shell
(1) The outermost layer of a program. Shell is another term for user interface. Operating systems and applications sometimes provide an alternative shell to make interaction with the program easier. For example, if the application is usually command driven, the shell might be a menu-driven system that translates the user’s selections into the appropriate commands.
(2) Sometimes called command shell, a shell is the command processor interface. The command processor is the program that executes operating system commands. The shell, therefore, is the part of the command processor that accepts commands. After verifying that the commands are valid, the shell sends them to another part of the command processor to be executed.
UNIX systems offer a choice between several different shells, the most popular being the Cshell, the Bourne shell, and the Korn shell. Each offers a somewhat different command language.
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- shell enhancement
(n.) An enhancement made to a shell, or user interface, that affects the user’s experience with an application or operating system’s GUI. Shell enhancements often add functionality to the keyboard and mouse and menus, such as add-on toolbars and file managers, or can change the appearance of the interface to make elements like the desktop […]
- shift clicking
Clicking click a mouse button while holding the Shift key down. In Microsoft Windows and Macintosh systems, shift clicking enables you to select multiple items. Normally, when you select an item, the system deselects the previously selected item. However, if you shift click an item, the previously selected item(s) remain selected.
- shock rating
A numerical value given to computer equipment to indicate its durability when physically dropped or subjected to another force. Shock rating is typically described as the acceleration of gravity (G) over a given time, typically a millisecond (msec). For example, a shock rating of 100-200 Gs/1 msec, equivalent to a drop of less than a […]
- shopping cart
A shopping cart is a piece of software that acts as an online store’s catalog and ordering process. Typically, a shopping cart is the interface between a company’s Web site and its deeper infrastructure, allowing consumers to select merchandise; review what they have selected; make necessary modifications or additions; and purchase the merchandise. Shopping carts […]
- Short Message Service
Abbreviated as SMS, the transmission of short text messages to and from a mobile phone, fax machine and/or IP address. Messages must be no longer than 160 alpha-numeric characters and contain no images or graphics. Once a message is sent, it is received by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which must then get it […]