Computer Dictionary of Information Technology

frame

1. <networking> A data link layer "packet" which contains the header and trailer information required by the physical medium. That is, network layer packets are encapsulated to become frames.

See also datagram, encapsulation, packet, Maximum Transmission Unit.

2. <programming> (language implementation) See activation record.

3. <hardware> One complete scan of the active area of a display screen. Each frame consists of a number N of horizontal scan lines, each of which, on a computer display, consists of a number M of pixels. N is the vertical resolution of the display and M is the horizontal resolution. The rate at which the displayed image is updated is the refresh rate in frames per second.