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AC

Access Control.

ACSE

Association Control Service Element.

ACME

ACME is a simple, generic software architecture description language.

Ada

High-level computer programming language developed by the US Department of Defence (DoD). Ada is used as the standard programming language for DoD. It is used for real-time processing, is modular in nature, and includes object-oriented features.

ADL

Architecture Description Language - is the generic term for a language that provides a common interchange format for the exchange of information between architectural design and analysis tools.

ADM

Architecture Development Method

ADML

Architecture Description Mark-up Language - is the ADL being promoted by The Open Group to encourage the open exchange of architectural information between different architecture tool sets.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute.

API

See Application Program Interface.

APP

See Application Portability Profile.

Application

A classification of computer programs designed to perform specific tasks, such as word processing, database management, or graphics.

Application Platform

The collection of hardware and software components that provide the services used by support and mission-mission-specific software applications.

Application Portability Profile (APP)

The NIST APP is the structure that integrates US Federal, national, international, and other specifications to provide the functionality necessary to accommodate the broad range of US Federal information technology requirements.

Application Program Interface (API)

(1) The interface, or set of functions, between the application software and the application platform.
(2) The most common means by which a software programmer invokes other software functions.

Application Software

Software entities which have a specific business purpose.

APSE

Ada Programming Support Environment.

Architecture

Architecture has various meanings depending upon its contextual usage.
(1) A formal description of a system, or a detailed plan of the system at component level to guide its implementation.
(2) The structure of components, their inter-relationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time.
(3) Organisational structure of a system or component.

Architecture, Baseline

The existing system architecture before entering a cycle of architecture review and redesign.

Architecture Continuum

A part of the Enterprise Continuum. The Architecture Continuum provides a repository of architectural elements with increasing detail and specialization. This Continuum begins with foundational definitions like reference models, core strategies, and basic building blocks. From there it spans to Industry Architectures and all the way to an organization's specific architecture.

Architecture, Database

The logical view of the data models, data standards, and data structure. It includes a definition of the physical databases for the information system, their performance requirements, and their geographical distribution.

Architectural Framework

A tool for assisting in the production of organisation-specific architectures. An architectural framework consists of a technical reference model, a method of architecture development and a list of component standards, specifications, products and their inter-relationships which can be used to build up architectures.

Architecture, Target

Depicts the configuration of the target information system.

Architecture View

A perspective from which an architecture may be viewed in order to ensure that a specific topic is considered in a coherent manner - e.g. Security.

ASN

Abstract Syntax Notation.

ASP

Active Server Pages

Availability

The probability that system functional capabilities are ready for use by a user at any time, where all time is considered, including operations, repair, administration, and logistic time. Availability is further defined by system category for both routine and priority operations.

Base-level functions

Initial or basic functions.

Baseline

A specification or product that has been formally reviewed and agreed upon, that thereafter serves as the basis for further development and that can be changed only through formal change control procedures or a type of procedure such as configuration management.

Batch processing

Processing data or the accomplishment of jobs accumulated in advance in such a manner that each accumulation thus formed is processed or accomplished in the same computer run.

Business scenario

A technique that may be used prior to, and as a key input to, the development of the architecture, to derive the characteristics of the Technical Architecture directly from the high-level requirements of the business. It is used to help identify and understand business needs, and thereby to derive the business requirements that the architecture development has to address.

Business system

Hardware, software, policy statements, procedures and people which together implement a business function.

CCIT

Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone.

Client

An application component which requests services from a server.

CMIS

Common Management Information Service

CMIP

Common Management Information Protocol

COBIT

Control OBjectives for Information and related Technology

COBOL

Acronym for Common Business-Oriented Language. COBOL is a computer programming language used extensively in mainframes and minicomputers for business applications.

Communications Mechanism

Hardware and software functions which allow Application Platforms to exchange information.

Communications Network

A set of products, concepts, and services, that enable the connection of computer systems for the purpose of transmitting data and other forms (e.g. voice and video) between the systems.

Communications Node

A node that is either internal to the communications network (e.g. routers, bridges, or repeaters) or located between the end device and the communications network to operate as a gateway.

Communications System

A set of assets (transmission media, switching nodes, interfaces, and control devices), that will establish linkage between users and devices.

Configuration Management

A discipline applying technical and administrative direction and surveillance to:
(a) identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of a configuration item.
(b) control changes to those characteristics and,
(c) record and report changes to processing and implementation status.

Connectivity Service

A service area of the External Environment entity of the technical Reference Model that provides end-to-end connectivity for communications through three transport levels (global, regional, and local). It provides general and applications-specific services to platform end devices.

CORBA

Common Object Request Broker Architecture.

Data Dictionary

A specialised type of database containing metadata, which is managed by a data dictionary system; a repository of information describing the characteristics of data used to design, monitor, document, protect, and control data in information systems and databases; an application of data dictionary systems.

Data Element

A basic unit of information having a meaning and that may have subcategories (data items) of distinct units and values.

Database

Structured or organised collection of information, which may be accessed by the computer.

Database Management System

Computer application program that accesses or manipulates the database.

Data Interchange Service

A service of the Platform entity of the Technical Reference Model that provides specialised support for the interchange of data between applications on the same or different platforms.

Data Management Service

A service of the Platform entity of the Technical Reference Model that provides support for the management, storage, access, and manipulation of data in a database.

DBMS

Database Management System.

DCE

Distributed Computing Environment.

DDL

Data Definition Language.

Default

Command which is automatically executed if none is specifically indicated.

Directory Service

Part of the network services of the Application Platform entity of the Technical Reference Model that provides locator services that are restricted to finding the location of a service, location of data, or translation of a common name into a network specific address. It is analogous to telephone books and supports distributed directory implementations.

DISA

US Department of Defence Information Systems Agency.

Distributed Database

(1) A database that is not stored in a central location but is dispersed over a network of interconnected computers.
(2) A database under the overall control of a central database management system but whose storage devices are not all attached to the same processor.
(3) A database that is physically located in two or more distinct locations.

DMF

Data Management Facility.

ECMA

European Computer Manufacturers Association.

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange.

EEI

External Environment Interface.

End User

Person who ultimately uses the computer application or output.

Enterprise

The highest level in an organisation - includes all missions and functions.

Enterprise Continuum

Comprises two complementary concepts: the Architecture Continuum and the Solutions Continuum. Together these are a range of definitions with increasing specificity, from foundational definitions and agreed enterprise strategies all the way to architectures and implementations in specific organizations. Such coexistence of abstraction and concreteness in an enterprise can be a real source of confusion. The Enterprise Continuum also doubles as a powerful tool to turn confusion and resulting conflicts into progress.

Enterprise Model

A high level model of an organisation's mission, function, and information architecture. The model consists of a function model and a data model.

ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning

ES

End system.

Expand

Ability to resize objects to produce better organisation of on-screen material, usually a graphic or a window.

External Environment Interface (EEI)

The interface that supports information transfer between the application platform and the external environment.

File

Any specifically identified collection of information stored in the computer.

FIPS

Federal Information Processing Standard.

FORTRAN

Acronym for FORmula TRANslator, which is a high level computer language used extensively in scientific and engineering applications.

FTAM

File Transfer, Access, and Management.

Function

A useful capability provided by one or more components of a system.

GNMP

Government Network Management Profile.

GOSIP

Government Open System Interconnection Profile.

GSS

General Security Service.

GUI

Graphical User Interface.

Hardware

(1) Physical equipment, as opposed to programs, procedures, rules, and associated documentation.
(2) Contrast with software.

Human-Computer Interface (HCI)

Human Computer Interface Hardware and software allowing information exchange between the user and the computer.

IEC

The International Electrotechnical Commission, the international standards body which is responsible for electrical standards.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

III

Integrated Information Infrastructure

III-RM

Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model

Information

Any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audio-visual forms.

Information Domain

A set of commonly and unambiguously labelled information objects with a common security policy that defines the protections to be afforded the objects by authorised users and information management systems.

Information System

The computer-based portion of a business system.

Information Technology (IT)

The technology included in hardware and software used for information, regardless of the technology involved, whether computers, communications, micro graphics, or others.

Interface

Interconnection and inter-relationships between two devices, two applications, or the user and an application or device.

Interoperability

(1) The ability of two or more systems or components to exchange and use information.
(2) The ability of systems to provide and receive services from other systems and to use the services so interchanged to enable them to operate effectively together.

IS

Information System.

ISA

Information System Architecture.

ISO

International Standards Organisation.

IT

Information Technology.

ITIL

Information Technology Infrastructure Library

JTC1

A Joint Technical Committee established by ISO and IEC to take responsibility for their shared interests in IT standardisation.

LAN

Local Area Network.

Life Cycle

The period of time that begins when a system is conceived and ends when the system is no longer available for use.

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network

Metaview (also known as a Viewpoint)

A specification of the conventions for constructing and using a view. A metaview acts as a pattern or template of the view, from which to develop individual views. A metaview establishes the purposes and audience for a view, the ways in which the view is documented (e.g., for visual modeling), and the ways in which it is used (e.g., for analysis).

MIS

Management Information Systems.

MLS

Multilevel Security.

MTA

Message Transfer Agent.

Multimedia Service

A service of the Technical Reference Model that provides the capability to manipulate and manage information products consisting of text, graphics, images, video, and audio.

NIST

US National Institute of Standards and Technology.

NLSP

Network Layer Security Protocol.

ODA

Office Document Architecture.

ODIF

Office Document Interchange Format.

OECD

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

OIW

OSI Implementors Workshop.

OODBMS

Object-Oriented Database Management System.

Open Specifications

Public specifications that are maintained by an open, public consensus process to accommodate new technologies over time and that are consistent with international standards.

Open System

A system that implements sufficient open specifications for interfaces, services, and supporting formats to enable properly engineered applications software: (a) to be ported with minimal changes across a wide range of systems, (b) to interoperate with other applications on local and remote systems, and (c) to interact with users in a style that facilitates user portability.

Open Systems Environment (OSE)

The comprehensive set of interfaces, services, and supporting formats, plus user aspects for interoperability or for portability of applications, data, or people, as specified by information technology standards and profiles.

Operating System Service

A core service of the Application Platform entity of the technical Reference Model that is needed to operate and administer the application platform and provide an interface between the application software and the platform (e.g. file management, input/output, print spoolers).

ORB

Object Request Broker.

OS

Operating System.

OSE

Open System Environment.

OSI

Open Systems Interconnection.

PEX

PHIGS Extension to X Windows.

PHIGS

Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System.

Platform

See Application Platform.

Portability

(1) The ease with which a system or component can be transferred from one hardware or software environment to another.
(2) A quality metric that can be used to measure the relative effort to transport the software for use in another environment or to convert software for use in another operating environment, hardware configuration, or software system environment.
(3) The ease with which a system, component, data, or user can be transferred from one hardware or software environment to another.

POSIX

Portable Operating System Interface (for Computer Environments).

Profile

A set of one or more base standards, and, where applicable, the identification of those classes, subsets, options, and parameters of those base standards, necessary for accomplishing a particular function.

Profiling

Selecting standards for a particular application.

RAS

Remote Access Services

RDA

Remote Database Access.

RDBMS

Relational Database Management System.

Repository

A system that manages all of the data of an enterprise, including data and process models and other enterprise information. Hence, the data in a repository is much more extensive than that in a data dictionary, which generally defines only the data making up a database.

RM

Reference Model.

RPC

Remote Procedure Call.

Scalability

The ability to use the same application software on many different classes of hardware/software platforms from personal computers to super computers (extends the portability concept). The capability to grow to accommodate increased workloads.

Security

Services which protect data, ensuring its confidentiality, availability and integrity.

Server

An application component which responds to requests from a client.

SGML

Standard Generalised Markup Language.

SIB

Standards Information Base

SMAP

Security Management Application Process.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

SNA

System Network Architecture.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol.

Solutions Continuum

A part of the Enterprise Continuum. The Solutions Continuum contains implementations of the corresponding definitions in the Architecture Continuum. In this way it becomes a repository of re-usable solutions for future implementation efforts.

SQL

Structured Query Language.

SWG

Special Working Group.

System

People, machines and methods organised to accomplish a set of specific functions.

System and Network Management Service

A cross-category service of the Application Platform Entity of the Technical Reference Model that provides for the administration of the overall information system. These services include the management of information, processors, networks, configurations, accounting, and performance.

System Stakeholder

An individual, team, or organization (or classes thereof) with interests in, or concerns relative to, a system (taken from ANSI/IEEE Std 1471-2000).

TABB

Technical Architecture Builder and Browser - an IT Architecture design and constraint tool.

Taxonomy of Architecture Views

The organized collection of all views pertinent to an architecture.

TAFIM

Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

TCSEC

Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria.

Technical Reference Model

A structure which allows the components of an information system to be described in a consistent manner.

TFA

Transparent File Access.

TLSP

Transport Layer Security Protocol.

TNI

Trusted Network Interpretation.

TP

Transaction processing.

Transaction

Interaction between a user and a computer in which the user inputs a command to receive a specific result from the computer.

Transaction Sequence

Order of transactions required to accomplish the desired results.

TRM

Technical Reference Model.

TSIG

Trusted Systems Interoperability Group.

UIDL

User Interface Definition Language.

UIMS

User Interface Management System.

UISRM

User Interface System Reference Model.

User

(1) Any person, organisation, or functional unit that uses the services of an information processing system.
(2) In a conceptual schema language, any person or anything that may issue or receive commands and messages to or from the information system.

User Interface Service

A service of the Application Platform entity of the Technical Reference Model that supports direct human-machine interaction by controlling the environment in which users interact with applications.

View

A representation of a whole system from the perspective of a related set of concerns.

Viewpoint (also known as a Metaview)

A specification of the conventions for constructing and using a view. A metaview acts as a pattern or template of the view, from which to develop individual views. A metaview establishes the purposes and audience for a view, the ways in which the view is documented (e.g., for visual modeling), and the ways in which it is used (e.g., for analysis).

WAN

Wide Area Network