In the DCE Cell Directory
Service, a construct that singles out a particular (directory) object from all
other objects. A name must be unambiguous (denote only one
object); however, it need not be unique (the only name that unambiguously
denotes the object).
named constant
In RPG, a name
representing a specific value that does not change during the running of the
program.
named mutex
A mutual exclusion
lock that has a text name associated with it for identification and debugging
purposes.
name pattern
In CoOperative
Development Environment/400, a set of criteria used to display a list of VM or
OS/2 files, MVS data set names, or OS/400
objects.
name server
See domain name
server.
name service handle
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), an opaque reference to the context used by the series of
next operations called during a specific name service interface (NSI) search
or inquiry.
name service interface (NSI)
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), a part of the application programming interface
(API) of the RPC run time. NSI routines access a name service, such as
the Cell Directory Service (CDS), for RPC
applications.
namespace
(1) Space reserved by a
file system to contain the names of its objects.
(2) In the DCE Cell Directory
Service (CDS), a complete set of CDS names that one or more CDS servers look
up, manage, and share. These names can include directories, object
entries, and soft links.
naming authority
In OSI, an
organization that assigns OSI names and addresses--such as abstract
syntax names, application context names, network entity titles, and NSAP
addresses--to ensure that they are unique.
NaN
See not-a-number
(NaN).
NAT
See network address
translation (NAT).
national language dependent function
Any
function of a hardware or software product that must be altered to suit a
country or language. Examples include date and time formats, monetary
values, keyboards, measurement systems, and character data functions (such as
sorting). See also national language support (NLS) and
national language version
(NLV).
national language support (NLS)
The
ability for a user to communicate with hardware and software products in a
language of choice to obtain results that are culturally acceptable.
See also multilingual support and national language version
(NLV).
national language version (NLV)
(1) For the
primary language, the running code and textual data for each licensed program
ordered.
(2) For the
secondary language, the textual data for all licensed programs. See
also multilingual support and national language support
(NLS).
native character set
In COBOL,
the default character set associated with the computer specified in the
OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph.
native collating sequence
In COBOL,
the default collating sequence associated with the computer specified in the
OBJECT-COMPUTER paragraph.
natural language
Human language,
as opposed to the "artificial" languages used in computer
programming.
natural language processing
Processing
that accepts natural language input and produces natural language
output. For example, a natural language information retrieval system
accepts ordinary text files as input and may identify keywords for information
retrieval.
NAU
See network addressable
unit (NAU).
NAUN
See nearest active
upstream neighbor (NAUN).
NCA
See Network Computing
Architecture.
NDM
See normal disconnected
mode (NDM).
NDR
See Network Data
Representation.
nearest active upstream neighbor (NAUN)
In the
IBM Token-Ring Network, the station sending data directly to another station
in the ring.
negate
To make ineffective or not
valid.
negated combined condition
In
COBOL, the NOT logical operator immediately followed by a combined condition
in parentheses.
negated condition
A condition
that is made opposite (either true or false), by the NOT logical
operator.
negated simple condition
In
COBOL, the NOT logical operator immediately followed by a simple
condition.
negative acknowledgment (NAK) character
The BSC
transmission control character that indicates that the device is not ready or
that an error occurred.
negative response
In data
communications, a reply indicating that data was not received correctly or
that a command was incorrect or unacceptable. Contrast with
positive response. See also exception
response.
negotiated release
In OSI, a
service provided by the session layer that enables an application entity that
has received a release indication to refuse the release and continue the
session connection.
negotiation
A two-phase process
by which an initiating key server communicates with a responding key
server. If the negotiations are successful, the key servers establish a
dynamic Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection that is between the two
agreed-on endpoints. This approach, which is directed by the Internet
Key Exchange (IKE) protocols, maintains the secrecy of your keys.
nest
To incorporate a structure
or structures into a structure of the same kind; for example, one call
instruction (nested call) within another call instruction (nesting call) or
one subroutine (nested subroutine) within another subroutine (nesting
subroutine).
nested call
A call to a program
incorporated within another call to a program within the same
job.
nested command
A command or group
of commands whose processing is conditioned on the evaluation of a preceding
or associated command. Nesting is a structured form of
branching. In CL programs, the nested command is merged into an
associated command. If the nested command is a DO command, the entire
do group is nested.
nested do group
A do group that
is contained within another do group.
nested exception
An exception
that occurs while another exception is being
handled.
NetBIOS
A peer-to-peer LAN
network protocol that can use Ethernet, token ring, and other LANs.
NetBIOS provides services through the use of a set of commands. These
commands are placed into a format called the network control block
(NCB). NetBIOS provides two types of services to transport
information: session and datagram services.
Net.Data for AS/400
A program
that allows you to create interactive Web applications by using macros to add
logic, variables, program calls, and report writing to HTML.
Net.Data for AS/400 is part of the TCP/IP Utilities licensed
program.
netgroup
A network-wide group of
hosts and users. A netgroup can be used to restrict access to shared
information on Network File Systems (NFS) and to restrict remote
access.
NETID
See network
identifier.
netname
A shared resource on a
server. When a netname is assigned to a resource, the user must refer
to it by its netname and specify the server where the resource is
located.
NetView
(1) Pertaining to an IBM
licensed program used to monitor a network, manage it, and diagnose its
problems.
(2) In OSI, pertaining to an IBM
licensed program that is used to monitor a network, manage it, and diagnose
its problems. The NetView licensed program can be used to provide
network management services for OSI Communications
Subsystem.
NetWare Enhanced Integration
An AS/400
licensed program that allows users to integrate file and print services, user
profile management, and network operations.
NetWare Link Service Protocol (NLSP)
An
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) link state used by IPX routers to share
their routing information with other devices on a network. NLSP
replaces the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and the Service Advertising
Protocol (SAP). NLSP provides better performance, scalability,
reliability, and management of network traffic than the router RIP or
SAP.
network
A collection of data
processing products connected by communications lines for exchanging
information between stations.
network address
In OSI, an
address that identifies a particular node. A network address can
consist of (a) a network entity title only, (b) an NSAP address only, or, (c)
both a network entity title and an NSAP address. See also network
entity title and NSAP
address.
network addressable unit (NAU)
In SNA,
a logical unit, a physical unit, or a system services control point. It
is the origin or the destination of information sent by the path control
network. See also logical unit, physical unit,
and system services control point
(SSCP).
network address translation (NAT)
(1) The
conversion of a network address that is assigned to a logical unit in one
network into an address in an adjacent network.
(2) In a firewall, the
conversion of secure Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to external registered
addresses. This enables communications with external networks but masks
the IP addresses that are used inside the firewall.
network administrator
A person
who defines the network configuration and other network-related
information. This person controls how an enterprise or system uses its
network resources.
network architecture
The logical
structure and operating principles of a computer network. (T) The
operating principles of a network include those of services, functions, and
protocols.
network attribute
Control
information about the communications environment. System name and
default local location name are examples of network attributes.
Contrast with system value.
network class
The type of TCP/IP
network, such as Class A, Class B, or
Class C.
network computing
The use of a
scalable distributed computing infrastructure that encompasses the key
elements of networking technologies. Examples are systems and network
management; the Internet and intranets; clients and servers;
application programs, databases; transaction processing; and various
operating systems and communication
protocols.
Network Computing Architecture
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), an architecture for distributing software
applications across heterogeneous collections of networks, computers, and
programming environments using User Datagram Protocol
(UDP).
network data
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), data represented in a format defined by a transfer
syntax. See also transfer
syntax.
Network Data Representation
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), the transfer syntax defined by the Network
Computing Architecture. See transfer
syntax.
network descriptor
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), the identifier of a potential network channel, such as a
UNIX socket.
network driver
A program that
allows two or more computers or work stations to interoperate over a
communications network. The computers or work stations may be
heterogeneous or homogeneous devices. Services provided by a network
driver can include file sharing, remote database access, electronic mail,
remote print services, time services, security services, data conversion,
remote function call, and work station
emulation.
network driver for Microsoft Windows
In Client
Access, a program that integrates Client Access functions with the standard
user interface in the Microsoft Windows program. The Windows network
driver allows a Windows user to redirect print files to an AS/400 system
server (using the virtual print function), manage these redirected printer
files (using Windows Print Manager), and use remote AS/400 system files (using
the shared folders function).
network entity
In OSI, a
component, such as the OSI Communications Subsystem network layer, that
provides network services for an open
system.
network entity title
In OSI, a
title that identifies the network entity on a given node. Because a
node can have only one network entity, the network entity title uniquely
identifies a given node. Network entity titles are represented in the
same format as NSAP addresses. See also adjacent network entity
title.
network entity title nickname
In OSI,
a nickname that identifies a network entity
title.
network file
In object
distribution, a file (either a physical file or a save file) sent by one user
to one or more other users. A network file is placed on the
recipient's message queue when it arrives at the destination
system.
Network File System (NFS)
A protocol,
developed by Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, that allows any host in a network
to gain access to another host or netgroup and their file
directories.
network group
In Backup Recovery
and Media Services, a cluster of AS/400 systems sharing a common media
inventory. Available tapes are eligible for use by any AS/400 system in
the network group. Each AS/400 system in the network group receives
updates to the media inventory, regardless of which network member makes the
change.
network ID
See network
identifier.
network identifier
The part of
the Internet address that defines a network. The length of the
identifier depends on the type of network class (A, B, or C). See
internet address and host
ID.
Network Information Service (NIS)
A set of
protocols, developed by Sun Microsystems, that are used to provide directory
services for network information.
network interface controller (NIC)
Hardware
that provides the interface control between system main storage and external
high-speed link (HSL) ports.
network interface description
An AS/400
communications object that represents the physical interface to the integrated
services digital network (ISDN). The network interface description must
be configured in addition to the line, controller, and device
descriptions. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is
*NWID.
network interface (NWI)
The
physical interface that allows a user to connect to the integrated services
digital network (ISDN).
network job
In object
distribution, a batch input stream sent by one user to one or more users in
the network as defined in the system distribution
directory.
network job entry
In object
distribution, an entry in the network job table that specifies the system
action required for incoming network jobs sent by a particular user or group
of users. Each entry is identified by the user ID of the originating
user or group.
network job table
In object
distribution, a table containing entries that control the system action
required for incoming network jobs.
network layer
In OSI
architecture, the layer that provides services to establish a path between
open systems with a predictable quality of
service. (T)
network-layer protocol data unit (NPDU)
In OSI,
a protocol data unit in the network
layer. (I)
network-layer service access point (NSAP)
In OSI,
a service access point in the network
layer. (I)
network-layer service data unit (NSDU)
In OSI,
a unit of data transferred between the transport layer and the network
layer.
network management
(1) The process of
planning, organizing, and controlling a communications-oriented system.
(2) In OSI, systems
management that involves processing and exchanging management information over
two or more nodes. Network management provides the ability to manage
one or more nodes from another
node.
network management association
In OSI,
an ACSE association between two systems management application entities
(SMAEs)--one representing a managing process, the other representing an
agent process. After network management associations are established, a
manager can send operator commands to its agents and an agent can send event
reports to its managers.
network management domain
In OSI, a
manager and the agents that it manages. An agent can participate in
more than one network management domain. In OSI Communications
Subsystem, the agent at a local node is always part of the management domain
of the manager at that local node. Synonymous with management
domain and scope of
control.
network mask
A number that is the
same as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. A network mask identifies
which part of an address is to be used for an operation, such as making a
TCP/IP connection.
network message
In object
distribution, a message sent by one user to one or more users enrolled in the
system distribution directory with the Send Network Message (SNDNETMSG)
command.
network mode
In OSI, a synonym
for network QOS mode.
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
In the Internet
suite of protocols, the protocol used to post, distribute, and retrieve Usenet
messages.
network node
A node that can
define the paths or routes, control route selection, and handle directory
services for the APPN function.
network node server
A network
node that is directly connected to an end node or a low-entry networking end
node, and has been assigned to service the end node session
requests.
network operator
A person who
controls the day to day operation of all or part of a
network.
network path
In Client Access,
the system, path, or library, and the name of the AS/400 network driver,
network printer, or data queue that the user is accessing. For example,
the network path used to access an AS/400 printer through the network driver
is: //system/library/printer.
network protocol
A communications
protocol from the Network Layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) network
architecture, such as the Internet Protocol
(IP).
network QOS mode
In the OSI
Communications Subsystem licensed program, a set of X.25
connection-mode quality-of-service (QOS) values that determine the type of
connection established between two nodes. Synonymous with network
mode.
network resource
In OSI, a
general term for resources available to the network, such as lines and line
sets.
network routing facility (NRF)
(1) A
licensed program that runs under the control of the Network Control Program
and uses a System/370 backbone network. The network routing facility
provides primary logical unit support and a path for data between a display
station and an application without using the System/370 host system.
(2) An OS/400
function that runs with the Network Routing Facility licensed program to allow
the path for data to go from a display station to an AS/400
application.
network server description (NWSD)
An object
that contains a description of the characteristics of a file server I/O
processor that is attached to the system. The system-recognized
identifier for the object type is
*NWSD.
network termination (NT)
In ISDN,
equipment that provides the function necessary for the operation of the access
protocols by the network. See also network termination 1
(NT1), network termination 2 (NT2), terminal equipment 1
(TE1), and terminal equipment 2
(TE2).
network termination 1 (NT1)
In ISDN, an
end point for the network's transmission line. Network termination
1 is responsible for the physical layer characteristics (of the OSI reference
model), such as ending the line transmission, monitoring performance, and
timing. See also network termination 2 (NT2), terminal
equipment 1 (TE1), and terminal equipment 2
(TE2).
network termination 2 (NT2)
In ISDN, an
end point for the network's transmission line. Network termination
2 is responsible for the network layer, the data link layer, and the remaining
functions of the physical layer (not included in network termination 1) of the
OSI reference model. Examples include communications controllers and
public branch exchanges (PBXs). See also network termination 1
(NT1), terminal equipment 1 (TE1), and terminal
equipment 2 (TE2).
Network Time Protocol (NTP)
A clock
synchronization protocol commonly used on an
internet.
network topology database
See
topology database.
network type
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), a type defined in an interface definition and referred
to in a represent_as clause that is converted into a local type for
manipulation by application code. See local
type.
network user identification (NUI)
(1) For directory
shadowing, a unique value associated with each user in the Enterprise Address
Book (EAB). For example, this value could be a user ID and address, a
social security number, or an employee number.
(2) In X.25,
network-specific information that is used by the network to uniquely identify
the data terminal equipment (DTE) originating a switched virtual
call.
network virtual terminal (NVT)
A type
of AS/400 system is the server in a TCP/IP TELNET connection and when using
5250 display station pass-through.
neutral color
In the GDDM
function, one of the colors selected to display graphics primitives; for
example, white on a display or black on a printer. Contrast with
background color.
next operable sentence
In COBOL,
the next sentence to which control will be transferred after the running of
the current statement is complete.
next record
The record that
logically follows the current record of a
file.
next system
A node in the SNADS
network that is physically connected to the local system, and through which
distribution items can be routed.
next system queue
In SNADS, a
queue that is used to hold distribution items that are being routed to a next
system. See also normal queue and priority
queue.
next system table
In SNADS, a
table identifying all the systems physically connected to the local
system.
NFS
See Network File System
(NFS).
NIC
See network interface
controller (NIC).
nickname
In the OSI
Communications Subsystem licensed program, a 1- to 8-character name that
identifies an object or entity in an OSI network. Nicknames are
provided by OSI Communications Subsystem to enable users to use simple names
instead of the often long, multipart, sometimes binary-coded identifiers
required by OSI protocols.
NIS
See Network Information
Service (NIS).
NLS
See national language
support (NLS).
NLS-enabled
Any product that is
internationalized and localized.
NLSP
See NetWare Link
Service Protocol (NLSP).
NLV
See national language
version (NLV).
NNTP
See Network News
Transfer Protocol (NNTP).
node
(1) One of the systems or
devices in a network.
(2) A location in a communications
network that provides host-processing services.
(3) For APPN support, see network
node and end node.
(4) An AS/400 system that is a member
of a cluster. Also referred to as cluster
node.
(5) In hypertext, an information unit
containing information about a single topic and linked to one or more other
nodes.
(6) In network topology, the point at
an end of a branch. A node is usually a physical machine.
(7) In OSI, a system that is part of an
OSI network. In OSI Communications Subsystem, synonymous with open
system. See also adjacent node, destination
node, and remote node.
(8) In X.25, a point where
packets are received, stored, and forwarded to another location (or data
terminal equipment) according to a routing method defined for the
network.
node list
A system object that
contains a list of SNA nodes identified by an APPN network ID and control
point name. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is
*NODL.
node name
The name assigned to a
node during network definition. The format for the node name is
NETID.CPNAME.
node type
The designation of a
node according to the protocols it supports or the role it plays in a
network. Examples of Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) node types
are network node and end node.
nonadjacent destination node
In the OSI
Communications Subsystem licensed program, a destination node that is
connected to a different subnetwork from the local node. To communicate
with a nonadjacent destination node requires the use of a relay node.
See also destination node and open system.
Contrast with adjacent destination
node.
noncontiguous item
In COBOL, a
data item in the Working-Storage and Linkage Sections of the Data Division
that bears no relationship to other data
items.
nondevelopment group
In the
Application Development Manager feature of the Application Development ToolSet
licensed program, a group in the project hierarchy where part development is
not usually performed.
nonexecutable statement
In DB2
UDB for AS/400, an SQL statement that can be embedded only in an application
program.
nonexposed name
In DB2 UDB for
AS/400, a table name or view name for which a correlation name is
specified.
non-interactive transaction
The
work done by jobs and tasks, such as batch jobs and system activity, that may
have occurred as a result of an interactive
transaction.
nonlabeled tape
A tape that has
no labels. Tape marks are used to indicate the end of the volume and
the end of each data file.
nonlibrary user ASP
An auxiliary
storage pool that contains journals, journal receivers, and save files.
The libraries for the objects are in the system ASP. Contrast with
library user ASP. See also auxiliary storage pool
(ASP).
nonnumeric item
In COBOL, a data
item that is alphanumeric, alphabetic, or
Boolean.
nonnumeric literal
In COBOL, a
character string bounded by quotation marks, whose value is itself. See
also literal.
nonpaired data
In Business
Graphics Utility and the GDDM function, data that is specified such that each
X-value has a set of Y-values associated with it. Contrast with
paired data.
nonproduct object
In System
Manager, an application object that has not been packaged as part of a
product.
nonprogrammable work station (NWS)
A work
station that does not have processing capability and does not allow the user
to change its functions. Contrast with programmable work station
(PWS).
nonrepudiation
In computer
security, assurance that a transaction can be proved to have occurred.
Also referred to as accountability.
nonrestricted state
The state of
a system meaning any or all subsystems are active, regardless of whether there
are any active jobs or users at the
time.
nonsecure network
A set of nodes
that are not controlled by a single administrative party. Contrast with
secure network.
nonstandard labeled tape
A tape
that has labels but does not follow IBM labeling
conventions.
nonswitched line
A connection
between computers or devices that does not have to be made by dialing.
Contrast with switched
line.
nontext document data
In the
OfficeVision program, data to be used for charts or illustrations stored in a
document.
no-print border
A small area on
the edges of a physical page where data will not print. This no-print
border is a limitation of the
printer.
normal control field
For the sort
function, any control field that is specified by an N in column 7 of the field
sequence specification.
normal disconnected mode (NDM)
A
nonoperational mode of an unbalanced data link in which the secondary station
is logically disconnected from the data link and, therefore, cannot transmit
or receive information.
normal installation
A process in
which the OS/400 operating system contained on tape is installed in auxiliary
storage, replacing the operating system (if any) that is currently in the
system. Contrast with abbreviated
installation.
normal queue
In SNADS, a queue
that contains distribution entries with a service level of data low.
Contrast with priority
queue.
normal response mode (NRM)
An
operational mode of an unbalanced data link in which the secondary station
starts transmission only as the result of receiving explicit permission, by
polling, from the primary station.
not-a-number (NaN)
In binary
floating-point concepts, a value, not interpreted as a mathematical value,
which contains a mask and a sequence of binary
digits.
notation
A system of characters,
symbols, or abbreviated expressions used to express technical facts or
qualities.
notebook
A graphical
representation that resembles a spiral-bound notebook containing pages
separated into sections by tabbed divider-pages. A user can turn the
pages of a notebook to move from one section to
another.
notepad
In the OfficeVision
program, a storage area for commonly used text that is copied from a portion
of an existing document or documents. The text from a notepad can be
inserted into a document.
Notes server
Application software
that runs on a machine that is connected to a network. The Notes server
provides the following services to Notes clients and other Notes
servers:
Storage and replication of databases.
Directory services
Mail routing
Security
not-found indicator
An indicator
that is set on when the specified record cannot be
found.
notification
(1) Information, labeled
as a managed object, that relates to an event that has occurred within the
managed object.
(2) An unscheduled,
spontaneously generated message, issued by an agent when a significant or
critical (data) condition occurs.
notifications
In Managed System
Services, a spontaneously generated message, issued by the topology manager
when information in the topology database
changes.
notify delivery
The method of
delivering messages to a message queue in which the work station user is
notified that a message arrived. The signal is a light or an audible
alarm.
notify message
A message that
describes a condition for which a program requires a reply from the calling
program, or for which a reply is automatically sent to the
program.
notify object
A message queue, a
data area, or a database file that contains information identifying the last
successful commitment operation. This information can be used by the
programmer to find a restarting point for an application following an abnormal
end to the system or routing step processing. See also commit
identifier.
NPDU
See network-layer
protocol data unit (NPDU).
NRF
See network routing
facility (NRF).
NRM
See normal response mode
(NRM).
NRZI
Non-return-to-zero
(inverted) recording.
NSAP
See network-layer
service access point (NSAP).
NSAP address
In OSI, an address
that identifies a service access point in the network layer. NSAP
addresses must be unique within the OSI network where they are used.
NSAP addresses are assigned by naming
authorities.
NSAP nickname
In OSI, a nickname
that identifies an NSAP address. See also NSAP
address.
NSDU
See network-layer
service data unit (NSDU).
NSI
See name service
interface (NSI).
NSI attribute
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), an RPC-defined attribute of a name service entry used by
the RPC name service interface. An name service interface attribute
stores one of the following: binding information, object Universal
Unique Identifiers (UUIDs), a group, or a profile. See NSI binding
attribute, NSI group attribute, NSI object
attribute, and NSI profile
attribute.
NSI binding attribute
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), an RPC-defined attribute (NSI attribute) of a
name service entry; the binding attribute stores binding information for
one or more interface identifiers offered by an RPC server and identifies the
entry as an RPC server entry. See binding information and
NSI object attribute. See also server
entry.
NSI group attribute
In DCE Remote
Procedure Call (RPC), an RPC-defined attribute (NSI attribute) of a name
service entry that stores the entry names of the members of an RPC group and
identifies the entry as an RPC group. See
group.
NSI object attribute
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), an RPC-defined attribute (NSI attribute) of a
name service entry that stores the object Universal Unique Identifiers (UUIDs)
of a set of RPC objects. See
object.
NSI profile attribute
In DCE
Remote Procedure Call (RPC), an RPC-defined attribute (NSI attribute) of a
name service entry that stores a collection of RPC profile elements and
identifies the entry as an RPC profile. See
profile.
NT
See
network termination (NT).
NTP
See Network Time
Protocol (NTP).
NT1
See network termination
1 (NT1).
NT2
See network termination
2 (NT2).
NUI
See network user
identification (NUI).
NUI service facility
In
X.25, a facility sent by the data terminal equipment (DTE) to the
network in call setup packets that contain a network-assigned identifier,
which can be used for billing, security, or network management
purposes. The NUI service facility can also be used to select specific
optional facilities to be associated with a virtual
call.
NUL
The null character.
(A)
null
(1) The name for an EBCDIC
character that represents hex 00. See null
character.
(2) In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a special
value that indicates the absence of information.
NULL
In the C language and in
the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), a pointer guaranteed not to point
to a data object.
null-capable field
A field whose
value can be null.
null character
The character hex
00 used to represent the absence of a displayed or printed
character.
null clause
In REXX, a clause
consisting of only blanks, comments, or both. A null clause is
ignored.
null record
In binary synchronous
communications, a record that contains no data, only the data link control
characters STX ETX.
null statement
A statement that
contains only the delimiter symbol, but no
characters.
null string
A character or bit
string with a length of zero.
null value
A parameter position
for which no value is specified.
NUL-terminated host variable
In DB2 UDB
for AS/400, a varying-length host variable where the length of the data is
indicated by the presence of a NUL-terminator.
NUL-terminator
In DB2 UDB for
AS/400, the value in a NUL-terminated host variable that indicates the end of
the string.
number
In REXX, a character
string consisting of one or more decimal digits optionally preceded by a plus
or minus sign, and optionally including a single period that represents a
decimal point. A number can also have a power of 10 suffix in
conventional exponential notation: an E (uppercase or lowercase)
followed optionally by a plus or minus sign then followed by one or more
decimal digits defining the power of
10.
numeric character
Any one of the
digits 0 through 9.
numeric constant
The actual
numeric value to be used in processing, instead of the name of a field
containing the data. A numeric constant can contain any of the numeric
digits 0 through 9, a sign (plus or minus), and a decimal point. See
also floating-point constant. Contrast with character
constant.
numeric digit
In REXX, a pattern
that specifies, by column number, how input data is to be
parsed.
numeric edited item
In COBOL, a
numeric item whose PICTURE character-string contains valid editing
characters.
numeric expression
A numeric
constant, a simple numeric variable, a scalar reference to a numeric array, a
numeric-valued function reference, or a sequence of the above, separated by
numeric operators and parentheses.
numeric field
An area that is
reserved for a particular unit of information and that can contain only the
digits 0 through 9. Contrast with character
field.
numeric item
In COBOL, a data
item that must be numeric. If signed, the item can also contain a
representation of an operational sign.
numeric operator
A symbol
representing an operation to be performed on numeric data, such as + or - to
indicate addition or subtraction.
numeric pattern
In REXX, a
pattern that specifies, by column number, how input data is to be
parsed.
numeric variable
The name of a
numeric data item whose value is assigned or changed during program
processing.
NVT
See network virtual
terminal (NVT).
n-way
Any valid configuration of
processors for a system that is capable of supporting 1 to n
processors.
n-way processor architecture
A
processor architecture that provides expandability for future system growth by
allowing for additional processors. To the user, the additional
processors are transparent because they separately manage the work load by
sharing the work evenly among the n-way processors.
NWI
See network interface
(NWI).
NWS
See nonprogrammable work
station (NWS).
NWSD
See network server
description (NWSD).
n-1
The immediately preceding
release of the operating system.