P

.PAL :The filename extension for a custom palette file produced by the Image Editor.

parameter:A data item expected by a routine or information expected in the command line for a utility. Also called a formal parameter. See also “argument.”

parameter-accepting option:A source-code instruction that causes the compiler to take a certain action based on the parameter supplied.

path:A specification of the location of a file or a directory. A path consists of one or more directory names and may include a drive (or device) specification. For example, C:\PROJECT\PROJLIBS is the path to a subdirectory called PROJLIBS in a directory called PROJECT that is located on the C: drive. In certain circumstances, a path specification must include a trailing backslash; for example, specify C:\PROJECT\PROJLIBS\ to tell LINK the location of the PROJLIBS directory containing additional libraries.

physical segment:A segment listed in the executable file's segment table. Each physical segment has a distinct segment address, whereas logical segments may share a segment address. A physical segment usually contains one logical segment, but it can contain more.

pointer:A variable containing the address of another variable, function, or constant.

pop-up menu:A menu that appears when you click the menu title with the mouse or press the ALT key and the first letter of the menu at the same time.

pragma:An instruction to the C compiler to perform an action at compile time.

precedence:The relative position of an operator in the hierarchy that determines the order in which expressions are evaluated.

preprocessor:A text processor that manipulates the contents of a C source file during the first phase of compilation.

preprocessor directive:See “directive.”

procedure:A collection of declarations and statements that perform a certain task.

procedure call:The statement that begins the process of executing the statements that a procedure contains. For example, a statement in a procedure may call the Writeln procedure to execute.

procedure declaration:The code that defines a procedure, consisting of a header and a body. The procedure header specifies the procedure's name and its formal parameters; the body contains the statements performed when the procedure is called.

protected mode (in Windows):Either of two modes in Windows 3.0: standard mode or 386 enhanced mode. See also “standard mode” and “386 enhanced mode.”

prototype:See “function prototype.”