Sun Global Glossary

“z-axis” to “zone”

z-axis

(n.) The axis in 3-D graphics that represents depth. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-y plane. When the z-axis is added to the x-axis (width information) and the y-axis (height information), it forms a virtual 3-D space.

z-buffer

(n.) The depth buffer in 3-D graphics. The z-buffer memory locations, like those in the frame buffer, correspond to the pixels on the screen. The z-buffer, however, contains information that is related only to the z-axis (or depth axis)—useful in hidden-surface removal algorithms.

z clipping

(n.) The clipping of a 3-D object in the depth dimension in 3-D graphics.

zero-order interpolation

(n.) See nearest-neighbor interpretation.

zombie

(n.) A process that has terminated but remains in the process table because its parent process has not sent the proper exit code. When a user reboots a system, zombie processes are removed from the process table. Zombie processes consume no system resources.

zone

(n.) The administrative boundary within a network domain, often composed of one or more subdomains.