IBM OS/390 User Manual

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MO:DCA-P is the strategic AFP interchange data
stream, and IPDS is the strategic AFP printer data
stream.
alphabetic character.  Any one of the letters A
through Z (uppercase and lowercase). Some licensed
programs include as alphabet characters the special
characters #, $, and @.
alphanumeric.  Pertaining to data that consist of
letters, digits, and usually other characters, such as
punctuation marks.
alternate COPY.  A source library management
feature that provides text inclusion within source
modules, JCL streams or any other card-image data,
in contrast to the standard source text inclusion
features that various compilers provide.
alternate index.  In systems with VSAM, a collection
of index entries related to a given base cluster and
organized by an alternate key, that is, a key other
than the prime key of the associated base cluster
data records; it gives an alternate directory for finding
records in the data component of a base cluster.
AMS .  See Access Method Services.
analysis routine.  A routine that analyzes error
records, provided by an error handler, to isolate
failures to one or more field replaceable units (FRUs).
APA.  all points addressable. The ability to address,
reference, and position text, overlays, and images at
any defined position or pel on the printable area of
the paper. This capability depends on the ability of
the hardware to address and to display each picture
element.
APF.  authorized program facility. The authorized
program facility (APF) is a facility that an installation
manager uses to protect the system. In MVS, certain
system functions, such as all or part of some SVCs,
are sensitive; their use must be restricted to users
who are authorized. An authorized program is one
that executes in supervisor state, or with APF
authorization.
application.  A set of programs, JCL jobstreams, and
other programming elements written for or by users
for their own data processing production.
application program.  (1) A program that is specific to
the solution of an application problem. Synonymous
with application software. (2) A program written for or
by a user that applies to the user
s work, such as a
program that does inventory control or payroll. (3) In
SDF/CICS, the program using the physical maps and
symbolic description maps generated from a source
map set.
application program interface (API).  A functional
interface supplied by the operating system or by a
separately orderable licensed program that allows an
application program written in a high-level language
to use specific data or functions of the operating
system or the licensed program.
application software.  (1) Software that is specific to
the solution of an application problem. (2) Software
coded by or for an end user that performs a service
or relates to the user
s work. See also system
software.
application step.  A job step that executes a user
program directly related to data processing
production. Contrast with utility step.
archive.  A copy of one or more files or a copy of a
database that is saved for future reference or for
recovery purposes in case the original data is
damaged or lost.
array.  In programming languages, an aggregate that
consists of data objects, with identical attributes, each
of which may be uniquely referenced by subscripting.
ascending sequence.  The arrangement of data in
order from the lowest value to the highest value,
according to the rules for comparing data. Contrast
with descending sequence.
assembler language.  A source language that
includes symbolic machine language statements in
which there is a one-to-one correspondence with the
instruction formats and data formats of the computer.
asynchronous processing.  A series of operations
performed separately from job in which they were
requested; for example, submitting a batch job from
an interactive job at a workstation. Contrast with
synchronous processing.
audit.  To review and examine the activities of a data
processing system mainly to test the adequacy and
effectiveness of procedures for data security and data
accuracy. See computer-system audit. See also audit
review file, audit trail.
authorization.  (1) In computer security, the right
granted to a user to communicate with or make use of
a computer system. (2) The process of granting a user
either complete or restricted access to an object,
resource, or function.
authorized library.  A library that may contain
authorized programs.
authorized program.  A system program or user
program that is allowed to use restricted functions.
automatic restart.  A restart that takes place during
the current run, that is, without resubmitting the job.
An automatic restart can occur within a job step or at
the beginning of a job step. Contrast with deferred
restart.
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VSE to OS/390 Migration Workbook