NonStop Systems Introduction

Glossary
NonStop Systems Introduction—527825-001
Glossary-7
object
developed by BEA Systems as well as the benefits provided by the NonStop core
services: SQL/MX, TS/MP, and TMF.
object. The principle building block of object-oriented programs. Each object is a
programming unit consisting of data and functionality. See also CORBA object.
object-oriented. A software design method that models the characteristics of abstract or
real objects using classes and objects.
object request broker (ORB). A component that transmits messages between clients and
servers in a distributed object environment. The ORB provides services such as
locating the target object and performing any transformations required for transmission
of a request or receipt of a response across the network.
OLTP. See online transaction processing (OLTP).
online transaction processing (OLTP). A method of processing transactions in which
entered transactions are immediately applied to the database. The information within
the database is readily available to all users through online screens and printed
reports. The transactions are processed while client waits, as opposed to queued or
batched transactions, which are processed at a later time.
open systems architecture. A hardware and software design that allows computers,
peripheral devices, and software from different vendors to interoperate within a single
network.
Open System Services (OSS). An open system environment available for interactive or
programmatic use with the NonStop Kernel. Processes that run in the OSS
environment use the OSS application program interface. Interactive users of the OSS
environment use the OSS shell for their command interpreter. The OSS API and shell
are similar to those provided by the UNIX operating system.
ORB. See object request broker (ORB).
OSS. See Open System Services (OSS).
parallelism. The ability to distribute applications, databases, and processing power over
multiple processors in a NonStop system and over multiple NonStop systems in an
Expand network.
Pathway environment. A run-time environment consisting of NonStop transaction-
processing products for the Guardian operating environment.
portability. The ability to use, or migrate, application software, system software, and data
across different computing platforms from multiple vendors.
power-fail delay. See ride-through power backup.