Glossary of terms and abbreviations

This glossary defines WebSphere Event Broker terms and abbreviations used in this online information.

There is also a migration glossary that lists differences in terminology between WebSphere Event Broker Version 6.0 and previous versions of the product.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A
access control list (ACL)
In computer security, a list associated with an object that identifies all the subjects that can access the object and their access rights. Subjects are principals that have explicit permissions (to publish, to subscribe to, and to request persistent delivery of, a publication message) against a topic in the topic tree. The ACLs define the implementation of topic-based security.
ACL
See access control list.
AMI
See Application Messaging Interface.
Application Messaging Interface (AMI)
The programming interface provided by WebSphere MQ that defines a high level interface to message queuing services. See also Message Queue Interface (MQI) and Java Message Service (JMS). Applications that use the AMI connect to the broker using WebSphere MQ Enterprise Transport.

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B
bar file
See broker archive file.
bend point
A point that is introduced in a connection between two message flow nodes at which the line that represents the connection changes direction. A bend point can be used to make node alignment and processing logic clearer and more effectively displayed.
binary large object (BLOB)
A block of bytes of data (for example, the body of a message) that has no discernible meaning, but is treated as one solid entity that cannot be interpreted.
BLOB
See binary large object.
broker
A set of execution processes that host one or more message flows. Also known as message broker.
broker archive file
The unit of deployment to the broker; also known as a bar file. It contains any number of compiled message flows (.cmf) and a single deployment descriptor. It can also contain any additional files you might need as long as the extension does not overlap the .cmf extensions.
broker domain
A collection of brokers that share a common configuration, together with the Configuration Manager that controls them.
broker schema
A symbol space that defines the scope of uniqueness of the names of resources (message flows) defined within it.
built-in node
A message flow node that is supplied by the product. A number of supplied nodes provide basic processing such as input and output.

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C
cmf
See compiled message flow.
collective
A set of brokers that are fully interconnected and form part of a multi-broker network for publish/subscribe applications.
compiled message flow (cmf)
A message flow that has been compiled to prepare it for transmission to the broker. A cmf is sent to the broker within a bar file.
component
A set of runtime processes that perform a specific set of functions. A component is a broker, a Configuration Manager, a Database Instance Manager, or a User Name Server.
component directory
In z/OS, the root directory of the component's runtime environment.
component name
The external name of a component. It is used, for example, in the workbench and in commands. Each component requires a name.
component PDSE
In a z/OS environment, a PDSE that contains jobs to define resources to DB2, WebSphere MQ, and the WebSphere Event Broker started task. See partitioned data set
configuration
In a broker domain, the brokers, execution groups, deployed and deployed message flows, and the defined topics and access control lists.
Configuration Manager
The component that provides an interface between the workbench and a set of runtime brokers. It provides brokers with their initial configuration, and updates them with any subsequent changes. It maintains the broker domain configuration.
Configuration Manager Proxy
An application programming interface that your applications can use to control broker domains through a remote interface to the Configuration Manager.
connection
See message flow node connection.
content-based filter
In publish/subscribe, an expression that is included as part of a subscription to determine whether a publication message is received based on its content. The expression can include wild cards.

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D
Database Instance Manager
On Windows, a network server that supports the creation, maintenance, and deletion of databases used by brokers in all installations on a single system. Database support is limited to Derby and DB2. The Database Instance Manager is associated with a Windows service.
Start of changeDataFlowEngine (DFE)End of change
Start of changeSee execution group.End of change
datagram
A form of asynchronous messaging in which an application sends a message, but does not want a response. Also known as send-and-forget. See also request/reply.
deploy
The process of transferring data to an execution group on a broker so that it can take effect in the broker domain. For deploying message flows and associated resources, the data is packaged in a broker archive (bar) file before being sent to the Configuration Manager, from where it is unpackaged and distributed appropriately.
Derby
The database delivered by IBM Cloudscape Version 10.0, which is built on the Derby database from the Apache Software Foundation. Cloudscape does not modify Derby in any way, but provides additional function including installers. Derby database support is embedded in the broker component on Windows only.
distribution list
A list of WebSphere MQ queues to which a message can be put with a single statement.

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E
editor area
The area in the workbench window where files are opened for editing.
ESM
See external security manager.
execution group
A named process or set of processes within a broker in which message flows are run. The broker is guaranteed to enforce some degree of isolation between message flows in distinct execution groups because it ensures that they run in separate address spaces, or as unique processes.

Start of changeAn execution group process is also known as a DataFlowEngine (DFE); this term is typically used in problem determination scenarios (trace contents, diagnostic messages, and so on). A DFE is created as an operating system process, and has a one-to-one relationship with the named execution group. If more than one message flow runs within an execution group, multiple threads are created within the DFE process.End of change

extensible markup language (XML)
A standard metalanguage for defining markup languages that was derived from and is a subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).
external security manager (ESM)
In a z/OS environment, a security product that performs security checking on users and resources. RACF is an example of an ESM.

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G
graphical user interface (GUI)
A type of computer interface that presents a visual metaphor of a real-world scene, often of a desktop, by combining high-resolution graphics, pointing devices, menu bars and other menus, overlapping windows, icons, and the object-action relationship.
GUI
See graphical user interface.

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I
IBM Runtime Environment for Java
A subset of the IBM Developer Kit for the Java Platform that contains the core executable files and other files that constitute the standard Java platform. The IBM Runtime Environment includes the Java virtual machine (JVM), core classes, and supporting files.
IBM Software Developer Kit for Java
A software package that can be used to write, compile, debug, and run Java applets and applications.
input node
A message flow node that represents a source of messages for a message flow or subflow. See also output node.
installation directory
In a z/OS environment, a file system into which all product data is installed, and from which it is referenced and retrieved during the customization phase.

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J
Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
An industry standard for database-independent connectivity between the Java platform and a wide range of databases. The JDBC interface provides a call-level API for SQL-based database access. See also Open Database Connectivity.
Java Message Service (JMS)
An application programming interface that provides Java language functions for handling messages. See also Application Messaging Interface (AMI) and Message Queue Interface (MQI). Applications using JMS connect to the broker using either WebSphere MQ Real-time Transport or WebSphere MQ Multicast Transport.
JCL
See Job Control Language
JDBC
See Java Database Connectivity.
JMS
See Java Message Service.
Job Control Language
Job Control Language (JCL) comprises a set of Job Control Statements, which are used to define work requests called jobs. JCL tells the operating system what program to run and defines its inputs and outputs.

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L
local error log
A generic term that refers to the logs to which WebSphere Event Broker writes records on the local system. Also known as system log.

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M
message
A communication sent from a person or program to another person or program. In WebSphere Event Broker, messages must have a structure and format which is agreed by the sending and receiving applications.
message broker
See broker.
Message Brokers Toolkit
The WebSphere Event Broker development environment that integrates with IBM Rational Application Developer which is based on the IBM WebSphere Eclipse Platform. Also known as the workbench.
message flow
A sequence of processing steps that run in the broker when an input message is received. A message flow is created in the workbench by including a number of message flow nodes that each represents a set of actions that define a processing step. The connections in the flow determine which processing steps are carried out, in which order, and under which conditions. A message flow must include an input node that provides the source of the messages that are processed. Message flows are then ready to deploy to a broker for execution. See also subflow.
message flow node
A processing step in a message flow. A message flow node can be either a built-in node, a user-defined node, or a subflow node. Also called message processing node.
message flow node connection
An entity that connects the output terminal of one message flow node to the input terminal of another. A message flow node connection represents the flow of control and data between two message flow nodes.
message parser
A program that interprets the bit stream of an incoming message and creates an internal representation of the message in a tree structure, and that regenerates a bit stream for an outgoing message from the internal representation.
message processing node
See message flow node.
Message Queue Interface (MQI)
The programming interface provided by WebSphere MQ queue managers. The programming interface allows application programs to access message queuing services. See also Application Messaging Interface (AMI) and Java Message Service (JMS). Applications using the MQI connect to the broker using WebSphere MQ Enterprise Transport.
metadata
The data that describes the characteristic of stored data.
MQI
See Message Queue Interface.
MQIsdp
See SCADA device protocol.
MQRFH
An architected message header that is used to provide metadata for the processing of a message. This header is supported by the MQSeries Publish/Subscribe SupportPac.
MQRFH2
An extended version of MQRFH, providing enhanced function in message processing.
multilevel wild card
A wild card that can be specified in subscriptions to match any number of levels in a topic.

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N
node
An endpoint or junction used in a message flow. See message flow node.

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O
ODBC
See Open Database Connectivity.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
A standard application programming interface (API) for accessing data in both relational and non-relational database management systems. Using this API, database applications can access data stored in database management systems on a variety of computers even if each database management system uses a different data storage format and programming interface. ODBC is based on the call level interface (CLI) specification of the X/Open SQL Access Group.
output node
A message flow node that represents a point at which messages leave the message flow or subflow. See also input node.

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P
parser
See message parser.
partitioned data set (PDS, PDSE)
In a z/OS environment, a data set in direct-access storage that is divided into partitions, which are called members. A partitioned data set (extended) (PDSE) is an extension to a PDS that contains an indexed directory in addition to the members.
PDS, PDSE
See partitioned data set.
perspective
A group of views that show various aspects of the resources in the workbench. The user can switch perspectives, depending on the task at hand, and customize the layout of views and editors within the perspective. See also view.
point-to-point
A style of messaging application in which the sending application knows the destination of the message. Contrast with publish/subscribe.
principal
An individual user ID (for example, a login ID) or a group. A group can contain individual user IDs and other groups, to the level of nesting supported by the underlying facility.
property
A characteristic that, as one of a set of characteristics, defines the values and behaviors of objects in the workbench. For example, message flow nodes and deployed message flows have properties.
publication
A piece of information about a specified topic that is available to a broker in a publish/subscribe system.
publication node
An end point of a specific path through a message flow to which a client application subscribes, identified to the client by its subscription point.
publisher
An application that makes information about a specified topic available to a broker in a publish/subscribe system.
publish/subscribe
A style of messaging application in which the providers of information (publishers) are de-coupled from the consumers of that information (subscribers) using a broker. See also topic. Contrast with point-to-point messaging.
publish/subscribe topology
The brokers, the collectives, and the connections between them, that support publish/subscribe applications in the broker domain.

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Q
queue
A WebSphere MQ object to which message queuing applications can put messages, and from which they can get messages.
queue manager
A system program that provides queuing services to applications. It provides an application programming interface (the MQI) to enable programs to access messages on the queues that the queue manager owns.

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R
request/reply
A type of messaging application in which a request message is used to request a reply from another application. See also datagram.
resource
A file of any type that exists in the workbench. You can view and edit a resource in the Resource Navigator view in the workbench.
Resource Recovery Services (RRS)
A z/OS facility that provides two-phase sync point support across participating resource managers.
retained publication
A published message that is kept at the broker for propagation to clients that subscribe at some point in the future.
RRS
See Resource Recovery Services.

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S
SCADA
See Supervisory, Control, And Data Acquisition.
SCADA device protocol (MQIsdp)
A protocol that implements the WebSphere MQ Telemetry Transport to connect SCADA devices to the broker.
send-and-forget
See datagram.
single-level wild card
A wild card that can be specified in subscriptions to match a single level in a topic.
stream
A method of topic partitioning that is used by applications that connect to MQSeries Publish/Subscribe SupportPac brokers.
subflow
A sequence of processing steps, implemented by message flow nodes, that is designed to be embedded in a message flow or in another subflow. A subflow must include at least one Input or Output node. A subflow can be started by a broker only as part of the message flow in which it is embedded, and therefore cannot be deployed.
subflow node
A message flow node that represents a subflow.
subscriber
An application that requests information about a specified topic from a publish/subscribe broker.
subscription
A record that contains the information that a subscriber passes to its local broker to describe the publications that it wants to receive.
subscription filter
A predicate that specifies a subset of messages that are to be delivered to a particular subscriber.
subscription point
The name that a subscriber uses to request publications from a particular set of publication nodes. It is the property of a publication node that differentiates that publication node from other publication nodes in the same message flow.
Supervisory, Control, And Data Acquisition (SCADA)
A term used to describe any form of remote telemetry system that is used to gather data from remote sensor devices (for example, flow rate meters on an oil pipeline) and for the near real time control of remote equipment (for example, pipeline valves). These devices communicate with the broker using the SCADA device protocol (MQIsdp).
system log
See local error log.

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T
terminal
The point at which one node in a message flow is connected to another node. You can connect terminals to control the route that a message takes, dependent on the outcome of the operation performed by the node on that message.
topic
A character string that describes the nature of the data that is published in a publish/subscribe system.
topic based subscription
A subscription specified by a subscribing application that includes a topic for filtering of publications.
topic security
The application of ACLs to one or more topics to control subscriber access to published messages.
topology
See publish/subscribe topology.

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U
Unicode Transformation Format, 8-bit encoding form (UTF-8)
A transformation format that is designed for ease of use with existing ASCII-based systems. UTF-8 is an encoding of Unicode character strings that optimizes the encoding of ASCII characters in support of text-based communication.
uniform resource identifier (URI)
An encoded address that represents any resource, such as an HTML document, image, video clip, or program, on the Web. As opposed to a Uniform resource locator or a Uniform resource name, which are concrete entities, a URI is an abstract superclass.
uniform resource locator (URL)
A sequence of characters that represent information resources on a computer or in a network such as the Internet. This sequence of characters includes (a) the abbreviated name of the protocol used to access the information resource and (b) the information used by the protocol to locate the information resource. A Web server typically maps the request portion of the URL to a path and file name. Also known as universal resource locator.
uniform resource name (URN)
A name that uniquely identifies a Web service to a client.
URI
See Uniform resource identifier.
URL
See Uniform resource locator.
URN
See Uniform resource name.
user-defined node
An extension to the broker that provides a new message flow node in addition to those supplied with the product. A user-defined node cannot be developed in WebSphere Event Broker, but can be imported and deployed.
User Name Server
A component that interfaces with operating system facilities to determine valid users and groups.
UTF-8
See Unicode Transformation Format.

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V
view
A display are in the workbench in which you can navigate and edit your information and resources. For example, the Resource Navigator view enables you to view and edit your project files. See also perspective.

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W
WebSphere MQ Enterprise Transport
A transport protocol supported by WebSphere Event Broker that enables WebSphere MQ application clients to connect to brokers.
WebSphere MQ Everyplace
A generally available WebSphere MQ product that provides proven WebSphere MQ reliability and security for mobile and wireless devices. WebSphere MQ Everyplace applications connect to the broker using WebSphere MQ Mobile Transport.
WebSphere MQ Mobile Transport
A transport protocol supported by WebSphere Event Broker that enables WebSphere MQ Everyplace application clients to connect to brokers.
WebSphere MQ Multicast Transport
A transport protocol supported by WebSphere Event Broker that enables dedicated JMS application clients to connect to brokers. This protocol is optimized for high volume, one-to-many publish/subscribe topologies.
WebSphere MQ Real-time Transport
A transport protocol supported by WebSphere Event Broker that enables dedicated JMS application clients to connect to brokers.
WebSphere MQ Telemetry Transport
A transport protocol supported by WebSphere Event Broker that enables SCADA devices to connect to brokers. This protocol is a lightweight publish/subscribe protocol that flows over TCP/IP that uses a subset of UTF-8.
wild card
A character that can be specified in subscriptions to match a range of topics. See also multilevel wild card and single-level wild card.
workbench
See Message Brokers Toolkit
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
An international industry consortium set up to develop common protocols to promote evolution and interoperability of the World Wide Web.
W3C
See World Wide Web Consortium.

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X
XML
See extensible markup language.

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