John Cletheroe's
PC And Internet Hints

PC And Internet Glossary - Including File Extensions - B

Backslash

\ (see that entry).

BAK

"Back". File extension. A backup file, nearly always the previously saved version of the file. While nearly all programs use an extension of BAK for backup files, Excel 97 uses the extension XLK and Word 97 uses the extension WBK. Backup files, especially of data files associated with programs which can run macros or scripts, can contain viruses.

Banner Advert

An advert on sites such as search engines. Such adverts tend to be very wide but not very deep, hence the name. On many search engines the banner advert system will react to your queries and automatically attempt to present relevant adverts. The downloading and display of banner adverts can be very usefully eliminated by means of filtering programs such as Siemens' free Web Washer program.

BAS

"Bas". File extension.
  1. A QBASIC program file. It is probably possible to write a virus in a QBASIC program; it is certainly possible to make such a program perform an undesirable action on the user's computer.

  2. BASIC module. A file associated with some Visual BASIC programs. It is probably possible to write a virus in a Visual BASIC program; it is certainly possible to make such a program perform an undesirable action on the user's computer.

BASIC

Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.

BASIC was devised by Kemeny and Kurtz in the 1960's as a simple programming language with obvious commands for teaching purposes.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's various forms of BASIC interpreters were implemented on many early mini computers such as DEC's PDP range. On small computers such as the PDP-8 these versions of BASIC had extremely limited language facilities, while on large computers such as the PDP-11 they were very sophisticated (even, in a compiler form, offering ISAM file handling). Most of these implementations had very primitive program editing facilities suitable for use on teletypes. On larger computers separate text editor programs could be used on VDU's to edit BASIC programs. On small computers the operating system was seamlessly integrated with BASIC, both items being loaded as a single entity from paper tape.

In the late 1970's and early 1980's BASIC interpreters were implemented on the early micro computers such as the Commodore PET, the Apple II and the Tandy TRS 80. Again these were seamlessly integrated with the operating system, both being held on ROM so as to be available immediately on booting. Much more sophisticated language facilities and editing facilities were available. With more memory and an entire processor available for a single user both the size of programs and the speed of operation improved dramatically.

In the mid 1980's a similar BASIC interpreter was supplied on ROM with the first version of the IBM PC. However, the operating system (DOS) was no longer integrated with the language and was loaded from disk. In addition, extensions to the BASIC language could be loaded from disk. The version of BASIC with the most facilities was called BASICA.

In the late 1980's BASICA was replaced by Quick BASIC (QBASIC, or QB). This had virtually the same language facilities as BASICA but a very different method of editing programs, handling them in a full on-screen text editor. Line numbers became redundant and separate subroutines and functions were displayed in separate windows. Commands such as RUN and SAVE which had to be typed in with earlier versions of BASIC became menu options.

Visual BASIC, developed during the 1990's, allows programs to be created which run under Windows. These programs appear on screen just as if they were any other Windows programs, with similar windows, scroll bars, control buttons, dialog boxes and so on. While the fundamental BASIC language in Visual BASIC is very similar to that of Quick BASIC, there are many additional aspects. Also, the way that programs are designed and created in Visual BASIC is totally different to that of any earlier form of BASIC. Each item on the screen (each "object" in the program's own jargon) has a host of properties which can be changed by the program designer or by the program when it runs. Learning how all these properties operate is a huge learning exercise. Separate subroutines are automatically run when the user performs an operation (an "event") on each item on the screen. Visual BASIC programs are therefore split into a vast number of separate sections. Keeping track of all these properties and program sections is a housekeeping nightmare. In addition, Visual BASIC programmers must constantly bear in mind that users may perform any action at any time and so may other programs running on the computer at the same time. They also need to constantly consider the possible effect their programs may have on other programs running at the same time. Whereas BASIC and Quick BASIC were accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of computer literacy, Visual BASIC is vastly more complicated and should only be approached by the most technically advanced of users.

Visual BASIC for Applications (VBA) is the macro language associated with the current versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. It is similar to Visual BASIC and at least as difficult to learn. Users who remember Lotus 123's simple but elegant and powerful macro language where commands were entered as if they were key pushes will find VBA a complete mystery.

Visual BASIC Script, also called Visual BASIC Scripting Edition and VBScript, was an attempt by Microsoft to create a JavaScript-like language for web pages. It is now defunct, I believe. Microsoft's dialect of JavaScript, JScript, is a similar language.

BAT

"Bat". File extension. A DOS batch file. It is easy to make a DOS batch file perform an undesirable action on the user's computer.

Batch File

A sequence of operating system commands (DOS commands on PC's), held in a file. The commands are automatically obeyed one after another in sequence, like a program.

Baud

Bits per second.

BBCode

A text formatting/markup language, somewhat similar to HTML, used on some forums. BBCode uses square brackets instead of angle brackets to enclose tags. Perhaps the name comes from "Bulletin Board Code"?

BCC

Blind carbon copy. A list of people who will receive an email message but with no indication of who the other recipients are.

BCL

Base Class Libraries. Part of .NET Framework.

BER

Basic Encoding Rules. Closely associated with ASN.1 (see that entry). See also Microsoft KnowledgeBase article 252648.

BGP

Border Gateway Protocol. Used to exchange Internet routing information. Primarily used by Internet Service Providers.

BHO

Browser Helper Object. Most, but not all, BHO's are associated with adware/spyware programs.

Bilinear Filtering

A term used in computer graphics. Bilinear filtering is the deliberate blurring of adjacent pixels, so as make them appear to merge together. Trilinear filtering is a closely related technique, presumably a little more advanced.

Binary

  1. The base two number system.

  2. A compiled program file (usually an EXE file).

  3. Any non-text file, for example a program file, an image file or a sound file.

  4. A mode of copying files in which entire files are always transmitted, even if they contain CTRL/Z end-of-file characters. Binary mode should be used for non-text files (program files, graphics files and sound files); it is unnecessary for ASCII text files. In DOS and Windows the correct mode is always selected automatically. In FTP programs you may need to select the mode manually.

Bind

  1. As a word, a stage in the program compilation process. See Early Binding and Link.

  2. As an acronym in upper case, Berkeley Internet Name Domain, a DNS system.

  3. See also Bound Control.

BinHex

BinHex is a method of encoding which converts binary data into ASCII characters. Files such as graphics files and EXE compiled program files can be converted to BinHex. Such conversion is useful since nearly all computers can handle ASCII characters. Many email programs include a BinHex encoder and decoder for sending and receiving attachments. BinHex encoded files usually have a .HQX extension. An alternative algorithm for converting binary files to ASCII is Uuencode. See also MIME.

Bit

Binary digit. 0 or 1.

Bitmap

An image, held as a set of RGB (red, green and blue) brightness values for a rectangle of pixels. Bitmaps can be compressed, usually in a non-lossy manner if they are to be utilised by other graphical processes. A mipmap is not the same as a bitmap.

Bitmapped Font

Same as raster font - see that entry.

BITS

Background Intelligent Transfer Service. A facility in Windows XP (possibly to be introduced with the SP2 update) which is used by Windows Update. Amongst other things, it permits interrupted downloads of updates to be resumed.

BitTorrent

A peer-to-peer file distribution protocol, in which users simultaneously receive different parts of a file from a number of other users. A key concept in BitTorrent is that all users should both download and upload files at the same time.

Blaster

  1. SoundBlaster, a series of sound boards manufactured by Creative Labs.

  2. A virus, sometimes called MSBlaster.

Bloatware

A program which is vastly larger and more complex than is necessary to perform its function.

Opinion: It takes great skill and effort to create a small, fast, simple, bug-free program - any Tom, Dick or Bill can produce a large, slow, complicated, buggy one.

Blog

Short for "web log" or "weblog". To write random, meaningless, stream-of-consciousness thoughts, or in other words, the first thing that comes into your head.

Blowfish

An encryption algorithm.

Blue Book

See Book.

Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD)

The screen which is displayed by Microsoft Windows in order to announce that an error such as "The system is locked or busy" or a General Protection Fault (GPF) has occurred - in other words that a program and/or Windows has keeled over or locked up yet again.

Blue-screen Video

The combination of a human actor on top of a computer generated background, as in some graphical adventure games. The effect is achieved by use of the colour separation overlay technique, with the human actors performing in front of a blue screen.

Bluetooth

A means of wireless communication between PC's, keyboards and mice (and, according to some sources, printers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants and digital cameras). Bluetooth is limited to a range of ten metres. Bluetooth is not the same as wi-fi (wireless networking) or mobile Internet.

BMK

File extension. See this entry on my Trainz Wordz page.

BMP

File extension. Bitmap. A type of graphic image file. BMP files are normally uncompressed and therefore BMP files for large images are normally huge. BMP files cannot contain viruses.

BO

Buffer Overrun. A type of security vulnerability which seems to pervade almost every software component written by Microsoft. Over the last few years Microsoft have released a huge number of patches in an attempt to fix buffer overrun security vulnerabilities.

Boilerplate

For many years this term has puzzled me. Everyone seems to know what it means so nobody ever explains it. At long last, "GMan" sent me this wonderful explanation, probably best read while imitating a strong Fred Dibnah accent:
Boilerplate Text is any repetitious phrase or sentence.
In the days of the Golden Age of Steam, when skilled craftsmanship was still very much the norm and the Industrial Revolution was just getting into full swing, the demand for static and mobile boilers became enormous. Boilers of all shapes and sizes from domestic to marine were churned out on a grand scale by hordes of monochrome people with dirty faces and oversized flat caps. Typically, each boiler faceplate was adorned with an Admiralty Brass or bronze plate bearing the name, location and chief activities of the manufacturer and the model and serial number of the boiler.
Initially, skilled craftsmen were employed to produce these plates. However, it was eventually realized that after a few years of engraving something like: "William F. Kenney and Sons - Liverpool - Metalworkers and Fabricators - "The 'Mighty Orpheus' Mill and Machine Shop Boiler" Ser No: 12345" on a nine inch square of brass, umpteen times a day, these skilled craftsmen could often be found running around the manufactory, naked except for a thin layer of their own perspiration, waving a fire-axe and screaming like banshees.
And so it came to pass that boilerplates were cast or stamped from a handcrafted original.
Hence, "Boilerplate Text" now stands for any repetitious writing activity that is best carried out by a machine, for example macros and hotkeys for digital signoffs, payslips, receipts, invoice bodies, etc.

Book

  1. Blue Book is the official technical specification for Enhanced Music CD's (also called CD Plus and CD Extra). This is an obscure and little-used format.

  2. Green Book is the official technical specification for the now virtually defunct CDi format.

  3. Orange Book is the official technical specification for CD-R and CD-RW.

  4. Red Book is the official technical specification for audio CD's.

  5. White Book is the official technical specification for Video CD (this might be the old LaserVision system).

  6. Yellow Book is the official technical specification for CD-ROM's.
I don't know if any of these books cover the now virtually defunct Photo-CD standard. I suspect that it may just be a minor variant of CD-ROM.

The various forms of DVD are covered by separate technical specifications.

See also Address Book.

Bookmarks

  1. A file containing a list of web site URL's, maintained and used by a web browser program. You can add the URL's of sites you regularly visit to your set of bookmarks. In most web browsers bookmarks can be organised into a tree structure, allowing them to be very usefully grouped by subject. Also called Favourites.

  2. A pointer to a particular place within a long word processing document, which can be reached rapidly.

Boot

To start up a computer, an operating system or a major program on a computer. From the American expression "to pull yourself up by your bootstraps", i.e. to seek your own salvation, since during the booting operation each program loads the next program in sequence.

Bootlog.txt

A file which logs operations when Windows starts up. However, the file is only created under certain circumstances (for example, when requested by the user) so always check the file's time and date stamp to make sure the copy you are examining is recent. Microsoft KnowledgeBase article 127970 has details of the various misleading spurious error messages which appear in Bootlog.txt.

Bound Control

A term used in programming languages such as Visual BASIC and database systems such as Access. A control is an object such as a text box or a command button. A bound control is a control such as a text box which is connected to a field in a table in a database. In Visual BASIC a Data control is also required as an intermediary, and to allow the user to select different records. When the program is running and the user selects different records, the contents of the text box are automatically updated to display the selected record's data. At design time the programmer specifies the connection between the control and the database and then there is no need for any program statements to be obeyed at runtime. This is very similar to the relationships between cells in a spreadsheet which are created by entering formulas. I do not know if the contents of the control are automatically updated if the data in the database changes due to an external action (for example by another program or another user). There may well be a need for a refresh operation in this case. Also, in the opposite direction, I think program statements must be obeyed in order to update the database if the user (or the program) changes the contents of the text box. Bound controls are not limited to text boxes but these are probably the most commonly used and the most easily understood type of control. In Access, forms and reports often contain bound controls.

See also Bind.

Boss Level

A level in a computer game which is more difficult, often involving an enemy with superior powers. Many games have boss levels interspersed at regular intervals amongst their normal levels.

bps

Bits per second, as in a modem's transmission rate. Baud is the same as bits per second.

Braces

Curly brackets, { and }.

Broadband

A term which seems to be increasingly used as a synonym for ADSL, although in fact ADSL is only one type of broadband connection.

BSOD

Blue Screen Of Death - see that entry.

BT

  1. BitTorrent. See that entry.

  2. British Telecom. A UK phone company which frequently changes its multiplicity of complicated tariffs, so as to make price comparisons with other companies difficult and so as disguise price rises, presenting them as if they were discounts. One has to admire the skill of their advertising, which never quite actually lies but certainly misleads all but the most careful of readers.

BTW

By the way.

Buffer

A FIFO (First In First Out) queue. An area of memory which can have items added by one process and read by another process, allowing an asynchronous transmission of data between the two processes. When the process which adds items works more rapidly than the process which reads items then the buffer fills up - if the process which adds items is not halted then the buffer will overrun. When the process which adds items works less quickly than the process which reads items then the buffer empties - if the process which reads items is not halted then the buffer will underrun. Depending on circumstances, programs may handle buffer overrun and buffer underrun more or less gracefully. Programs may also offer an option to increase the size of the buffer in an attempt to reduce problems.

Build Number

In some programming languages, every time a program is compiled, the compiler automatically increments its "build number" and includes this information in the EXE file. The build number is therefore effectively an internal version number (see that entry). Modern Microsoft programs often have internal and external version numbers and also build numbers. Often the various methods of reporting these numbers give inconsistent results.

Opinion: Perhaps Microsoft's confusion with version numbering is a deliberate marketing policy in an attempt to pretend that their products have no bugs. Perhaps it is merely incompetence and lack of organisation. Either way, if Microsoft can't get a simple thing such as version numbering right, it gives little hope that the more technical aspects of software development are likely to be carried out reliably.

BUP

File extension. Backup DVD Info File.

Burn

To write to a CD-R or CD-RW disk.

Bus

A channel for information in a computer or other digital electronic device.

Bus Mastering

A system used by PCI expansion boards which enables them to perform processing at the same time as the main processor.

Byte

8 bits. One byte can hold one character.
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Most recently modified 26-Aug-08