Glossary - IBM 5291 1 Operator's Manual

address switches: Switches on the access panel of a
work station that has Cable Thru capability. These
switches are set to the assigned work station address.
allocate: To assign a resource (such as a disk file or a
diskette file) to perform a specific task.
automatic enter field: A format control that is used to
specify that after the operator has entered information in
the field, the information is automatically entered in the
host system (without the operator pressing the Enter
key).
blank character: A character that does not display but
occupies a position on the display screen.
buffer: A temporary storage unit, especially one that
accepts information at one rate and delivers it at another
rate.
character location: A location on the display screen at
which one character can be displayed.
command: An instruction that directs the system to
perform an operation.
command function keys: The 14 keys in the top row
of the display station keyboard that are used with the
Cmd key to request functions of program products and
user programs.
configuration: The arrangement of interconnected
machines forming a computer system.
controller: A remote work station controller is a device
used to coordinate and control operations of one or
more attached work stations and to synchronize their
operation with that of the system.
cursor: A movable marker on the screen that may
appear as an underscore or as a rectangular block. The
cursor indicates where the next character entered from
the keyboard will appear.
diacritic: A modifying mark that changes the phonetic
value of a character when entered in combination with
that character.
Glossary
display: An electronic vacuum tube, similar to a TV
display tube, used to display characters.
display field: See field.
display station: An input/output device containing a
display unit and an attached keyboard.
display station operator: A person who uses the
keyboard to perform operations at a display station.
display system: A family of display stations and
printers that are attached to a system.
field: One or more consecutive positions on the display
screen set up for a specific type of data.
field exit required: A format control used to prohibit
exiting from the field unless a certain key is pressed.
For example: for the 5251 Display Station, any key
except a character key can be pressed to exit from a
field exit required field.
format control: The field edit and controls that the
host system provides to control the type of characters
that can be entered and the appearance of the
information for a formatted display. For the 5291
Display Station, the format controls are alpha only,
alphameric entry, auto enter, bypass, duplicate enable,
field exit required, mandatory entry, mandatory fill,
monocase, numeric only, right adjust, and signed
numeric.
formatted display: A display screen with fields
established for specific information.
free key mode: An operating mode that allows the
entering of data without control by a system program
(unformatted).
function control keys: Keys that are used to insert,
delete, or move data, and to position the cursor.
home position: The first input position of the first input
field.
Glossary G-1