Introduction to Data Management

Glossary
15873 Tandem Computers Incorporated Glossary-7
MEASURE system performance measurement tool. A performance analysis tool that
collects statistics on CPUs, line handlers, disk drives, terminals, files, processes, and
transactions.
Multiprocessing. The ability of a computer system to execute programs on more than
one CPU simultaneously but independently.
Network Statistics System (NSS). A software product that helps you detect major
problems and impediments that affect overall system performance.
Network-distributed transaction. A transaction that accesses a database or databases
located at multiple nodes of a network, or that accesses databases by means of
requesters or servers at multiple nodes of a network.
Node. One of the computer systems in a network. See also System.
Nonaudited table. A table that is not audited by TMF and, therefore, is not protected by
TMF from system or media failure.
Nondedicated device. In PATHWAY, a terminal or other I/O device that is not
dedicated exclusively to running a particular program. Such a terminal usually has an
available GUARDIAN 90 command interpreter and can run many subsystems and
programs as well as applications in multiple PATHWAY systems.
NonStop SQL Conversational Interface. See SQLCI.
NonStop SQL distributed relational database management system. A facility for efficiently
defining and manipulating structures in large relational databases. NonStop SQL
allows users to work with data in a tabular format, rather than record by record. This
system processes commands based on the industry-standard Structured Query
Language (SQL). NonStop SQL statements are used within server programs written
in other languages (COBOL85, Pascal, or C.) NonStop SQL statements can also be
entered interactively. The main components of NonStop SQL are a data dictionary;
the SQL language for definition, manipulation, and control of data; a programmatic
interface; a NonStop SQL conversational interface; a report writer; and a set of
utilities.
NonStop SQL Programmatic Interface. See Programmatic SQL.
NonStop SQL utility. In NonStop SQL, a software tool that can be used to perform a
specialized task such as loading data into a database, analyzing catalogs for
consistency, or examining access strategies.
NonStop transaction processing. Processing that continues even when a hardware or
software component fails, while equipment is being repaired or replaced, or while
new processors or peripheral devices are being added to the system. This kind of
processing is a hallmark of the Tandem computer systems.
Nowait I/O. The ability of an application process to continue executing in parallel with
reading or writing operations; the application process runs concurrently with the file
operation. Contrast with Waited I/O.