OSI/MHS P7 Application Programmatic Interface (P7 API) Manual

Glossary
OSI/MHS P7 Application Programmatic Interface (P7 API) Manual—424825-001
Glossary-16
nonsensitive command
nonsensitive command. A DSM command that can be issued by any user or program having
access to the target subsystem—that is, a command on which the subsystem imposes no
further security restrictions. For Compaq data communications subsystems, the
nonsensitive commands are usually information commands (commands that cannot
change the state or configuration of objects). See also sensitive command.
NonStop Kernel. The operating system, which consists of the core and system services. The
operating system does not include any application program interfaces.
NonStop SQL. A relational database management system that combines the ease of use of
the Structured Query Language (SQL) with the application performance provided by the
Compaq NonStop Kernel.
NonStop tools. The utility programs that perform everyday activities including editing,
formatting, restoring, backing-up, sorting, spooling, binding, compiling, and installing.
NSAP (network service access point). The logical point at which Network Layer services
are provided by the Network Layer entity to the Transport Layer entity.
NSAP address. The global, network-unique address of an end system’s network service
access point, through which Network Layer services are provided to local users, and
through which Transport Layer services are provided to remote systems.
null object. An object type, used in management interfaces, that occurs when a subsystem
supports exactly one object of a given type and the type of that object can be deduced
from the name. In OSI/MHS, the object type need not be specified in the VERSION or
NAMES command: the object is understood to be the MHS manager. The null object
has no inherent hierarchical relationship to any other object.
null value. A value indicating that a program has made no explicit assignment to a variable
or field. In DSM programmatic interfaces, a field in a structure has a null value if the
application has made no explicit assignment to that field after calling the SSNULL
procedure to initialize the structure.
numeric O/R address. An O/R address that identifies a user by a number. See also
mnemonic O/R address.
OBEY file. See command file.
object. In general, an entity subject to independent reference or control, and having well-
defined characteristics or behavior.
In DSM, an entity subject to independent reference and control by a subsystem: for
example, the disk volume $DATA or the data communications line $X2502. An object
typically has a name and a type known to the controlling subsystem.
In GPI, a collection of elements (called “attributes”) used for constructing messages.
See also root object, subobject, and superobject.
object identifier. In ASN.1, a set of values identifying an object in an ASN.1 abstract syntax
notation defined by the CCITT.