VMS Users Guide
APPENDIX C:
Glossary
The following terms and acronyms are used in this manual and throughout the OpenVMS systems.
- access control list (ACL): File protection method that enables specified users on a system to share a file.
- anonymous FTP: Method for retrieving information from remote sites where you use FTP to access the host and then log in with the username "anonymous" and your e-mail address as the password.
- backup: Routine copying of files to tape so that in the event of file system failure, files and directories can be restored a stable state.
- batch mode: Program(s) that run without user interaction and that can be scheduled to run at any convenient time.
- border: In a windowing system (such as Motif), the line around an application window that can be used to resize the window.
- broadcast: Message sent to all users logged in on a given system; often advising of imminent shutdown.
- bug: An error in a program that causes incorrect results or prevents correct execution.
- button: In a windowing system (such as Motif), an area of the screen that invokes a command by positioning the cursor over the button and clicking the mouse button.
- control operations: Keystrokes that control execution of your process or the flow of characters between your terminal and the system host.
- DCL: Digital Command Language. The system-level language used in the VMS environment.
- debug: Process of finding errors in a program.
- DECTPU: DEC text processing utility. Standard editor on OpenVMS systems.
- default: Characteristics or parameters used by the system or a command whenever an overriding value is not provided.
- directory: A logical grouping of files within the hierarchical file system.
- distribution list: File containing e-mail addresses that can be used for sending messages to multiple users with a single command.
- executable: Binary program that can be loaded and executed. Sometimes referred to as executable image.
- extension: The portion of a file name occurring after the root name, preceded by a period. Usually the extension identifies the type of file.
- EVE: Extensible Versatile Editor. Interface for DECTPU.
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Question list.
- file: A data structure consisting of characters or binary data, stored on the system.
- file system: The collection of files available to the system, the organization of these files, their attributes, and the physical devices on which they reside.
- FITS: Flexible Image Transport System. Generic format used in the astronomical community for storing image data.
- FORTRAN: FORmula TRANslation. Programming language.
- frame: In a windowing system (such as Motif), the border around a window, consisting of a title bar, window menu button, minimize button, and maximize button.
- FTP: File Transfer Protocol. Method for moving files between computers over the Internet or a LAN.
- gateway: Computer connected to two or more networks through which messages and other data can pass between networks.
- generic queue: Logical that points to a physical queue on a local cluster, but that can sometimes be used for converting data types.
- GIF: Generic Interchange Format. Image data format developed by CompuServe for transporting images.
- Gopher: Information discovery tool developed at University of Minnesota.
- graphics: Visual display, usually referring to line drawings on a standard terminal or workstation window.
- group: One or more users sharing the same group UIC (code). Users in a group can share files by setting protections appropriately.
- Guide Star Catalog: Sometimes referred to as GSC. A sky survey containing positions of over 20 million objects.
- HotSeat: STSDAS user support service.
- HST: Hubble Space Telescope.
- icon: In a windowing system (such as Motif), a small graphic representation of a program or file, usually activated by double clicking the left mouse button.
- input focus: In a windowing system (such as Motif), the property of a window whereby it can accept input from the keyboard. Only one window at a time can have input focus.
- interactive: Permitting communication between a user and an active program. Some programs are said to work in interactive mode where they operate in real time and expect feedback in response to queries.
- Internet: System of linking networks throughout the world into a large wide-area network, enabling data transfer across heterogeneous systems.
- IRAF: Image Reduction and Analysis Facility.
- journal: File that maintains a list of commands or keystrokes. Used to recover from unexpected system failures.
- Kermit: File transfer protocol and supporting software developed at Columbia University for connecting heterogeneous systems over modems or a network. Often implemented as a protocol option in popular communications software packages.
- keypad: Group of keys on computer keyboard, physically separate from the standard alphanumeric keys. Keypads usually group number keys together or provide command function keys.
- LAN: Local Area Network.
- logical: Variable containing the name (and location) of a resource or file.
- LSE: Language Sensitive Editor. Provides structural components for programmers or TeX users creating source code files.
- MACRO: Assembly language for VMS systems.
- matte: In a windowing system (such as Motif), an optional decorative border between the window frame and the work area.
- maximize button: In a windowing system (such as Motif), a button at the top of the window that expands the window to fill the workspace.
- menu: Graphical command interface that displays available commands and their options.
- menu bar: In a windowing system (such as Motif), a list of available menus (usually arranged horizontally below the title bar) from which commands can be invoked.
- minimize button: In a windowing system (such as Motif), a button at the top of the window that shrinks the window in the workspace.
- Mosaic: Graphical WWW client that supports browsing of mixed media through the Internet using hypertext navigation methods.
- Motif: Graphical user interface incorporating a complete windowing environment with interaction based on mouse actions. Based on X.
- news: Bulletin board message system for posting information or discussion of general interest.
- object file: Compiled program that can be linked with other programs.
- orphan: Corruption of a logical structure, such as a directory, so that data entities are no longer accessible through the structure.
- parameter: A value passed to a command. An argument.
- parse: To distinguish between different components of a string or command line.
- path: The list of directories through which the system must navigate to find a file.
- PC: Personal computer.
- physical queue: Logical name that points to a specific piece of hardware (physical device).
- PostScript: Hardware and software independent page description language that supports integration of text, graphics, and special effects.
- privileges: Operations or access rights allowed to a user or program.
- procedure: A list of DCL commands, stored in a file, that can be run as a program.
- process: A program executing on a host computer. The operational environment for the running program.
- process identification number (PID): Unique hexadecimal number that identifies a process (running program) to the system.
- program: File containing coded instructions to the system.
- prompt: A string displayed the system to indicate that it is waiting for user input. This is usually a dollar sign ($) in VMS but can be changed.
- protection: File access controls that prevent unauthorized users from using a file or directory.
- qualifier: A command option used to modify the action of the command. Sometimes referred to as a switch or flag.
- quota: Limit on a resource, such as maximum disk space allocated to a user.
- scratch disk: Disk used to hold files temporarily.
- server queue: Logical queue on one or more clusters that points to a physical or generic queue on another cluster or node.
- source file: File containing valid instructions for a given programming language.
- spreadsheet: Program that works with data in a row-column tabular format.
- StarView: Program for locating and retrieving HST data from the archive.
- STEIS: Space Telescope Electronic Information Service. System from which information, documentation, reference files and other resources pertaining to HST can be obtained using anonymous FTP, gopher, or WWW clients.
- STSDAS: Space Telescope Data Analysis System. An IRAF external package tailored to analyzing data from the Hubble Space Telescope.
- symbol: Word or command that refers to a complete command name or procedure name.
- TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A set of common language semantics (protocol) and services used to exchange information across heterogeneous systems on a large network.
- TIFF: Tagged Image File Format. Method of storing images, usually from a scanner. Supported by xv.
- title bar: In a windowing system (such as Motif), the area at the top of a window that shows the name of the running application and any window management buttons.
- uniform resource locator (URL): A device-independent addressing scheme for uniquely identifying a resource on the World Wide Web.
- user identification code (UIC): An identifier that uniquely identifies a specific system user; the code consists of a group identifier and a member identifier.
- version: The last part of a file name, used to differentiate among copies of the same file.
- VMS: Operating system used by VAX and Alpha computers.
- WAIS: Wide Area Information Server. Method of locating information over a network using indexes to files.
- wildcard: Character that is used to substitute for any random character when used in specifying file names or path names
- windows: Graphical user interface in which the screen area is divided into work areas called windows and command interaction takes place mostly through interaction between the mouse and screen objects, such as menus and buttons.
- WWW: World Wide Web. Hypertext-oriented method of storing and retrieving information over the Internet using client software such as NCSA Mosaic.
- Xyplex: Terminal server used at STScI.
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