A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

ACCESS CODE

A code that, along with the verify code, allows the computer to identify you as a user authorized to gain access to the computer. Your code is greater than six and less than twenty characters long; can be numeric, alphabetic, or a combination of both; and is usually assigned by a site manager or application coordinator. It is used by the Kernel's Sign-on/Security system to identify the user (see Verify Code).

ALERTS

Brief online notices that are issued to users as they complete a cycle through the menu system. Alerts are designed to provide interactive notification of pending computing activities, such as the need to reorder supplies or review a patient's clinical test results. Along with the alert message is an indication that the View Alerts common option should be chosen to take further action.

ANSI MUMPS

The MUMPS programming language is a standard recognized by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). MUMPS stands for Massachusetts Utility Multi-programming System and is abbreviated as M.

APPLICATION PACKAGE

Software and documentation that support the automation of a service, such as Laboratory or Pharmacy within VA medical centers. The Kernel application package is like an operating system relative to other VISTA applications.

C

CALLABLE ENTRY POINT

An authorized programmer call that may be used in any VISTA application package. The DBA maintains the list of DBIC-approved entry points.

CARET

A symbol expressed as up caret (^), left caret (<), or right caret (>). In many M systems, a right caret is used as a system prompt and an up caret as an exiting tool from an option. Also known as the up-arrow symbol or shift–6 key.

CLIENT

A single term used interchangeably to refer to the user, the workstation, and the portion of the program that runs on the workstation. In an object-oriented environment, a client is a member of a group that uses the services of an unrelated group. If the client is on a local area network (LAN), it can share resources with another computer (server).

COMPONENT

An object-oriented term used to describe the building blocks of GUI applications. A software object that contains data and code. A component may or may not be visible. These components interact with other components on a form to create the GUI user application interface.

COTS

Commercial Off-the-Shelf. COTS refers to software packages that can be purchased by the public and used in support of VISTA.

D

DATA DICTIONARY

The Data Dictionary is a global containing a description of the kind of data that is stored in the global corresponding to a particular file. The data is used internally by VA FileMan for interpreting and processing files.

A Data Dictionary (DD) contains the definitions of a file's elements (fields or data attributes), relationships to other files, and structure or design. Users generally review the definitions of a file's elements or data attributes; programmers review the definitions of a file's internal structure.

DBIA

Database Integration Agreement, a formal understanding between two or more application packages which describes how data is shared or how packages interact. The DBA maintains a list of DBIAs between package developers, allowing the use of internal entry points or other package-specific features that are not available to the general programming public.

DEFAULT

A response the computer considers the most probable answer to the prompt being given. In the roll-and-scroll mode of VISTA, the default value is identified by double slash marks (//) immediately following it. In a GUI-based application the default may be a highlighted button or text. This allows you the option of accepting the default answer or entering your own answer. To accept the default you simply press the enter (or return) key. To change the default answer, type in your response.

DIRECT MODE UTILITY

A programmer call that is made when working in direct programmer mode. A direct mode utility is entered at the M prompt (e.g., >D ^XUP). Calls that are documented as direct mode utilities cannot be used in application package code.

DLL

Dynamic Link Library. A DLL allows executable routines to be stored separately as files with a DLL extension. These routines are only loaded when a program calls for them. DLLs provide several advantages:

1. DLLs help save on computer memory, since memory is only consumed when a DLL is loaded. They also save disk space. With static libraries, your application absorbs all the library code into your application so the size of your application is greater. Other applications using the same library will also carry this code around. With the DLL, you don't carry the code itself, you have a pointer to the common library. All applications using it will then share one image.

2. DLLs ease maintenance tasks. Because the DLL is a separate file, any modifications made to the DLL will not affect the operation of the calling program or any other DLL.

3. DLLs help avoid redundant routines. They provide generic functions that can be utilized by a variety of programs.

E

ERROR TRAP

A mechanism to capture system errors and record facts about the computing context such as the local symbol table, last global reference, and routine in use. Operating systems provide tools such as the %ER utility. The Kernel provides a generic error trapping mechanism with use of the ^%ZTER global and ^XTER* routines. Errors can be trapped and, when possible, the user is returned to the menu system.

F

FORUM

The central e-mail system within VISTA. Developers use FORUM to communicate at a national level about programming and other issues. FORUM is located at the Washington, DC CIO Field Office (162-2).

G

GUI

Graphical User Interface. A type of display format that enables users to choose commands, initiate programs, and other options by selecting pictorial representations (icons) via a mouse or a keyboard.

I

ICON

A picture or symbol that graphically represents an object or a concept.

IRM

Information Resource Management. A service at VA medical centers responsible for computer management and system security.

K

KERNEL

A set of M software routines that function as an intermediary between the host operating system and the VISTA application packages enabling packages to coexist in a standard OS-independent computing environment. The Kernel provides a standard and consistent user and programmer interface between application packages and the underlying M implementations.

M

MENU MANAGER

The Kernel module that controls the presentation of user activities such as menu choices or options. Information about each user's menu choices is stored in the Compiled Menu System, the ^XUTL global, for easy and efficient access.

MULTIPLE

A multiple-valued field; a subfile. In many respects, a multiple is structured like a file.

MUMPS (ANSI STANDARD)

A programming language recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The acronym MUMPS stands for Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-programming System and is abbreviated as M.

N

NAMESPACING

A convention for naming VISTA package elements. The Database Administrator (DBA) assigns unique character strings for package developers to use in naming routines, options, and other package elements so that packages may coexist. The DBA also assigns a separate range of file numbers to each package.

NODE

In a tree structure, a point at which subordinate items of data originate. An M array element is characterized by a name and a unique subscript. Thus the terms: node, array element, and subscripted variable are synonymous. In a global array, each node might have specific fields or "pieces" reserved for data attributes such as name.

O

OPTION

As an item on a menu, an option provides an opportunity for users to select it, thereby invoking the associated computing activity. In VISTA, an entry in the OPTION file (#19). Options may also be scheduled to run in the background, non-interactively, by TaskMan.

P

PROMPT

The computer interacts with the user by issuing questions called prompts, to which the user returns a response.

R

REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL

A remote procedure call (RPC) is essentially M code that may take optional parameters to do some work and then return either a single value or an array back to the client application.

ROUTINE

A program or a sequence of instructions called by a program that may have some general or frequent use. M routines are groups of program lines that are saved, loaded, and called as a single unit via a specific name.

S

SECURITY KEY

The purpose of Security Keys is to set a layer of protection on the range of computing capabilities available with a particular software package. The availability of options is based on the level of system access granted to each user.

SERVER

The computer where the data and the Business Rules reside. It makes resources available to client workstations on the network. In VISTA, it is an entry in the OPTION file (#19). An automated mail protocol that is activated by sending a message to a server at another location with the "S.server" syntax. A server's activity is specified in the OPTION file (#19) and can be the running of a routine or the placement of data into a file.

SIGN-ON/SECURITY

The Kernel module that regulates access to the menu system. It performs a number of checks to determine whether access can be permitted at a particular time. A log of signons is maintained.

SUBSCRIPT

A symbol that is associated with the name of a set to identify a particular subset or element. In M, a numeric or string value that: is enclosed in parentheses, is appended to the name of a local or global variable, and identifies a specific node within an array.

U

UCI

User Class Identification, a computing area. The MGR UCI is typically the Manager's account, while VAH or ROU may be Production accounts.

USER ACCESS

This term is used to refer to a limited level of access to a computer system that is sufficient for using/operating a package, but does not allow programming, modification to data dictionaries, or other operations that require programmer access. Any of VISTA's options can be locked with a security key (e.g., XUPROGMODE, which means that invoking that option requires programmer access).

The user's access level determines the degree of computer use and the types of computer programs available. The Systems Manager assigns the user an access level.

USER INTERFACE

The way the package is presented to the user, such as Graphical User Interfaces that display option prompts, help messages, and menu choices. A standard user interface can be achieved by using Borland's Delphi Graphical User Interface to display the various menu option choices, commands, etc.

V

VERIFY CODE

The Kernel's Sign-on/Security system uses the verify code to validate the user's identity. This is an additional security precaution used in conjunction with the Access Code. Like the Access Code, it is also 6 to 20 characters in length. If entered incorrectly, it does not allow the user to access the computer. To protect the user, both codes are invisible on the terminal screen.

VISTA

Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture. VISTA includes the VA's application software (i.e., Windows-based and locally-developed applications, roll-and-scroll, and interfaces such as software links to commercial packages). In addition, it encompasses the VA's uses of new automated technology including the clinical workstations. VISTA encompasses the rich automated environment already present at local VA medical facilities.

W

WINDOW

An object on the screen that presents information such as a document or message.