Introduction to Data Management

Glossary
Glossary-6 15873 Tandem Computers Incorporated
GUARDIAN 90 operating system. The set of software that oversees system and application
program execution on all Tandem NonStop computer systems.
Host language. In NonStop SQL, any programming language whose statements can be
combined with SQL statements in the same source program.
Index. In NonStop SQL, an alternate access path to a table that differs from the
inherent access path (or primary key) defined for the table at creation. Also, the file
where the index is stored.
INSPECT. A symbolic program debugging tool that PATHWAY application
programmers can use to interactively examine and modify running screen programs
and server programs.
Interprocess communication message. A unit of communication between requesters and
servers.
ISO. The International Standards Organization.
Key-sequenced file. A file in which each new record is stored in sequence by primary
key value, and whose primary key is either a user-defined value corresponding to a
field or a system-defined value; records in this kind of file can be updated or deleted.
Key-sequenced table. A table stored as a key-sequenced file. Variable-length columns
can be shortened or lengthened.
Load balancing. The act of spreading the processing workload across several CPUs in
such a way as to achieve the most efficient use of each CPU.
Local database. A database whose files are all located on a single disk volume. See also
Locally distributed database.
Local network. Two or more computers, at the same site, that are connected to permit
communication with one another. Such a network essentially forms a single system
with greatly enhanced computing power.
Locally distributed database. A database whose files occupy more than one disk volume,
either in a single computer system or in multiple systems in a local network.
Lock. A mechanism that coordinates concurrent access to the same data; locks can be
shared among multiple users, or made exclusive to one user only. Locks can apply to
NonStop SQL tables and views, and to ENSCRIBE files and records. TMF imposes
locks to support database consistency.
Logical screen. See Screen.
Management application process. An application process that automates PATHWAY
system configuration and control tasks. Such a process can request from PATHMON
the same kinds of services that system managers can request through the PATHCOM
command interpreter. Optionally, a management application process can also interact
with other subsystems outside of PATHWAY for other kinds of tasks.