DB2 graphic QMF Version 8

Glossary

A

accelerators
Functions, also known as shortcut keys, available on pull-down menus to select an option via the keyboard rather than a mouse.
access keys
(mnemonics): An underlined character that performs each menu or dialog function.
accessibility
Software and hardware accessibility features help those with physical disabilities to use their computer.
accessibility options
Options available through the Accessibility Wizard in the Windows operating system used to deliver information in a more accessible manner.
ad hoc query
A query that has not been named or saved; it has been submitted and executed "on the fly."
aggregation
Data that is the result of applying a process to combine data elements. Data that is taken collectively or in summary form.

B

bind
A process that compiles one or more DBRMs into an application plan.

C

column
Contains the values that have the same data type in the database. A value is similar to a field in a record. A value is the smallest unit of data that you can manipulate with SQL. The two basic components of the column definition are the name and the data type.
CPI-C
(Common Programming Interface for Communications): Provides a cross-system-consistent and easy-to-use programming interface for applications that require program-to-program communication. CPI-C defines a single programming interface to the underlying network protocols across many different programming languages and environments.
csv
(Comma Separated Values): A file format used as a portable representation of a database. Each line is one entry or record and the fields in a record are separated by commas. Commas may be followed by arbitrary space and/or tab characters which are ignored. If field includes a comma, the whole field must be surrounded with double quotes.

D

DB2 Warehouse Manager
A graphical environment for creating and managing high-performance, scalable DB2 data warehouses.

DB2 Warehouse Manager includes the Information Catalog, which enables users and Administrators to directly register information in the catalog--from QMF for Windows--such as spreadsheets, reports, queries, and other relevant information that will be shared.

dbf
(dBase database file): A file format for exporting a database file.
decimal delimiter
A character or string used to separate or mark the start of and end of items of data in a database, text file, or in source code. A decimal delimiter uses a period or comma to delimit this data.
default resource limits group
When the system administrator does not assign a user to a resource limits group or when there are no active schedules in the resource limits group to which a user is assigned, the user is assigned to the default resource limits group <Default> automatically.
DRDA
(Distributed Relational Database Architecture): A set of protocols that software developers can follow to develop connectivity solutions between heterogeneous RDBMs. DRDA coordinates communication between an application requester (such as QMF for Windows) and an application server (such as DB2), by defining what must be exchanged and how it must be exchanged.
dynamic query
A query whose SQL text is passed to a database server each time it is executed. Dynamic queries can contain substitution variables.
dynamic SQL
A set of facilities which allow the development of generalized programs; these programs, in contrast to static SQL programs, can accept actual SQL statements at execution time and prepare and execute them.

E

edit codes
Codes that determine how a column is formatted in a report. You use different edit codes depending on the type of data you want to format. Some edit codes include: character, date, graphic, numeric, time, timestamp, and user-defined.
embedded SQL
SQL statements are embedded within a host language program and are prepared (via the BIND process) before the program is executed.
Expression Builder
A utility that assists in building expressions for SQL queries and prompted queries. The Expression Builder presents a palette of common elements used to create SQL expressions such as column names, constants, functions, and operations. When you click the Expression Builder buttons, templates for expression elements are inserted into the corresponding SQL query window or prompted query expression window.

F

form
An object that contains the specifications for printing or displaying a report or chart. The resulting report is based on certain default choices made by QMF about the format of the report. You can modify forms by specifying break information, calculations, column alignment, grouping and aggregations, and other attributes.

G

global variable
Used for executing queries, procedures, or forms. In a query or procedure, no dialog box displays for the user to enter a value if a user-defined global variable has been created. The value specified for that global variable will be used instead.
governing
Establishes certain limits and controls for database and communication resources.

H

high-contrast mode
A system setting by which visually impaired users can view the screen.
host variable
Host variables enable you to use the same static query to retrieve different data. To retrieve different data, you do not need to rebind a package for the static query; instead, you supply different values for the host variables in the query.

Database servers specify rules for where host variables can appear in a query. Refer to documentation for your database server for these rules.

Host variables must have a specific data type. A value that you provide for a host variable must conform to that variable's data type.

HTML
A platform independent programming code file. Contains unformatted ASCII text instructions used by a Web browser on the World Wide Web. Invented by Tim Berners-Lee, formerly of CERN-Geneva.

I

Information Catalog
Included in the DB2 Warehouse Manager, and enables users and Administrators to directly register information in the catalog--from QMF for Windows--such as spreadsheets, reports, queries, and other relevant information that will be shared
Information Catalog Manager
A component of DB2 Warehouse Manager that: populates the catalog through metadata interchange with Data Warehouse Center and other analytical and reporting tools; enables users to register shared information objects directly; provides direct navigation or searching across objects to find relevant information; displays metadata about the object; launches tools used to render the information for the end-user.
Intelligent Miner Scoring
A tool that is implemented as database extenders. Your applications score records--segment, classify, or rank the subject of those records--based on a set of predetermined criteria expressed in a data mining model. The mining model and the scoring logic are isolated from the application.
ixf
(Integration Exchange Format): A file format used to import or export data.

J

job
A file used to schedule and run unattended procedures. A job file can store a user ID, encrypted password, and substitution variables.

K

keyboard equivalents
Keystrokes necessary to perform mouse functions using the keyboard.
keyboard navigation
A method of using the keyboard instead of the mouse to move from item to item on your screen.

L

large object
(LOB): A database entry containing a file that is stored within the database. LOBs can contain text files, multimedia files, or virtually any type of object.
linear procedure
Any procedure that does not begin with an IBM Object REXX comment. A linear procedure can run QMF commands, comments, blank lines, RUN commands, and substitution variables.
list
To display data in an ordered format. For example, the LIST command in BASIC displays lines of a program. A list is any ordered set of data.
LOB
(Large Object): A sequence of bytes representing bit data, single-byte characters, double-byte characters, or a mixture of single- and double-byte characters. A LOB can be up to 2 GB-1 byte in length.

LOB values may or may not be stored inline with other row data in the database. In either case, LOBs have the full transactional support of the database server. A database table stores a LOB locator which points to the LOB value which may be in a different storage space.

M

matching patterns
A character (such as % or _) used in a query, form or table name instead of a specific character.

Use the percent character to match a string of any length containing any characters. Use the underscore character to match a single character.

mnemonics
(access keys): An underlined character that performs each menu or dialog function.

N

natural query
A query written in conversational English, such as, "Show me all the managers who work 45 hours or more." The query is converted to SQL and run normally at the database. You must have EasyAsk installed on your machine to use natural queries.
neural clustering
(Used in Intelligent Miner Scoring): A technique that employs a type of neural network called the Kohonen feature map that clusters together similar data records and defines the typical attributes of an item that falls in a given cluster or segment. It discovers associations, sequential patterns, and similar time sequences and creates predictive or classification models of the data. It performs deviation detection by relying heavily on statistical analysis and visualization. The visualization techniques are useful for detecting deviations that hold for a rather small subset of the data, while it uses statistics to measure their significance.

O

object
A query, form, procedure, or table.
object list
Tree-structured representations of the database objects available on the server. Which objects can be viewed depends upon your resource limits. Objects can be added and removed from the object list; also, the objects can be saved and shared with other users.
object tracking
An option that keeps a detailed record whenever a specific object is used, and identifies the time the object was run, who ran it, and the results.
ODBC
(Open Database Connectivity): A standard for accessing different database systems. There are interfaces for Visual Basic, Visual C++, SQL and the ODBC driver pack contains drivers for the Access, Paradox, dBase, Text, Excel and Btrieve databases.

An application can submit statements to ODBC using the ODBC flavor of SQL. ODBC then translates these to whatever flavor the database understands. ODBC is based on Call-Level Interface and was defined by the SQL Access Group.

OLAP
(On-line analytical processing) OLAP queries perform complex calculations, trend analyses and modeling, derived from end-user requirements. OLAP queries can be used to perform ad hoc analyses of data in multidimensions.

P

procedure
An object containing QMF commands. A procedure can be run with a single RUN command.

A procedure is a set of commands that enable you to run queries, print reports, import and export data, and perform other functions with a single command.

procedure comments
Text that is not part of the actual commands that are executed when you run a procedure. Use comments within the procedure to store information for future reference about the procedure.

Procedure comments begin with two hyphens (- -) and can continue to the end of the line on which they appear. You can include as many comments as you want in a procedure. A procedure's comments, including the hyphens, are ignored by QMF for Windows until you remove the hyphens (uncomment) or remove the comments.

procedure continuation lines
Each line of a procedure typically contains a single command. You can, however, continue a command over multiple lines by placing a plus sign (+) in the first column of each additional line.
procedure with logic
Any QMF procedure beginning with an IBM Object REXX comment. In a procedure with logic, you can perform conditional logic, make calculations, build strings, and pass commands back to the host environment.
prompted query
A query that is built based on the user's responses to a set of dialog windows. Prompted queries are the recommended method for writing and editing queries if you are not familiar with SQL syntax.

Q

query
A request for a specific result set of information from a database. You can work with an SQL query, a prompted query or a natural query.
query comments
Text that is not part of the SQL code executed by the database server. Use comments in the query to store information about the query for future reference.

Query comments begin with two hyphens (- -) and can continue to the end of the line on which they appear. The query comments and hyphens are ignored by QMF for Windows and the database server at which you run the query. For example:

SELECT ID, NAME --names of the columns used
FROM Q.STAFF -- the table containing these
 columns
quoting characters
Characters used for character values and identifiers. Legal characters are the apostrophe (') and the quotation mark ("). Different quoting characters must be assigned for character values and identifiers.

R

resource limits
Limits and controls that govern the use of database and communication resources. These include setting schedules, time-outs, limits, authorization to SQL verbs, binding and object tracking privileges, LOB options, Report Center, and other options.
resource limits group
Users belonging to a group for which certain restrictions and permissions have been defined for schedules, time-outs, limits, SQL verbs, options, save data, binding, object tracking, LOB options, and the Report Center.
resource limits group schedule
The days and times during which the schedule for a resource limits group is active or inactive. The schedule includes parameters for time-outs, limits, SQL verbs, miscellaneous options, binding, save data, object tracking, LOB options, and Report Center.
restricted object
An object that is available only to its owner. Queries, forms, tables, and procedures are all objects.
results grid
The results of an SQL query, prompted query, or procedure. A preview of the results before the data is saved to a form, exported, or saved as a chart.
REXX
(Restructured Extended Executor): IBM Object REXX, an interpreted, structured, procedural script programming language that allows programs and algorithms to be written in a clear structured way.

It was designed so that it would be truly easy to use for both professionals and casual users and was designed to work in several diverse application areas -- such as personal programming, command processing, application macro processing and application prototyping -- where different languages are typically used. It is, however, designed to be platform-independent.

S

screen reader
An assistive technology product used to deliver information in a more accessible manner to those who cannot use a mouse.
security
Techniques for ensuring that data stored in a computer cannot be read or compromised. Most security measures involve data encryption and passwords. Data encryption is the translation of data into a form that is unintelligible without a deciphering mechanism. A password is a secret word or phrase that gives a user access to a particular program or system.
server
A computer system that processes database queries, such as those from QMF for Windows.
server definition file
(SDF): An initialization file created and maintained by QMF for Windows Administrator that defines server, connection, resource limits, and other crucial information for QMF for Windows to connect to the database server. The SDF is updated each time a database server s added, updated or deleted.
shared object
An object that is available to all users. Queries, forms, tables, and procedures are all objects.
shortcut keys
Functions, also known as accelerator keys, available on pull-down menus to select an option via the keyboard rather than a mouse.
shp
(Shape File format): A file format for spatial data, which is exported data represented in multiple layers, such as in a topographical map.
SNA
(Systems Network Architecture): A set of network protocols developed by IBM. Originally designed in 1974 for IBM's mainframe computers, SNA has evolved over the years so that it now also supports peer-to-peer networks of workstations.
spatial data
Any information about the location and shape of, and relationships among, geographic features. This includes remotely sensed data as well as map data.
special characters
Any characters that are not included in the list of regular characters, including:
SQL query
(Structured Query Language): A standardized language for defining and manipulating data in a relational database. SQL is used to write queries in descriptive phrases.
static query
An SQL query that has been previously passed to a database server and bound into a package.

When a static query is executed, the database server uses the SQL text bound into the package, rather than the SQL text currently appearing in the query window. Static queries are more resource efficient than dynamic queries, but static queries cannot be edited.

static SQL
SQL statements, embedded within a program, that are prepared during the program preparation process, before the program is executed. After being prepared, the SQL statement does not change (although variable values that are specified by the statement might change).
stored procedure
A group of SQL statements that form a logical unit and perform a particular task. Stored procedures are used to encapsulate a set of operations or queries to execute on a database server. For example, operations on an employee database (hire, fire, promote, lookup) could be coded as stored procedures executed by application code. Stored procedures can be compiled and executed with different parameters and results, and they may have any combination of input, output, and input/output parameters. Stored procedures are supported by most DBMSs, but there is a fair amount of variation in their syntax and capabilities.
string delimiter
A character or string used to separate or mark the start of and end of items of data in a database, text file, or in source code. A string delimiter uses an apostrophe or quote to delimit this data.
substitution variable
A variable in a procedure or query whose value is specified by a global variable or a run-time variable. Or, it is a variable in a form whose value is specified by a global variable.

Substitution variables must begin with an ampersand (&) and can contain up to 18 characters, which can be alphabetic, numeric or one of the following characters: [ ! $ ~ { } ? @ # % \ _.

T

table
A collection of stored data under the control of the relational database manager, consisting of a fixed number of rows and columns. You can interact with tables by running queries or by using the table editor.
table editor
A tool used to search for, add, edit or delete table data without writing QMF statements.
TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The suite of communications protocols used to connect hosts on the Internet. TPC/IP uses several protocols, the two main ones being TCP and IP. TCP/IP is built into the UNIX operating system and is used by the Internet, making it the de facto standard for transmitting data over networks.
txt
(Text): A text-only file format (.txt).

U

usage code
Codes that control how data is summarized, such as at the end of a column or as a partial summary at the control breaks in a table. Which usage codes are available depend on the data in the column and the type of summary.

V

variable
A data element that specifies a value that can be changed. A variable is a symbol or name that stands for a value.
voice synthesizer
An assistive technology product used to deliver information in a more accessible manner to those who cannot use a mouse.

W

WinCPI-C
(Windows Common Programming Interface for Communications): A portable application programming interface (API), that enables peer-to-peer communications among programs in an SNA environment.

CPI-C enables application programs distributed across a network to work together. By communicating with each other and exchanging data, they can accomplish a single processing task, such as querying a remote database.

WYSIWYG
(What You See is What You Get): a method by which the content of a document or form appears as it has been formatted, such as displaying a custom font style or aggregation and grouping.


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timestamp Last updated: March, 2004