Digital Equipment DEC 3000 Series Service Information page 417

PALcode
Privileged Architecture Library code, written to support Alpha
AXP processors. PALcode implements architecturally defined
behavior.
parameter
A variable given a specific value that is passed to a program
before execution. The system console code uses many such
parameters.
parity
A method for checking the accuracy of data by calculating the
sum of the number of ones in a piece of binary data. Even
parity requires the correct sum to be an even number, odd parity
requires the correct sum to be an odd number.
password
A unique string of characters or numbers, or both that identifies
you to the computer.
password security feature
The feature that restricts access to certain console commands. To
use all console commands, users must enter a password.
pedestal
A system enclosure suitable in size and operating characteristics
for an office environment.
peripheral device
An internal or external device that provides the central processing
unit (CPU) with additional memory storage or communication
capability. Examples are disk and diskette drives, video
terminals, printers, and expansion boxes.
PEX-based application
An application that runs on Software PEX (software PEX server).
Software PEX allows a three-dimensional (3D) application to run
without specialized 3D hardware.
PHIGS (Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System)
application
An application that uses the PHIGS graphics system and
language to create two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional
(3D) images on the screen.
pipeline
a CPU design technique whereby multiple instructions are
simultaneously overlapped in execution.
Glossary–17