Advanced Database Editor (ADE) terminology

Action menu

Menu that appears when you select any row in a data summary table, for example, Analog Summary.

Applet

Program underlying a Windows icon.

AutoCAD

Third-party software used to create windows for the system. Note the capitalization.

Button

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

Call up

To display or open a form.

Checkbox

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

Click

If the command refers to a mouse button, the documentation specifies "middle-click", "right-click", or "double-click".

Combo box

Text box with a listbox attached.

Command

An action that you can initiate by selecting a menu button or typing a command and parameters on the command line. For example, you would use a command to open a valve.

Confirmation box

Dialog box containing 1) an advisory or warning message about an action initiated by yourself, and 2) a response mechanism (for example Y/N), which allows you to confirm that the specified action is to proceed. Example: "Are you sure you wish to delete this record? Y/N."

Control panel

Window containing buttons and/or options for the control of field devices.

Display

To present on the screen.

Dialog box

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

Dropdown arrow

Arrow associated with a dropdown menu, indicating a list that you can view by selecting the arrow.

Engineering units

Units in which values are expressed that are relevant to the applicable device, as opposed to "raw values" which are non-interpreted values directly from the field instrumentation.

Field

A small area in a window, in which 1) read-only data appears, or 2) you can enter data; An identifying label appears beside or above the field.

Identifier

System code or name for an entity, such as a database record.

Label

Text attached to any option, box, command, etc.

Listbox

Dialog box containing a list of items that you can select.

Menu

List of commands that you can select.

Message box

Dialog box containing an advisory, warning, or error message about an action the Controller or Administrator has initiated or performed.

Option

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

Point (noun)

The system definition (for example, a table record) of a field device.

Property sheet

Window that shows information ("properties") about an object in the interface. Like the "dialog box" (see above), the window can contain command buttons and options.

Read-only value

A value displayed in a window that you cannot alter through that window.

Record

Standard entry in a database table.

Remote

A remote is a remote processing unit that receives data from field devices, and often interprets the data, and transmits the data to the host computer. Types of remotes include:

• Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

• Gas Chromatographs (GCs)

• Flow Computers (FCs).

Row

Data summary entry that is usually synonymous with a record.

Row header

Button, usually unnamed, at the left end of a table entry; typically used to display a dialog box related to the entry.

Select

In the context of a checkbox, to select means to place a check mark in the box.

Slider

Indicator on a graphic gauge that displays and sets a value from a continuous range.

Table

The RealTime database (RTDB) contains tables (for example, the Rate table, Analog table, and Status table). Tables contain "records", which in turn contain fields. "Row" is sometimes used as a synonym for "record," particularly when being contrasted with table columns.

Unavailable

Typically applies to situations where some members of a list of commands or options are not available for use. These unavailable items will usually appear dimmed, or may in fact not appear at all.

Window

Any display presented in the Graphical User Interface (GUI). We do not use the terms "panel" (by itself) or "screen" in this context, although we do use the expression "control panel."