OSI/FTAM Programming Reference Manual

Glossary
HP NonStop OSI/FTAM Programming Reference Manual—528611-001
Glossary-17
null object type.
null object type. A NonStop term used to represent the absence of an object type in an
SCF command. If a command supports the null object type, you can issue it without
specifying an object type. For NonStop FTAM, the NAMES and VERSION commands
support the null object type. The NAMES null command refers to a collection of object
types; for the VERSION null command, the object type is irrelevant.
object. (1) A well-defined piece of information, definition, or specification that requires a
name. Also called information object. (2) In general NonStop terms, one or more of the
devices, lines, processes, and files in a NonStop subsystem: any entity subject to
independent reference or control by one or more subsystems. An object typically has a
name and a type known to the controlling subsystem.
object identifier. A value, distinguishable from all other such values, that is associated with
an ISO information object. A standard representation of an object identifier is a set of
numbers representing a directed path through a standards-based tree hierarchy, often
shown as a sequence of two or more values enclosed in braces ({}). Examples of
objects represented by object identifiers are document type names, constraint sets,
abstract syntaxes, transfer syntaxes, and AE titles.
object state. See state.
object state transition. See state transition.
octet. A byte of data; eight bits.
OctetString. The string type consisting of a string of octets. See octet.
open. An established line of communication between two processes. You can display the
number of opens a process has by issuing the SCF STATUS PROCESS command.
open network. A communications network that can communicate between systems using
standardized procedures and functions.
Open Systems Interconnection. See OSI (Open Systems Interconnection).
operator message. A message, describing a significant event on a NonStop system, that is
intended to be seen by an operator. An operator message is the displayed-text form of
an EMS event message. See event message.
optional parameter. (1) In a PDU, a parameter that is sometimes but not always present.
(2) In the NonStop FTAM API, a procedure-call parameter that can be included in a
given procedure call or command, but is not required for use with the procedure or
command. Contrast with conditional parameter and required parameter.
original-error-info parameter. A parameter in the APS_STATUS_ procedure call that
provides a code identifying the first error detected in NonStop FTAM or an underlying
OSI layer. Using the service ID, which indicates the source of the error, and the value
returned by original-error-info, you can refer to HP manuals for further information
about the problem. See also service ID.