UNIX General Terms

P
package
For the DIGITAL UNIX operating system loader, a collection of object entities that 
share a common name space. Symbol names are unique within a package. 
Symbols from different packages may bear identical symbol names because they 
are distinguished by their package names. 
page
A fixed-size unit of physical memory. 
PALcode (Privileged Architecture Library)
A set of subroutines that are specific to a particular Alpha operating system 

O
object file
A nonexecutable intermediate binary file created by a compiler. Object files are 
frequently used as libraries, to provide precompiled program elements for use in 
compiling a complete executable binary. 
See also binary file, compiler
octal
A number system that uses 8 as a base (radix). The octal system uses the digits 0 
through 7, and each digit position represents a power of 8. 
open system

N
name service
The service provided to client processes for identifying peer processes for 
communications purposes. 
native software
Software that is written in a language that compiles either to assembly language 
or directly to the computer's standard machine representation (object files). 
Native software is more efficient and runs much faster than translated or 
interpreted software; in addition, it can be tailored to make the most effective use
of the machine's resources. 

M
macro
A shortened form of macro instruction. 
macro instruction
An instruction written as part of a source language, which when compiled into 
machine code will generate several machine code instructions. 
See also instruction
mail
A system that allows the exchange of written messages with other users. Also 
known as E-mail (for electronic mail). 
mailbox
A file that contains new and unread mail messages. The mailbox file is usually in 

L
label
See disk label
LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network. A device communications system that operates over a 
limited physical distance, offering high-speed communications channels 
optimized for connecting information-processing equipment. 
LAT (Local Area Transport)
A DIGITAL protocol that supports communications between host computer 
systems and terminal servers with terminals, PCs, printers, modems, and other 
devices over LANs. 

K
kdbx
The command that invokes the kdbx program, an interactive crash analysis and 
kernel debugging tool. The kdbx program serves as a front end to the dbx
debugger. 
kdebug program
A program that lets programmers control the execution of a running kernel. 
kernel
The integral part of the operating system that controls processes, system 
scheduling, memory management, input and output services, device 

J
job
1. A unit of work defined by a user to be done by a system. The term job
sometimes refers to a representation of the job, such as a set of programs, files, 
and control statements to the operating system. 
2. One or more related procedures or programs grouped into a procedure, 
identified by appropriate job control statements. 
job control
Facilities for monitoring and accessing background processes. 
job number

I
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
A host-to-host protocol from the Internet Protocol suite that controls errors and 
the operations of the Internet Protocol (IP). 
See also IP (Internet Protocol)
#include
A C language precompiler directive specifying interpolation of a named file into 
the file being compiled. The interpolated file is a standard header file (indicated 
by placing its name in angle brackets) or any other file containing C language 

H
hard link
1. A mechanism that allows the ln command to assign more than one name to a 
file. Both the new name and the file being linked must be in the same file system. 
2. The default result of using the ln command. 
See also symbolic link
hashed passwd database
An indexed database containing the contents of the passwd file. The indexed 
database minimizes the search time needed to retrieve information. 
hashing

G
geometry
The sizes (in bytes) of cylinders, tracks, and sectors for a particular disk device. 
See also disk label
gid, GID
See group ID
global
In programming languages, pertaining to information defined in one subdivision 
of a program and used in at least one other subdivision of the program; 
pertaining to information available to more than one program or subroutine. 
global character
See wildcard character
global search