Glossary of Terms

! A B C D E F G H I J K L M N M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z

The section headed "!" contains entries beginning with digits, punctuation marks, and other special characters. However, filename extensions, although shown with their preceding periods (for example, .int), appear under their initial letters.

!

16-bit environment

An operating system that uses 16-bit segmented addressing. Examples are DOS and Windows 3.x.

See also 32-bit environment.

24-bit addressing

On the mainframe, the use of 24 bits (or three bytes) to hold addresses of memory. 24 bits can address memory up to 16Mb. This limit is known as the line. Mainframe Express emulates both 24-bit addressing and 31-bit addressing by mapping mainframe-style above and below the line addresses to real 32-bit PC memory addresses.

31-bit addressing

On the mainframe, the use of 31 bits (or four bytes excluding bit 0) to hold addresses of memory. 31 bits can address memory up to 2Gb. Mainframe Express emulates both 24-bit addressing and 31-bit addressing by mapping mainframe-style above and below the line addresses to real 32-bit PC memory addresses.

32-bit environment

An operating system that uses 32-bit flat addressing. Examples are Windows 95 and Windows NT.

See also 16-bit environment.

3270

IBM family of display terminals, keyboards, and printers supported via SDLC or TN3270 protocol which includes extended 3270 data stream. CICS BMS screen mapping support was designed specifically for these devices.

3270

An IBM family of display terminals, keyboards, and printers supported via the SDLC or TN3270 protocol. CICS BMS screen mapping support was designed specifically for these devices.

3270 bridge

IBM's facility that enables data streams from 3270 terminals to be captured, and transmitted and received, using an alternative interface. The 3270 transaction assumes it is communicating with a real or emulated 3270 terminal.

The 3270 bridge enables you to run 3270-based CICS transactions without a 3270 terminal. Commands for the 3270 terminal are intercepted by CICS and replaced by a messaging mechanism that provides a bridge between the end user and the CICS transaction.

3270 bridge exit

The bridge exit is the interface between an existing 3270-based transaction (or set of transactions) and a client application. It is invoked by CICS whenever a terminal command is issued by the original 3270 transaction.

The 3270 bridge exit program used by all eBiz Transactions is called MER0BRIP. MER0BRIP is provided by Micro Focus as part of the product and must be installed on the mainframe when the Component Generator is installed.

3270 terminal emulator

Software that enables a PC to provide a 3270-type user interface to CICS Option. The terminal emulator detects the screen size of the device running it, and passes this to the terminal installation process.

.390 file

A file output by the Linkage Editor containing an executable Assembler module that can be called by a COBOL program.

A

abend

Abnormal termination of an MVS mainframe task with a system or user-specified termination code of 0C7 for a data exception or 0C5 for an addressing exception.

abstract class

In Micro Focus OO COBOL, a class which does not act as a creator of instance objects. Abstract classes implement behavior for their subclasses.

accelerator key

See keyboard shortcut.

access method

A technique for organizing and moving data between main storage and input/output devices.

action

A defined task that an application performs on an object. You request actions by selecting menu choices, pressing buttons or directly manipulating objects.

See also graphical object.

Active Server Pages

Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP) is a server-side scripting environment.

When a Web server receives a request for an ASP file, it processes any server-side scripts contained in the file and builds a Web page to send to the Web browser. As well as server-side scripts, ASP files can contain HTML and calls to COM components that perform a variety of tasks, such as connecting to a database or processing business logic.

Active Server Pages (ASP)

A mechanism in some Web servers, enabling Web pages to contain server-side scripts. Such a page, when requested by a browser, is executed by the Web server instead of simply being sent. The scripts should be written to generate valid HTML. The Web server then sends the page to the browser, with the scripts replaced by the generated HTML.

See ASP page.

The scripts can be written in any scripting language supported by the ASP engine in the Web server. The most popular is VBScript, which has a syntax resembling a simplified Visual Basic. Another is JScript. The version of JScript in Netscape Web servers is called JavaScript. (Despite a superficial similarity in syntax, JScript and JavaScript have no connection whatever with the Java programming language.)

Since Active Server Pages is the name of a facility, the term is singular.

ASP and JavaServer Pages (JSP)and can be regarded as equivalent facilities, with ASP being the "Microsoft-world" one and JSP the "Java-world" one.

active window

The window that can currently receive input from the keyboard, distinguished by an emphasized title bar and border.

See also current object.

ActiveX

Microsoft's name for an Internet version of a family of technologies that includes COM, DCOM and OLE.

ActiveX control

A custom control built on COM technology. Custom controls can encapsulate quite complex functionality. For example, you can purchase grid controls that enable you to embed spreadsheet types of functionality into your application.

ActiveX control

Small COM-based object that supports an OLE interface and runs within a Web page.

ActiveX layout form

A form, for display in a Web browser, which uses the Microsoft ActiveX layout control. You can place the controls anywhere on an ActiveX layout form, and your form will appear in a Web browser exactly as intended. This contrasts with a traditional HTML form, where the final appearance of your form is determined by the way a Web browser interprets HTML markup.

ActiveX layout forms can only be displayed by ActiveX-enabled Web browsers, such as Internet Explorer 4.0 or above.

Adis

The run-time support module that executes the code generated from the Enhanced ACCEPT/DISPLAY syntax available in this COBOL system.

See also Enhanced ACCEPT/DISPLAY.

addressing mode

A characteristic of a program that indicates whether it uses 24-bit addressing or 31-bit addressing.

alias
  1. An alternative name for a program. For example, IDCAMS can be defined as an alias for the MFJAMS utility so that mainframe jobstreams or CLISTs that use IDCAMS can be executed on Mainframe Express without change.
  2. In DB2, an alternative name for a table or a view.
allocate

In Mainframe Express, the function of defining a data set to the catalog. In TSO, the function of assigning a data set for use by a program.

alternate index

An index containing alternate keys.

alternate key

A key in a record that enables indexed access to the record and provides an alternative route to the record, in addition to the primary key.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

The code used for storing text in microcomputers. Each character is stored in one byte. There are two forms: standard and extended. In the standard form, seven bits are used, and 128 different characters are represented. In the extended form, all eight bits are used and 256 different characters are represented.

analysis option database

The database created by the Analysis Option in Mainframe Express to store its analysis of a project. The Analysis Option analyzes the application's sources - COBOL, CICS BMS screens, IMS MFS screens, and so on - to identify relationships and dependencies between items in the application. You can consult this database to help you understand the application. You can also link a Component Generator project to this database to help Component Generator create eBiz transactions for the application.

Animator

An alternative term for the COBOL and Assembler debuggers.

ANSI'74, ANSI'85

Abbreviations referring to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards covering the COBOL language. ANSI'74 is the American National Standard X3.23-1974, and ANSI'85 is the ANS X3.23-1985.

ANSI character set

The character set specified by the American National Standards Institute, and used by Microsoft Windows.

ANSI delimited format

A PC format for the exchange of data between databases.

API

See Application Programming Interface (API)

API

See Application Programming Interface

API function calls

Calls to public entry points within a program - such as the Windows operating system - made according to a documented call interface. The calls can be made from any compatible programming language, including this COBOL system.

APPC

IBM's Application Peer to Peer Communication implemented over both SNA and TCP/IP networks.

applet

A component that typically executes in a Web browser, but can execute in a variety of other applications or devices that support the applet programming model.

applet

A program, written in Java, that is downloaded from a Web server and executed by a Web browser.

application

A set of programs and subprograms which are invoked from a single command.

application container

A version of the run-time system modified to run in a special Enterprise Server mode.

application generation

Developing a COBOL application by painting its user interface forms and specifying rules describing how to process them, rather than coding the source directly in COBOL. Sometimes referred to as framework development.

See also traditional .

Application Programming Interface (API)

Application Programming Interface. A collection of callable functions that provide services to an application.

application server

An application server provides the type of services needed by all applications (such as security or transaction processing), enabling that code to be removed from the application itself.

Examples include IBM's WebSphere and BEA's WebLogic.

See also Web server .

application-managed service

A service in an enterprise server in which the COBOL application manages its own transactions: the application issues its own COMMITs, ROLLBACKS etc.

Application Output window

A window in the Mainframe Express IDE used to display the output from an executed program.

Application Programming Interface (API)

A set of documented function calls implemented within a program - such as an operating system - that can be called by other programs to enable them to use common services.

application region

An environment in which you run and/or test application programs.

application server
  1. An environment for deploying software components such as EJB components so they will be loaded and run in response to requests from clientapplications. Normally handles administrative matters such as security and scalability automatically, so programmers writing components can concentrate on writing just business logic.

    Component Services running COM objects, and an application server running EJB components, can be regarded as similar facilities, with Component Services being the "Microsoft-world" one and application servers the "Java-world" one.

  2. In Micro Focus usage only, the set of files supplied with Net Express that our customer is allowed to ship on to his/her customers. This usage was established in Micro Focus before the other meaning of the term became common.
archive directory

The directory where a source code control system stores your files and the changes that have been made to them.

ASCII

Abbreviation for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, the code used for storing text in microcomputers. Each character is stored in one byte. There are two forms: standard and extended. In the standard form, seven bits are used, and 128 different characters are represented. This COBOL system uses the extended form, in which all eight bits are used and 256 different characters are represented.

ASCII

See American Standard Code for Information Interchange

ASP

See Active Server Pages (ASP).

ASPX

Another name for ASP.NET, named for the standard extension .aspx used for ASP.NET pages.

ASP.NET

A version of Active Server Pages (ASP) designed for use with the .NET framework. ASP.NET server controls enable an HTML-like style of declarative programming that requires less code than classic ASP. ASP.NET pages work in all Web browsers - including Netscape, Opera, AOL, and Internet Explorer.

ASP page

A Web page with the extension .asp, which is recognized by the Web server as meaning it contains scripts for execution by the ASP engine in the Web server.

See Active Server Pages (ASP)

Assembler

A machine-level symbolic programming language that is used on IBM mainframes.

Assembler Compiler

A component of Assembler Option that reads an ANSI text file containing Assembler source code, macro statements and copy statements and produces a file containing non-executable object code plus an optional listing file.

Assembler Linker

See Linkage Editor.

Assembler Option

An option of Mainframe Express that provides facilities for coding, compiling, running and debugging modules and applications written in mainframe 390 Assembler.

Assembly

An assembly is one or more .exe or .dll files that make up a Visual Studio .NET-based application. Assemblies are created automatically when you compile Visual Studio .NET source files. Assemblies provide the common language runtime with the information it needs to be aware of type implementations.

Assembly Manifest

An assembly manifest is contained within every assembly. It can be thought of as being similar to a table of contents, and contains:

Assembly Reference List

A list of all external dependencies - .dlls or other files your application needs that may have been created by someone else.

attributes

The data encapsulated by an object. The only data which should be declared as part of an object's attributes is the data required to describe the object's state at any particular time. For example, the attributes of a circle are its radius and the coordinates of its center. The actual code for implementing circle objects might require other data items for calculations, but these would not be considered part of the attributes for that object.

Autofix

A feature of Mainframe Express and Net Express that automatically corrects typing errors.

autoinstall

The process by which a terminal definition is created dynamically for a terminal when a user signs on at the terminal. The terminal definition is created and installed by an Autoinstall Control Program, using a model definition in the Terminal table.

autoinstall control program (ACP)

The program that handles the creation, installation, and deletion of a terminal definition for autoinstalled terminals. A program is supplied with CICS Option to perform this function. However, you can specify your own ACP in the SIT.

automatic transaction initiation (ATI)

A facility associated with intrapartition transient data queues. When the number of records in such a queue reaches a specified trigger level, a transaction program associated with the queue is automatically initiated to process the contents of the queue.

B

B2B

See Business-to-Business (B2B).

backdrop

A bitmap image optionally displayed on the Mainframe Express and Net Express window.

backout

See rollback.

backup mode

A Data File Editor mode in which each data file is backed up when it is opened, so that it can be restored if necessary.

backward recovery

The process of restoring resources to a known previous state after CICS Option, or an individual transaction, has abended.

.bal file

An Assembler source file that only contains machine instructions, all macros and copybooks having been expanded.

banner

An image that can be displayed when Mainframe Express and Net Express start.

base

The root class of the OO COBOL Class Library. All other OO COBOL programs supplied with this system inherit their fundamental behavior from Base.

base file

The component of an ESDS file that contains the actual file data. You may associate one or more alternate indexes with the same base file.

base register

The IBM System/390 architecture includes 16 general purpose 32 bit registers which can all be specified as base registers for providing addressability to a 4K page of memory.

basename

The main part of a filename, that is, the name excluding the path, extension and separators such as "\" and ".".

Basic Sequential Access Method

An access method for sequential processing of fixed and variable length blocks on sequential access storage devices. Blocks in a BSAM data set or file are organized in the physical sequence in which they were written. A block may contain one or more records and the user program is responsible for any processing needed to access individual logical records within a block.

batch message processing (BMP) program

An IMS batch processing program that has access to on-line databases and message queues. BMPs run on-line, but like programs in a batch environment they are started with job control language (JCL) commands.

bean

The term bean or eBiz bean is used within this documentation to mean either a JavaBeans component or an Enterprise JavaBeans component. This generic term is only used where it is not necessary to distinguish between the two.

See also:

binary protocol

A Micro Focus protocol for passing information between a J2EE connector and a service.

Bind utility

An SQL Option utility that enables you to create static SQL packages in a remote DB2 location accessed using DRDA.

BINP

See binary protocol

bitmap

A fixed-size graphic such as those used for toolbar buttons, icons, or mouse pointers.

bitmap object

A Dialog System object used mainly for decoration, to draw attention to buttons or to place items such as logos in a window or dialog box.

block

The current thread stops execution until some condition is satisfied. This condition varies; for example, in the case of an event, the event is posted, in the case of a mutex, the mutex is acquired, in the case of a monitor, the request privilege on the monitor can be acquired.

block selection

The selection of columns or lines of text.

blocked format

A mainframe record format that allows several records to be moved as a group between an external storage device and processor storage. This can improve data access times. It is not supported in a PC environment, but is accepted as a valid format definition by Mainframe Express.

BMP program

See batch message processing program.

BMS macro file

A file containing a collection of macros that define a collection of BMS maps, known as a mapset.

BMS map

A representation of a 3270 terminal screen. The map defines how the screen fields are to be displayed. It defines the position and size of each field on the screen, together with its visible attributes, such as bold or flashing.

BMS screen painter

A tool in CICS Option. You use the painter to design BMS maps and mapsets on your screen. The painter also generates COBOL copybooks for a mapset and assembles mapsets for use by CICS Option.

See also paint.

bookmark

A user-defined index entry in an on-line help file. You set a bookmark at any point in any topic and give it a name. This is then stored, in alphabetic order, in a list of bookmarks. Bookmarks are retained between executions of the On-line Help Builder. Accessing a defined bookmark from an alphabetically ordered list immediately displays the topic it is attached to. It is useful to attach bookmarks to frequently accessed topics. However, they can also be used as a temporary means of marking your place while you go off and browse other topics.

border

A visual indication of the boundaries of an object such as a window or a push button.

See also sizable border.

bound

The limits of a table or array. The BOUND directive determines if compiled code will allow bounds to be exceeded.

BPC

See Build Process Controller

breakpoint

A point in a program where execution will pause when you are animating it; you set breakpoints in the debugger.

bridge

See 3270 Bridge

browse

In WebSphere MQ, to use the MQGET call to copy a message without removing it from the queue.

browse chain

A sequence of topics that the author of an on-line help file has chained together. The chain can be browsed forward and backward by the user. Use this facility to connect together topics of a similar subject. If no browse chains are defined, the whole on-line help file becomes a browse chain, with each topic chained to the physically preceding and following topics.

browser

A thread that can both read and write data. During a read operation, a browser needs to allow other threads to read the data. If the browser writes data, other threads must be disallowed access to the data.

Or

A program used to view material prepared for the World Wide Web. Browsers are able to interpret URL's and HTML markup, and also understand several Internet protocols.

browser

See Web browser

buddy window

An edit field that is associated with an up/down control and is used to display the current value set in the control. The buddy window receives messages directly from the up/down control.

build

The process of converting source code to executable code. Typically, building an application might involve preprocessing header files, syntax checking and compiling the source code, and linking the resulting object code to produce a system executable file.

Build Process Controller (BPC)

The Build Process Controller is a non-GUI batch executable which is invoked from the Component Generator IDE in order to generate one or more eBiz Transactions. Parameters passed to the BPC include the Target and Dependency (TaD) file and a supplied build script (a PVCS Configuration Builder makefile containing the generalized rules and processes for generating eBiz Transactions).

build settings

Settings that apply to a type of file or the currently selected file, and that control the way the file will be built or compiled.

business processes

Another term for business rules.

business rules

The specific business logic carried out by an application, as opposed to standard tasks such as I/O and handling the user interface.

Business-to-Business (B2B)

Remote communication between applications running on different companies' computers, where one company is a customer or partner of the other. Often suggested as an area where Web Services might be useful.

button

A control you can use to start an action or select behavior. Examples are check boxes, pushbuttons, radio buttons and spin buttons.

See also control and pushbutton.

button bar

A set of pushbuttons labeled with text representing application commands.

See also pushbutton.

C

C++

An object oriented programming language.

C++

An object-oriented programming language.

C sharp

(pronounced C-sharp) An object-oriented programming language for Windows applications. It is designed specifically for use with the .NET framework. Intended as an alternative to the main previous languages, C++ and Visual Basic, it gives access to many facilities previously available only in C++, while being in some ways as easy to learn as Visual Basic.

cache

A temporary storage area. The SourceConnect function uses a user-defined directory on the PC as a local cache to store mainframe data sets while they are being processed by a PC application.

call prototype

A definition of the syntax of a CALL statement using placeholders instead of real parameters. Call prototypes are used in header and copyfiles to enable the Compiler to check that CALL statements in your code conform to the specified syntax, and to raise an error message if they do not.

Call/Perform stack

A viewable list of the CALLs and PERFORMs active during an execution of a program.

Callable File Handler

The Callable File Handler is a module in the COBOL system that processes index, sequential and relative files. As a defined API is available to this module, it is called the Callable File Handler as it can be called directly from any program (not only those written in COBOL).

CallBack

An object of class CallBack stores a reference to an object and the name of a method implemented by that object. When the CallBack object is sent the "invoke" message, it executes the named method in the object it has stored.

calling program

The COBOL program that calls Dialog System using the screenset as the user interface.

Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)

A (.css) file imposes formatting on an HTML document. CSS style sheets can also be used with XML documents.

cascading style-sheet

An addition to the HTML standard which enables presentation information to be separated from structure in an HTML document. Styles can be attached to HTML elements, through a STYLE attribute on an individual element, a <STYLE>...</STYLE> block which names element types in the head of an HTML document, or through separate .css files. Styles can also be defined as classes in a .css file or <STYLE>...</STYLE> block, and attached to elements through the CLASS attribute.

Stylesheets cascade through a system of precedence, whereby styles in .css files have the lowest precedence, and those declared in a STYLE attribute have the highest.

catalog

In Mainframe Express, the data structure that is used to store information about mainframe data sets that are accessed from the PC. It should not be confused with the MVS catalog which also stores data set information, but for mainframe use only. In Mainframe Express, the MVS catalog is emulated (in order to support the CATLG disposition) by means of the Catalog field in the Mainframe Express catalog entries. A value of Yes indicates that the data set is cataloged in the MVS catalog.

Catalog View

A view in the Mainframe Express IDE that shows the properties of all data sets that have been cataloged to Mainframe Express.

.cbl file

A file containing COBOL source code.

Cbllink

A simplified linking utility with a command-line interface. You can use Cbllink to compile and link in one step.

Cblnames

A linking utility that you must run before you use the Linker. Cblnames extracts all public symbols from a list of .obj files passed to it and creates another file (cbllds.obj) which must then be linked with your .obj files.

CCI

Either Common Communications Interface, a Micro Focus technology or Common Client Interface, a Sun technology for J2EE.

CCITCP2

The CCITCP2 process is a registration program which is needed in order to make CCITCP connections. The process runs in background mode. Only a single CCITCP2 process needs to be active on a network in order for CCITCP to work.

CCITT/ITU

A shorthand way of describing a standard maintained by the defunct Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et Téléphonique and its successor the International Telecommunication Union.

channel

See Message channel

character graphics

When creating a topic in an on-line help file, pictures can be created from the standard characters available. These are called character graphics. In order to maintain the vertical alignment of these graphics the lines are blocked together using the :cgraphic and :ecgraphic tags. The access and display programs ensure that the vertical alignment is maintained when a character graphic block is displayed, by specifying a monospaced font for those lines.

character set

A system of one-byte codes that is used to represent information stored in a computer. In general, ASCII is used in a PC environment and EBCDIC in a mainframe environment.

CharacterArray

An instance of the class CharacterArray. A CharacterArray is an object which contains a string of any length. CharacterArrays are a convenient way of passing strings as parameters when sending messages or making CALLs.

See also messages.

check box

A square box with associated text that represents a choice. When selected, it is marked with a checkmark. You deselect it by repeating the action that selected it, for example, by clicking on it again. Check boxes are used for a set of choices that are not mutually exclusive.

check in

To create a new, modified version of a file you have previously checked out in a source code control system.

See also get and check out.

check in

A PVCS Version Manager operation that adds a new revision of a source fie to the source code control system.

check out

To obtain a modifiable copy of a file under source code control. The source code control system marks the file as locked to other users, so that only one person can update it at a time.

See also get and check in.

check out

A PVCS Version Manager operation that retrieves either a specific revision or the latest revision of a source file from the source code control system. Once a file has been checked out by one user, it cannot be checked out by any other user - thus preventing simultaneous editing of a single source file.

check phase

The first phase of compilation, which checks the syntax of your COBOL source program and produces intermediate code.

See also intermediate code.

Checker

The two phases of compilation are sometimes treated as if they were two separate compilers. The first phase of compilation is thus sometimes called the Checker.

See also check phase.

checkmark

A character () used to indicate that a checkmark choice is turned on. Absence of the checkmark means the option is off.

See also toggle and checkmark choice.

checkmark choice

A choice in a menu which has two states, on and off. Clicking on the option turns the checkmark on or off, toggling between the two states.

checkpoint

A point at which IMS automatically records its internal status (system control information with a unique checkpoint ID) and writes it to the restart data set (RDS). This information allows IMS to reconstruct its condition if later recovery is necessary. A system checkpoint is taken automatically by IMS at selected intervals.

child

A run unit created by another run unit.

child segment

A segment that is dependent on another segment above it in an hierarchical database.

child window

A window whose parent is another window, not the desktop. In Microsoft Windows, child windows are restricted in their properties and attributes. In Dialog System, child windows are called secondary windows.

choice

Graphics or text that a user can select to modify or manipulate an object. Choices appear on menus (also called menu items) and buttons.

chord

Pressing both mouse buttons simultaneously.

CICS

See Customer Information Control System

CICS

See Customer Information Control System

CICS adapter

An interface between WebSphere MQ for OS/390 and the CICS address space. An adapter is an attachment facility that enables applications to access WebSphere MQ services.

CICS console

A background process that runs when you start a multi-tasking CICS region. It is responsible for coordinating access to the global console file, and for spawning new transaction server processes for all regions.

CICS Option

An option of Mainframe Express that enables you to develop and maintain programs that use IBM's CICS online transaction processing software.

CICS region

You can have multiple CICS regions running concurrently on the same system. Each is entirely independent of the others.

CICS System Definition (CSD)

A mainframe file that contains CICS resource definitions.

CICS Task Initiator (CKTI)

A component of the WebSphere MQ CICS adapter. A CICS transaction that starts another CICS transaction when a WebSphere MQ trigger event occurs, for example when a message is put onto a specific queue.

See also:

CICS Transaction Gateway

Middlware from IBM that uses ECI to provide the functionality to pass a call request from a component on the middle tier to the appropriate CICS region on the mainframe or on Mainframe Express. You can use CICS Transaction Gateway as an alternative to WebSphere MQ.

CICS View

A view in the Mainframe Express IDE that lets you define CICS resources and manipulate CICS resource groups and the startup list.

CKSG

A component of the WebSphere MQ CICS adapter. A CICS transaction that acts as a WebSphere MQ message channel agent (MCA).

See also Message channel agent .

CKTI

See CICS Task Initiator

class

An OO COBOL source element which contains the code and data descriptions for a class object (or factory, in ISO 2002 teminology) and its instance objects. It is also known as the class source element. A class consists of nested COBOL source elements, which correspond to class object (factory) and instance object methods. Each class starts with an identifier naming the class and the class from which it inherits. When a class is loaded at run time, the OO run-time system creates the class object (factory).

Class-Control paragraph

In Micro Focus OO COBOL, lists all the classes the program is going to use. The Class-Control paragraph is part of the Object Section, in the Environment Division. Each entry links a class name to the filename of the class executable file. The class-names are the object references which the program uses for sending messages to the class object at run time.

The equivalent in ISO 2002 OO COBOL is the Repository paragraph.

If the program itself is an OO COBOL class, the Class-Control paragraph also lists its superclass, and the class itself.

See also: class, class object, object reference, Repository paragraph, and superclass.

class object

In Micro Focus OO COBOL, an object which is a template for the creation of instance objects of the same type. For example, the the OrderedCollection class object creates instances of OrderedCollection. The class object itself does not have the same behavior and methods as the instance objects which it creates.

By analogy, a biscuit cutter is a template for creating biscuits; however, you can't eat a biscuit cutter and you can't stamp a biscuit from another biscuit. In Micro Focus OO COBOL, all the methods and data for a class object and the instance objects which it creates are represented by a class program.

The class object is created at run time when a class is loaded.

The equivalent in ISO 2002 OO COBOL is the factory.

See also class, factory.

class library

The set of classes supplied with OO COBOL. The root class of the Class Library, Base, implements basic behavior for all classes, and provides a superclass for your own classes. There are also classes to implement collections, exception handlers, CallBacks, and GUI interfaces.

class program

See class.

CLASSPATH

An environment variable, used by the Java system, to locate compiled .class files.

CLASSPATH

An environment variable, used by the Java system, to locate compiled .class files

CLDC

See Connected Limited Device Configuration

click

To press and release a mouse button (from the noise that this action makes).

click

A single click of your main (left-hand) mouse button. In this documentation, if you are to double-click or right-click, the instructions say so.

click and drag

To press and hold a mouse button and move the mouse pointer in the desired direction and then release the button.

client

The user of a service. In the context of Web Services, it is usually an application that invokes a Web service

client area

The part of a window that constitutes the available workspace for an application.

client window

A secondary window opened by an application.

client-server

The technology that allows a user facility, known as a client, to request services from a shared facility, known as a server. For example, a server could be used to store data that is used by many clients.

clipboard

A storage area used to hold data (text or graphics) temporarily during cut and paste operations.

See cut and paste.

clipping

How a secondary window is displayed in Dialog System. A window is clipped if any part of it that would overlap the boundary of the parent window is not displayed. A window is not clipped if it overlaps the boundary of the parent window. Secondary windows may have different properties depending on whether they are clipped or not.

See secondary window (clipped) and secondary window (non-clipped).

CLIST

A list of TSO commands that can be run as a procedure.

cloning

The process of copying a project and its source files to a different directory (using a different name if required) whilst keeping all the dependencies and build settings intact. Useful for creating a working version of an existing project whilst keeping the original intact.

CLR

See Common Language Runtime

COBDIR

An environment variable that contains a list of the paths of the COBOL system directories. Each path is separated from the next by a semicolon (;).

COBOL data description

Generate... on the Dialog System File menu creates a COPY-file from the Data Block. ds-cntrl.ans and ds-cntrl.mf are COPY-files representing the Dialog System Control Block. dssysinf.cpy represents the Dialog System Event Block.

COBOL dialect

One of a number of implementations of COBOL for use in particular environments.

COBOL system directories

A set of directories which are automatically searched by the COBOL run-time system to locate programs. They are identified by the COBDIR environment variable. The files of the COBOL system should be kept in the COBOL system directories.

code page

A definition of the relationship between the 256 code points and their equivalent character interpretations.

code point

One of the 256 values that can be held in one byte and its equivalent character interpretation.

collection

A type of object used for storing a group of elements. Collections are analogous to tables in COBOL, but unlike a table, a collection is not necessarily fixed to an initial size, but can grow as more elements are added. The elements in a collection are usually objects, although you can also store certain types of string and numeric data. The Micro Focus OO COBOL Class Library provides many different types of collection, which organize data in different ways.

column function

An operation used in database queries that applies to the values from several rows. DB2 Column functions include SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX, COUNT, STDDEV, and VARIANCE.

column selection

A type of block selection in which the action of dragging the mouse over text selects columns of text.

COM

See Component Object Model (COM).

COM

See Component Object Model

COM+

See Component Services.

COM Automation server

A COM object that has been registered with the Windows operating system and can be accessed by a client program.

See also Component Object Model (COM) and COM object

COM component

See COM object.

COM container

A COM enabled application that acts as a COM client to enable the embedding of documents created with COM Automation servers.

See also Component Object Model (COM)

COM object

An object created using the COM framework that enables access to a legacy program from a client program. When registered with the Windows operating system, a COM object is called a COM Automation server.

See also Component Object Model (COM) and COM Automation server.

combination box

Also known as combo box or selection list box.

See selection list box.

COMMAREA

In CICS an area of storage used for communication between two programs or between two transactions using the same terminal. This storage is allocated on program request in the shared memory area used by CICS Option, and may be up to 32767 bytes long.

COMMAREA

In CICS, an area of storage used for communication between two programs or between two transactions using the same terminal.

commit

The action of applying the results of a logical unit-of-work to a database. In CICS Option and IMS Option terms, this is a syncpoint.

Common Client Interface (CCI)

The Common Client Interface (CCI) is defined by Sun. It is an application programming interface (API) for J2EE resource adapters (also known loosely as connectors) that connect to Enterprise Information Servers (EISs), such as Enterprise Server for Windows.

Common Communications Interface (CCI)

The Common Communications Interface (CCI) is an application programming interface (API) which enables application designers to build platform and protocol independent communications into their applications.

Common Gateway Interface (CGI)

A standard for external gateway programs to interface with information servers such as HTTP servers. CGI programs are usually run when an end user enters some information into an HTML or ActiveX layout form displayed on a Web browser, and clicks a Submit button. The CGI program receives the information from the form, and sends back a result for display on the Web browser.

CGI and CGI program are terms often used to describe any kind of server-side program which runs on a Web server. Net Express tools create CGI programs, which you can convert to other Web server APIs (ISAPI or NSAPI) by recompiling and rebuilding.

Common Language Runtime

The Microsoft .NET Common Language Runtime is responsible for run-time code management, undertaking such tasks as memory and thread management, and security enforcement. Programs that are written to make use of the CLR are known as managed code. Programs that do not make use of the CLR are known as unmanaged code.

Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)

An architecture for integrating heterogeneous applications by defining standards for distributed objects.

Common Programming Interface for Communications (CPI-C)

A high level language for communications, part of IBM's Systems Application Architecture. It supports SNA LU 6.2 which is commonly referred to as APPC.

common work area (CWA)

A part of the shared memory area used by CICS Option.

communications server

A server that accepts client requests arriving at multiple IP addresses and sends responses to them. Handles a variety of communications protocols.

Communications Vector Table

A shared MVS table of commonly used information accessible from any Assembler program using its address which is always stored at hexadecimal location h'10' in the PSA.

communications protocol

A standard that defines how computers are to communicate with each other.

Compiler

The component that checks the syntax of your COBOL source program, and converts it to native code.

Compiler phases

The Compiler operates in two phases. The first phase is called the check phase; during this phase, the compiler checks the syntax, and creates intermediate code from your source code. The second phase is the generate phase; during this phase, the Compiler generates object code or generated code as required.

component
  1. A piece of software that performs some self-contained function and is written such that, when deployed under a suitable environment, it is automatically loaded and executed in response to requests from client applications. The environment would normally handle administrative matters such as security and scalability automatically, so programmers writing components can concentrate on writing just business logic.

    See also Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB), Component Object Model (COM), application server, Component Services (COM+) , and .NET.

  2. An object which can send and receive signals. Any object can be made into a component by sending it the "makeComponent" message. Components operate in a way analogous to microchips; they define a set of inputs and outputs. A component can send output signals regardless of whether or not there is another component receiving those signals, without causing a run-time error.

    See also object, signal.

  3. A part of a key in an indexed file on a PC.
Component Object Model (COM)

A mechanism in Windows whereby an application can be registered with the operating system, thereby enabling other applications to call it. The application is given a numeric key, which is stored in the registry together with the application's location. A client calls the application by calling the key.

See also COM Automation server, COM object., Distributed COM (DCOM), Component Services, and .NET

Component Object Model (COM)

Microsoft's architecture for creating objects with standard binary interfaces for the desktop.

Component Services (COM+)

A Microsoft product available for Windows that provides a transaction processing system for developing, deploying, and managing Internet, and intranet server applications. Component Services define an application programming model for developing, deploying, and managing distributed applications.

Component Services running COM+, and an application server running EJB components can be regarded as similar facilities, with Component Services being the "Microsoft-world" one and application servers the "Java-world" one.

See also Distributed COM.

compressed source code

Source code that is displayed so that only the lines marked in the prefix area are visible.

compression routine

A routine that you call from your program to carry out data compression or key compression on a file. Micro Focus supplies a compression routine and you can provide your own compression routines.

See also Micro Focus compression routine and user-supplied compression routine.

concatenated data set

A group of two or more data sets that are processed as single data set. It is defined in a jobstream with consecutive DD statements, with a DD name only on the first statement.

concatenated search path

A search path containing several levels of library, folder and subfolder.

concatenation operator

An operator that links two string operands to form a string expression. DB2 uses the symbol ( || ) as a synonym for CONCAT, the concatenation operator.

conditional record layout

A record layout that is applied to a record only if a particular field meets a defined condition.

configuration block

An area of memory containing configuration information such as environment variables and run-time tunables that the COBOL application running as a service in an enterprise server needs to allow it to run successfully.

Connected Limited Device Configuration

The Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) outlines the most basic set of libraries and the virtual machine features that must be present in each implementation of a J2ME environment on highly constrained devices. The CLDC is targeted at devices with limited power (often battery operated) and connectivity to some kind of network, usually with limited bandwidth.

connector

A standard extension mechanism for containers to provide connectivity to enterprise information systems. A connector is specific to an enterprise information system and consists of a resource adapter and application development tools for enterprise information system connectivity. The resource adapter is plugged in to a container through its support for system-level contracts defined in the connector architecture.

connector architecture

An architecture for integration of J2EE products with enterprise information systems. There are two parts to this architecture: a resource adapter provided by an enterprise information system vendor and the J2EE product that allows this resource adapter to plug in. This architecture defines a set of contracts that a resource adapter has to support in order to plug in to a J2EE product, for example, transactions, security, and resource management.

container

An entity that provides life cycle management, security, deployment, and runtime services to components. Each type of container (EJB, Web, JSP, servlet, applet, and application client) also provides component specific services.

container-managed service

A service in which the application container manages transactions on behalf of the COBOL application: the application container connects to resources (files and databases) and issues COMMITs, ROLLBACKS on behalf of the application.

containment model

In XML, the containment model for an XML document describes whether elements can appear nested within other tags, and sometimes in what order the elements should appear

context menu

See popup menu.

context number

Every topic in an on-line help file has a unique context number that is used to reference that topic. The context number is used as an index into a look-up table held in the file which defines the address of each topic in the file.

You can choose the context number and define it using a .define tag. The numbers are purely arbitrary and do not reflect the structure of the file. The sequence of the topics in the source files is the only structure recognized.

More than one context number can point to the same topic.

control

An object that enables you to select choices or type information. Examples are entry fields, list boxes, and buttons such as check boxes, pushbuttons, radio buttons and spin buttons.

See also button.For Dialog System, see control object.

Control Block

Controls the running of a COBOL program. In Dialog System, you can display the contents of the Control Block in the Screenset Animator.

control dialog

See object dialog.

control group

A set of physically identified controls,which makes each member of the group react to user actions in relation to other controls in that group. Some controls need to be grouped to operate correctly, for example, radio buttons need to be grouped so that selection of one deselects all the others.

control object

A Dialog System object that can be added to a window object.

Control Section

The part of a program specified as a relocatable unit, all elements of which are to be loaded into adjoining storage locations for execution.

control template

An example implementation of a user interface control, which is supported using functions external to Dialog System.

controlled extension

A file extension that is defined as part of the configuration for Mainframe Access.

conversational processing

An optional facility allowing a user's application program to accumulate information acquired through multiple interchanges with a terminal, even though the program terminates between interchanges.

cookie

A token consisting of a name and value, passed to a Web browser by a server-side program.Cookies are used by server-side programs to maintain application state. For example, you could store a user id in a cookie, and use it to access an indexed file containing information about the selections a user had made in an online shopping application.

copybook

A file containing text which the compiler inserts into the main body of a program when a COPY statement is processed.

copybook

In COBOL, a file containing text which the compiler inserts into the main body of a program when a COPY statement is processed.

copyfile
  1. A file containing text, which the compiler inserts into the main body of a program when it processes a COPY statement in that program.
  2. The data block and other required information for a screenset generated by Dialog System.
CORBA

See Common Object Request Broker Architecture

core dump debugging

Debugging that takes place on a core dump produced when an application fails.

coru

A set of run units consisting of a parent run unit and all the run units created from it.

CPI-C

See Common Programming Interface for Communications.

CPI-C side file

A file used in CPI-C products to hold configuration information.

.cpy file

A file containing a copybook.

critical section

An area of code in a multi-threading program that accesses shared data. Critical sections can be protected by various synchronization primitives.

cross-reference list

A special sort of fixed-lines topic in an on-line help file where each line contains a cross-reference to another topic. Such a topic is defined using the .list tag. It must not contain any formatting tags. When displayed, a full width cursor appears. This can be used to select a line to which you want to refer.

The first word on the line is used as the cross-reference name unless it is defined as a hotspot, in which case the hotspot cross-reference is used.

CSD

See CICS System Definition

CSECT

See Control Section.

CSS

See cascading style-sheet.

CSS

See Cascading Style Sheet

current directory

The directory that the operating system, when looking for a file, will search first if no path is specified.

current folder

The folder that the operating system, when looking for a file, will search first if no path is specified.

current object

The selected object that can be worked with. Distinguished by an emphasized border or size handles around it . You can change the current object by clicking on another object. Any action initiated is applied to the current object.

current record pointer

The current record pointer (CRP) is used to determine which record will be returned by a sequential read operation. The CRP is set by OPEN, READ and START.

current statement

When debugging, the statement currently being executed or, if none is currently being executed, the statement to be executed next.

cursor

A graphical image that shows you where text will appear on the screen when you press keys, or where you can make a selection.

custom tool

A development tool that has been created in-house or by a supplier other than Micro Focus.

Customer Information Control System (CICS)

IBM's online transaction processing system.

Customer Information Control System (CICS)

IBM's online transaction processing system.

cut

An editing operation to delete text from a file and move it to the clipboard, before pasting it back in a different location.

See also paste.

CVT

See Communications Vector Table.

D

DA

See Direct Access.

data access object

A data access object is created using the Data Access Wizard (launched by clicking Project > New Data Access from within the Project View). You can create a data access object to access a VSAM file, an IMS database or a DB2 database.

Once created, a data access object is used to generate a middle-tier component (an EJB, JavaBean or COM component that is called by a client application) and a mainframe component. The mainframe component is a CICS transaction that is deployed on the mainframe and performs the data access at runtime.

Data Access Transaction

A Data Access Transaction is generated from a data access object. It comprises a middle-tier component (an EJB, JavaBean or COM component) and a mainframe component (a CICS transaction). The CICS transaction must be deployed on the mainframe where it performs a simple, single-record data access at runtime. You can create Data Access Transactions for VSAM files, IMS databases and DB2 databases.

Data Access Wizard

The Data Access Wizard (launched by clicking Project > New Data Access from the Project View) enables you to create a data access object for accessing a VSAM file, an IMS database or a DB2 database.

Data Block

The data definitions required by COBOL, as generated by Dialog System. Passed to Dialog System at run time.

data compression

Specified via the DATACOMPRESS directive in a $SET statement, data compression enables you to save disk space by compressing the data in a sequential or indexed file.

Data Control Block

A control block used to define a file for a QSAM or BSAM data set. It contains the DDNAME that is used in JCL jobstreams and TSO sessions to link a file defined in a program to a physical file.

data contention

A situation in which a user is trying to access data which is locked by another user.

Data Definition Language

A sequence of SQL statements used to define objects in a DB2 database.

Data Definition Language (DDL)

A sequence of SQL statements used to define objects in a DB2 database. The DDL is needed by the Data Access Wizard when creating a data access object that accesses a DB2 database.

Data File Converter

A Mainframe Express and Net Express data tool that allows you to convert files between different formats.

Data File Editor

A data tool that allows you to edit data files.

Data Language Interface

The programming interface to IMS services, similar to an API.

data library

A library that holds data files required by your application that have not been allocated through the system catalog.

Data Manipulation Language

A sequence of SQL statements used to manipulate data in a DB2 database.

data set name (DSNAME or DSN)

44 character name assigned to a file in MVS. The data set name is stored in the MVS catalog along with information required to locate the file on a specific device.

data set organization

A method of arranging and accessing the records in a data set, for example, Direct Access.

Data Tools

A set of tools supplied with Mainframe Express and Net Express for working with data files.

database definition (DBD)

A definition of a database. Each database that is accessed by a program needs to be defined by performing a DBDGEN.

Database Definition (DBD)

A definition of a database. The DBD is needed by the Data Access Wizard when creating a data access object that accesses an IMS database.

database location

See location.

database query

See query.

database record

In IMS Option, the root segment and all of its physical children.

database table

A named collection of data that is conceptually organized in rows and columns.

DataConnect

A Micro Focus facility that allows applications running in Mainframe Express to access data sets and databases on the mainframe.

DateWarp

A Micro Focus facility that enables you to change the current data for an application before or while you are debugging it.

DAU

See Direct Access Unmovable.

DB

IMS database.

DB2

IBM's version of SQL with extensions implemented on both mainframe and PC platforms.

DB2

An IBM database management system. DB2 manages relational databases that can be accessed using SQL.

DB2 External Compiler Module (ECM)

A component of Host Compatibility Option that converts all EXEC SQL statements to database API CALL statements and also allows programs that expect data to be in EBCDIC to store and access data in an ANSI database.

DB2 Link

A feature of SQL Option for DB2 that enables you to access data in DB2 databases held on a mainframe.

DBCS

See Double Byte Character Set.

.dbm file

File that contains database data for import or export in DBMAUI format.

.dbr file

File created by the SQL precompiler that contains a separate database request module for each embedded SQL statement in a program.

DBD

See Database Definition

DBD Map

Creates a hierarchical map of a single DBD.

DBDGEN

Is performed when a .DBD source file is compiled.

DBMAUI

An IBM utility that enables data to be imported into and exported from DB2 databases. DBMAUI format is similar to ANSI delimited.

DBUTIL

A general purpose utility for issuing DL/I calls dynamically, printing databases, and database management.

DC

IMS Data Communications.

DCB

See Data Control Block.

DCLGEN

A Host Compatibility Option utility that enables you to create copybooks containing the host variables needed by your Embedded SQL statements.

DCOM

SeeDistributed COM (DCOM).

DCOM

See Distributed Component Object Model

DD
  1. Data Definition statement in JCL.
  2. Seedeployment descriptor.
DDL

See Data Definition Language.

DDL

See Data Definition Language