Glossary

Component Object Model (COM)

A binary standard that enables objects to interact with other objects, regardless of the programming language that each object was written in.

Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)

An extension of COM that enables objects to interact with other objects across a network.

Dynamic Link Library (DLL)

An executable file that a Windows application can load when needed.

external procedure

A function written in a third-generation language (3GL), such as C, and callable from within PL/SQL or SQL as if it were a PL/SQL function or procedure.

GUID

An identifier that uniquely identifies a COM object. GUID is an acronym for Globally Unique Identifier.

IID

A GUID that identifies a COM interface.

listener

The server process that listens for and accepts incoming connection requests from client applications. Oracle listener processes start up Oracle database processes to handle subsequent communications with the client.

listener.ora

A configuration file that describes one or more Transparent Network Substrate (TNS) listeners on a server.

Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)

MAPI is a messaging architecture composed of a set of common application programming interfaces that enables multiple applications to interact with multiple messaging systems across a variety of hardware platforms.

Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA)

A set of file naming and placement guidelines for Oracle software and databases.

Oracle COM Automation Feature

An Oracle feature that enables PL/SQL developers to programmatically manipulate COM objects through the COM Automation interface (IDispatch).

Oracle Net

The Oracle client/server communication software that offers transparent operation to Oracle tools or databases over any type of network protocol and operating system.

PL/SQL

Oracle Corporation's procedural language extension to SQL.

progID

A descriptive string that maps to a GUID.

tnsnames.ora

A file that contains connect descriptors mapped to net service names. The file may be maintained centrally or locally, for use by all or individual clients.