Partition


(v) To divide memory or mass storage into isolated sections. In DOS systems, you can partition a disk, and each partition will behave like a separate disk drive. Partitioning is particularly useful if you run more than one operating system. For example, you might reserve one partition for Windows and another for UNIX.

In addition, partitioning on DOS and Windows machines can improve disk efficiency. This is because the FAT system used by these operating systems automatically assigns cluster size based on the disk size: the larger the disk, the larger the cluster. Unfortunately, large clusters can result in a wasted disk space, called slack space. There is an entire sector of the software industry devoted to building utilitiesthat let you partition your hard disk.

On Apple Macintosh computers, there are two types of partitioning: hard and soft. Hard partitioning is the same as DOS partitioning — the disk is physically divided into different sections. Soft partitioning, on the other hand, does not physically affect the disk at all, but it fools the Finder into believing that the disk is partitioned. The advantage of this is that you can partition the disk without affecting the dataon it. With hard partitioning, it is usually necessary to reformat the entire disk.

(n) A section of main memory or mass storage that has been reserved for a particular application.

Read Also:

  • pass along

    In marketing terms it refers to a piece of marketing material, such as an e-mail newsletter, that goes beyond the original recipient. A pass along is “passed along” to a second person by the recipient.

  • Passive Component

    In electrical, computer or storage systems, passive components are those that do not require electrical power to operate (e.g., not capable of power gain). This could include the chassis, capacitors, resistors or enclosures that do not require electrical power to operate but would exclude system components such as the power supply, fans, storage device, transistors, […]

  • passive impostor acceptance

    (n.) In a biometric security system, when an impostor intentionally submits his own biometric sample and claims the identity of another enrollee (either intentionally or unintentionally) with the purpose of gaining access to a system. Passive impostor acceptance implies that the impostor successfully gains entrance into the system using the verified identity. Compare with active […]

  • passive-matrix display

    A common type of flat-panel display consisting of a grid of horizontal and vertical wires. At the intersection of each grid is an LCD element which constitutes a single pixel, either letting light through or blocking it. A higher quality and more expensive type of display, called an active-matrix display, uses a transistor to control […]

  • passive reconnaissance

    (pas´iv ri-kon´&-zents) (n.) The process of collecting information about an intended target of a malicious hack without the target knowing what is occurring. Typical passive reconnaissance can include physical observation of an enterprise’s building, sorting through discarded computer equipment in an attempt to find equipment that contains data or discarded paper with usernames and passwords, […]


Disclaimer: Partition definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.