IBConsole - Glossary
From InterBase
Go Up to IBConsole
A
- alias: An SQL correlation name
- array: A data structure consisting of multiple dimensions and elements of a single InterBase data type and stored in a single column. Similar to an array in C.
- attach: To connect to and open a database for use. An attachment can be local or remote.
B
- BLOB data type: A binary data type, variable in size, used to store unformatted data such as text, graphics, or digitized voice.
- BLOB filter: A user-written routine for processing BLOB data, for example, to convert the data from one format to another.
- buffer cache: An area of memory allocated to a database attachment on the server, used to speed data access.
C
- CHARACTER data type: A fixed-length string data type, 1 to 32,767 characters in size, used to store text.
- checkpoint: A point in time in which accumulated log file data reaches a predetermined size and is written to disk. It is part of the WAL protocol.
- computed column: A column whose value is derived from a formula or an arithmetic expression.
D
- database engine: The InterBase server component that handles all database access to a database file.
- database handle: A name assigned to a database by an application that must be used in subsequent references to that database.
- DATE data type: A numeric data type, ISC_QUAD in size, used to store day and time values from January 100 to December 5941. The size of ISC_QUAD is platform-specific.
- DECIMAL data type: A numeric data type, variable in size, used to store real numbers with a fixed decimal point. The user-specified range of precision is at least one to fifteen digits.
- default transaction: The transaction under which SQL statements are executed unless a named transaction is explicitly used instead.
- disk shadow: A physical copy of the database. Changes to the database are written simultaneously to the shadow.
- domain: A column definition template, global to the database, upon which actual column definitions in tables may be based.
- DOUBLE PRECISION data type: A numeric data type, 64 bits in size, used to store real numbers up to fifteen decimal points of precision.
E
- event: A named string, up to 31 characters in length, usually about a change, posted to the InterBase event manager by a trigger or a stored procedure.
- event alerter: A trigger or stored procedure that posts an event message, usually about a change, to the InterBase event manager.
- event manager: An InterBase process that receives event messages and notifies applications about them.
- extended SQL descriptor area: A user-declared data structure, used to hold DSQL for input and output.
- external table: A flat data file used by a database as if it were an internal table.
F
- BLOB filter: A user-written routine for processing BLOB data, for example, to convert the data from one format to another.
- FLOAT data type: A numeric data type, 32 bits in size, used to store real numbers up to seven decimal points of precision.
U
- UDF (user-defined function): A database function written entirely in a host language to perform data manipulation tasks not directly supported by InterBase. Executed on the server.