sample
A data file recording of an audio sound.
sampler
A hardware device for digitizing audio.
scanline
A rendering technique designed to quickly determine the color of a given pixel on a surface without inspecting or employing the characteristics of light refraction or reflection.
scene
A collection of 3D objects in a stage and their predefined motions.
screen
A rectangular display area with an independent palette and an independent resolution.
script
List of commands in a text file, such as for AmigaDOS, which can be executed in order.
scroll bar
A gadget used to move data linearly.
SCSI
A control format for hard drive expansion buses.
SCSI II
A new control format for improved hard drive performance.
search key
A word, phrase, string, or numerical value used in identifying a data structure. Allows a database, hash table, text file, directory listing, or other structure to scan for items matching a specific value.
search time
The amount of time required to perform a specific task.
SECAM
A primarily European television broadcast standard.
seek time
The amount of time required to perform a specific task, such as determining the location of data on a hard disk.
segment
An edge or spline between two points in a 3D modeler or desktop publishing program. May be subdivided into additional segments using various tools, producing more accuracy and potentially smoother curves.
select button
The left mouse button, used to select a gadget or icon. This is often used in conjunction with the term "double-click" or "single-click".
serial port
An external port used for modems, printers, and networking. Located at the rear of all Amiga models and via a special keyboard/serial port on the CDГВ. Most serial port compatible hardware and software is compatible on all systems. Some systems such as the Amiga 1000 may have reverse gender ports or different power lines. Hardware should only be used on the Amiga 1000 with investigation as to whether the product is safe to use.
shadow
The area which is not lit from a particular light source, due to an object in the path of radiated light.
shared library
A set of routines that may be accessed by many executable programs simultaneously.
shareware
Software provided freely yet the author maintains all distribution rights.
sharp edge
An edge that is rendered as a sharp angle as opposed to being rounded or shaded. Also known as a hard edge.
shell
Enhanced CLI for accessing DOS commands.
Shell-Startup
A script used in starting a new Shell or CLI.
shielding
Metal plating used to protect computer components from heat or other interference.
Sidecar
An expansion method using an internal edge connector for external hardware, such as the IBM emulator for the A1000.
SIGGRAPH
An annual computer graphics convention.
signature case
One of the first Amiga 1000s shipped, containing the signatures of the various people involved with developing the Amiga.
SIMM
Single Inline Memory Module used to store multiple chips on one small daughterboard.
single frame controller
A device used to accurately record video animation images to a video tape recorder, such that frames may be individually placed or overwritten.
single sided polygon
A polygon whose features are only rendered on one side of the polygon. Single sided polygons must face the camera in order to be rendered.
skeleton
The internal structure of a 3D object, allowing for control of moving parts such as bones or attached objects.
skeletonal control
The ability to define a group of objects by linking them at movanle joints.
sky
The area in a 3D scene above the ground and above all objects, meeting with the surface plane or ground at the horizon.
slider
A gadget used to move data linearly.
SLIP
Serial Line Internet Protocol.
slow-fast RAM
Fast RAM added to the second 512k of an Amiga 500 via the Trapdoor expansion bus.
smoothing
The process of shading an edge to provide a rounded edge as opposed to a sharp edge.
smoothing angle
The threshold angle at which an edge is no longer smoothed, shaded, or soft edged.
socketed chip
A chip that is placed on the motherboard by inserting it into a small holder, which allows the chip to be removed easily.
soft edge
An edge that is rendered as a round edge, such as with phong shading.
soft link
A soft link is a file that accesses another file on a different partition.
software
Information stored and altered on various media.
software clock
The time keeping routines used in memory that are not maintained when the computer is powered down.
solid
A type of rendering, similar to wireframe, yet with all hidden lines removed. Creates more realistic 3D drawings as opposed to wireframe stick drawings.
Sound Blaster
A hardware device that allows sound to be output on an IBM PC compatible computer.
SoundTracker
A format for music compositions.
source file
The file used to retrieve data from. In many cases it is necessary to get a lock on the source file.
spaghetti code
Programming code that shows no logical structure, or which has become confusing as new parts have been added.
specular
A visual highlight on an object caused by reflected light. May be the color of the light source or the surface color of the object in combination with the light source.
sphere
A 3D object comprised of polygons such that it approximates the shape of a sphere. A true sphere may be generated algorithmically or by using infinite surface polygons.
spike protector
A device that attempts to protect electrical devices from bursts of electricity in the electrical system.
splay tree
A type of balanced tree that becomes more efficient by rotating nodes towards the root of the tree. Seek times are increased since frequently used nodes are stored closer to the root of the tree.
spline
A curved line drawn using a desktop publishing program or a 3D modeling program, designed to draw curves using mathematical formulas.
spot light
A light source used at close range in a scene designed to radiate on a small portion of the scene or an individual object, with a conical lighting area.
spreadsheet
A program used to calculate large amounts of numbers.
sprite
A graphics object that moves freely between screens and appears on top of all normal screen graphics.
stack
The amount of free space used to store temporary variables in the heap space. Stack space is often used to keep track of recursive calls.
stage
An area used to contain 3D objects, of which no object is intended to leaved the stage.
startup-sequence
A script used in booting the computer.
statement
A phrase of a programming language, including a command and any parameters or values that it requires.
status line
An area or line of text which displays the status of an event, such as a modem conntection, file copy, or render completion.
stereo
The use of two channels, a Right and a Left, to output sound, simulating multiple sound sources.
storage device
Hardware used to hold information, often using magnetic materials such as tapes and floppy disks, using hard surfaces such as CD-ROMs, or by using RAM and ROM chips.
story board
A type of presentation that explains a given movie scene using short clips or still images, without actually recording the scene.
streaming tape drive
A magnetic tape system that is used for making backup copies of a hard drive, allowing for inexpensive data storage.
string
A finite sequence of characters.
string delimiter
A quotation mark used to signify the beginning or end of a sequence of characters, often either a single quote (') or a double quote (").
structure
A user-defined data storage technique, grouping common variables into one programmable unit in memory which may be treated as a singular variable.
structured code
Programming code that is designed to be easily readable and understandable, by taking advantage of parameter passing and function calls.
stub
A routine used in debugging or programming that returns a test value without performing any operations.
subdirectory
A directory contained within the current directory.
submenu
A menu that is attached to another menu item.
subroutine
A related section of programming code that is called from other sections of a program.
subscript
A character that appears slightly lower than other characters in a line of text.
subsystem ID
A value that represents a particular area of the system, used in identifying where an error occurred.
supercomputer
A large, fast, expensive computer that represents the latest technology available to computer sysems. Such systems are often used for scientific research and simulations.
superscript
A character that appears slightly higher than other characters in a line of text, such as "Й" or "В".
Super VGA
Graphics technology used on IBM clones that supports 16 or 256 colors in 800x600 resolution. Many Amiga graphics boards use SVGA graphics chips.
surface
A two dimensional area of an object.
surface color
The color assigned to an entire surface, shown when an object is rendered by a ray tracer or modeler. These values are often ignored when texture mapping at 0% transparancy is used.
surface mounted chip
A computer chip that is soldered to a motherboard and cannot be removed easily.
surge protector
A device that attempts to protect electrical devices from bursts of electricity in the electrical system.
SVGA
see Super VGA.
swap file
A file used to temporarily store data that would otherwise be stored in RAM.
swap out
The process of removing a section of memory from RAM and storing it in a temporary location, such as on a hard disk.
switch
A software or hardware toggle. Setting a switch specifies that the option is to be used, while removing a switch sets it to not be used.
Switcher
NewTek's video production control software, for use with the Toaster and peripherals.
synchronous
A data transfer technique that uses clock signals to determine when events are to occur.
syntax
The proper use of a language in programming or command usage.
sysop
A system operator.
system
A general term used to describe a computer or group of computers.
system operator
A person with complete control over a network and the users who have access to that network. A local sysop has control over a limited portion of a system.