Software glossary

Absolute Pressure

The pipeline pressure relative to zero pressure (in an absolute vacuum). For example, the gauge pressure with the atmospheric pressure added to it.

Action Menu

Menu that appears when you right-click on a row or other element on a window.

Action Item

Item on a window used to complete an action. Tables outlining action items encompass the contents of the action menu, as well as other items on the window.

Bookmark

Used to mark a display for quick viewing at a later hour.

Browser

A program used to view and navigate hypertext, on-line documentation, or a database.

Button

A drawing of a push button with a command or option label on it. Selecting on the button results in the action described in the label.

Check

To place a check mark in a checkbox.

Checkbox

Small square box that is selected ("checked") or cleared to turn an option on or off. Typically, several checkboxes are contained within one "dialog" (see below).

Clear

This means to remove the check mark from the checkbox.

Command

An action that you can initiate by selecting a menu button or by typing a command and parameters on the command line.

Combo Box

Text box with a list box attached. You can enter data by either typing alphanumeric text, or selecting it from the list box.

Confirmation Box

dialog containing:

• An advisory or warning message about an action you have initiated.

• A response mechanism that allows you to confirm that the specified action is to proceed. For example, "Are you sure you wish to delete this record? Yes / No".

Dialog

Window containing command buttons and options through which you can carry out commands or tasks.

Dimmed

Unavailable command, option, or text box appears dimmed.

Display

To present on the window; used only as a verb.

Enter

Enter (alphanumeric text) or select (alphanumeric text) from a list box.

Erase Text

Select (highlight) the text, then select Delete.

Field

A small area in a window, in which:

• Read only data appears.

  OR

• You can select or enter data.

  An identifying name appears beside or above the field.

Field Name

Entry text attached to any field, option, box, command, etc.

List box

A dialog containing a list of items that you can select.

Menu

List of Action Items (commands) that you can select by selecting.

Message

Dialog containing an advisory, warning, or error message about an action you have initiated or performed.

Option

A choice presented in a dialog . For example, The Orientation dialog contains the options, Portrait and Landscape.

Property Sheet

Window that shows information ("properties") about an object.

Read only Value

A value displayed in a window field which does not have editing capability. The value appears dimmed.

Record

Standard entry in a database table.

Row

Synonymous with a record.

Select

Select alphanumeric text from a list .

Text

A in which you can enter text.

Tooltip

A yellow-highlighted box displaying the full text of a field.

Unavailable

When a command, option, or cannot be executed or edited. These unavailable items appear either dimmed or do not appear at all.

Window

Any display presented in the graphical user interface.