COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs

Glossary
HP COBOL Manual for TNS and TNS/R Programs—522555-006
Glossary-2
alternate record key
alternate record key. A data item, other than the prime record key, whose value identifies a
record in a structured file.
API. See application program interface (API).
application program interface (API). A set of services (such as programming language
functions or procedures) that are called by an application program to communicate with
other software components. For example, an application program in the form of a client
might use an API to communicate with a server program.
archive file. A file that contains a collection of files. An archive file is built by using the ar
facility. For information about the ar facility, see the nld Manual.
arithmetic expression. One of:
•
An identifier of a numeric elementary item
•
A numeric literal
•
Two or more such identifiers or literals separated by arithmetic operators
•
Two arithmetic expressions separated by arithmetic operator
•
An arithmetic expression enclosed in parentheses
arithmetic operation. The process caused by the execution of an arithmetic statement, or
the evaluation of an arithmetic expression, that results in a mathematically correct
solution to the arguments presented.
arithmetic operator. One of:
arithmetic statement. A statement that causes an arithmetic operation to be executed. The
arithmetic statements are the ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, and COMPUTE
statements.
assumed decimal point. A logical decimal point position that does not occupy a character
position in a data item or have any physical representation. Compare to actual decimal
point.
Operator Meaning
+ Addition
– Subtraction
* Multiplication
/ Division
** Exponentiation