Glossary

This glossary defines terms used in this manual.

attribute-value pair: In a software kit's key file, a line specifying the name and value for a single attribute of the kit. Controls how the kit is built by the kits command and how it is installed by the setld utility.

check in: In the Revision Control System (RCS), to store a file or revision in the RCS library.

check out: In the Revision Control System (RCS), to retrieve a file or revision from the RCS library.

collating symbol: In a regular expression, a name that defines a particular subset of the available characters, such as lowercase characters, in a collating sequence that uses multicharacter strings to represent single characters.

delta: In a Revision Control System (RCS) or Source Code Control System (SCCS) file, the set of changes that constitute a specific version of the file.

dependency expression: In a subset's subset control program (SCP), a Backus-Naur form (postfix) logical expression consisting of subset identifiers and relational operators to describe the current subset's relationship to the named subsets. See also subset dependency.

dependency line: In the make utility, a line in the description file that describes the dependents on which a given target depends.

dependent: Also called a dependency file. In the make utility, an entity on which a file to be built (the target) depends. A source file is a dependent of an object module.

field: In awk, one element of an input record; fields are separated by a field separator, which can be specified and is by default any amount of white space. The beginning and end of the record are also field separators. See record.

field variable: In awk, a variable that is a field of the input record; field variables can be manipulated as any other variable.

g-file: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), the file whose contents are used to create the s-file or to apply a delta to it.

ID keyword: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), a symbol composed of a single letter enclosed by percent signs (%). In the Revision Control System (RCS), a symbol composed of a keyword name enclosed by dollar signs ($). In expanded form, a keyword provides identification information about the file, such as its date, version number, or name.

layered product: In setld and product kit development, an optional software product designed to be installed as an added feature of the Digital UNIX system.

lexical analyzer: A program or program fragment for analyzing input and assigning elements of it to categories to assist in parsing the input. See parser. The lex program assists in the creation of lexical analyzers.

locking: In software installation by the setld utility, the act of inserting a new subset's name in the lock file of an existing subset so that an attempt to remove the latter subset will flag the user with a dependency warning. In a version control system, the creation and use of information flagging a version control file as being checked out for editing.

locking mechanism: In a version control system, a way to prevent overlapping and concurrent changes to a file. SCCS uses p-files to indicate which files are currently out for editing; RCS creates locks by editing the RCS file to insert lock information.

macro definition: For the m4 macro processor or the make utility, a statement creating a macro name and defining the text and argument substitutions for which the macro stands.

operator: In regular expressions, a character that is interpreted to mean something other than its literal meaning. For example, a pair of brackets ([]) form an operator that enables a single-character match on any one of the characters enclosed by the brackets.

p-file: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), a lock file whose presence indicates that the s-file of the same name is currently being edited.

parser: A program or program fragment for interpreting input and determining how to act upon it. The yacc program assists in the creation of parsers.

pattern space: In the sed editor, the range of lines currently being edited; the pattern space is selected by an address or pair of addresses.

RCS file: In the Revision Control System (RCS), a file stored in the RCS library, containing the text of the original file and the list of deltas that have been applied to it.

RCS library: In the Revision Control System (RCS), the directory in which RCS-files are stored.

record: In awk, the information between two consecutive occurrences of the record separator, which can be specified and is by default a newline character. For most purposes, a record can be thought of as a line from the input file. The beginning and end of the file are also record separators.

s-file: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), a file stored in the SCCS library, containing the text of the original file and the list of deltas that have been applied to it.

SCCS library: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), the directory in which SCCS s-files and p-files are stored.

script: In the sed editor, a list of editing commands to be applied to the input file.

SID: In the Source Code Control System (SCCS), the numeric identification applied to a particular delta.

source hierarchy: For building software kits, the directory tree and files that are to be compiled by the kits command into subsets for a kit.

subset: The smallest installable component of a software kit for the setld utility. Contains files of any type, usually interrelated in some way.

subset dependency: The condition in which a given subset requires the presence, or lack thereof, of other subsets in order to function properly. Evaluated by a subset's SCP under control of the setld utility. See also dependency expression.

target: Also called a target file. In the make utility, an entity to be built from its dependents. An executable program is a target that is built from one or more object modules.

target hierarchy: For building software kits, the directory tree into which a software kit is placed by the kits command.

token: For the m4 macro processor, a recognizable entity that can be a macro name. A token consists of alphanumeric characters delimited by nonalphanumeric characters and cannot contain other tokens.
For lex-generated lexical analyzers and yacc-generated parsers, the smallest independent unit of meaning as defined by either the parser or the lexical analyzer. A token can contain data, a language keyword, an identifier, or other parts of a language syntax.

version control file: In a version control system, a file that consists of original text and a set of revisions (deltas) that have been made to it. In the Revision Control System (RCS), this file is called an RCS-file; in the Source Code Control System (SCCS), an s-file.

version control library: A directory that contains files that are organized and maintained under a version control system such as the Revision Control System (RCS) or the Source Code Control System (SCCS).

version control system: A software tool that aids in the organization and maintenance of file revisions and configurations. In particular, it automates the storing, logging, retrieval, and identification of revisions to source programs, documentation, and data files.

younger file: For the make utility, a dependency file that has changed more recently than its target.