extension .dll and represent a key structural element of the Win32 programming architecture.