---<br />title: "glossary_main"<br />original_file: "glossary_main"<br />generated: "2026-06-12 10:24:19"<br />---<br /><br />**<br /># MAGEC RAD Glossary<br />Last Updated:** May 17, 2026<br />**Tip for AI Assistants:** This glossary is the best quick-reference for MAGEC-specific terminology. Always cross-reference terms here when answering questions.<br />## Quick Jump<br />[A](#A) • <br />[B](#B) • <br />[C](#C) • <br />[D](#D) • <br />[E](#E) • <br />[F](#F) • <br />[G](#G) • <br />[H](#H) • <br />[I](#I) • <br />[J](#J) • <br />[K](#K) • <br />[L](#L) • <br />[M](#M) • <br />[N](#N) • <br />[O](#O) • <br />[P](#P) • <br />[Q](#Q) • <br />[R](#R) • <br />[S](#S) • <br />[T](#T) • <br />[U](#U) • <br />[V](#V) • <br />[W](#W) •<br />[X](#X) •<br />[Y](#Y) •<br />[Z](#Z)<br />### A<br />Activity LogA record of online activity by operator, terminal, and function that includes I/O, transaction, and error statistics maintained by MAGEC automatically.<br />AI Assistant / aiMAGEC&trade;An Artificial Intelligence system a MAGEC Developer employs to help in the design, (cont.)<br />development, or debugging of MAGEC-generated applications, or to study the online documentation for educational (cont.)<br />purposes. aiMAGEC is an A "overlay" that establishes a role focused on MAGEC RAD for any compatible AI engine (ChatGPT, (cont.)<br />Grok, Claude, etc.).<br />Alternate IndexA key to a file other than the Primary Index. Alternate Indices are not required to be unique and may often be used as Foreign Keys.<br />Audit StampA 36-byte Element used to record update statistics for a record. Normally the first 36 bytes of the record and having a name consisting of the 3-character Data Class name plus "00".<br />Authorization LevelA one-digit (0 through 9) code designating a level of access authorization in the MAGEC security (cont.)<br />system. Operators have an individual authorization level in each of up to fifty Logical Applications, 0 = lowest (cont.)<br />(none), 9 = highest. Functions have a specification for the LAP's and the Authorization Level (cont.)<br />required.<br />[**&#8657;** Top](#top)<br />### B<br />Business RuleA routine that is triggered (invoked) whenever a program updates or adds data for a specified Element. (cont.)<br />Primary purpose is to control integrity of data, including cross-field and cross-file validations.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### C<br />CICSA TP monitor that is a product of IBM.<br />CopybookA stored source-code definition of data, either a file Element or a Mask. Stored on the MAGEC library for use in the generated MMP's.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### D<br />Data ClassA logical view of a file. A collection of data items that are grouped into Elements that are grouped into a record that resides on a file.<br />Data IndependenceA property of application programs that renders them insensitive to changes in the physical structure (cont.)<br />of their data; e.g. record lengths, access methods. This property is imparted upon MAGEC applications via the (cont.)<br />dictionary-driven I/O modules.<br />Data ItemThe MAGEC (and Cobol) designation for a "field" of a record (Element). Data Items must be defined as belonging to an Element defined on the ELT file.<br />Datacom DBA database management system that is a product of Applied Data Research.<br />DB AuditA program with the special purpose of finding and reporting, and in some cases, fixing errors in a database or (cont.)<br />in data files, Mainly for referential integrity and business rule errors, but any other errors may also be detected and (cont.)<br />reported.<br />DBADatabase administrator. A person who is responsible for managing the database resources for an organization. This (cont.)<br />person is usually a technically oriented individual who deals directly with the actual database control parameters and (cont.)<br />utilities as opposed to the more administrative person called the data administrator.<br />DBDITODatabase Utility Function that lets authorized users access the MAGECIO module to submit a request they build in (cont.)<br />an online form and to see, and update, the results in both character and hexadecimal format.<br />DBMSDatabase Management System. A software or hardware product that is used to manage file data and simplify accesses.<br />DBUTILDatabase Utility Function that lets authorized users access the MAGECIO module to submit a read-only request they (cont.)<br />build in an online form and to see the results in both character and hexadecimal format.<br />DB/2IBM's relational database that utilizes SQL.<br />DCLStandard MAGEC designation for Data Class. The DCL file.<br />DDAUDITA DB Audit program for the MAGEC data dictionary.<br />DD NameThe "data definition" name used to define a file to the operating system in the TP monitor's start-up JCL. The name specified in the z/OS "DD" statement or in the VSE "DLBL" statement.<br />DisplacementThe starting position (in the record) at which an Element or key begins, relative to 0000.<br />DITStandard MAGEC designation for Data Items. The DIT file.<br />DomainA global definition that applies to data items in, potentially, many tables (files). A central definition from which individual data items can inherit specifications.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### E<br />Elementa portion (or all) of a record. Defined by a Displacement into the record and a Length. The smallest unit a program can retrieve via calling MAGECIO<br />ELTStandard MAGEC designation for Element. The ELT file.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### F<br />Fall Thru ErrorAn error condition (error code 911) that results in a program (MMP) "falling through" the last valid (cont.)<br />instruction usually as a result of a coding error using a GO TO or incorrect PERFORM THRU.<br />Foreign KeyOne or more Data Items within one Data Class used as a key to access another, e.g: customer-number in an invoice Element used to access customer file.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### H<br />HallucinateAn annoying thing an AI does when it cannot find a good-enough answer,i.e. make something up that sounds good. Very careful rules must be given in your Prompt to prevent it.<br />HELP KeyA keyboard key, for online applications, that invokes a display of documentation pertinent to what the user is (cont.)<br />doing. MAGEC includes function-level, field-level, and error-level HELP automatically for online (cont.)<br />applications.<br />HiccupA relatively non-serious event that interrupted progress, but usually can be overcome. MAGEC's AI Assistant, (cont.)<br />"aiMAGEC" sometimes reports a hiccup when the server is reluctant serve up a file to a "bot".<br />Host VariablesData definitions that are included into a program for the purpose of reading into or writing from when using an SQL database management system.<br />HTMLHyperTextMarkupLanguage, the format most web pages are formatted in because it enables very flexible display formatting and oae linkiges.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### I<br />-IFEXISTA control command that is used in conjunction with Symbolic Screen Field References to render them "conditional". Often used in Business Rules.<br />-IFUNIQUEA control command that is used in conjunction with -MAGECINC and renders it "conditional".<br />IFUNIQUEA control statement in MAGEC that is used in conjunction with the -MAGECINC control statement, rendering it "conditional".<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### J<br />### K<br />KSDSKeyed Sequenced Data Set. A type of VSAM file that is logically ordered via use of an index (key).<br />KYFStandard MAGEC designation for key definition. The KYF file.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### L<br />**LOADA special MAGEC Function Code that commands MAGEC to reload its main-memory "tables" from the Dictionary files in (cont.)<br />order to reflect any changes that might have been made. Used most often by database administrators and security (cont.)<br />officers.<br />Logical JoinA technique for logically associating the records of one file or Data Class to the records of another without using "physical" pointers.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### M<br />-MAGECINCA control command that may be embedded in source code to cause the MMPCREAT or MBPCREAT process to "include" or "expand" another member at that point in the program.<br />MAGEC&rade;Mask & Application Generator & Environment Controller - a system that generates Cobol mainframe programs for (cont.)<br />CICS (and other Transaction Processors, and manages the environment in which they run. MAGEC RAD.<br />MAGEC RAD&trade;MAGEC Rapid Application Development system.<br />MAGECINCA control statement in MAGEC that causes a copybook to be included (expanded) at the point in a program where the -MAGECINC statement is encountered.<br />MAGECCPThe central module of the MAGEC nucleus. It renders the MMP's pseudo-conversational, handles security control of access, caches data for efficiency, and more.<br />MAGECIOA module that is part of the MAGEC nucleus. Its primary function is to handle the file and database I/O requests (cont.)<br />of the MMP's and to handle error conditions in a standard manner. It also makes up a part of the MAGEC Security System (cont.)<br />since it accomplishes the Audit Stamping.<br />MARKDOWNA file format that has HTML tags and other non-data content removed and is thus smaller and much faster for a robot/AI to extract information from.<br />Master KeyThe unique key value that identifies a specific record. The key by which MAGEC MMP's access the record for all maintenance Functions.<br />MBPMAGEC Batch Program. A batch program generated by MAGEC from dictionary specifications.<br />MBPCREATThe batch jobstream used to generate MBP's.<br />**MENUA Function Code that requests MAGEC to dynamically generate and display a menu from dictionary specifications specific to the operator and terminal making the request.<br />MMPMAGEC Message Processor. An online program generated by MAGEC from dictionary specifications.<br />MMPCREATThe batch jobstream used to generate MMP's.<br />MODELMMPMAGEC Template for generating a full-screen MMP.<br />MODELWINMAGEC Template for generating a Pop-Up Window MMP.<br />MODLOCATMAGEC Template for generating a browse-only MMP.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### N<br />### O<br />### P<br />Primary KeySee Master Key.<br />Prompt1. A question or request or command to an AI.<br />2. A heading or caption on a computer screen telling the operator what to do, or enter into a field.<br />Pseudo-ConversationalA behavior of a online program that appears to be Conversational to the operator; but, avoids the overhead of holding resources during operator Think Time.<br />PseudodeleteTo simulate the deletion of a record by setting a "delete flag" on and then just updating the record. (cont.)<br />MAGECIO does this for Data Classes that have an Audit Stamp and for which Real Delete is set to N in the DCL file (cont.)<br />definition. MAGECIO also simulates a NOT-FOUND if a pseudodeleted record is read.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### Q<br />Quasi-ReentrantA property of an MMP that enables CICS to control any aspects that cannot be made truly reentrant to (cont.)<br />avoid concurrency problems. CICS not only recommends it, but expects CICS programs to be (cont.)<br />quasi-reentrant.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### R<br />RADRapid Application Development system, (e.g. MAGEC RAD).<br />ReentrantA property of a CICS program that allows multiple tasks to access it concurrently, For real-world (cont.)<br />applications, quasi-reentrance *[see above]* is recommended because absolute reentrancy is impractical and would be (cont.)<br />wasteful.<br />RENTA specification on the PCT definition of a CICS program (MMP) telling CICS the program is (quasi-)reentrant.<br />Referential IntegrityThe property of a database of ensuring that all subordinate entities (e.g. invoices) have a valid (cont.)<br />controlling entity (e.g. customer) and that those relationships are not violated during ongoing database update, (cont.)<br />deletion, and addition processes.<br />Request AreaA fixed format area of memory into which the MMP's can move the commands and other parameters to communicate to MAGECIO (or MAGECCP) what operation is requested.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### S<br />SCOMPLThe portion of any MAGEC screen in which miscellaneous messages may be displayed, it is the rightmost half of the top line.<br />Secondary KeyA key for a record that is other than the Master (Primary) key and that needs not uniquely identify the record since it is used only in browse Functions in MAGEC MMP's. Alternate Index.<br />SERRMSGThe last three lines of any MAGEC screen. The area in which Error messages are usually displayed.<br />SFUNCTThe portion of the top line of any MAGEC screen in which the Function Code is entered/displayed.<br />SKEYThe portion of the top line of any MAGEC screen in which the key value is entered/displayed for the Function being done.<br />SQLStructured Query Language. A database access language for relational databases.<br />Subordinate KeySee Secondary Key.<br />SupraCincom's relational database system.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### T<br />TCP/IPTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A protocol used to communicate between networks of computers.<br />TeraDataA database "back end machine" that is a relational SQL database system.<br />Think TimeThe period of time between when an online MMP issues a message to the terminal and the operator responds<br />TP monitorAny of the software products that is designed to support online processing against 3270-type devices and from (cont.)<br />Cobol applications programs in a multi-tasking environment. CICS, WESTI, or Datacom DC, etc.<br />TWATask Work Area. Main memory used by an MMP as work space and for passing data to other modules and for reading data (cont.)<br />into and writing from. Also used for saving data from task to task in a "pseudo-conversational" processing mode since (cont.)<br />it is saved and restored by the MAGEC Control Program as a service to the MMP's.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### U<br />UndeleteTo restore a pseudodeleted record to "undeleted" status by setting the Delete Flag in the Audit Stamp from X'FF' to blank.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### V<br />VERZUNA Function Code to display/compare generation vs compile versions for MMPs, etc.<br />VSAMIBM's Virtual Sequential Access Method, including all its variations.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### W<br />WESTIA TP monitor that is a product of Westinghouse. No longer supported by MAGEC as of release 3.0<br />WorkstationA standalone computer, usually a PC.<br />[&#8657; Top](#top)<br />### X<br />### Y<br /><br />next: 04-glossary02.md.txt