Glossary (Compact 2013)

  • Article

9/29/2014

The following terms are used in the Windows Embedded Compact 2013 documentation.

  • Application Builder
    A Visual Studio add-in that supports managed and native application development for Windows Embedded Compact.

  • Bluetooth stack
    The core portion of the Bluetooth protocol stack implementation that enables devices to locate each other and establish a connection. Through this connection, devices can exchange data and interact with one another through various applications.

  • board support package
    The software that implements and supports an operating system (OS) on a standard development board (SDB). See also BSP.

  • boot loader
    A program that is run automatically when a computer is turned on or booted. After first performing a few basic hardware tests, the bootstrap loader loads and passes control to a larger loader program, which typically then loads the operating system. The bootstrap loader typically resides in the computer's read-only memory (ROM).

  • BSP
    The software that implements and supports an operating system (OS) on a standard development board (SDB). See also board support package.

  • build environment
    The state of the development computer, including the directory structure and environment variables. The command-line build environment for the platform and projects is the build release directory.

  • candidate list
    A list of options that the developer can define that will be presented to end-users in the Candidate Window when using an input method editor (IME).

  • Catalog Editor
    A user interface with which the developer can edit catalog item (.pbcxml) files, refresh, add catalog items, show all catalog files, and validate the metadata contained in a catalog item file.

  • catalog file
    A file that contains links to all data stored in a catalog and the thumbnail images that correspond to those images.

  • catalog item
    Any item that the developer can select from the catalog to add functionality to the custom operating system.

  • CEDB database
    The default database for Windows Embedded Compact, which has a small, flat structure optimized for efficient storage.

  • CEPC
    A desktop computer-based hardware development platform.

  • client application
    Application software that gathers data from the user, prepares it for the server, and issues a request to the server. The client presents data received from the server to the user through its own user interface.

  • COM
    An object-based programming model designed to promote software interoperability; it allows two or more applications or components to easily cooperate with one another, even if they were written by different vendors, at different times, in different programming languages, or if they are running on different computers running different operating systems. See also Component Object Model.

  • Compact Test Kit
    A collection of built-in tests that the developer can use to test the performance, functionality, and stress of various aspects of Windows Embedded Compact applications. See also CTK.

  • Component Object Model
    An object-based programming model designed to promote software interoperability; it allows two or more applications or components to easily cooperate with one another, even if they were written by different vendors, at different times, in different programming languages, or if they are running on different computers running different operating systems. See also COM.

  • core connectivity
    A communications infrastructure that provides the basic components that are required for connectivity between a desktop computer and a Windows Embedded Compact-based device. It also supports device connectivity in various versions of Platform Builder and Microsoft Visual Studio.

  • core OS
    The kernel and other features that are common to all operating systems based on Windows Embedded Compact. These features include security, storage, basic device drivers, and management of memory, threads, and processes.

  • CTK
    A collection of built-in tests that the developer can use to test the performance, functionality, and stress of various aspects of Windows Embedded Compact applications. See also Compact Test Kit.

  • deadlock
    In operating systems and database applications, a situation in which two or more processes cannot continue because each process is waiting for resources to be freed by the continuation of the other process.

  • 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.

  • device driver interface
    A set of functions that are implemented by the operating system for use by drivers.

  • device interface
    A device functionality that a driver reveals to applications or other operating system components.

  • Device Manager
    An administrative tool that you can use to manage the devices on your computer. Using Device Manager, you can view and change device properties, update device drivers, configure device settings, and uninstall devices.

  • display device
    A visual output device aimed at displaying various type of information.

  • drag
    To move an item on the screen (1) by touching the item on a screen and then sliding the finger across the screen or (2) by pressing and holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse.

  • flick
    A quick, straight stroke of a finger or pen on a screen. A flick is recognized as a gesture, and interpreted as a navigation or an editing command.

  • flush
    To clear a portion of memory. For example, to flush a disk file buffer is to save its contents on disk and then clear the buffer for filling again.

  • frame buffer
    A portion of a computer's display memory that holds the contents of a single screen image.

  • gesture
    A quick movement of a finger or pen on a screen that the computer interprets as a command, rather than as a mouse movement, writing, or drawing.

  • gesture recognizer
    An engine that recognizes and processes ink input as either system or application commands.

  • glyph
    A graphical representation of either a character, a part of a character, or a sequence of characters.

  • Graphics, Windowing, and Events Subsystem
    The Windows Embedded Compact .NET module that contains functionality to receive and process user input and to display text and images on display devices and printers. GWES includes functionality for creating and managing windows, controls, dialog boxes, and resources such as icons and menus. See also GWES.

  • GWES
    The Windows Embedded Compact .NET module that contains functionality to receive and process user input and to display text and images on display devices and printers. GWES includes functionality for creating and managing windows, controls, dialog boxes, and resources such as icons and menus. See also Graphics, Windowing, and Events Subsystem.

  • hardware abstraction layer
    A thin layer of software provided by the hardware manufacturer that hides, or abstracts, hardware differences from higher layers of the operating system. By means of the filter provided by the HAL, different types of hardware look alike to the rest of the operating system. This enables the operating system to be portable from one hardware platform to another. The HAL also provides routines that enable a single device driver to support the same device on all platforms.

  • hardware platform
    The hardware on which a system runs. Hardware platforms can simulate embedded devices.

  • IME
    A tool that lets you enter complex characters and symbols, such as those used in East Asian written languages, using a standard keyboard. See also input method editor.

  • input method
    A Component Object Model (COM) component that allows the user to input text using a touch screen.

  • input method editor
    A tool that lets you enter complex characters and symbols, such as those used in East Asian written languages, using a standard keyboard. See also IME.

  • kernel debugger
    A debugging application that refines and debugs an operating system image. The kernel debugger works like an application debugger except that it is capable of debugging operating systems in addition to applications.

  • Kernel Independent Transport Layer
    The communication link between the development computer and the device used for debugging. KITL exposes the device hardware to the kernel debugger and works independently of the board and transport (such as Ethernet, serial, or USB) to send and receive data between the computer and the device. See also KITL.

  • kernel mode
    A highly privileged mode of operation where program code has direct access to all memory, including the address spaces of all user-mode processes and applications, and to hardware.

  • kernel profiler
    A mechanism that allows the developer to determine where the operating system is spending its time during operation.

  • kernel-mode driver
    A driver for a logical, virtual, or physical device.

  • key frame
    A video frame in which starting and ending positions of an object are given, and all frames in between are interpolated by a computer to produce smooth automated animation. Most ray-traced computer animation is created using this technique.

  • KITL
    The communication link between the development computer and the device used for debugging. KITL exposes the device hardware to the kernel debugger and works independently of the board and transport (such as Ethernet, serial, or USB) to send and receive data between the computer and the device. See also Kernel Independent Transport Layer.

  • language identifier
    A standard international numeric abbreviation for a country or geographical region. A language identifier is a 16-bit value that consists of a primary language identifier and a secondary language identifier.

  • locale identifier
    A 32-bit value which consists of the language ID in the low word (bits 0-15) and the sorting ID (bits 16-19) and a reserved value (bits 20-31) in the high word.

  • marshal
    To package and send interface method parameters across thread or process boundaries.

  • MDD
    A driver that contains code that is common to all devices of a specific type and exposes a device driver interface (DDI) to the operating system (OS). An MDD calls platform dependent driver (PDD) functions to access the hardware and one MDD can use multiple PDDs. See also model device driver.

  • model device driver
    A driver that contains code that is common to all devices of a specific type and exposes a device driver interface (DDI) to the operating system (OS). An MDD calls platform dependent driver (PDD) functions to access the hardware and one MDD can use multiple PDDs. See also MDD.

  • module
    A loadable unit, which can contain type declarations and type implementations. The module contains enough information to enable the common language runtime to locate all implementation bits when the module is loaded. The format for modules is an extension of the Windows portable executable (PE) file format. When deployed, a module is always contained in an assembly.

  • NDIS
    A software interface, or set of rules, designed to enable different network protocols to communicate with a variety of network adapters. Providing a standard--a common "language"--for the drivers used by network adapters, NDIS enables a single network adapter to support multiple protocols and, conversely, also enables a single protocol to work with network adapters from different vendors. See also network device interface specification.

  • network device interface specification
    A software interface, or set of rules, designed to enable different network protocols to communicate with a variety of network adapters. Providing a standard--a common "language"--for the drivers used by network adapters, NDIS enables a single network adapter to support multiple protocols and, conversely, also enables a single protocol to work with network adapters from different vendors. See also NDIS.

  • OAL
    The interface between the kernel and the hardware of a device. See also OEM adaptation layer.

  • OEM
    A company that acquires a product or component and incorporates it into a new product with its own brand name, e.g. a computer manufacturer that pre-installs a Microsoft Windows desktop operating system onto a new computer for sale. See also original equipment manufacturer.

  • OEM adaptation layer
    The interface between the kernel and the hardware of a device. See also OAL.

  • operating system design
    A selection of catalog items that the developer creates by using Platform Builder and then builds into a run-time image. See also OS design.

  • original equipment manufacturer
    A company that acquires a product or component and incorporates it into a new product with its own brand name, e.g. a computer manufacturer that pre-installs a Microsoft Windows desktop operating system onto a new computer for sale.

  • OS design
    A selection of catalog items that the developer creates by using Platform Builder and then builds into a run-time image. See also operating system design.

  • pan
    A multi-touch gesture that consists of one or two fingers moving in the same direction, parallel to each other.

  • PDD
    A driver that encapsulates hardware specific code needed to write directly to a specific device. The PDD is used by the model device driver (MDD) to communicate with the device. See also platform dependent driver.

  • pinch
    A zoom out gesture represented by two fingers with at least one of them moving towards the other finger at any angle, within an acceptable tolerance.

  • platform
    The foundation technology of a computer system, normally the type of computer and/or operating system being used.

  • Platform Builder
    An add-in to the Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE) for building customized embedded operating systems based on Windows Embedded Compact.

  • Platform Builder catalog
    The collection in Platform Builder that contains and displays the operating system (OS) features, board support packages (BSPs), transport layers, and drivers that can be added to a Windows Embedded Compact OS design.

  • platform dependent driver
    A driver that encapsulates hardware specific code needed to write directly to a specific device. The PDD is used by the model device driver (MDD) to communicate with the device. See also PDD.

  • Platform Manager
    A communications technology that manages the communications between a development workstation and a Windows CE-based target device. Platform Manager allows development tools to download and connect to the target device in a media-independent manner. Platform Builder, Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0, and the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework use Platform Manager to download files such as applications, Microsoft ActiveX Controls, run times, and remote tool clients to the target device.

  • pocket IME
    A small-sized IME that can support embedded systems without keyboards that have small screens and a minimal memory footprint. See also pocket input method editor.

  • pocket input method editor
    A small-sized IME that can support embedded systems without keyboards that have small screens and a minimal memory footprint. See also pocket IME.

  • Power Manager
    A framework for managing device power states separately from system power states.

  • project
    A file that keeps track of all programs, forms, menus, libraries, reports, labels, queries, and other types of files that are needed to create an application.

  • release directory
    The directory where Platform Builder places the completed run-time image, build logs, configuration files, and other files when you build a run-time image based on an OS design. The release directory is the location from which Platform Builder downloads the run-time image to a target device for further debugging and testing.

  • Remote Tools
    An SMS/Configuration Manager feature that an SMS/Configuration Manager administrator uses to directly control, monitor, or analyze client computers.

  • run-time image
    The final output of the development tools, which is the combination of operating system (OS) binary files, drivers, applications, services, and configuration data typically in the system registry. After deploying to the device, the image can be booted.

  • shell
    The command interpreter that is used to pass commands to the operating system.

  • stream interface driver
    An interface that exposes stream interface functions and allows applications to work with devices as if they were files. Stream interface drivers receive commands by means of system calls.

  • stretch
    A zoom-in gesture represented by two fingers with at least one of them moving away from each other at any angle, within an acceptable tolerance.

  • subproject
    A project that is a component of another project.

  • SYSGEN variable
    A variable that works with the build system to control the functionality included in an operating system (OS) design. It is used in the OS design configuration files. A SYSGEN variable differs from an environment variable that contains information about an aspect of the OS design, such as a drive, path, or configuration string.

  • system power state
    The level of power consumption by the system as a whole. System power states range from S0 to S5, where S0 is the fully-on working state and S5 is the completely powered-down state.

  • tap
    A gesture represented by placing a finger or stylus on the screen and then lifting it up.

  • target device
    The system for which Windows Embedded Compact is being adapted, including the hardware that is accessed by remote tools. In Platform Builder, a target device is the hardware that runs a Platform Builder custom platform.

  • test suite
    A set of selected test cases. A test suite can contain other test suites, but each test suite can be contained in only one other test suite.

  • touch screen
    A touch-sensitive screen on your device that can recognize the location of a touch (of a fingertip or stylus, for example) on its surface and translate that touch into a desired action (such as opening an item or moving the cursor).

  • transform
    In mathematics and computer graphics, to alter the position, size, or nature of an object by moving it to another location (translation), making it larger or smaller (scaling), turning it (rotation), changing its description from one type of coordinate system to another, and so on.

  • transport layer
    Layer four of the OSI model. The network layer that handles error recognition and recovery. When necessary, it repackages long messages into small packets for transmission and, at the receiving end, rebuilds packets into the original message. The receiving transport layer also sends receipt acknowledgments.

  • two-way binding
    A type of data binding where changes made to the target automatically update the source, and changes to the source automatically update the target. Data binding is always set on the target object.

  • user mode
    The nonprivileged processor mode in which application code, including protected subsystem code, executes. User-mode applications cannot gain access to system data except by calling subsystem-supplied functions, which, in turn, call system services.

  • Windows sockets
    An application programming interface (API) standard for software that provides a TCP/IP interface under Windows.