Glossary G
garbage collector
A process that periodically frees the memory used by objects that are no longer needed.
gateway
A host computer that connects networks that communicate using different protocols. For example, a gateway connects a company’s local area network to the Internet.
GDI
An executable program that processes graphical function calls from a Windows-based application and passes those calls to the appropriate device driver, which performs the hardware-specific functions that generate output. By acting as a buffer between applications and output devices, GDI presents a device-independent view of the world for the application while interacting in a device-dependent format with the device.
general protection fault
An exception that is raised when an application attempts to read from or write to an area of memory that is not owned by the application. Usually, an application must be terminated after a general protection fault.
generic composite moniker
A path and name that uniquely identifies an object. Its sequence begins with a file moniker and continues with one or more item monikers. See also composite moniker, item moniker, file moniker.
GIF
A form of graphics compression. See also Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
global
Universal, in the sense of being related to an entire file, document, program, or other entity. For example, a global variable is one that is accessible from anywhere in the program.
global variable
A variable that is accessible from anywhere in a program. A global variable has storage and maintains a value throughout the program's execution. See also file scope.
glyph
The bitmap, collection of points, or collection of graphic commands that define a single character or symbol in a font. See also bitmap.
Gopher
A client/server application that allows the user to browse large amounts of information. It presents the information to the user in a menu format. The original Gopher server was developed at the University of Minnesota.
GPF
An exception that is raised when an application attempts to read from or write to an area of memory that is not owned by the application. Usually, an application must be terminated after a general protection fault.
graphic object
One of the drawing tools, such as a pen, brush, bitmap, palette, and so on, that Windows provides for use in device contexts.
graphics device interface
An executable program that processes graphical function calls from a Windows-based application and passes those calls to the appropriate device driver, which performs the hardware-specific functions that generate output. By acting as a buffer between applications and output devices, GDI presents a device-independent view of the world for the application while interacting in a device-dependent format with the device.
Graphics Interchange Format
A form of graphics compression. See also Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
group-box control
A labeled rectangle used to define a group of related controls (usually check boxes or radio buttons) in a dialog box. The group box itself does not set any options; it is simply a graphical device used to improve the usability of complex dialog boxes. See also radio group.
guarded body of code
A set of one or more statements for which an exception or termination handler provides protection.