HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
GLOSSARY
abort To end a job, a session or a program before its
completion. It might be caused by an error or a
malfunction, or by a command that requests it. See
also delete.
accelerator A key or sequence of keys that provides a fast
(accelerated) method of access to a particular
function. For example, the underlined character in
each HP Easytime/iX menu or menu item is an
accelerator.
access codes Codes assigned to accounts and to groups and to
users. Access codes regulate who has the ability to
read, write, append, lock, save, or execute a given
file.
access control A security mechanism whereby all access control to an
definition (ACD) object is defined as part of that object. ACDs are
more expressive than matrix security since certain
accesses can be granted to individual users or groups
of users. ACD is a proprietary name for Access
Control Lists (ACLs) which will be the key security
component of POSIX.
account A location on your computer where files are kept.
Each account consists of one or more groups.
Accounts provide security for your files. Each
account has a unique name. A user must give the name
of an account in order to log on to the system.
account librarian AL capability: A capability given to users that
capability allows them to access files in order to maintain
specified files within the account.
account manager AM capability: A capability given to the first user
capability created under the account. Unless specified
otherwise, this user has all of the capabilities that
the account has and is responsible for creating users
and groups. In POSIX terms, the Account Manager can
access all files whose file group ID matches their
user GID.
account structure The structure that provides organization for the
system. It deals with these four elements:
accounts, users (who are assigned to accounts),
groups, and files.
Actions menu An HP Easytime/iX menu that provides a list of tasks
that can be performed from a particular screen. See
also task.
alternate boot The tape drive that serves as the storage device from
path which the operating system may be loaded into the
computer's main memory. This path is used rarely,
such as for a complete reloading of the operating
system from the system recovery tape. See also
system recovery tape, primary boot path, and boot
path.
American Standard The standard code for representing character data
Code for (seven data bits plus one that can be used for
Information parity). This code was established by the American
Interchange National Standards Institute (ANSI) to achieve
(ASCII) compatibility between data devices during an exchange
of information. It contains 256 characters.
append To join all or part of one file to the end of another
file.
application A computer program that is used for a particular kind
of work. Applications include word processing,
graphics, database management, and data communication
programs. HP Easytime/iX is an application.
attachment unit A connector on the back of the HP 3000 Series 9X8LX
interface local computers. It is internally disabled because it
area network (AUI cannot be used simultaneously with the ThinLAN
LAN) connector.
attribute Characteristic assigned to accounts, users, groups,
or files that enables the computer to determine what
functions it will or will not allow a user, a group,
or an account to perform. Attributes include file
access codes and special capabilities.
backreference A technique of referencing a previously defined file.
To show backreferencing you must place an asterisk
(*) before a formal file designator to indicate that
it has been previously defined with the FILE command.
For example, in the command STORE @.@.@;*T, the T
refers to a device that would have been named as a
file in a related file equation, such as FILE
T;DEV=TAPE. See also file equation.
back up (verb) To store data (files) to tape, in order to have a
duplicate. Any user can back up user files by using
the STORE command. The system administrator is
responsible for backing up the system on a routine
basis. This can be done through HP Easytime/iX or by
using the MPE/iX commands STORE and FILE.
backup (noun, A process that copies files from disk to tape for
adjective) security reasons. Backups protect data in case a
file is damaged or accidentally deleted from the
system. You can use a backup copy on tape to restore
the file to the system disk. If you have no backup
copy, the file is lost. Backups can be chosen to
duplicate system files, system files plus user files,
or only user files modified after a specified date.
See system backup.
batch access BA capability: A default capability that is assigned
capability to accounts and users, allowing users to submit batch
jobs.
batch processing A method of computing that performs a programmed
procedure without interaction from a user. A job is
a sample of batch processing. When you submit a job,
the commands listed in the job file are carried out
independently and require no user input. During this
time, the user can perform other tasks while the job
runs or is waiting to run. See also job.
binary notation A method of representing numbers, alphabetic
characters, and symbols in digital computers. Binary
is a base two number system that uses only two
digits, 0's and 1's, to express numbers.
bit One of the digits used in the binary number system; 0
or 1. The basic unit of representation of
information in a computer.
boot To load the operating system (and subsystems) into
the computer's main memory from instructions on a
storage device such as a disk or tape.
boot path The storage device and connections by which the
operating system is loaded from disk or tape to the
computer's main memory. See also alternate boot path
and primary boot path.
byte A combination of eight consecutive bits treated as a
unit. A byte represents one letter or number. The
size of memory and disk storage is measured in bytes.
See also kilobyte.
byte stream file A file without any formal record structure. Each
logical "line" in the file is terminated by the
newline (linefeed) character.
cancel A function key label that appears in dialog boxes.
Selecting this function key closes the dialog box
without performing a task.
capability A method for determining what commands the account
members are allowed to execute. Capabilities are
assigned to accounts, groups, and users to provide
system security and access to the operating system.
Account capabilities are assigned when the account is
created.
carriage control Carriage control characters affect text elements such
characters (CCTL) as double spacing, vertical line spacing, and page
ejects.
cassette A plastic container that holds magnetic tape. Data
is stored on this tape when backing up or storing
files. See also digital data storage.
central processing The part of a computer system that controls the
unit (CPU) interpretation and execution of instructions. It
contains the control unit and the arithmetic logic
unit.
chmod A POSIX.1 function to change read, write and execute
access for a file or directory.
chown A POSIX.1 function to change the ownership and group
ID of a file.
command A system-reserved word that is an instruction to the
computer to perform a specific operation. Three
samples of MPE/iX commands are LISTFILE, SHOWME, and
STREAM.
command file A file that contains one or several MPE/iX commands
for the purpose of executing them easily. To execute
commands that are written in the command file, enter
the command file name at the system prompt.
command A part of the MPE/iX operating system that reads
interpreter (CI) command lines entered at the terminal; interprets
them; determines if they are valid; and, if so,
executes them. The CI prompt, called the system
prompt, is usually a colon (:). The CI is
responsible for prompting, reading command input,
command execution, servicing break and error handling
and is the MPE equivalent of the POSIX shell.
command line The method of entering commands directly at the
interface system prompt. It is in contrast to the menu-driven
interface of HP Easytime/iX.
compatibility mode A CM program or procedure emits classic 3000
(CM) instructions which are emulated or translated to the
native instructions set.
compile The process of changing a program written in a source
language (for example, BASIC, C, FORTRAN) into a
machine language routine that the computer can
understand. The compiled routine is then ready to be
loaded into computer storage and run.
component of a A lname delimited by a `/'. typically a component is
pathname a directory name, except when it is the last
component, where it could also be a file name.
"Last" refers to the rightmost component of a POSIX
pathname.
computer A device that accepts information, processes it, and
produces an output. A computer usually contains
memory, a control unit, arithmetic and logical
manipulators, and a means for input and output.
configuration The way in which a computer and peripheral devices
are programmed to interact with each other.
console A terminal, usually assigned the logical device
number 20, given unique status by the operating
system. The console is used to boot the system;
monitor and manage jobs, sessions, and resources;
respond to requests; and communicate with other user
terminals. If HP Easytime/iX is enabled, the
messages and requests are no longer displayed on the
console screen itself, but on the Console Management
screen in HP Easytime/iX instead.
console command An MPE/iX command that can be executed from the
control-A prompt (=) at the system console. Three
commands that can be entered only at the (=) prompt
are: LOGOFF, LOGON, and SHUTDOWN. Three commands
that can be entered at either the (=) prompt or the
system prompt (:) are: RECALL, REPLY, and ABORTIO.
continuation An ampersand (&) entered as the last character of a
character command line. A continuation character tells the
command interpreter that the command is longer than
one line and is continuing onto a second line.
creator The user who created a file. Only the creator of a
file can release or secure it.
current working The directory (often your logon group) where you are
directory (CWD) currently located. Moving your CWD has no affect on
your file access. It is only a naming shortcut.
cursor A character, such as a flashing rectangle, a blinking
line, a solid line or highlighted bar on a terminal
screen. The cursor marks your position on the
screen.
data Factual information or a collection of factual
information.
database A collection of logically related data files and
structural information about the data.
Datacommunications A hardware device for connecting printers, terminals,
and Terminal modems, and other asynchronous devices to the
Controller (DTC) computer.
debugging The activity of searching for and removing errors or
malfunctions in a computer system or computer
program.
default A predefined value or condition that is assumed and
used by the operating system if no other value or
condition is specified. For example, if you print a
file and do not specify the number of copies, you
will get one copy. The default number of copies for
printing is one.
delete To remove or eliminate a file (or print file) from
the disk, or to abort a job or session from the
system. See also abort.
delimiter A special character used to mark the end of a string
of characters. Common delimiters are the semicolon
(;), the equal sign (=), Return, or the comma (,).
device A piece of equipment that can be attached to the
computer. For example, terminals, printers,
plotters, modems, and disks are all devices. Devices
can be used to send or receive information
(terminals, printers, plotters) or as additional
storage for the computer (disks and tapes). See also
peripheral.
device file A file associated with a nonshareable device such as
a tape drive. A spool file is an example of a device
file.
device link A file that is linked to an LDEV number such that
opening the device link is identical to opening a
device via its LDEV number.
dialog box A window that appears on the screen, overlaying a
portion of the current display. A dialog box
presents information or prompts you for data. It
usually contains one or more fields that you can fill
in or edit.
digital audio tape A method of recording audio signals digitally on
(DAT) cassette tapes. DAT tapes are not recommended for
use on the HP 3000. Using lower-quality DAT media
can result in data loss or corruption. See also DDS.
digital data A format that overlays DAT to produce a means of
storage (DDS) storing computer data on cassette tapes. The HP 3000
Series 9X8LX requires the use of DDS tapes for
optimal performance. See also DAT.
directory A system table defining where groups, users,
accounts, and files are located. A directory may
also contain information such as file size, creation
date, modification dates, creator, or security
information.
disabled Removed from normal system use. For example, a
terminal is said to be disabled if its normal
connection to the system has been removed.
disk A medium for storing information. On the HP 3000
Series 9X8LX, the disk is inseparable from the disk
drive. The first system disk is internal.
Additional disk drives, which again include the
disks, may be added to the system.
disk drive A peripheral device that reads information from and
writes information to the disk. This drive may be in
the computer box itself, or it may be an external
drive in a cabinet.
dump A copy of the computer's memory onto a storage
device. A dump may be used by HP personnel to
analyze system problems.
echo To display on the terminal screen data being typed on
the keyboard. If echo is turned off, the computer
receives the data but nothing appears on the screen.
editor A word processing application used to prepare,
modify, or delete text and program files. The
command EDITOR is the command to start EDIT/3000,
which is the text editor that comes with MPE/iX.
end of job (EOJ) The last command in a job file. It must be preceded
by a delimiter such as an exclamation point, !EOJ.
environment file A compiled disk file containing all of the
specifications for a printed page of data. These
specifications, which are not a part of the data, may
include the page size, character fonts, and forms to
be used in conjunction with the printer.
error listing A report generated by the system describing the
step-by-step processing of a job. Each job has an
error listing, as well as any particular output of
the job.
error message A notification to a job, session, program, or device
that a mistake or malfunction has occurred. Some
error messages appear online, and others are printed
in an error report on the default printer. The type
of error is indicated in the error window (HP
Easytime/iX) or in the error report.
error report A detailed report generated by a system error or an
internal error that is printed on the default
printer. Use this report to correct the error or to
give the information to your Hewlett-Packard
representative if you need assistance.
execute To carry out an instruction in response to a command
that is entered or to a menu item that is selected.
factory preload A customized tape sent from the factory that contains
tape (FPT) your system software and subsystem software products.
It is a duplicate of the software installed on your
system at the time of shipment. It is intended for
use only by HP service personnel or trained system
managers.
field In HP Easytime/iX, an area on the terminal screen
where you can view, edit, or enter data.
field help Refers to the function key F1, which provides
information about the current cursor object, such as
a menu item or a field in a dialog box. Move the
cursor to an object on the screen and press F1 to get
help about that object.
FIFO A type of file with the property that data is always
read and written in a first-in-first-out sequence.
file A group of related records stored together with a
single name. For example, if you use the MPE/iX
editor, EDIT/3000 to create a document, this document
is a file. Basically all objects in the HFS are
implemented as files.
file equation A method of associating a file name (known as a
formal file designator) to a set of characteristics,
such as a device class. For example, the equation
FILE T;DEV=TAPE establishes the relationship of the
file T to a tape device. The file equation is
usually paired with a command, such as the STORE
command, that refers back to the file name to direct
output to that device. See also backreference.
file group The class of users who are not a file's owner, but
match one of the $GROUP,user.account, or @.account
ACD subjects. These user GIDs match the GID of the
file. In MPE terms they are in the same account as
the file.
file name A label identifying a file. A file name can contain
a maximum of eight alphanumeric characters. Each
file name must begin with a letter and cannot contain
any special characters. In HP Easytime/iX, you
assign a file name when you copy or rename a file.
file owner The class of users whose UIDs match the owner ID of
the file. In MPE terms they are the creator of the
file.
file other The collection of users who are not file owners nor
members of a file's group class. In an ACD pair
"@.@" is the file other subject.
flash The irregular flashing of a front panel light as
opposed to pulsing, which is regular.
form A special kind of paper to be used in a printer, such
as, payroll checks.
formal file An alias file name that is used either
designator programmatically or in a file equation to refer to a
file. Formal file designators are not listed in the
system file directory.
fundamental The core operating system without any optional
operating system subsystems.
(FOS)
full backup A method of creating a copy of all user and system
files to tape (except for those files in use during
the time of backup).
fully qualified A complete file description that includes the file
file name name, the group to which the file belongs, and the
account to which the group belongs. The fully
qualified file name of the LETTER file in the PUB
group of the SYS account is LETTER.PUB.SYS.
function keys Special keys on the terminal keyboard that are
labeled sequentially, F1, F2, F3... and correspond
to the function key labels that appear at the bottom
of the HP Easytime/iX screen. Press a function key
to perform the action listed on its corresponding
label. Function keys change according to the
application that you are using.
group A GID identifies users as members of a file's group
identification class. These users can have unique file access
(GID) defined for them. POSIX defines a GID as a number.
It is simulated as a number in MPE, but the user's
account name is currently the basis for security.
group A subdivision of an account that is used to organize
the account's files. All files must be assigned to a
group. Within an account, each group has a unique
name. A PUB group is designated for each account
when it is created. Additional groups are created
within the account, as needed, by the account
manager. For the POSIX group definition see file
group and GID.
group librarian GL capability: A capability given to a user that
capability allows special file access modes for the maintenance
of certain files within the user's home group.
hard reset A method to reset the computer or a terminal. A hard
reset erases all information in memory. See also
soft reset.
hardware All the physical components of the computer including
the central processing unit, tape drives, disk
drives, terminals, and other peripherals.
header The first page printed when output is directed to a
line printer. It contains the session name (if any),
session number, logon identification, day of the
week, date, and time. It corresponds to the trailer
that is printed as the last page of the output.
Help Facility An online utility providing information on all MPE/iX
commands. Information can be accessed by topic areas
or by command name. The Help Facility can be
accessed by entering HELP at the system prompt.
hexadecimal A base sixteen number system that uses 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
notation 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F to represent the
value.
hierarchical file The MPE/iX directory and file system which allows
system (HFS) files and directories to be at an arbitrary level
under the root directory. HFS is often used
synonymously with POSIX names to indicate that the
object is not part of the traditional MPE file, group
or account structure.
home group A specific group of an account. A home group may be
assigned to each user. If no other group is
specified with the HELLO or JOB command, users are
logged on to their home group by default. If no home
group is assigned, the user must always specify a
group when logging on. The account manager assigns
the home group when a user name is first defined.
host The computer or computer system that controls
terminals and peripherals, such as tape drives.
HPGID.PUB.SYS The name of the POSIX group database file. This is
where all account names and their associated GIDs are
stored. This file is automatically created when
updating to 5.0.
HPUID.PUB.SYS The name of the POSIX user database, where the
user.account names and associated UID numbers are
stored.
hung terminal A terminal that fails to respond to normal keyboard
entries.
implied RUN The ability to run a program without explicitly using
the MPE/iX RUN command. For example, rather than
entering RUN EASYTIME.PUB.SYS, you can simply enter
EASYTIME.PUB.SYS or even EASYTIME.
indicator lights Lights that indicate system or tape drive status.
The computer indicator lights are the four horizontal
lights at the top of the front panel of the computer.
Initial Program The software that initializes the boot path and gets
Load Software the system ready for loading the operating system.
(IPL)
Initial System The software that is used to boot the operating
Loader (ISL) system or to perform a memory dump to tape.
input The information or data that is entered into the
computer.
input/output (I/O) Input or output. Usually refers to the process,
data, or devices used to achieve communication
between the computer and an external source.
input priority A number in the range of 1 (lowest priority) to 14
(highest priority) assigned to a job either by the
system or by the user. Input priority, which is
assigned with the INPRI option in the !JOB command
line, must be higher than the system jobfence for a
job to run. For the default jobfence value, which is
7, the input priority would likely be 8 (INPRI=8).
Jobs with an input priority less than or equal to the
system jobfence are deferred or, in HP Easytime/iX,
put On Hold.
interactive An interactive session allows users to enter commands
and data at the terminal and receive an immediate
response.
interactive access IA capability: A default capability given to
accounts and users to allow users to begin sessions
with the HELLO command.
interface The method of joining computer equipment and
peripherals together to allow them to communicate
with each other.
internal disk The primary disk drive for the computer. For the HP
drive 3000 Series 9X8LX, it is physically located within
the computer box itself. It is identified to the
system as MPEXL_SYSTEM_VOLUME_SET.
internal error A programming error within a program. A printed
report is generated whenever an internal error
occurs.
job A file containing multiple system and subsystem
commands to be processed without user intervention.
When a job is started, it executes independently of
the user's session. Jobs are used to compile source
programs, modify files, or perform other functions
that do not require user interaction. See also batch
processing and stream.
jobfence A limit established to manage the priority of jobs.
If a job has an input priority higher than the
jobfence, the job runs. If a job has an input
priority less than or equal to the jobfence, the job
does not run. The default value for the jobfence is
7. See also input priority.
job file A file used to define a job to the system. It must
start with a JOB command and end with an EOJ command.
A special character such as an exclamation point (!)
must precede the JOB and EOJ commands.
job file name Name given to each job file when it is defined to the
system (created).
job limit A number that identifies the maximum number of jobs
allowed to run on the system. The system
administrator can restrict system usage by limiting
the number of jobs allowed to run on the system. If
the job limit is set to 0 (zero), no additional jobs
can log on to the system.
job number A system-assigned identification number given to each
job when it is submitted for processing.
keyboard A device attached to a terminal and used to input
data to communicate with the system. It contains
alphabet keys similar to those on a typewriter. It
also contains number keys, function keys, and other
special purpose keys.
keyword A word assigned a specific meaning by the operating
system, a subsystem, a computer language, or a
utility.
keyword parameter A word that has special meaning and modifies or
restricts a command. It may appear in any order in
the command line but it must be preceded by a
semi-colon (;). The phrase ;PASS=password is an
example of a keyword parameter. The user must supply
the value for ''password''. See also parameter and
positional parameter.
kilobyte A unit of measurement that describes file size. Each
kilobyte (Kbyte) equals 1024 characters. File size
in HP Easytime/iX is measured in kilobytes.
laser printer A type of printer that prints output one page at a
time, using laser technology.
LDEV number LDEV stands for logical device number. See logical
device number.
line editor An editor that processes data one line at a time. In
a line editor, you must press Return to end one line
of text and to begin another. EDIT/3000 is an
example of a line editor.
line printer A type of printer that prints output one line at a
time.
list box A rectangular area displaying a list of objects
related to the current HP Easytime/iX function, such
as, a list of files. List boxes can also display a
list of choices within a dialog box. Every list box
contains a scroll bar on the right edge or bottom
edge of the list box. Use the scroll keys to browse
through the contents of a list box.
local area network A collection of computer equipment interconnected by
(LAN) data communication channels, sharing resources such
as printers and disk drives.
local mode A standalone method of terminal operation. A
terminal is operating in local mode when it is not
connected to the computer. See also remote mode.
lockword A word used as a security device on files. A
lockword can be assigned to a file when it is created
or renamed, and must be supplied to regain access to
the file. The word may be from one to eight
alphanumeric characters long and must begin with an
alphabetic character.
logical device A number assigned to each peripheral of a computer
number (LDEV) system and used for identification purposes. The
console usually has a logical device number of 20.
Although LDEV numbers are not usually displayed in HP
Easytime/iX, you may see them in console messages.
log off A method of ending a session with the HP 3000 by
using the BYE or EXIT command.
log on A method of starting a session with the HP 3000 by
using the HELLO command. When you log on, you
identify yourself to the computer by typing a user
name and account name, plus a group name if
necessary.
logon identity A security device used to verify users to the system.
A logon identity includes a valid user name and
account name in the form user.account.
logon prompt An initial prompt (MPE XL:) that indicates the
computer is ready to begin a session. See also
prompt and system prompt.
loop A circular repetition whereby an instruction in a
software program leads to another (or others) and
then back to the first instruction, which starts the
sequence all over.
Main menu An HP Easytime/iX menu that provides access to every
screen in HP Easytime/iX. You can access the Main
menu from the menu bar on any HP Easytime/iX screen.
MANAGER.SYS The user and account from which you can manage disks,
devices, and the account structure for your
Hewlett-Packard computer. You must log on as
MANAGER.SYS to enable HP Easytime/iX as well as to
perform other specific tasks that cannot be
accomplished from any other account.
matrix security A mandatory security mechanism where access is
established at the account, MPE group and file
levels. Typically, access is more restrictive as you
move down from account to group to file. Matrix
security allows a System Manager to shut off a
certain access to all users by disallowing it at the
account level. A released file is emempt from matrix
security.
menu A list of items from which you can choose HP
Easytime/iX tasks. Menu names appear on the menu bar
in the upper left corner of the screen.
menu bar A horizontal bar containing the names of all HP
Easytime/iX menus. The menu bar appears directly
below the title bar on your screen.
message line A line on the screen that displays information about
what is happening on the system. In HP Easytime/iX,
the message line appears at the bottom of your screen
directly above the function key labels.
modem Originally an acronym for modulator/demodulator, a
device connected to the computer and to a telephone
communication line for the purpose of transferring
data (in the form of digital signals) between
computer equipment and over common telephone lines.
native mode (NM) Native mode execution means that a program or
procedure directly calls the machine's native
instruction set.
NL.PUB.SYS The operating system's XL (executable library). The
NL is the final point for binding external
procedures.
[REV BEG]
MPE/iX Multiprogramming Executive with Integrated Posix.
The operating system for the 900 Series HP 3000
computers. MPE/iX manages all system resources and
coordinates the execution of all programs running on
the system.[REV END]
node management A software configuration utility used to configure
services connections through the DTC for the 900 Series HP
configuration 3000 computers.
manager (NMMGR)
nonshareable ND capability: A capability assigned to accounts and
device capability users. It allows account members to own nonshareable
devices. A nonshareable device, such as a terminal,
can be used by one user at a time.
object A generic term for files, directories, root, MPE
groups and accounts.
offline Pertaining to equipment, devices, or persons who are
not in direct communication with the central
processing unit of a computer. For example, a
printer or tape drive that is not connected (or not
switched on) is offline.
online Pertaining to equipment, devices, or persons who are
in direct communication with the central processing
unit of a computer. For example, a printer or tape
drive that is connected (and switched on) is online.
Online also refers to data stored in memory that is
updated as soon as it changes and is, therefore,
constantly current and accessible.
operating system A software program that enables the computer to run.
It allows the computer to communicate with users, run
application programs, and manage system resources.
All subsystems run within the operating system. See
also MPE/iX.
OPERATOR.SYS The logon identity for the user and account from
which you work at the console. It is usually
assigned OP capability rather than SM capability.
With OP capability, you can manage console messages
and requests without having the system manager
capability of MANAGER.SYS, which has broader powers
over the system and should be used cautiously.
optional parameter A parameter that is not required when entering a
command. In MPE/iX reference manuals, optional
parameters appear within brackets [ ].
Options menu An HP Easytime/iX menu that provides a list of tasks
that allow you to set and save HP Easytime/iX
settings, such as, the HP Easytime/iX printer.
outclass priority A value in the range of 1 to 13 used to determine if
a job's error listing will print. If the outclass
priority is higher than the system outfence value,
the error listing will print.
outfence A number in the range of 1 (lowest priority) to 14
(highest priority) used to control access to the
system printer. If a job or print file does not have
an output priority higher than the system outfence
(default 7), its output will not print.
output The information or data that results from the
computer processing. Output is usually sent to a
printer, or to a file for storage or future
processing.
output priority A number in the range of 1 (lowest priority) to 13
(highest priority) assigned to an output spool file
either by the system (a default value) or by a user.
The output priority is used by MPE/iX to determine
the order in which files are to be printed.
overwrite A method of erasing and replacing an existing file.
If a file is saved under a name that already exists
on disk, the new file overwrites the existing file.
paging A method to limit the amount of data appearing on the
terminal screen. One full screen is considered a
page. This method is in contrast to the scrolling of
data.
parameter A value used with a command, which then uses that
value in calculations or while operating according to
a particular qualification. See also keyword
parameter and positional parameter.
parser A program that evaluates input, such as a string of
characters, to see that it follows the rules of
syntax.
pathname The POSIX equivalent to a file name. Pathname can
refer to the complete, "fully qualified" name
(absolute pathname), or the name relative to your CWD
(relative pathname).
partial backup A tape copy of all user and system files that have
been changed since the last full backup. It may be
created by using HP Easytime/iX or the MPE/iX STORE
command.
password A form of security. A password is set with the ;PASS
parameter during creation of an account, user, or
group. The system uses passwords to verify the
identity of a user, group, or account. A user with
SM capability can use the LISTACCT command to see
account passwords.
perform To carry out an HP Easytime/iX task by selecting a
menu item or function key.
peripheral A hardware device that is attached to and controlled
by the host computer. Peripherals include terminals,
disk drives, and printers. See also device.
permanent file A file that is stored on disk and has an entry
identifying it in the system directory. To delete a
permanent file from the system, use the PURGE
command.
pipe A pipe consists of two file descriptors connected
such that data written to one can be read by the
other in a first-in-first-out sequence.
positional A word that has special meaning and modifies or
parameter restricts a command. Its order in the command line
signifies the meaning of the value. A comma serves
as a placeholder for positional parameters that are
being omitted. In the command line LIMIT ,12, the
comma before the 12 is a placeholder for the number
of jobs which value is not specified here. See also
parameter and keyword parameter.
primary boot path The disk that serves as the storage medium from which
the operating system (plus other system files) is
loaded into the computer's main memory. See also
alternate boot path.
printer A hardware device used for printing output. Various
types of printers are available for use with MPE/iX.
print file Files that users have requested for printing, but
which have not yet printed. Print files are sorted
according to priority (queued) and listed in HP
Easytime/iX on the Print File Management screen. See
also spool file.
process A number assigned by the operating system to a
identification process when the process is created. This number is
number (PIN) used with the REPLY command in response to a request,
which displays the PIN after the second slash in the
request line. It is used most frequently for replies
to tape requests.
program A sequence of instructions that tells the computer
how to perform a specific task.
programmer A person who writes sets of instructions (programs)
telling the computer how to perform a specific task.
prompt A character(s) or symbol displayed on the terminal
screen indicating that the system is ready for a
command. In MPE/iX the default system prompt after
logging on is a colon (:). Subsystems have different
prompts. See also logon prompt and system prompt.
PUB group The public group of an account. Programs and files
that are available to all users of the account reside
here.
PUB.SYS The public group of the system account. Programs and
applications that are available to all users of the
system reside here.
pulse A regular pulsing of a front panel light
--half-second on, half-second off-- as opposed to
flashing, which is irregular.
queue A line of jobs waiting to be processed. Jobs waiting
in a line (queue) are usually processed on a first
in, first out basis or by priority, if specified.
For example, the output produced by a program is
generally stored on disk in a queue until a printer
becomes available. As output from a job is printed,
the next job in priority is selected and processed.
read-and-write A tape that is ready to be written on (and read).
tape The recognition tab on a read-and-write tape should
cover the hole so that the hole is closed. See also
write-enable.
read-only tape A tape that is protected from being written to, and
that can only be read. The recognition tab on a
read-only tape should be to the side of the hole so
the hole is open. See also write-protect.
record A collection of data treated as a unit and residing
in a file. A file consists of one or more records.
Each record contains one or more fields which display
data related to a specific object. For example, in
HP Easytime/iX, each listing of a print file, job, or
session is one record.'
released A file is released via the :RELEASE command, which
disables group and account level security. The
inverse operation is performed by the :SECURE
command.
remote mode A method of terminal operation. A terminal is
operating in remote mode when it is sending to and
receiving data from a remote (or host) computer. See
also local mode.
requests Messages from the system that require a user
response. If HP Easytime/iX is enabled, requests are
displayed on the Console Management screen. Requests
can also appear when you are performing tasks, such
as backing up or storing files on tape.
required parameter A parameter that is required when entering a command.
In MPE/iX reference manuals, required parameters
appear within braces { }.
restore To bring back files that have been stored on tape
(copied from tape to disk) by using the RESTORE
command or the task Restore on the File Management
screen in HP Easytime/iX.
root (/) The origin of the directory structure. Root cannot
be protected by an ACD. Object names under root
cannot exceed 16 characters in length. Only SM can
create objects under root. If a pathname begins at
root, it is an absolute pathname.
run (noun) The execution of a computer program.
run (verb) To submit or send a job or program to be executed.
save file SF capability: Assigned to users and accounts
capability allowing users to save the files that they create.
scheduling A method of determining when a job will be processed
by the computer. Jobs are scheduled by using
parameters of the STREAM command.
screen The terminal display that shows information from the
computer. In HP Easytime/iX, each area of management
is displayed on a screen (accessible from the Main
menu). Through screens you can access information
about the current status of the system and perform
system management tasks.
scroll A way to roll data up or down on the terminal screen.
See the Getting Started HP 3000 Series 9X8LX
(B3820-90003) for a list of the scroll keys on your
keyboard.
scroll bar A bar that appears on the right edge and/or bottom
edge of a list box indicating the amount of data
displayed.
security MPE/iX provisions to protect the system from
unauthorized use. The most basic level of security
includes organizing files into groups and users into
accounts, both of which may be assigned a password.
Security also refers to the ability to read, write,
append, lock, save, and execute files.
select In HP Easytime/iX, to choose an object by pressing F3
Select, Return, or Spacebar.
self-test A sequence of tests that the computer, a terminal, or
a printer runs when you turn it on. The self-test
checks that the device is working correctly.
session An interactive way of communicating with a computer.
In a session, commands are entered through the
keyboard, and the computer responds by displaying an
action or a message on the terminal's screen. You
begin a session on the HP 3000 with the HELLO command
and end it with the BYE command.
session limit The maximum number of sessions allowed to log on at
any given time. This is set with the LIMIT command.
session name An optional identification method for a session. A
session name may be specified when logging on in the
form session,user.account.
session number A system-assigned identification number given to each
new session as it is logged on to the system.
shell (.2 Shell) A program that serves the purpose of the Command
Interpreter, but is POSIX compliant. Currently the
shell must be run from the Command Interpreter.
small computer A standard interface for small computers. (The
system interface acronym SCSI is pronounced scuzzy.)
(SCSI)
soft keys See function keys.
soft reset A method of resetting a computer or a terminal. A
soft reset initializes various functions but does not
reset the memory or interrupt pending input/output
operations. See also hard reset.
software A set of computer instructions. Software programs
are concerned with the operation of a computer and
provide it with instructions on how to perform
specific operations.
source file A file that is being copied from, as with the COPY
command. It is the original file, which is being
duplicated. See also target file.
spooler A program that manages printing on your system. When
many users send files to be printed, the spooler
program organizes these files according to priority,
storing them until they each print in turn.
spool file A file on the disk drive that is being stored there
temporarily before being sent to an output device,
such as a printer. Output spool files can print in
turn while the computer continues to be used by other
users. In HP Easytime/iX, this file is called a
print file. In MPE/iX, spool files (when saved or
deferred) are stored in the OUTGROUP of the HPSPOOL
account. 136.OUT.HPSPOOL is a sample spool file
name, where 136 is a sample spool file identification
number.
spooling A method of managing the printing of jobs. Multiple
users can send output to a printer, and the output is
redirected to spool files on disk. The output is
printed on a priority basis as the printer becomes
available. Users can proceed with other processing
activities without waiting for the printer.
stabilizing The process of leaving tapes in a new environment for
a minimum of two hours before using them, so that
they adapt to the new temperature and humidity. This
helps avoid problems of condensation.
$STDIN A system-defined name for an input device, usually a
terminal.
$STDLIST A system-defined name for the device used to receive
the job or session listing. The listing device is
usually a printer for batch jobs and a terminal for
sessions.
store To save a copy of one or more files on tape by using
the MPE/iX STORE command or the task Store on the
File Management screen in HP Easytime/iX.
stream A method of running a batch job. A batch job is
begun from a session or a job by using the STREAM
command or by using the HP Easytime/iX command Start.
Once a job is streamed, it executes as a separate
process without any further user input or
supervision. See also job.
streams A streams device is a bi-directional, character
oriented connection between a file and typically a
device driver.
subcommand A command performed under another command. For
example, the EDIT/3000 MODIFY command enables you to
use the D (delete), I (insert), and R (replace)
subcommands.
subject of an ACD The target of an ACD rule. For example, :ALTSEC
file1: repacd=(R:mgr.test) restricts all users logged
on as mgr.test to being granted only read access to
FILE1. Mgr.test is the ACD subject.
subsystem A system-supported utility or program. The MPE/iX
EDIT/3000 is an example of a subsystem.
symbolic link A file that points to another directory object (e.g.,
file, group, account, directory, symbolic link).
When a symbolic link name is encountered in a
pathname it is substituted with its target name.
syntax A set of rules defining the structure of a language,
an instruction, or a command.
SYS account A special account on the HP 3000 Series 9X8LX that is
included with the system when it is first installed.
It contains all of the files for system-supported
subsystems, utility programs, and compilers.
system backup The process of storing all files on the system (the
operating system, subsystems, user files, and system
directory) onto an offline media, such as a tape.
system console See console.
system-defined Files defined by MPE/iX and made available to all
files users. They indicate standard input or output
devices, special temporary files, and files opened
for output that do not perform an actual write
operation.
system error An error that occurs during the call of a system
routine. A system error may abort your session of HP
Easytime/iX. A printed report is generated whenever a
system error occurs.
system generator A system utility that creates system load tapes. It
(SYSGEN) is used during the setting up process for the Series
9X8LX to create a system recovery tape. Only system
administrators that have been trained in HP system
management tasks should use SYSGEN for any other
reason.
system manager SM capability: A capability required for installing
capability the computer, creating accounts, and assigning
capabilities and resource limits to each account
created.
system processing Another term for central processing unit. SPU does
unit (SPU) not refer to the system console or any other
peripheral devices. See also central processing
unit.
system prompt Usually a colon (:). See also prompt and system
prompt.
system recovery The tape that you create after you boot and start the
tape system for the first time. This tape should be
stored safely in case of damage to the operating
system, the subsystems, and add-on programs that you
customize during installation. The procedure for
using it to recover a system should be performed only
by HP personnel or a trained system manager.
system verifier A program that examines the connections made during
the setup of the HP 3000 Series 9X8LX.
tape A medium for storing information. The computer reads
and writes from tapes inserted in a tape drive.
tape drive A hardware device used to store and restore data from
disk to tape and from tape back to disk. Your
computer has a tape drive built into the same box as
the computer.
target file A file that is being copied to, as with the COPY
command. It is the duplicate file, which is a copy
of the source or original file. See also source
file.
task A specific operation that is performed by selecting
an HP Easytime/iX menu item or function key. Also
used as the general term for performing an action on
the computer with one or more MPE/iX commands.
Copying a file is a sample of a task.
temporary file A file that exists only for the duration of a session
or job. There is no entry in the system directory
for a temporary file.
terminal A hardware device consisting of a keyboard and a
display screen. It is used for entering data to and
receiving data from the computer.
title bar The first line displayed on an HP Easytime/iX screen
(or dialog box). It tells you your current location.
trailer The last page printed when output is directed to a
line printer. It contains the session name (if
specified), session number, log on identification,
day of the week, date, and time. It corresponds to
the header printed as the first page of a document.
truncate To cut off or shorten data. If too many characters
appear on a line, they may not all be recognized by
the system or printed as output. To avoid a long
command line from being truncated, use the ampersand
character (&).
type manager A file system module responsible for handling all
file system operations for a particular type of file.
Operations include: read, write, control, close,
etc.
user defined A collection of one or more Command Interpreter (CI)
command (UDC) commands given a name, which must begin the first
line of the UDC. One or more individual UDCs are
placed in the same file, which is "catalogued" by the
:SETCATALOG command. The CI searches for UDCs before
built-in commands and command files.
unattended backup A backup that is not only scheduled to be performed
at a specific time but also does not require user
response to the tape request necessary for the
backup. The tape drive used in this backup must be
configured with the AUTOREPLY mode. Only trained
system managers should configure the system and its
devices.
user A person logged on to the computer. Each user is
identified by a user name and account name.
user command A user command is a user-defined command (UDC) or a
command file created to execute one or more MPE/iX
commands. See also command file.
user-defined A header specified in a special text file that lists
command (UDC) one or more MPE/iX commands. When this UDC file is
cataloged, the header(s) in it can be entered at the
system prompt and the associated MPE/iX commands will
execute.
user error An error that occurs during the normal operation of
the computer and that is generated by the user doing
something incorrectly.
user A unique identification for every user on the system.
identification POSIX implements this as a number. MPE/iX currently
(UID) maintains both a number in the HPUID.PUB.SYS database
for use by POSIX applications (and process
signals),and a string ID in the form of user.account
for all other needs.
utility A system program that performs specific functions
such as copying files, sorting or merging data,
analyzing a memory dump, or monitoring available disk
space.
View menu An HP Easytime/iX menu that allows you to display and
sort objects on the screen.
volume A term for disk. Volume (disk) management is an
advanced concept that is concerned with organizing
the storage on disk of system, subsystem, and user
files.
volume set A group of related disks. MPE/iX requires that the
system volume set, MPEXL_SYSTEM_VOLUME_SET be present
on the system in order to boot and run the system.
For the HP 3000 Series 9X8LX, this system volume set
is defined for the internal disk before shipment.
VOLUTIL Volume Utility: A subsystem that provides for the
management of volume sets (disk drives).
warn message A message sent from the system console to all users.
A warn message interrupts all sessions on the system.
welcome message A message created to appear each time a user logs on
to the system. It usually contains a greeting and
important system information.
wildcard Special characters that are used to replace a
characters character or set of characters. Traditional MPE
wildcard characters are: "@" - match zero or more of
any legal character, "?" - match a single legal
character, and "#" - match a single numeric
character. POSIX syntax expands the range of legal
characters to include lowercase, "_", "." and "-". A
range or group of characters is expressed as "[abc]",
or "[a-c]", which both indicate to match the letters
"a", "b" or "c".
window An HP Easytime/iX term that refers to rectangular
work areas through which you can perform tasks and
manage your system. The two kinds of windows in HP
Easytime/iX are screens (accessed from the Main menu)
and dialog boxes. See also dialog box.
word A term used for 32 bits (4 bytes) of information on
MPE/iX operating systems.
word processor A utility program that supports the creation, change,
or deletion of letters, memos, reports, and other
written documents.
write-enable A method of allowing information to be written onto a
tape. See also read-and-write tape.
write-protect A method of preventing information from being erased
from a tape or being added to the tape. See also
read-only tape.