digital computer
Anchor data in a dis The key attribute(s) of a dis
API Application programming interface
Application A computerized system dedicated to solving or empowering a specific
business function
Application blocking of data The grouping of different occurrences of data into a single
unit of storage controlled by the application programmer
Application database A collection of data organized in support of a specific function
Archival database A collection of data containing information of a historical nature
Archival processing The activities surrounding older and/or inactive data
Array of data A data structure that holds multiple occurrences of data
Artifact A design technique used to support referential integrity in a decision support
system (DSS) environment
ATM Automated teller machine—a “money machine”
Attribute A value of data that is distinguishable from other values
Audit trail Data that are useful in tracing the activity of one or more transactions
Availability The measurement of time for the online system to be up and running
Backup A file serving the purpose of allowing an online file to be restored as of some
moment in time
Batch Computer environment in which long running sequential programs can run where
there is no conflict with the online transaction environment
Batch processing The collection of transaction into “batches” that are processed
collectively
BCD Binary-coded decimal
Glossary