DDK Glossary - G

general protection fault

An exception condition that occurs when a process attempts to use storage or a module that has some level of protection assigned to it, such as I/O privilege level. See also IOPL code segment.

Global Descriptor Table (GDT)

A table that defines code and data segments available to all tasks in an application. Abbreviated as GDT.

global dynamic-link module

A dynamic-link module that can be shared by all processes in the system that refer to the module name.

global file-name character

Either a question mark (?) or an asterisk (*) used as a variable in a file name or file name extension when referring to a particular file or group of files.

glyph

A graphic symbol whose appearance conveys information; for example, the vertical and horizontal arrows on cursor keys that indicate the directions in which they control cursor movement, the sunburst symbol on the screen illumination control of a display device.

graphics

(1) A picture defined in terms of graphic primitives and graphics attributes.

(2) The making of charts and pictures.

(3) Pertaining to charts, tables, and their creation.

(4) See computer graphics, coordinate graphics, fixed-image graphics, interactive graphics, passive graphics, raster graphics.

graphics attributes

Attributes that apply to graphic primitives. Examples are color, line type, and shading pattern definition. See also segment attributes. Contrast with segment attributes.

graphics field

The clipping boundary that defines the visible part of the presentation-page contents.

graphics mode

One of several states of a display. The mode determines the resolution and color content of the screen.

graphics model space

The conceptual coordinate space in which a picture is constructed after any model transforms have been applied. Also known as model space.

Graphics programming interface (GPI)

The formally defined programming language that lies between an IBM graphics program and the user of the program. Abbreviated as GPI.

graphic primitive

In computer graphics, a basic element, such as an arc or a line, that is not made up of smaller parts and that is used to create diagrams and pictures.

graphics segment

A sequence of related graphic primitives and graphics attributes. See also graphic primitive.

graying

The indication that a choice on a pull-down is unavailable.

GRE

Graphics engine.

group

A collection of logically connected controls. For example, the buttons controlling paper size for a printer could be called a group. See also program group.