Glossary

This publication includes definitions developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This material is reproduced from the American National Dictionary for Information Processing, copyright 1977 by the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, copies of which may be purchased from the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.

The following terms are defined as they are used in this manual. If you do not find the term you are looking for, refer to the Index or to the IBM® Dictionary of Computing.

ANSI definitions are preceded by an asterisk.

A
across format: A File Manager dump format that has the same appearance as a system dump. To get this format for your listings, use the SET DUMP=ACROSS processing option.
action bar: The area at the top of a window that contains choices that give a user access to choices available in that window.
ASCII: * American National Standard Code for Information Interchange. The standard code, using a coded character set consisting of 7-bit coded characters (8-bits including parity check), that is used for information interchange among data processing systems, data communication systems, and associated equipment. The ASCII set consists of control characters and graphic characters.
B
block: * A collection of contiguous records recorded as a unit. Blocks are separated by interblock gaps and each block may contain one or more logical records.
A block is a physical record but it may be composed of several contiguous logical records or parts of logical records.
blocking: The process of combining two or more logical records in one block.
BLP: Bypass label processing.
bounds: In editor functions, the default column range within which commands operate. In editor functions, the bounds can be changed using the BOUNDS command.
buffer: A portion of storage used to hold input or output data temporarily.
C
cards: Lines in a batch job.
cartridge: A storage device that consists of magnetic tape, on supply and takeup reels, in a protective housing.
catalog: * A directory of files and libraries, with reference to their locations. A catalog may contain other information such as the types of devices in which the files are stored, passwords, and blocking factors. * To enter information about a file or library into a catalog.
character fill: * To insert as often as necessary into a storage medium the representation of a specified character that does not itself convey data but may delete unwanted data.
CKD: Count key data, a disk architecture.
collection: See object collection.
column range: In editor functions, the left and right columns that control which data is processed by edit commands. Some editor commands allow you to specify a column range to override the bounds.
console: See operator console.
control interval: A fixed-length area of direct access storage in which VSAM stores records and creates distributed free space. Also, in a key-sequenced data set or file, the set of records pointed to by an entry in the sequence-set index record. The control interval is the unit of information that VSAM transmits to or from direct access storage. A control interval always comprises an integral number of physical records.
copybook: In general, a copybook is a file containing a sequence of code that is included in a source program at compile time. In File Manager, the term “copybook” refers specifically to a file containing descriptions of record structures.
cylinder: The tracks of a disk storage device that can be accessed without repositioning the access mechanism.
D
data definition (DD) statement: A job control statement describing a data set associated with a specific job step.
data definition name (ddname): The name of a data definition (DD) statement that corresponds to a data control block that contains the same name.
data-in-virtual data set: A data set that is considered a continuous stream of uninterrupted data.
DBCS: Double-byte character set.
deblocking: The process of making each logical record of a block available for processing. Contrast with blocking.
D
EBCDIC: * Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code. A coded character set consisting of 8-bit coded characters.
end of file (EOF): An internal label or special record immediately following the last record of a file, signaling the end of that file. It may include control totals for comparison with counts accumulated during processing.
end of volume (EOV): An internal label, or 2 consecutive tape marks, that follows and indicates the end of a set of data contained in a volume.
excluded record: In edit functions, a record that has been excluded from display using the EXCLUDE primary command or the X prefix command.
extended help: Help text that applies to an entire function or panel. Contrast with field help.
extent: Continuous space on a disk that is occupied by or reserved for a particular data set, data space, or file.
F
field help: Help text that applies to a specific entry field, parameter, or term. Contrast with extended help.
field mapping: The relationship between fields in the “from” data set and fields in the “to” data set. Field mapping defines which fields in the “from” data set are copied to which fields in the “to” data set. The field mapping is defined using the Template Workbench.
field list: When data is displayed in TABL or SNGL display format, specifies which fields an editor command is to operate on.
file, tape: See tape file.
fill: See character fill.
full-screen mode: A type of File Manager session, in which you can use full-screen panels to select functions, specify parameters, view data, and update data.
H
header label: An internal label, immediately preceding the first record of a file, that identifies the file and contains data used in file control.
I
interactive (processing): Pertaining to an application in which each entry calls for a response from a system or program, as in an inquiry system or an airline reservation system. An interactive system may also be conversational, implying a continuous dialog between the user and the system.
K
KSDS: Key-sequenced data set.
L
label: A record that identifies a volume on tape or disk or that identifies a file on the volume.
label, header: See header label.
label, record: See record label.
line command: In full-screen mode, a command that you can enter on any list panel by typing the command over the beginning of a list entry.
linear data set: A named linear string of data, stored in such a way that it can be retrieved or updated in 4096-byte units.
list panel: In full-screen mode, a panel that displays a list of entries such as data sets, members, or objects, and that enables you to perform functions on one or more of the entries.
logical record: A record from the standpoint of its content, function, and use rather than its physical attributes, that is, a record defined in terms of the information it contains. In VSAM, a unit of information normally pertaining to a single subject; a logical record is the user record requested of or given to the data management function.
M
multiple record types: Records in a single file that are of different lengths or contain different types of data.
N
not-selected record: A record that has not been selected for processing by the function because it does not meet the record identification criteria or the record selection criteria.
object: In OAM, data consisting of a contiguous stream of bytes of arbitrary length, up to a maximum of 15 megabytes. The contents and internal structure of an object are defined by the application using it. Objects are increasingly used in image processing and other advanced application areas.
object collection: A collection of user-defined objects.
operator console: A functional unit containing devices that are used for communications between a computer operator and a computer.
O
OAM: Object Access Method.
P
parameter string: Two or more parameters separated by commas or blanks.
PDS: Partitioned data set.
physical record: A record whose characteristics depend on the manner or form in which it is stored, retrieved, or moved. A physical record may contain all or part of one or more logical records.
prefix commands: In full-screen mode, commands you enter in the prefix area of the panel. Prefix commands are used by File Manager edit functions.
primary command: In full-screen mode, commands you enter on the Command line. File Manager provides common primary commands that are available across a range of functions, and function-specific primary commands, such as editor commands.
Q
QSAM: Queued Sequential Access Method, an access method for sequential data sets.
R
record identification criteria: Criteria that are used to identify different record types in a file. The two types of record identification criteria are implicit and explicit. The default (implicit) record identification criteria are the minimum and maximum lengths of records of a given record type. Explicit record identification criteria are criteria you specify using the Template Workbench.
record label: In edit functions, an alphabetic character string used to name a particular record for easy reference.
record label range: In edit functions, a pair of record labels specified in an edit command to define the records on which the command is to operate.
record selection criteria: Criteria that are used for selecting records for processing by a function, and specified using the Template Workbench.
record size: The number of characters or bytes in a record.
record type: The set of records in a single file that are the same length or contain the same type of data.
RRDS: Relative record data set.
S
SAF: System Authorization Facility, a system facility for security.
service provider: File Manager Service Provider for IBM® z/OS® Connect Enterprise Edition, which enables client applications to access IBM® Z data sources using z/OS® Connect.
shadow line: In editor functions, a line that indicates the position of records that have been excluded from display. A shadow line can represent excluded records, not-selected records, or suppressed records.
shift-out/shift-in: Characters that mark the beginning and end of double-byte character set data. The shift-out character is X'0E', and the shift-in character is X'0F'.
SMS: Storage Management Subsystem.
standard label: A fixed-format record that identifies a tape that is part of a multivolume tape file.
suppressed record: In editor functions, a record that has been selected for processing by the function, but is of a different record type to the currently displayed record type.
T
tape file: One or more data blocks between tape marks.
tape mark: An indicator record that marks the beginning or the end of a set of data such as a file.
tape unit: A device containing a magnetic tape drive, magnetic heads, and associated controls.
tape volume: A reel of magnetic tape.
template: A set of information, created using the Template Workbench, that describes the format of records in a file, how different record types are identified, what records and fields are to be selected for processing, how fields are to be presented when displayed or printed, how records are to be mapped when copied from one file to another, and how fields are to be initialized.
Template Workbench: A series of File Manager panels. With the Template Workbench you can specify the name of a copybook that describes your data, and you can create and edit a template that specifies which records and fields within your data set you want to process.
U
unit, tape: See tape unit.
updown format: A File Manager dump format with hexadecimal representation of data in 3 lines: character, zone, and number. To get this format for your listings, use the SET DUMP=UPDOWN processing option.
utility program: A computer program in general support of computer processes; for example, a diagnostic program, a trace program, a sort program.
V
volume: Tape volume: A reel of magnetic tape. Disk volume: A disk pack or part of a disk storage module.
volume serial number (volser): A number in a volume label assigned when a volume is prepared for use in the system.
volume table of contents (VTOC): A table on a direct access volume that describes each file on the volume.
VSAM: Virtual Storage Access Method.
W
WLP: WebSphere Liberty Profile.