U

UA
See unnumbered acknowledgement (UA) or user agent (UA).

UCS
See universal character set (UCS).

UCS-2
A 2-byte (16-bit) encoding scheme based on ISO/IEC specification 10646-1. UCS-2 defines three levels of implementation:

UDC
See user-defined character (UDC).

UDDS
See user-defined data stream (UDDS).

UDF
See user-defined function (UDF).

UDP
See User Datagram Protocol (UDP).

UDT
See user-defined type (UDT).

UEP
See user entry procedure (UEP).

uid
See user identification number (uid).

UIM
See user interface manager (UIM).

UIM tag language
Language supported by the user interface manager to define panels, menus, and help items.

U interface
In the reference model for the integrated services digital network (ISDN), the interface that includes the transmission line between the network terminator 1 (NT1) and the line transmission termination (LT).

Ultimedia Business Conferencing
A licensed program that provides an AS/400 solution for desktop business conferencing. Ultimedia Business Conferencing is a cooperative processing application that manages the conference from scheduling to completion.

unacknowledged service
In communications, a data transfer service that does not provide for an acknowledgement from data receiver to data sender that the data was received. An active data link connection does not need to be established between receiver and sender before sending the data. Also known as connectionless service. Contrast with acknowledged service.

unary expression
In the C language, an expression that contains one operand.

unary operator
In COBOL, a plus sign (+) or a minus sign (-) that precedes a variable or a left parenthesis in an arithmetic expression, which has the effect of multiplying the expression by +1 or -1, respectively.

unattended mode
In AS/400 Operations Console, a state of the system when the local controlling system can automatically grant access to a remote request for control of the AS/400 system as long as the local controlling system does not have control at the time of the request.

unavailable
In the basic assistance level of the Operational Assistant function, to make a device, controller, line, or network interface inaccessible for its normal, intended use. Synonymous with vary off.

UNBIND command
In SNA, a command used to reset the protocols for a session. Contrast with BIND command.

unblocked signal
In POSIX, a condition that allows a signal-handling action associated with a signal to be performed. See also signal. Contrast with blocked signal.

UNC
See Universal Naming Convention (UNC).

uncommitted read
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, for a read-only cursor, an isolation level that permits any row read during a unit of work to be changed by application processes that are running concurrently, and permits any row changed by application processes that are running concurrently to be read even if that change has not been committed. For a cursor that can be updated, the uncommitted read level is identical to cursor stability. See also cursor stability, read stability, and repeatable read.

unconfirmed service
In OSI, a service that does not indicate to the sender whether or not data or control information was properly received. An unconfirmed service involves only request and indication service primitives. Contrast with confirmed service.

undelivered message queue
See dead-letter queue.

underrun
Loss of data caused by the inability of a transmitting device or channel to provide data to the communications control logic at a rate that is fast enough for the attached data link or loop.

unexport
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), to remove binding information from a server entry in a name service database. Contrast with export.

unformatted
Pertaining to something that is not defined, organized, or arranged in a required manner.

unformatted program interface
(1) The part of 3270 emulation support that allows user application programs to use the 3270 data stream in the form it is received from the host system. Contrast with formatted program interface.
(2) For the SNA 3270 program interface, the interface for which the 3270 data stream is passed to the user application program as it was received from the host application program. No conversion process occurs as in the formatted program interface. Contrast with formatted program interface.

unformatted system services (USS)
A communications function that translates a character-coded command, such as a LOGON or LOGOFF command, into a field-formatted command for processing by formatted system services.

Unicode
A product of the Unicode Consortium, Inc., which is comprised of companies in the data processing industry. Unicode defines the same character set as the ISO/IEC 10646 UCS-2 standard and applies certain attributes to the characters within the standard (such as alphanumeric, case, and directionality) and some processing rules.

unidentified user
A user of the OS/400 licensed program who uses the services of OS/400 but who is not automatically reported on by the license management function of OS/400. An example of an unidentified user is one who accesses an AS/400 business computing system through a gateway server that is not AS/400.

uniform resource locator (URL)
The address of an item on the World Wide Web. It includes the protocol, the fully qualified domain name (sometimes called the host name), and the request. The Web server typically maps the request portion of the URL to a path and file name. For example, if the URL is http://www.AS400.ibm.com/icswg.html, the protocol is http; the fully qualified domain name is www.AS400.ibm.com; and the request is icswg.html.

uninterruptible power supply
A source of power from a battery installed between the commercial power and the system that keeps the system running, if a commercial power failure occurs, until it can complete an orderly end to system processing.

union
(1) In the C language, a variable that can hold any one of several data types, one data type at a time.
(2) An SQL operation that combines the results of two subselects. Union is often used to merge lists of values obtained from several tables.

unique constraint
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a rule in which values of the key columns in a table must be unique. A unique constraint can be defined for either a table or a file.

unique index
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, an index that assures that no identical key values are stored in a table.

unique key
(1) A field or set of fields in a database file that must be unique, ascending, and cannot contain a null value. A unique key can become a parent key.
(2) In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a key that is constrained so that no two of its values are equal.

unique product
A product that is uniquely identified to the OS/400 operating system by a product identifier (product ID) and version, release, and modification identifiers (Vx, Rx, Mx).

unique-weight sort sequence
A sort sequence in which each graphic character in the sequence has a weight different from the weight of every other graphic character in the sequence.

unit
The defined space within disk units that is addressed by the system.

unit number
The unique identifier of a storage unit within a disk unit or a disk unit subsystem configured on the system.

unit of recovery
A sequence of operations within a unit of work between commit points.

unit of work
(1) In advanced program-to-program communications, the amount of processing that is started directly or indirectly by a program on the source system.
(2) In MQSeries, a recoverable sequence of operations performed by an application between two points of consistency. A unit of work begins when a transaction starts or at a user-requested syncpoint. It ends either at a user-requested syncpoint or at the end of a transaction.
(3) In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a sequence of SQL commands that the database management system (DBMS) treats as a single entity. The DBMS ensures the consistency of data by verifying that either all the data changes made during a unit of work are performed or none of them are performed.

unit-of-work identifier
In advanced program-to-program communications, a unique label assigned to the unit of work. The ID is established when the program on the source system is started and is associated with each job started by that source system on the target system. The unit-of-work identifier provides a beginning-to-end audit trail within an APPC network.

unit-of-work table
In DataPropagator Relational, a table at the data server that contains commit records read from the journals associated with the registered tables. The records include a unit-of-recovery ID that can be used to join the unit-of-work table and the change data table to produce transaction-consistent change data.

unit reference code
A group of numbers displayed on the console or control panel that identifies failing parts, system or device states, or system or device status conditions.

universal character set (UCS)
The ISO9000 standard that allows all data to be represented as 2 bytes (UCS-2) or 4 bytes (UCS-4). Encoding in the UCS-2 form can accommodate the necessary characters for most of the world's written languages.

Universal Naming Convention (UNC)
The server name and netname combined. These names together identify the resource on the domain.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)
A Plug-and-Play (Intel standard) interface between a computer and add-on devices (such as keyboards and printers). USB allows a user to add a new device to a computer without having to add an adapter card or to turn the computer off. The model 2890 Integrated Netfinity Server has a Universal Serial Bus.

Universal Time Coordinated (UTC)
The basis of standard time throughout the world. Formerly a synonym for Greenwich mean time (GMT).

Universal Unique Identifier (UUID)
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), an identifier that is immutable and unique across time and space. A UUID can identify an entity such as an object or an RPC interface uniquely. See interface UUID, object UUID, and type UUID.

UNIX operating system
An operating system, developed by Bell Laboratories, that features multiprogramming in a multiuser environment. The UNIX operating system was originally developed for use on minicomputers, but has been adapted for mainframes and microcomputers. The AIX operating system is IBM's implementation of the UNIX operating system.

unlike
Pertaining to two or more different operating environments. For example, unlike distribution is distribution between DB2 UDB for AS/400 and DB2 UDB environments.

unlink
In IDDU, to remove the association between a database file on disk and a file definition in a data dictionary. Contrast with link.

unload
To rewind tape past the beginning-of-tape marker.

unlock
To release an object or system resource that was previously locked, and return it to general availability.

unmarshaling
In DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC), the process by which a stub disassembles incoming network data and converts it into local data in the appropriate local data representation. Contrast with marshaling.

unnumbered
In communications, pertaining to a frame format that provides additional control functions, such as XID, DISC, DM, SABM, SABME, UA, and FRMR.

unnumbered acknowledgement (UA)
In communications, a data link command or response that acknowledges the receipt and acceptance of the SABM, SABME, and DISC command protocol data units.

unordered
In binary floating-point, the relationship that exists between two values when they cannot be arranged according to relative value. The relationship between two values is unordered either when a not-a-number is compared to any value or when infinity is compared to any value other than infinity.

unprotected conversation
An LU 6.2 conversation that has a synchronization level of none or confirm. If conversation errors or failures occur, the resources used by the application may be in inconsistent states. Contrast with protected conversation.

unprotected field
A displayed field for which operators can enter, change, or delete data.

unprotected logical unit of work identifier (LUWID)
The logical unit of work identifier that is used in an unprotected conversation. Also known as a unit-of-work identifier.

unprotected logical unit of work (LUW)
The logical unit of work that is used in an unprotected conversation. Also known as a unit of work.

unprotected storage
The part of the system auxiliary storage pool (ASP) that is not protected by mirrored protection or device parity protection.

unresolved import
An import whose type and name do not yet match the type and name of an export.

untrusted system
A system in a network over which you do not have control of security.

update
To change an object in some way. See also committable update.

update authority
A data authority that allows the user to change the data in an object, such as a journal, a message queue, or a data area. See also add authority, delete authority, execute authority, and read authority.

update file
In RPG, a file from which a program reads a record, changes data fields in the record, and writes the record back to the location from which it came.

update operation
An I/O process that changes the data in a record.

update propagation
In the DCE Cell Directory Service (CDS), an immediate attempt to apply a change to all replicas of the CDS directory in which a change was just made. An update propagation delivers changes in a more efficient and timely way than a skulk.

update rule
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a condition enforced by the database manager that must be met before a column can be updated.

update timestamp (UTS)
In the DCE Cell Directory Service (CDS), an attribute that identifies the time at which the most recent change was made to any attribute of a particular CDS name. For directories, the UTS reflects changes made only to attributes that apply to the actual directory (not one of the replicas).

update trigger
A trigger that is associated with an update operation. See trigger and trigger event.

upgrade
To change or add devices or software programs.

Upgrade Load Source Utility
(1) For CISC-to-CISC upgrades, a program, used as part of a 9406 Model-B-to-Model-D or Model-E or Model-F upgrade, that changes the old load source (external disk unit) into a nonload source without requiring an installation of the OS/400 program.
(2) For CISC-to-RISC upgrades, a program that merges the old CISC disk configuration with the new RISC load source and changes the old load source into a nonload source unit. Installation of the OS/400 operating system is required on completion.

upline
Pertaining to controllers that are above devices, and lines that are above controllers in a communications configuration. Contrast with downline.

upload
To send programming instructions to a host system from an attached device.

upstream
(1) In the direction opposite to data flow or toward the source of transmission.
(2) Toward the processor from an attached unit or end user. Contrast with downstream.

URC
See unit reference code.

URL
See uniform resource locator (URL).

usage type
In OS/400, a license management function that monitors usage by tracking the number of license users. Concurrent usage type indicates the usage limit is for the number of unique jobs using the product at the same time. Registered usage type indicates the usage limit is for the number of unique license users registered to use the product.

USB
See Universal Serial Bus (USB).

use authority
An object authority that allows the user to run a program or to display the contents of a file. Use authority combines object operational authority, read authority, and execute authority. See also add authority, data authority, delete authority, execute authority, read authority, and update authority.

user agent (UA)
In OSI X.400, one of two basic parts of electronic mail. A user agent is a program that provides access to the mail system. This program allows users to compose, send, and receive mail. See also message transfer agent (MTA).

user ASP
One or more storage units used to isolate some objects from the other objects that are stored in the system ASP and other user ASPs. User ASPs are defined by the user. See also auxiliary storage pool (ASP) and system ASP.

user-based pricing
A pricing option that provides the capability for the customer to pay for the licensed program on the basis of the number of users.

user class
The classification of a user by the system task, such as security officer, security administrator, programmer, system operator, and user. Each user class has a set of special authorities depending on the security level of the system. The user class determines which options are shown on the IBM-supplied menus. See also special authority.

user configuration
In Client Access, the set of files, created by the Client Access administrator, that define the user's Client Access configuration and the functions used. The files include the configuration file and the command file.

user-controlled environment
An extended program model (EPM) environment that is explicitly created using the QPXXCALL program.

user-created data stream
A data stream that has not been validated by a system program on the AS/400 system when the data was spooled.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
In the Internet suite of protocols, a protocol that sends datagrams to programs that are running on other systems.

user default
In the OfficeVision program, the user-defined values used for mail, calendars, and word processing if no value is specified.

user-defined character (UDC)
A character that is created through the Character Generator Utility (CGU). CGU is an extension of the code page with special user-defined ideographic characters, symbols, or logos. User-defined characters may be present in some of the Japanese, Chinese, and Korean code pages.

user-defined collating sequence
In Query, a collating sequence defined by the user that replaces the EBCDIC collating sequence provided by the system for sorting fields in a query report.

user-defined communications support
An Operating System/400 function that provides an application program interface (API). User-defined communications support allows user-written application programs to call routines to set up and use a communications protocol over a token-ring, Ethernet, or X.25 network.

user-defined data stream (UDDS)
A data stream in which the user has defined and embedded all device control characters.

user-defined edit code
A number (5 through 9) indicating that editing should be done on a numeric output field according to a pattern predefined to the system program. User-defined edit codes can take the place of edit words, so that repetitive coding of the same edit word is not necessary.

user-defined function (UDF)
A user-written program than can be called in place of a built-in function within SQL. DB2 UDB for AS/400 supports the following types of user-defined functions: external functions, SQL functions, and sourced functions.

user-defined type (UDT)
In DB2 UDB for AS/400, a mechanism that can be used to create new data types. A UDT can extend the capabilities of the built-in data types and capture the unique semantics of user data.

user-defined word
In COBOL, a word, required by a clause or a statement, that must be supplied by the user in a clause or statement.

user dictionary
In the OfficeVision program, a supplemental spelling dictionary created by a user. Each user can create as many user dictionaries as needed. See also spelling dictionary.

user domain object
An object on the system that can be accessed directly by a user state program. The object types that can be either system domain or user domain are: *USRSPC, *USRIDX, *USRQ, *PGM, *SQLPKG. All other object types are system domain. See also system domain object, user state program, and system state program.

user entry procedure (UEP)
The entry procedure, written by the application programmer, that is the target of a dynamic program call. This procedure gets control from the program entry procedure (PEP). Contrast with program entry procedure.

user exit
In Backup Recovery and Media Services, a special operation (*EXIT) available in the control group to permit automatic processing of predefined user routines during control group processing.

user ID
See user identification (user ID).

user ID/address
The two-part network name used in the system distribution directory and in the office applications to uniquely identify a user and send electronic mail.

user identification number (uid)
A four-byte, unsigned integer (uid) used to identify a user profile. Contrast with group identification number (gid).

user identification (user ID)
(1) The name used to associate the user profile with a user when a user signs on the system. See also user profile name.
(2) The first part of a two-part network name used in the system distribution directory and in the office applications to uniquely identify a user. The network name is usually the same as the user profile name, but does not need to be. See also common user identification (common user ID).

user index
In OS/400 application programming interfaces, an object that provides a specific order for byte data according to the value of the data. User index objects reside in the user domain. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *USRIDX.

user interface
Any of the actions or items that allow a user to interact with and perform operations on a computer.

user interface manager (UIM)
A function of the operating system that provides a consistent user interface by providing comprehensive support for defining and running panels (displays), dialogs, and online help information.

user message queue
A user-created object used to receive messages sent from the system, other users, and application programs.

user name
The name of the user profile that the system associates with a user when that user signs on the system. Also known as the user ID.

user password
A unique string of characters that a system user enters to identify that user to the system, if the system resources are secured.

user profile
An object with a unique name that contains the user's password, the list of special authorities assigned to a user, and the objects the user owns. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *USRPRF.

user profile name
The name or code that the system associates with a user when he or she signs on the system. Also known as user ID. See also user identification (user ID). For SQL, see also authorization ID.

user queue
In OS/400 application programming interfaces, an object consisting of a list of messages that communicate information to other application programs. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *USRQ.

user registry
A collection of user information, such as user IDs and passwords, that is used as the basis for security control by a system such as a Web application server.

user shell
An interactive shell. The user's CICS application program runs directly under this CICS facility. See also application shell (SH).

user space
In OS/400 application programming interfaces, an object consisting of a collection of bytes that can be used for storing any user-defined information. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *USRSPC.

user state program
A program that can access objects in the user domain. All user programs on the system are user domain. A user state program can call only another user state program. See also system domain object, user domain object, and system state program.

user table
(1) A list of user IDs authorized to an AS/400 finance job.
(2) In DataPropagator Relational, a table that is owned by a user. A user table can be registered as a source for a refresh operation or an update operation.

USS
See unformatted system services (USS).

UTC
See Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).

UTS
See update timestamp (UTS).


[ Information Center Home Page | Feedback ] [ Legal | AS/400 Glossary ]