M

MAC
(1) For Cryptographic Support, see message authentication code (MAC).
(2) For communications, see medium access control (MAC).

machine characteristic
Values defined in the computer.

machine interface (MI)
The interface, or boundary, between the operating system and the Licensed Internal Code.

machine language
A language that can be used directly by a computer without intermediate processing.

machine object
A program object that has no defined storage form; the object is defined internally to the machine. The machine aspect is not available to the user. Contrast with data object.

machine storage pool
A storage pool used by the machine and certain highly shared programs, whose size is specified in the system value QMCHPOOL.

macro
(1) See macroinstruction.
(2) In REXX, a program that performs certain operations, such as text editor operations, in applications.

macroinstruction
A single instruction that represents a set of instructions.

magnetic ink
An ink that contains particles of a magnetic substance whose presence can be detected by magnetic sensors.

magnetic-ink character recognition
The identification of characters by sensing magnetic ink.

magnetic storage device controller
The I/O controller card in the card enclosure that controls the operation of the disk, diskette, and tape devices.

magnetic stripe reader
A device, attached to a display station, that reads data from a magnetic stripe on a badge before allowing an operator to sign on.

magnetic tape drive
A technique for moving and controlling magnetic tape.

magnetic tape subsystem
A tape unit that includes the logic interface hardware necessary to operate with a system unit.

magnetic tape unit
A device for reading or writing data from or to magnetic tape.

mail
The distribution objects and documents referred to by a mail log.

mailbox
A collection of pointers to message objects that are addressed to a single entity.

mail details
In the OfficeVision program, information related to a mail item, such as the date received, authors, and due date.

mail exchange (MX) record
A record in the Domain Name System (DNS) that indicates which host handles mail for a particular domain.

mail log
In the OfficeVision program, a record of all the electronic and printed mail that an office user has sent or received.

mail log usage
In the OfficeVision program, a measure of the number of times a document is referred to by a user.

mail report
In the OfficeVision program, a list of information about each mail item, but not a list of the contents. The OfficeVision program can create several types of mail reports. For example, mail items sorted by date, mail items received between two dates, and action items sorted by date or assignee.

mail server framework (MSF)
A set of user exit points and application program interfaces (APIs) that embody an abstract design for solutions to a number of related communications problems.

mail subset
In the OfficeVision program, a set of mail selected by status from the entire mail log. For example, new mail.

main distribution frame (MDF)
In the CallPath licensed program, a series of quick-connection blocks, supported on a frame, that allows trunk lines and telephones to be connected to the 9722 Redwood system.

main function
In the C language, a function that has the identifier main. Each program must have exactly one function named main. The main function is the first user function that gets control when a program starts to run.

mainline module
A sequence of instructions called by a program in the main path after it is compiled.

main program
(1) The highest level program involved in a run unit.
(2) The first program to receive control when a program is run. See also subprogram.

main storage
All addressable storage where programs are run. Synonymous with memory. See also control storage. Contrast with auxiliary storage.

main storage dump space
A section of storage reserved on the disk unit that is used as a place to save main storage for recovery and debugging.

main storage pool
A division of main storage, which allows the user to reserve main storage for processing a job or group of jobs, or to use the pools defined by the system. Contrast with auxiliary storage pool.

main storage - TS queue
A dynamic storage area managed by CICS under the temporary storage facility. Data in main storage is not kept from one CICS run to the next. Contrast with auxiliary storage - TS queue.

maintenance
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, the tasks that must be performed on a routine basis to perform cleanup activities and other Backup Recovery and Media Services functions. Examples of maintenance are tape expiration, recovery analysis reports, and media movement.

main window
In VisualAge RPG, a window that is an immediate child of the desktop.

major/activity token
In OSI, the session-layer token that controls activities and major synchronize operations.

major synchronization point
In OSI, a session-layer synchronization point that usually represents a logically significant piece of work. Major synchronization points are a confirmed service. Contrast with minor synchronization point.

major synchronize
In OSI, a confirmed service provided by the session layer that enables peer application entities to synchronize the exchange of data. For example, an application entity can send data followed by a major synchronize request; its peer sends back a major synchronize response, which indicates that it has received all of the data that was sent up to the major synchronize request. The major synchronization function also marks a recovery point in the data stream. Contrast with minor synchronize.

major tick
In Business Graphics Utility, a mark on an axis that denotes character grid units on a chart. See also minor tick.

make
In VisualAge RPG, the process by which all of the components are compiled and assembled to create a VRPG application.

managed object
In OSI, a resource that is subject to management--such as a layer entity, a connection, or a line--as viewed from a systems management perspective.

managed system
A system in the network that is managed by a central site system. Typically these systems have no skilled operations personnel present and run unattended on off-shift hours.

Managed System Services
An IBM licensed program that enables a system to be managed by a central site ES/9000 system running the IBM NetView Distribution Manager program. Managed System Services enables objects and program temporary fixes (PTFs) to be sent or retrieved, PTFs to be applied, programs to be run, and the central site system to control an initial program load (IPL) of the system.

management
In OSI, a synonym for systems management.

management application
In OSI, a synonym for systems management application.

management association
In OSI, a synonym for network management association.

Management Central
A suite of systems management functions that is an integrated part of AS/400 Operations Navigator. Management Central provides the base for managing multiple systems.

management collection
An object within the OS/400 operating system that includes the data for a number of collections. The collections begin when the collector is started and continue until the collection is either ended or cycled. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *MGTCOL.

management domain
(1) In OSI, a synonym for network management domain.
(2) In OSI X.400, a set of one or more message transfer agents and zero or more user agents that make up a system capable of handling messages and is managed by either an administration or private company.

management information
In OSI, information--associated with a managed object--that is operated on by management protocols to control and monitor that object. See also managed object.

Management Information Base (MIB)
(1) A database containing the information pertinent to network management. The database is conceptually organized as a tree.
(2) In System Manager, units of managed information that specifically describe an aspect of a system, such as the system name, hardware number, or communications configuration. A collection of related MIB objects is defined as a MIB.

management protocols
In OSI, protocols for use in systems management.

management services
In SNA, one of the types of network services in control points and physical units. Management services is the service provided to assist in the management of SNA networks, such as problem management, performance and accounting management, configuration management, and change management.

manager
(1) The part of a distributed management application that issues requests and receives notifications; that is, uses the services of one or more agents.
(2) In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), a set of remote procedures that implement the operations of an RPC interface and that can be dedicated to a given type of object. See also object and RPC interface.
(3) In the OSI Communications Subsystem licensed program, a synonym for managing process.
(4) See also SystemView manager.

manager entry point vector
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), the entry point vector used by the run-time code on the server side to dispatch incoming remote procedure calls. See entry point vector and manager.

manager list
In OSI, a list that an agent maintains of the managing processes that are--or are eligible to become--managers of that agent.

manager node
In OSI, a node that provides a managing process.

managing process
In OSI, the part of a systems management application that monitors and controls the resources of an agent process. In OSI Communications Subsystem, the managing process can send operator commands to--and receive event reports from--its agent processes. Synonymous with manager. See also systems management application. Contrast with agent.

mandatory entry field
A field in which an operator must enter at least one character.

mandatory fill field
A field that an operator must leave blank, or must fill in completely.

manual answer
In data communications, a line type that requires operator actions to receive a call over a switched line. Contrast with automatic answer.

manual call
In data communications, a line type requiring operator actions to place a call over a switched line. Contrast with automatic call.

manual connection
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection in which all of the parameters of a manual connection must be set up manually. Manual connections do not automatically refresh the keys that maintain data security. Contrast with dynamic connection.

Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP)
In OSI, a specification developed by industrial users to provide a common set of protocols to allow communications between computers and factory floor equipment in the manufacturing environment. It is based on a subset of the open systems interconnection (OSI) standard.

MAP
See Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP).

mapped address
A bidirectional mapping of one address to another.

mapped conversation
In advanced program-to-program communications (APPC), a temporary connection between an application program and an APPC session in which the system provides all the information on how the data is formatted. Contrast with basic conversation.

mapping
A representation of one thing to another.

mapping object
A function of AFP Utilities that maps a database field value to an object name.

mapping table
An object that contains a set of hexadecimal characters used to map data from one character set and code page to another. For example, unprintable characters can be mapped to blanks, and lowercase alphabetic characters can be mapped to uppercase characters.

map set
A group of one or more maps for use with CICS basic mapping support (BMS).

margin A
The margin between the 7th and 8th character positions of a reference format for a COBOL source program line.

margin B
The margin between the 11th and 12th character positions of a reference format for a COBOL source program line.

margin C
The margin between the 6th and 7th character positions of a reference format for a COBOL source program line.

margin L
The margin immediately to the left of the leftmost character position of a reference format for a COBOL source program line.

margin R
The margin immediately to the right of the rightmost character position of a reference format for a COBOL source program line.

margin text
Notes written in the margins on the top, bottom, left, or right of a document.

marker
(1) In the GDDM function, a symbol centered on a point. Line charts may use markers to indicate the plotted points.
(2) In hardware, reflective material placed on magnetic tape to indicate the beginning or ending of the recording area.

marshaling
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), the process by which a stub converts local arguments into network data and packages the data for transmission. Contrast with unmarshaling.

mask
(1) A pattern of characters that is used to control the keeping, deleting, or testing of portions of another pattern of characters.
(2) In DCE Security, a technique used to establish maximum permissions that can then be applied to individual access control list (ACL) entries.
(3) A pattern or template that you apply to an Internet Protocol (IP) address to specify which bits are significant and which bits are irrelevant.

masquerade NAT (network address translation)
A TCP/IP function that allows a user to translate multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to another single IP address. Masquerade NAT is used to hide one or more IP addresses on an internal network behind an IP address that will be made public. Traffic can initiate from the private internal addresses only. See also network address translation (NAT) and static NAT (network address translation).

master file
A collection of permanent information, such as a file of customer addresses.

master key
See host master key.

master name server
A name server that provides secondary name servers with domain data.

master profile
In Client Access, a file that contains the session profiles and keyboard profiles for a user's work station function session.

master replica
In the DCE Cell Directory Service (CDS), the first instance of a specific directory in the namespace. After copies of the directory have been made, a different replica can be designated as the master, but only one master replica of a directory can exist at a time. CDS can create, update, and delete object entries and soft links in a master replica.

master sort table
A system-supplied table that contains sort information required for sorting double-byte characters. This table is maintained by the character generator utility function of the Application Development ToolSet licensed program.

match fields
In RPG primary or secondary multifile processing, fields within a record type that are to be used for checking the order of a single file, or for matching records of one file with those of another file.

matching record (MR) indicator
An indicator used in calculation or output specifications to indicate operations that are to be performed only when records match in primary and secondary files.

match level
In RPG, the value (M1 through M9) assigned to the match field. The match level identifies fields by which records are matched during primary or secondary multifile processing.

matrix
An arrangement in rows and columns.

MAU
See multistation access unit (MAU).

maximize
A choice that, when selected, enlarges the window to its largest possible size.

maximum transmission unit (MTU)
The largest possible unit of data that can be sent on a given physical medium in a single frame. For example, the maximum transmission unit for Ethernet is 1500 bytes.

maybe semantics
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), a form of idempotent semantics that indicates that the caller neither requires nor receives any response or fault indication for an operation, even though there is no guarantee that the operation was completed. An operation with maybe semantics is implicitly idempotent and lacks output parameters. See at-most-once semantics, broadcast semantics, and idempotent semantics.

Mb
See megabit.

MBCS
See multibyte character set.

Mbps
Megabits per second.

MCA
See message channel agent (MCA).

MDF
See main distribution frame (MDF) or multiple device file (MDF).

MDT
See modified data tag (MDT).

media
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, an individual physical tape cartridge or tape reel, or removable storage device available for use by the AS/400 system. This media is grouped into media classes for management, tracking, and statistical analysis.

media access method
The method for determining which device has access to the transmission medium at any time. See also transmission medium.

media class
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a user-defined name used to identify the type and characteristics of the physical media to be managed as a group for backup, archive, or recovery operations. Each media class is distinguished by attributes, such as format or capacity, that are used by the AS/400 system.

media inventory
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a library that contains information about media that has been enrolled in Backup Recovery and Media Services. The media inventory contains information such as volume serial identifier, expiration date, creation date, and location. Media in the media inventory is used for backup, archive, and recovery operations.

medialess
Pertaining to a personal computer or work station that does not have a diskette or tape drive or a hard disk.

medialess programmable work station
A programmable work station that does not contain a diskette or tape drive or a hard disk. Cooperative processing is done through a shared folder on the AS/400 system.

media library device (MLD)
A tape storage device that contains one or more tape drives, tape cartridges, and a part (carriage and picker assembly) for moving tape media between the cartridge storage slots and the tape drives.

media management
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, the overall control, cataloging, and tracking of removable media by status, storage location, container placement, and contents by volume from creation to expiration. Backup Recovery and Media Services tracks only enrolled volumes. Tapes and other media are managed by media class and individual volumes within the class. Both active and expired media are tracked by volume serial number.

media origin
One of the four corners of the physical medium (usually paper) where printing begins.

media policy
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a policy that defines the default values used for management of a media class. A user can have multiple media policies (one for each media class) to define such things as the move policy used for this media class, the type of retention, the use of save files, and the number of copies to be made. Values for a media policy are inherited from the system policy and can be overridden by the media policy or by the user at the control group level.

media set
(1) In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a multivolume tape group created as a result of a backup operation or archive operation. Media sets are managed as a group to provide consistent management of single and multivolume output and to provide integrity in cases where an individual volume in a media set is expired in advance of the remaining volumes.
(2) In software distribution and installation on AS/400, a multivolume CD-ROM, CD-R, or tape group created for the purpose of distributing a selection of software to customers for installation on to the system. Some media sets, for example, a system software release upgrade media set, may consist of a collection of smaller media sets, each containing a specialized selection of the Licensed Internal Code, licensed programs, the operating system, and program temporary fixes needed to operate the system and use it to do business.

medium
The disk, tape, or diskette used to store information in a save or restore operation.

medium access control (MAC)
For local area networks, the method of determining which device has access to the transmission medium at any time.

medium attachment unit
See transceiver.

medium convergence
In the DCE Cell Directory Service (CDS), a setting that controls the degree to which CDS attempts to keep all replicas of a directory consistent. Medium convergence means CDS makes one attempt to immediately propagate an update to all replicas of the directory in which a change was made. See high convergence and low convergence.

meeting notice
In the OfficeVision program, a document that is mailed to meeting invitees to inform them of a meeting.

megabit
(1) For processor storage, real and virtual storage, and channel volume, 220 or 1 048 576 bits.
(2) For disk storage capacity and communications volume, 1 000 000 bits.

megabyte
A unit of measure for storage capacity. For main storage, 1 megabyte equals 1 048 576 bytes (1024 x 1024); for auxiliary storage (disk, diskette, and tape), 1 megabyte equals 1 000 000 bytes (1000 x 1000).

member
Different sets of data, each with the same format, within one database file. See also source member.

memory
In Client Access, program-addressable storage from which instructions and other data can be loaded directly into registers for subsequent processing. See also main storage.

memo slip
In the OfficeVision program, additional information attached to a mail item.

menu
A displayed list of items from which a user can make a selection. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *MENU.

menu bar
The area containing keywords at the top of a display that gives a user access to actions available for that display. After a user requests a choice in the menu bar, a pull-down menu is shown below the menu bar.

menu-bar field
In DDS, a panel element that contains a numeric field containing one or more menu-bar choice keywords.

menu-bar separator
In DDS, a panel element that contains a horizontal line that appears directly below a menu bar.

menu-bar switch key
A key that alternates the cursor between the menu bar and that application display.

menu security
A function of the operating system that controls which system resources are available to users. Menu security restricts a user to a single menu or a sequence of menus that are defined in the user profile.

merge
(1) To insert records throughout a single output file.
(2) To combine overrides for a file from the first call level up to and including a greater call level, producing the override to be applied when the file is used.

merge file
In COBOL, the temporary file that contains all the records to be merged by a MERGE statement. The merge file is created and can be used only by the merge function.

mesh-connected session network
A configuration where every network node has a control point-to-control point session to every other network node. As the number of network nodes increases, the number of CP-to-CP sessions increases dramatically.

message
(1) A communication sent from a person or program to another person or program.
(2) In OSI Message Services, a piece of electronic mail in the format of the X.400 CCITT standard. An X.400 message can be an AS/400 document, note, message, or file.
(3) In OfficeVision, a short communication of no more than 202 characters in length sent from one user to one or more other users. A message is place in the mail log of the recipient, even if the recipient is not signed on.
(4) In MQSeries message queuing applications, a communication sent from a program to another program.
(5) In Smalltalk, the mechanism by which one object requests the services of another object. The message identifies the method that the object will use to perform the request.
(6) In system programming, information intended for the system operator.

message authentication code (MAC)
In Cryptographic Support, the first 4 bytes from the last 8-byte block of ciphertext produced when encrypting a message using cipher block chaining, that is added to the end of the plaintext message from which it was created and used to detect whether the message was changed during transmission.

message authentication key
In Cryptographic Support, a data encrypting key used to encrypt data to produce a message authentication code.

message channel
In MQSeries distributed message queuing, a mechanism for moving messages from one queue to another. A message channel comprises two message channel agents and a communications link.

message channel agent (MCA)
In MQSeries, a program that transmits prepared messages from a transmission queue to a communications link, or from a communications link to a destination queue.

message description
Information describing a particular message.

message descriptor
In MQSeries, control information that is carried as part of an MQM message.

message envelope
The information associated with a message aside from attachments and recipients.

message file
(1) An object that contains message descriptions. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *MSGF.
(2) In CICS, the file holding the text of all CICS messages.

message handling system (MHS)
In OSI X.400, a collection of message transfer agents and user agents that provide support for sending and receiving messages.

message help
More information about a message, such as the message type, severity, and date and time sent.

message identifier
A seven-character code that identifies a predefined message, and is used to get the message description from a message file. See predefined message.

message line
An area on the display where messages are displayed.

message object
An abstraction of the data structures or system objects that store mail server framework message information.

message priority
In MQSeries, an attribute of a message that can affect the order in which messages on a queue are retrieved and whether a trigger event is generated.

message protocol data unit (MPDU)
In OSI, the elements in Protocol 1 (P1) that are used between message transfer agents (MTAs).

message queue
(1) A list on which messages are placed when they are sent to a user ID or device description. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *MSGQ.
(2) In interprocess communications, a mechanism that allows a process to communicate with other processes by sending messages to a process, receiving messages from a process, or performing control operations on a process.

Message Queue Interface (MQI)
The programming interface provided by the MQSeries message queue managers. This programming interface allows application programs to access message queuing services.

message queuing
A programming technique in which each program within an application communicates with the other programs by putting messages on queues.

message reference key
A key assigned to every message on a message waiting line. This key is used to remove a message from a message waiting line, to receive a message, and to reply to a message.

message severity
See severity.

message store (MS)
A component that is usually associated with the local delivery exit. The message store provides application program interfaces (APIs) for maintaining mailboxes, and it provides pointers to message objects.

message subfile
A subfile where the records are messages from a program message queue.

message transfer agent (MTA)
In OSI X.400, one of two basic parts of electronic mail. A message transfer agent is a program that accepts the mail from user agents, delivers messages to user agents, and forwards messages to other MTAs. See also user agent (UA).

message transfer state
In BSC, a condition in which a bid exchange was completed and data can be transmitted.

message transfer system (MTS)
In OSI X.400, a collection of message transfer agents. A message transfer system provides the means by which user agents can exchange messages.

message type
A value used to define the type of data sent for a distribution to a recipient. The message types supported on a system are defined when the mail server framework is configured. The value associated with the message type must be a unique type value.

message unit identifier (MUID)
In SNA, a number that uniquely identifies a distribution message unit throughout its existence. A message unit exists for only one hop, from one system to the adjacent system.

messaging
A method for communication between programs. Messaging can be synchronous or independent of time.

metaclass
A class of classes. Contrast with parent class, which is a class from which instance methods are inherited.

metadata
In databases, data that describes data objects.

metafile
A file containing a series of attributes that set color, shape, and size, usually of a picture or a drawing. Using a program that can interpret these attributes, a user can view the assembled image.

metaphor
A word, phrase, or visual representation that denotes or depicts one object or idea but suggests a likeness or analogy with another object or idea.

metatable
In the OSI Communications Subsystem licensed program, the machine-readable form of an abstract syntax. The metatable is generated by the Abstract Syntax Checker and used by the OSI COmmunications Subsystem presentation layer to encode and decode data being exchanged.

method
In object-oriented programming, an operation that an object can perform. An object can have many methods. See also HTTP method.

method binding signature
A hexadecimal value that contains the method signature (obtained from the signature bank), inheritance level, slot, and signature of the method's class. The method binding signature is added to the Interface Definition Language (IDL) source file by the signature emitter.

method pointer
A special OS/400 pointer type. A method pointer on a single class. Method pointers are not guaranteed to be persistent between multiple jobs.

method procedure
A function or procedure, written in an arbitrary programming language, that implements a method of a class.

method signature
A hexadecimal value obtained from an AS/400 and placed in a signature bank on the workstation. The signature bank uniquely identifies a method. Method signatures are added to the Interface Definition Language (IDL) source file by the signature emitter. Method signatures are added in the form of a binding signature. See also class signature.

metric
A measurement of a particular characteristic of a program's performance.

MFM
See modified frequency modulation (MFM).

MHS
See message handling system (MHS).

MI
See machine interface (MI).

MIB
See Management Information Base (MIB).

Micro Channel architecture
Hardware that is used for PS/2 Models 50 computers and above to provide better growth potential and performance characteristics when compared with the original personal computer design.

microfiche
A photographic negative containing reduced images of pages of a document, arranged in a grid pattern.

Microsoft Windows
Pertaining to a Microsoft Corporation program that provides a graphical user interface for DOS.

microswitch
A switch operated by the movement of some part of the machine.

migrate
(1) To move to a changed operating environment, usually to a new release or version of a system.
(2) To move data from one hierarchy of storage to another.

Migrate'N'Grow
An offering of migration solution options that assist users with the migration of data from their System/36 or System/38 systems to AS/400 systems. The migration solution options available provide varying amounts of software and service assistance.

migration
(1) The process of moving data and source from one computer system to another without converting the data.
(2) A storage management operation where selected data is physically moved from system auxiliary storage pools (ASPs) to user ASPs.

MIME
See Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME).

minimally consistent
In the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), pertaining to an object that satisfies various conditions set forth in the definition of its class.

minimize
A choice that reduces the window to its smallest possible size and removes all the windows associated with that window from the display.

minor synchronization point
In OSI, a session-layer synchronization point that represents a less significant piece of work than a major synchronization point. Minor synchronization points are an unconfirmed service. Contrast with major synchronization point.

minor synchronize
In OSI, a service provided by the session layer that enables peer application entities to mark recovery points in the flow of data being exchanged in case they need to resynchronize the data stream. Contrast with major synchronize.

minor tick
In Business Graphics Utility, one of the marks located between major ticks on an axis of a chart. See also major tick.

mirrored pair
Two units that contain the same data and are referred to by the system as one logical unit.

mirrored protection
A function that protects data by duplicating all disk data in an auxiliary storage pool (ASP) to another disk unit (mirrored unit) in the same ASP. If a disk failure occurs, the system keeps running, using the operational mirrored unit of the mirrored pair until the disk unit is repaired or replaced. See also mirrored pair and mirrored unit. Contrast with checksum protection and device parity protection.

mirrored unit
One half (one of the units) of a mirrored pair of units.

mirroring
The process of writing the same data to two disk units within the same auxiliary storage pool at the same time. The two disk units become a mirrored pair, allowing the system to continue when one of the mirrored units fails. See also mirrored pair, mirrored unit, and mirrored protection.

mixed-byte character set
A set of characters that contain both single-byte characters and double-byte characters. For example, a file might contain characters from a single-byte coded character set (such as code page 00290) and characters from a double-byte coded character set (such as code page 00300).

mixed CCSID
A mixed-byte (single byte and double byte) encoding scheme. CCSID 05026 is an example of a mixed CCSID. CCSID 05026 contains both single-byte code page 00290 and double-byte code page 00300.

mixed chart
In the GDDM function, the combination of more than one type of chart in a business chart. For example, the overlaying of a line chart on a bar chart.

mixed data
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, data that is associated with both a single-byte character set and a double-byte character set.

mixed data string
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a character string that can contain both single-byte and double-byte characters.

mixed list
A list of unlike values for a parameter that accepts a set of separately defined values. An example of a mixed list is a list of user names that embeds another list. Contrast with simple list.

Mixed Object:Document Content Architecture
The architecture that provides a single interface definition allowing objects from different products to be interchanged so that the data can be edited, presented, or manipulated by processes of varying characteristics and intent.

mixed-release support
An approach to managing software delivery that makes it possible for IBM-supplied distribution media to deliver entire (or parts of) licensed programs at existing releases with or without a new release of OS/400. Existing licensed programs that are enabled for mixed releases but that have no new function are not rebuilt. They are not renewed with a new release of the operating system. Similarly, optionally installable parts of licensed programs that are enabled for mixed releases are not rebuilt or are not renewed with each new release of its base licensed program. Enabled licensed programs that remain at earlier releases are compatible and function with the new release of the operating system.

mixed string
A character string that consists of both single-byte character set (SBCS) data and bracketed double-byte character set (DBCS) data.

MLD
See media library device (MLD).

MNCS
See multinational character set (MNCS).

mnemonic
A symbol or abbreviation chosen to help the user remember the significance or meaning of the symbol. For example, CRTUSRPRF is a mnemonic for the Create User Profile command.

mnemonic-name
In COBOL, a user-defined word that is associated in the Environment Division with a specific channel-name, switch-name, or unit-name.

mode
(1) A method of operation in which the actions that are available to a user are determined by the state of the system.
(2) The state or setting of a program or device.
(3) The session limits and common characteristics of the sessions associated with advanced-program-to-program communications (APPC) devices managed as a unit with a remote location.
(4) In the OSI Communications Subsystem licensed program, a set of parameter values that are proposed for use when an association or connection is being established. The mode specifies the services needed from one or more layers. See application mode, network QOS mode, and transport mode.

mode description
A system object created for advanced-program-to-program communications (APPC) devices that describes the session limits and the characteristics of the session, such as the maximum number of sessions allowed, maximum number of conversations allowed, the pacing value for incoming and outgoing request or response units, and other controlling information for the session. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *MODD.

model configuration
In Client Access, the set of files, created by the Client Access administrator, that define a set of common characteristics for a set of Client Access users. Model configurations can be used as a base for defining user configurations.

model file
In performance, a complete representation of a system. It includes both the system configuration and the set of workloads running on the configuration.

model output file
A file that contains sample output of a function.

model system
As AS/400 system that manages the fix (PTF) levels for each of the systems in a network by comparing what fixes are available on the model system with a specific endpoint system.

model-unique Licensed Internal Code (MULIC)
The Licensed Internal Code shipped with the system hardware that provides support for that model. MULIC is a complex instruction set computer (CISC)-only function. See also Licensed Internal Code and feature-unique Licensed Internal Code (FULIC).

modem (modulator/demodulator)
A device that converts digital data from the computer to an analog signal to send it over a communications line (modulator) and converts the communications signal received to data for the computer (demodulator). See also data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE).

mode-2 character
In the GDDM function, a graphics character (symbol), characterized by an unchanging size, constructed from picture elements. Contrast with mode-3 character; see also hardware character.

mode-3 character
In the GDDM function, a graphics character (symbol), characterized by a variable size and shape, constructed from lines and curves. Contrast with mode-2 character; see also hardware character.

modification level
A distribution of additional function or fixes to a program since the previous release or modification. A new release is shipped at modification 0. See also release, version, and VxRxMx.

modified data tag (MDT)
An indicator, associated with each input or output field in a displayed record, that is automatically set on when data is typed into the field. The modified data tag is maintained by the display file and can be used by the program using the file.

modified frequency modulation (MFM)
(1) Variation in the amplitude and frequency of the write signal.
(2) Pertains to the number of bytes of storage that can be stored on the recording media. Synonymous with double-density recording.

modular program design
A design in which multiple programs do a function (normally one program per function). Modular program design applies to both batch and interactive processing.

module
(1) An independent unit that is part of a total structure.
(2) An OS/400 object that can be a collection of one or more procedures and one or more definitions for external or internal variables. This object results from the compiling of source code.
(3) In online education, a unit of instruction that is part of an education course.
(4) In OSI, one or more instances of the use of the ASN.1 notation for type and value definitions, represented in ASN.1 module notation.
(5) In the Integrated Language Environment (ILE) model, the object that results from compiling source code. A module cannot be run. To be run, a module must be bound into a program. See also bind. Contrast with program.

module width
In AFP Utilities, the basic element width used in a bar code. The actual code element may be a module width or a multiple of a module width.

modulo check
A calculation performed on values entered into a system by an operator. This calculation is designed to detect most common typing errors. See also modulus.

modulus
In communications, a number, such as a positive integer, in a relationship that divides the difference between two related numbers without leaving a remainder. For example, 9 and 4 have a modulus of 5 (9 - 4 = 5; 4 - 9 = -5; and 5 divides both 5 and -5 without leaving a remainder).

modulus 10 checking/modulus 11 checking
(1) A method for verifying data.
(2) Formulas used to calculate the check digit for a self-check field.

monitor mode
In BSC, the mode during which the communications adapter is looking for synchronization characters.

monocase table
A table used to convert lowercase letters to uppercase letters. The actual process of character conversion is called monocasing.

monochrome
Consisting of a single color.

monospace
(1) One space.
(2) Referring to a character set, that uses one space in a preset width for each character. Contrast with proportional spacing.

mount
In Network File System (NFS), to make remote file systems on NFS servers accessible.

mouse
A device with one or more push buttons used to position a pointer on the display without using the keyboard. It allows a user to select a choice or function to be performed or to perform operations on the display, such as dragging or drawing lines from one position to another.

mouse button
A mechanism on a mouse that a user presses to select choices or start actions.

move policy
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a policy that defines the movement of media between or among storage locations, and the length of time the media is to remain at each location. After the move is specified in the move policy, the media is returned to the user-specified home location. A move policy can be used with any media policy.

MPDU
See message protocol data unit (MPDU).

MPS
See multiple port sharing (MPS).

MPTN
See Multiprotocol Transport Networking (MPTN).

MQI
See Message Queue Interface (MQI).

MQSeries
(1) An IBM licensed program that provides message queueing services. It is part of the MQSeries set of products.
(2) The set of IBM products that enable programs to talk to each other across a network of unlike components, using a simple and consistent application programming interface, the MQI.

MR indicator
See matching record (MR) indicator.

MRJE
See multileaving remote job entry (MRJE).

MS
See message store (MS).

MSF
See mail server framework (MSF).

MSG file
In VisualAge RPG, a file containing the application messages. The file is created from the message source file during the make process. See also make.

MTA
See message transfer agent (MTA).

MTS
See message transfer system (MTS).

MTU
See maximum transmission unit (MTU).

MUID
See message unit identifier (MUID).

MULIC
See model-unique Licensed Internal Code (MULIC).

multibyte character set
A computer representation of a character set in which each character is represented by one or more bytes. A multibyte character set allows many thousands of characters to be represented in a single character set. Common multibyte character sets include PC-mixed, host-mixed and extended UNIX coded character set.

multicast address
(1) A type of IP address. A multicast address identifies a group of interfaces and lets all of the systems that are in that group receive the same packet of information. The interfaces of a single system can belong to many different multicast groups.
(2) See group address.

multifunction input/output processor (MFIOP)
A server processor that as a unit contains more than one processor function such as a diskette controller, a storage device controller, and a communications controller.

multihomed host
In the Internet Protocol (IP), a host that is connected to more than one network. Also referred to as dual-homed host.

multihoming
For TCP/IP, the ability to specify multiple interfaces per line description. The AS/400 system can have multiple hosts on the same network over the same communications line or multiple hosts on different networks over the same communications line.

multileaving remote job entry (MRJE)
The fully synchronized, two-directional transmission of a variable number of data streams between two computers using binary synchronous communications.

multilingual support
Support that includes more than one national language on a system. See also national language support (NLS).

multimedia
Material presented in a combination of text, graphics, video, animation, and sound.

multinational character set (MNCS)
(1) A set of graphic characters that support the languages within a specific language group.
(2) On AS/400, character set 697 and code page 500 are implied when speaking about the MNCS.

multiple axis chart
In the GDDM function, a chart in which more than one horizontal or vertical axis, or both, are used. See also secondary axis.

multiple bar chart
In the GDDM function, a form of bar chart in which the bars at a given horizontal axis value are placed side by side.

multiple chart
In the GDDM function, two or more charts appearing together on the work station or page. Multiple charts can be of the same type or different types and can be constructed from one or more sets of data.

multiple-choice selection field
A field that contains a fixed number of choices arranged in a list in which one or more selections can be made.

multiple-choice selection list
A field that contains a potentially scrollable list of choices in which one or more selections can be made.

multiple column editing
In the OfficeVision program, a method of editing that allows the user, if using the PC text-assist function, to edit text displayed in more than one column.

multiple device file (MDF)
(1) A device file in which the maximum number of program devices is greater than one.
(2) In RPG, any work station (WORKSTN) file with one of the keywords ID, IND, NUM, or SAVDS. Such a file can access more than one device, and devices of various types.

multiple DOS sessions
An OS/2 operating system service that coordinates the concurrent operation of separate virtual DOS machines.

multiple letters merge
In the OfficeVision program, a type of data/text merge that produces a separate printed document for each record selected. See also column list merge and direct merge.

multiple-line entry field
In VisualAge RPG, an entry field that allows the user to enter multiple lines of text.

multiple line report
In the OfficeVision program, a type of data/text merge that produces one document containing several lines of information from each data record in the data file. Contrast with column list merge and multiple letters merge.

multiple occurrence data structure
In RPG, a data structure that appears more than once in a program.

multiple operating systems
A primary operating system with one or more operating systems that coexist on the same system. For example, AS/400 Advanced 36 Model 436 can have OS/400 as its primary operating system that coexists with one or more AS/400 Advanced 36 machines running SSP as secondary operating systems.

multiple port sharing (MPS)
An arrangement for short-hold mode operation in which both the first call and a reconnection call (recall) for a population of DTEs are directed to any available port within a port group.

multiple-selection field
In Client Access, a list from which a user can choose one or more items.

multiple text columns
In the OfficeVision program, an arrangement of text in a document that appears as more than one column across the page, similar to the columns in a newspaper.

multiple up
The printing of more than one page on a single surface of a sheet of paper.

multiple virtual DOS machines (MVDM)
See multiple DOS sessions.

multiplexer
A device that takes several input signals and combines them into a single output signal in such a manner that each of the input signals can be recovered.

multiplexing
In OSI, the technique of using a single network connection by multiple Transport Layer connections so that multiple associations can share the same line. Multiplexing is available only for transport classes 2 and 4.

multipoint
In data communications, pertaining to a network that allows two or more stations to communicate with a single system on one line.

multipoint line
A line or circuit connecting several stations. Contrast with point-to-point line.

multiprocess installation
The process of installing two or more licensed programs at the same time.

multiprocessor
A computer including two or more processors that have common access to a main storage.

multiprotocol transport networking (MPTN)
A networking architecture that allows application programs using common upper-layer protocols and expecting the same transport services to communicate over transport networks that may use protocols different from the transport network the programs were designed to use. For example, socket application programs that were originally designed to communicate over a TCP/IP transport network can, using MPTN support, communicate over an SNA transport network.

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
An Internet standard for multimedia e-mail, including graphics, audio, and fax.

multistation access unit (MAU)
In the IBM Token-Ring Network, a wiring concentrator that can connect up to eight lobes to a ring.

multitasking
A mode of operation that provides for concurrent performance, or interleaved processing of two or more tasks. (I) (A)

multithread
A process that has multiple active threads. Multithread can also be called multithread capable.

multithreaded
In Java, pertaining to the description of a program that is designed to have parts of its code run concurrently. See also thread.

multithreading
A general purpose programming technique that reduces the complexity and overhead of concurrent programming. It is a required component to accommodate Java and Lotus Domino Server.

multithread test
In CICS, this type of test involves several concurrently active transactions. Whether the new function can coexist with other related functions is tested. Contrast with single-thread test.

multivolume file
A file that occupies more than one diskette or tape.

mutex
(1) A synchronization function that is used to allow multiple jobs or processes to serialize their access to shared data.
(2) In the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), a read-write lock that grants access to a single thread at any time. A mutex is often used to ensure that shared variables are always seen by other threads in a consistent way.
(3) An abstraction that allows two or more threads to cooperate in a MUTual EXclusion protocol that allows safe access to shared resources. See also mutual exclusion lock.

mutual exclusion (mutex)
See mutex.

mutual exclusion lock
In software, a method for preventing two separately running pieces of code from interfering with each other's use of a particular data object. For example, if one thread is running a function that modifies a shared data structure, the application may need to prevent other threads from simultaneously attempting to read the data before the changes are complete.

MVDM
See multiple DOS sessions.

MX record
See mail exchange (MX) record.


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