V

variable

A container for information in a script. You can place data in a variable and then use it elsewhere in the script.

vector image

A form of computer artwork comprised of lines and shapes, each defined by its start and end points. Unlike raster images, vector art can be resized to any dimension with no loss of quality, since it is not comprised of a finite amount of dots, but rather geometric lines and shapes.

verbose mode

Displays all system activity in text format during the boot process. Useful for troubleshooting.

video mirroring

The duplication of one screen image on two displays connected to a computer.

virtual memory

Additional memory made available by Mac OS X treating part of a hard drive as if it were built-in memory.

virus

Software designed to spread itself by illicitly attaching copies of itself to legitimate software. Some viruses perform malicious actions, such as erasing your hard drive. Even seemingly innocuous viruses can interfere with the normal functioning of your computer. Compare to Trojan horse and worm.

volume

A disk or a part of a disk that the computer treats as a separate storage device. Each volume can have an icon on the Desktop. See partition.