Glossary


activate: The action taken to change the state of a presentation so that users can access the presentation.
See also deactivate.
AID keys: Keys that send commands to the host, such as ATTN, ENTER, and SYS RQ. To make it possible for you to invoke these same host functions from a PC keyboard, the functions are assigned to PC keys or key combinations.
attribute: 1. In the markup languages XML and HTML, a name-value pair within a tagged element that modifies certain features of that element. 2. In screen displays, an element of additional information that controls such characteristics as the background and foreground colors of the character, underlining, and blinking. 3. In a database record, the name or structure of a field. For example, the files LASTNAME, FIRSTNAME, and PHONE would be attributes of each record in a PHONELIST database. The size of a field or the type of information it contains would also be attributes of a database record.
See also element, property.
autofield: An automatically created user field.


cache: 1. A special memory subsystem in which frequently used data values are duplicated for quick access. A disk cache refers to a portion of RAM that temporarily stores information read from disk. A memory cache stores the contents of frequently accessed RAM locations and the addresses where these data items are stored. 2. A reserved portion of a computer's RAM or hard disk set aside to temporarily hold information, for example, a Web browser cache.
character attribute: Formatting or characteristic of text that determines how characters look on the screen. For example, blinking and underline are character attributes.
client (adj): Pertaining to a networked computer. For example, a client application is an application that either runs directly on a client or is downloaded from a server to a client.
client (n): 1. On a local area network or the Internet, a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer (called a server). 2. In object-oriented programming, a member of a class (group) that uses the services of another class to which it is not related. 3. A process, such as a program or task, that requests a service provided by another program — for example, a word processor that calls on a sort routine built into another program. The client process uses the requested service without having to "know" any working details about the other program or the service itself.
code page: A table of numeric codes used to represent language-specific characters. Code pages are a way of providing support for character sets and keyboard layouts used in different countries. To display characters correctly, you must select the code page used by your host.
configuration: 1. A set of parameters that define and control the behavior of sessions and applets, which may be for terminal emulation, host printer emulation, or file transfer. 2. A set of parameters for connecting to a UTS or T27 host.
connection: The communication link between a client and a host that allows users to interact with the host from the client computer.
connection type: The communication mechanism used by the client to establish a connection with a host.

dedicated session: A session that is associated with a specific logical unit (LU) or terminal or station ID. Using dedicated sessions ensure that specific sessions are assigned to specific clients at run-time.
download: To transfer programs or data from a host or Web server to your local computer.

environment: A named set of configuration options used with Unisys ClearPath IX or 2200 Series hosts.
extended attribute bytes (EABs): Codes used by many mainframe applications to display highlighting, reverse image, blinking, and seven colors.



host code page: See code page.
host field: A fixed region of the host screen with associated text and attributes.
HotGUI: A terminal applet that is just like the regular terminal session, except that it uses a GUI-style interface, as opposed to the traditional "green screen" interface.



keyboard map: A file that defines the function that each key on a computer keyboard performs to communicate with a host. For example, the CTRL + e key combination might be mapped to perform the TRANSMIT function.

layout: An arrangement of session windows, their positions on the desktop, and their host connections.
layout file: A file that defines an arrangement of session windows, including all windows in their specified sizes and positions. By opening the file, you can restart all the sessions in the layout at a later time.
legacy data: Proprietary host data, such as data on an IBM mainframe.

migrate: To convert existing files for use with a newer version of an existing product or competitive product.



preference: A setting for an application or tool, typically set by users.
See also property.
property: 1. A characteristic of an object. Depending on the object, the user might set its properties. 2. In Windows, a characteristic or parameter of an object or device. Properties of a file, for example, include type, size, and creation date and can be identified by accessing the file's property sheet.
See also attribute, preference.
protected field: A field in which a user cannot enter, modify, or erase data.

QuickPad: An onscreen keypad that provides a convenient way to send commands to the host.


server: 1. On a local area network (LAN), a computer running administrative software that controls access to the network and its resources, such as printers and disk drives, and provides resources to computers functioning as workstations on the network. 2. On the Internet or other network, a computer or program that responds to commands from a client. For example, a file server may contain an archive of data or program files; when a client submits a request for a file, the server transfers a copy of the file to the client.
See also client.
service: A program, routine, or process that performs a specific function.
See also Windows service.
session: 1. A configured communication connection with a host. A session can be in either a connected or a disconnected state. 2. The GUI representation of a connection to a host through which users interact with a host. The GUI components can include representations of host screens and file lists, as well as various tools such as toolbars, QuickPads, Macro Recorders/Editors, keyboard mappers, and so forth. Sessions can also be specific to host screens, file transfer, or printing.
session file: The file that contains the configuration information for a session.
session template: In EXTRA! X-treme, a session configuration on which you can base a new session.

translation table: A file that modifies the data sent between the host and a client to ensure that the client can display characters that are not part of the U.S. English character set.

unattended installation: An installation performed without user interaction, in which installation dialog boxes are suppressed. Also known as a silent installation.
unformatted screen: A screen that does not contain fields defined by the host application.
upload: To transfer programs or data from your local computer ("client" system) to a central host or Web server.
user field: An area of the host screen that you define as a field. A user field does not alter the actual host screen.


Windows service: A program, routine, or process that typically begins running as soon as the computer starts. Windows services are started, stopped, and configured from Services in the Windows Control Panel.