Enform Plus Reference Manual

Enform Plus Reference Manual—422684-001
Glossary-1
Glossary
aggregate. A cumulative operation on set(s) of numbers, producing a single value per set. See
also predefined aggregate.
and user aggregate.
by-item. The field name used to group and sort Enform Plus output; always associated with a
BY or BY DESC clause. A by-item is a special kind of target-item.
clause. Component of an Enform Plus statement.
command. A directive to the Enform Plus compiler.
compiler/report writer. The Enform Plus process that both compiles Enform Plus queries
and formats and writes Enform Plus reports.
compiled query file. The physical file containing a saved query that has been compiled by
the ?COMPILE command.
current output listing file. The file to which Enform Plus directs output; this file can change
during an Enform Plus session.
database. A set of related files defined in a dictionary.
Data Definition Language (DDL). The language used to describe the record and file
structure of a database.
dictionary. A database of file descriptions and record types created by the Data Definition
Language (DDL); also called a data dictionary.
default output file. The file to which Enform Plus directs output at the beginning of an
Enform Plus session. See also current output listing file.
default input file. The file from which the Enform Plus source code is entered when the IN
option of the Enform Plus command is omitted; usually the home terminal.
elementary field. The smallest named unit of a record.
field. Either an elementary field or group field.
field name. Name given to a field in a DDL RECORD statement.
field value. Value of a specific field within a specific stored record.
file. A collection of similarly structured records.
file name. The name of a physical file.
file type. Identifies the organization of the physical file, such as a key-sequenced, entry-
sequenced, or relative file.