Glossary

Application Programming Interface (API)

A layer of software that provides an interface between the internal workings of the computer and your program. Use of API protects your programs from future changes to hardware.

Authority

Permission to access an object or to perform a certain function. System security is based on granting and revoking authorities. See also private authority, public authority, and special authority.

Backup

Process of saving files and other important objects from the computer's DASD units to other media, usually tapes and diskettes.

Batch Job

Type of job that runs "in the background" without user intervention. Batch jobs are usually started with the Submit Job (SBMJOB) command.

Central Processing Unit

Main component of a computer system, which houses the "brain" of the machine. Also known as CPU.

CL

See Control Language.

Command

Order you give the system to perform a particular task. Commands have unique names and can be typed and executed from a display station or included in CL programs for sequential processing. See also menu.

Command Prompter

Flexible prompt display automatically created for all commands, which allows the user to enter parameter values without having to memorize the command syntax.

Commitment Control

Technique used to guarantee that separate but related database changes take place all together or not at all. This technique guarantees consistent databases.

Common Gateway Interface

(CGI) A technique that allows remote browser clients to execute programs on a server. These programs typically create dynamic HTML pages to send back to the client.

Computer Room

In a building, the area reserved for the computer CPU and supporting devices, such as the system console, system printer, tape drives, etc.

Console

See system console.

Control Language

Programming language available on all AS/400s used primarily for controlling the system and performing system-related tasks. Usually known as CL. CL programs consist of commands.

Controlling Subsystem

When someone signs on to the system console, that interactive job runs in the controlling subsystem. Only the controlling subsystem is active during restricted states ("dedicated mode"). The controlling subsystem is named in system value QCTLSBSD.

CPU

See central processing unit.

Data Description Specifications

Also called DDS. Programming language used to describe files.

DDS

See Data Description Specifications.

Dedicated Mode

See restricted state.

Device Description

Object (type *DEVD) which describes a physical or virtual device that is attached to the system. Display stations and printers, for example.

ECS

See electronic customer support.

Electronic Customer Support

Also called ECS. Facility included in OS/400 that lets the system operator or administrator contact IBM (or another service provider) through the AS/400. This facility simplifies the reporting of problems and the ordering of PTFs.

Firewall

A protective barrier between your internal computers and the Internet. Usually a combination of hardware and software that controls who has access to your computer.

Green Screen

Character based interactive terminal interface. Also sometimes referred to as a 5250 interface (based on the early 5250 model terminal)

GUI

Graphical User Interface, such as windows based applications.

Hacker

An unauthorized user who attempts to use your computers.

Help

OS/400 facility that displays information (either generic or context-sensitive information) about any topic related to the AS/400 computer. Also the key that starts the help facility (usually called the Help key). Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) – Standard coding scheme used for delivering web pages to a remote client browser application such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Language used in documents presented on the World Wide Web. Used to define the presentation of the document as well as how it is linked to other documents.

Initial Program Load

Also called IPL Process of starting the computer, usually by powering it up and starting the operating system.

Integrated File Server (IFS)

The entire collection of file systems supported by the i5; integrated DB2/UDB, windows, UNIX, QDLS, etc…

Interactive Job

Type of job that runs "in the foreground," always communicating with a user through a display station. Interactive jobs are started by signing on to a display station.

Internet

Worldwide network of interconnected computers and software that allows these computers to communicate.

Internet Service Provider

An organization that provides access to the Internet. Provides temporary Internet addresses for your computers.

Intranet

A companywide internal network of interconnected computers.

IPL

See initial program load.

iSeries Access

A product from IBM providing sophisticated tools for connecting a client to an i5 server.

iSeries Navigator

A component of iSeries Access from IBM that provides a GUI client interface for system administration

Java

An object oriented language frequently used in web related applications

Job

Unit of work that takes place in a subsystem. See also batch job and interactive job.

Job Description

Object (type *JOBD) which provides the initial settings (or attributes) for a job to be started.

Job Log

Record of events that have taken place during a job. The job log can be displayed anytime during the existence of the job and can be printed at the end of the job.

Job Queue

An object (type *JOBQ) associated with a subsystem, through which your work is processed. You put a job on the job queue and the system reads the job queue to determine which job to work on next.

Journaling

Technique that keeps track of system events, particularly database file changes, in order to facilitate recovery.

Library

Object (type *LIB) which is used as a container for all other object types.

Library List

List of library names used to locate objects in the system without referencing any library name where they may reside.

Logical File

Type of file that never contains any data. A logical file can only contain pointers to records in a physical file, in order to describe a different access path.

Macro

A set of keystrokes or commands recorded for easy playback.

Maintenance Agreement

Contract between you and a company that pledges to repair your system's hardware. Maintenance agreements also can include provisions for PTFs, software upgrades, and preventive maintenance.

Menu

Object (type *MENU) that presents a panel listing several options, which the user can select by typing a number and pressing Enter. Menus simplify computer usage. See also command.

Message

A form of communication between two users, a user and a program running on the system, or two programs.

Message Queue

Object (type *MSGQ) where messages accumulate until they are dealt with and erased.

Network

The infrastructure that allows multiple computers to communicate with each other.

Object

A specific named entity stored on a computer.

Operational Assistant

Facility provided by OS/400 that simplifies the operation and administration of the AS/400 system. Usually abbreviated OA.

Output Queue

Object (type *OUTQ) where spooled reports accumulate, waiting for their turn to be printed.

Password

Private, secret code the user types after the user profile name when signing on to positively identify himself or herself.

PDM

See Program Development Manager.

Physical File

Type of file that can actually contain data for permanent storage. Contrast with logical file.

Printer Writer

System-generated program that transmits spool files from an output queue to a printer device, where it is ultimately printed.

Private Authority

Authority given specifically and directly to a particular user. Contrast with public authority.

Program

Object (type *PGM) that actually performs some kind of work. Programs are first coded in a source member, using a particular language (such as CL or RPG), and then compiled to create the *PGM object.

Program Development Manager

Also called PDM. Licensed utility designed by IBM to provide an easy interface between the programmer and the system.

Program Temporary Fix

Also called PTF. Patch to be applied to your software to remove a problem.

PTF

See Program Temporary Fix.

Public Authority

Authority enjoyed by a user when the user has not been given any private authority to an object. Contrast with private authority.

QHST

See ystem log.

Qshell

An emulation environment for AIX on the i5. Not to be confused with true AIX running in its own partition on the i5.

QSYSOPR

IBM-supplied user profile for the system operator. Also the name of a message queue where the system logs many problems.

Query

A search of a database, also used to described the definition of a search that has been saved as a permanent object. Also used to refer to the Query/400 product that allows i5 users to develop their own queries.

Recovery

Process of retrieving lost information from backup media, or to become operational after a system disaster or failure.

Report Program Generator

Also called RPG. High-level language used for many types of business data processing applications. RPG is the de facto programming language on the AS/400.

Restricted State

State in which the system only runs the controlling subsystem and allows no jobs to run except the interactive job from the system console. Also known as dedicated mode.

RPG

See Report Program Generator.

Screen Design Aid

Also called SDA. Licensed utility designed by IBM to facilitate the creation of display files and menus.

SDA

See Screen Design Aid.

SEU

See Source Entry Utility.

Source Entry Utility

Also called SEU. Licensed utility designed by IBM to serve as the main source code editor.

Special Authority

Authority to perform certain system-related tasks, such as backing up the system and controlling security.

Spool File

Report to be printed, which has been generated by a program and placed into an output queue.

SQL

Short for Structured English Query Language, also referred to as SEQUEL, an industry standard language for accessing and maintaining databases.

Start-Up Program

Unique program in the entire system that is automatically executed during IPL. You can specify which program to run during IPL by naming it in system value QSTRUPPGM.

Subsystem

Complex entity where work takes place in the form of jobs.

System Console

Unique display station, locally attached to the system, with which the system communicates exclusively during attended IPLs. The system console's name is in system value QCONSOLE.

System Log

Record of events that happen throughout the system. Also known as QHST.

System Operator

Person who is in charge of overseeing the use and functioning of the system, and is responsible for keeping it up and running. The system operator is usually the person who schedules power up and power down and performs system troubleshooting.

System Value

System configuration item that can only be displayed or changed, but never deleted.

System/36 Environment

Facility of OS/400 that allows you to operate and program the AS/400 as if it were a System/36, with a minimum of discrepancies. Usually abbreviated S/36E.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The communication protocol (set of rules) used by all computers on the Internet.

Troubleshooting

The process of finding the cause of and solution to a problem.

Uninterrupted Power Supply

Piece of hardware that provides emergency electrical power for the computer in case of blackouts. It usually regulates the incoming utility power to remove surges, spikes, and other irregularities. Also known as UPS.

UNIX

An popular operating system developed at Bell Labs around 1970.

Upgrade

Move your software or hardware forward after improvements have been made by the manufacturer. For software, this implies new releases of the software with new features or fixed problems. For hardware, it usually implies newer models or higher capacity.

UPS

See uninterrupted power supply.

User Profile

Object (type *USRPRF) that describes a computer user and serves to identify the user. The user profile name is what the user types at the sign-on display in order to sign on.

Web Browser

The software used to interpret HTML documents and display them to the user.

Work Management

All of the system processes and rules involved in controlling the behavior of jobs in the system.

WWW

World Wide Web. A worldwide conglomeration of interconnected computers that all use the same protocol for creating and accessing documents.