kanji. A graphic character set consisting of symbols used in Japanese ideographic alphabets.
katakana. A character set of symbols, used primarily to write foreign words phonetically, contained in one of the two common Japanese phonetic alphabets.
K-byte. See kilobyte.
kernel. (1.) The part of an operating system that contains programs for such tasks as input/output, management and control of hardware, and the scheduling of user tasks. (2.) The part of the Base Operating System containing functions needed frequently.
kernel device driver. See device head.
kernel dump. Synonym for system dump.
kernel mode. The state in which a process runs kernel code. Contrast with user mode.
kernel parameters. Variables that specify how the kernel allocates certain system resources. Synonymous with system parameters.
kerning. The placement of characters such that their bounding boxes (character boxes) overlap. This allows for a more natural-looking spacing between characters.
key. (1.) One or more characters used to identify a record and establish the record's order within an indexed file. (2.) A unique identifier (of type key_t) that names the particular interprocess communications member. (3.) Identifies the name of the shared library text image. (4.) An identifier within a set of data elements. (5.) A character string that matches a definition in a key table.
key click. See keyboard click.
key grabbing. In Enhanced X-Windows, keys on the keyboard can be passively grabbed by a client. Or the keyboard can be actively grabbed by the client when a key is pressed. See also grab, button grabbing, pointer grabbing, active grab and passive grab.
key pad. A physical grouping of keys on a keyboard such as the numeric key pad and the cursor key pad.
key range. The two key fields signifying a range of records to be processed sequentially. The range of records is selected by specifying key values that bound the records to be selected, or by specifying an individual key value for which all matching records should be selected in a non-unique index.
keyboard. An input device consisting of various keys that allows the user to input data, control cursor and pointer locations, and to control the dialog with the workstation.
keyboard click (key click). Transient pulses or surges on a transmission line set up by the opening or closing of keying circuit contacts.
keyboard grabbing. In Enhanced X-Windows, a client can actively grab control of the keyboard and key events will be sent to that client rather than the client to which the events would normally have been sent.
keyboard mapping. A list, usually in a profile, that establishes a correspondence between each key on the keyboard and the character displayed on a display screen, or action taken by a program, when that key is pressed. See also mapping.
keyboard send-receive. See keyboard send-receive mode.
keyboard send-receive (KSR) mode. A mode in which a graphics display emulates a standard ASCII terminal during both input and output functions.
keyboard traversal. An X widget resource that allows users to move the keyboard focus and activate user interface components using a key sequence rather than a mouse.
keylock feature. (1.) A security feature in which a lock and key can be used to restrict the use of the display station. (2.) A program that restricts use of the keyboard.
keysym. An encoding of a symbol on a keycap on a keyboard.
keyword. (1.) A predefined word in a programming language. A reserved word. (2.) In programming languages, a lexical unit that characterizes some language construct. A keyword normally has the form of an identifier. (3.) A name or symbol that identifies a parameter. (4.) Part of a command operand that consists of a specific character string.
kg. See kilogram.
kill. An operating system command that stops a process.
kill character. Character that deletes a line of characters entered after a prompt.
kilobyte (K-byte). 1024 bytes in decimal notation when referring to memory capacity; in all other cases, it is defined as 1000.
kilogram (kg). One thousand grams; 2.2046 pounds.
kprocs. A kernel parameter that establishes the maximum number of processes the kernel can run simultaneously.
KSR. See keyboard send-receive mode.
KTS. Key Telephone System. A private telephone system requiring manual selection of outside lines.
kVA. Kilovolt-ampere, or 1000volt-amperes.