Glossary

Adaptive Server Anywhere (ASA)

The relational database server component of SQL Anywhere Studio, intended for use in mobile and embedded environments or as a server for small and medium-sized businesses. In version 10.0.0, Adaptive Server Anywhere was renamed SQL Anywhere Server, and SQL Anywhere Studio was renamed SQL Anywhere.

See also: SQL Anywhere.

agent ID

See also: client message store ID.

article

In MobiLink or SQL Remote, an article is a database object that represents a whole table, or a subset of the columns and rows in a table. Articles are grouped together in a publication.

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atomic transaction

A transaction that is guaranteed to complete successfully or not at all. If an error prevents part of an atomic transaction from completing, the transaction is rolled back to prevent the database from being left in an inconsistent state.

base table

Permanent tables for data. Tables are sometimes called base tables to distinguish them from temporary tables and views.

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bit array

A bit array is a type of array data structure that is used for efficient storage of a sequence of bits. A bit array is similar to a character string, except that the individual pieces are 0s (zeros) and 1s (ones) instead of characters. Bit arrays are typically used to hold a string of Boolean values.

business rule

A guideline based on real-world requirements. Business rules are typically implemented through check constraints, user-defined data types, and the appropriate use of transactions.

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carrier

A MobiLink object, stored in MobiLink system tables or a Notifier properties file, that contains information about a public carrier for use by server-initiated synchronization.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

character set

A character set is a set of symbols, including letters, digits, spaces, and other symbols. An example of a character set is ISO-8859-1, also known as Latin1.

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check constraint

A restriction that enforces specified conditions on a column or set of columns.

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checkpoint

The point at which all changes to the database are saved to the database file. At other times, committed changes are saved only to the transaction log.

checksum

The calculated number of bits of a database page that is recorded with the database page itself. The checksum allows the database management system to validate the integrity of the page by ensuring that the numbers match as the page is being written to disk. If the counts match, it's assumed that page was successfully written.

client message store

In QAnywhere, a SQL Anywhere database on the remote device that stores messages.

client message store ID

In QAnywhere, a MobiLink remote ID that uniquely identifies a client message store.

client/server

A software architecture where one application (the client) obtains information from and sends information to another application (the server). The two applications often reside on different computers connected by a network.

code page

A code page is an encoding that maps characters of a character set to numeric representations, typically an integer between 0 and 255. An example of a code page is Windows code page 1252. For the purposes of this documentation, code page and encoding are interchangeable terms.

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collation

A combination of a character set and a sort order that defines the properties of text in the database. For SQL Anywhere databases, the default collation is determined by the operating system and language on which the server is running; for example, the default collation on English Windows systems is 1252LATIN1. A collation, also called a collating sequence, is used for comparing and sorting strings.

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command file

A text file containing SQL statements. Command files can be built manually, or they can be built automatically by database utilities. The dbunload utility, for example, creates a command file consisting of the SQL statements necessary to recreate a given database.

communication stream

In MobiLink, the network protocol used for communication between the MobiLink client and the MobiLink server.

concurrency

The simultaneous execution of two or more independent, and possibly competing, processes. SQL Anywhere automatically uses locking to isolate transactions and ensure that each concurrent application sees a consistent set of data.

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conflict resolution

In MobiLink, conflict resolution is logic that specifies what to do when two users modify the same row on different remote databases.

connection ID

A unique number that identifies a given connection between a client application and the database. You can determine the current connection ID using the following SQL statement:

SELECT CONNECTION_PROPERTY( 'Number' );
connection-initiated synchronization

A form of MobiLink server-initiated synchronization in which synchronization is initiated when there are changes to connectivity.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

connection profile

A set of parameters that are required to connect to a database, such as user name, password, and server name, that is stored and used as a convenience.

consolidated database

In distributed database environments, a database that stores the master copy of the data. In case of conflict or discrepancy, the consolidated database is considered to have the primary copy of the data.

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constraint

A restriction on the values contained in a particular database object, such as a table or column. For example, a column may have a uniqueness constraint, which requires that all values in the column be different. A table may have a foreign key constraint, which specifies how the information in the table relates to data in some other table.

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contention

The act of competing for resources. For example, in database terms, two or more users trying to edit the same row of a database contend for the rights to edit that row.

correlation name

The name of a table or view that is used in the FROM clause of a query—either its original name, or an alternate name, that is defined in the FROM clause.

creator ID

In UltraLite Palm OS applications, an ID that is assigned when the application is created.

cursor

A named linkage to a result set, used to access and update rows from a programming interface. In SQL Anywhere, cursors support forward and backward movement through the query results. Cursors consist of two parts: the cursor result set, typically defined by a SELECT statement; and the cursor position.

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cursor position

A pointer to one row within the cursor result set.

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cursor result set

The set of rows resulting from a query that is associated with a cursor.

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data cube

A multi-dimensional result set with each dimension reflecting a different way to group and sort the same results. Data cubes provide complex information about data that would otherwise require self-join queries and correlated subqueries. Data cubes are a part of OLAP functionality.

data definition language (DDL)

The subset of SQL statements for defining the structure of data in the database. DDL statements create, modify, and remove database objects, such as tables and users.

data manipulation language (DML)

The subset of SQL statements for manipulating data in the database. DML statements retrieve, insert, update, and delete data in the database.

data type

The format of data, such as CHAR or NUMERIC. In the ANSI SQL standard, data types can also include a restriction on size, character set, and collation.

See also: domain.

database

A collection of tables that are related by primary and foreign keys. The tables hold the information in the database. The tables and keys together define the structure of the database. A database management system accesses this information.

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database administrator (DBA)

The user with the permissions required to maintain the database. The DBA is generally responsible for all changes to a database schema, and for managing users and groups. The role of database administrator is automatically built into databases as user ID DBA with password sql.

database connection

A communication channel between a client application and the database. A valid user ID and password are required to establish a connection. The privileges granted to the user ID determine the actions that can be carried out during the connection.

database file

A database is held in one or more database files. There is an initial file, and subsequent files are called dbspaces. Each table, including its indexes, must be contained within a single database file.

See also: dbspace.

database management system (DBMS)

A collection of programs that allow you to create and use databases.

See also: relational database management system (RDBMS).

database name

The name given to a database when it is loaded by a server. The default database name is the root of the initial database file.

See also: database file.

database object

A component of a database that contains or receives information. Tables, indexes, views, procedures, and triggers are database objects.

database owner (dbo)

A special user that owns the system objects not owned by SYS.

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database server

A computer program that regulates all access to information in a database. SQL Anywhere provides two types of servers: network servers and personal servers.

DBA authority

The level of permission that enables a user to do administrative activity in the database. The DBA user has DBA authority by default.

See also: database administrator (DBA).

dbspace

An additional database file that creates more space for data. A database can be held in up to 13 separate files (an initial file and 12 dbspaces). Each table, together with its indexes, must be contained in a single database file. The SQL command CREATE DBSPACE adds a new file to the database.

See also: database file.

deadlock

A state where a set of transactions arrives at a place where none can proceed.

device tracking

In MobiLink server-initiated synchronization, functionality that allows you to address messages using the MobiLink user name that identifies a device.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

direct row handling

In MobiLink, a way to synchronize table data to sources other than the MobiLink-supported consolidated databases. You can implement both uploads and downloads with direct row handling.

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domain

Aliases for built-in data types, including precision and scale values where applicable, and optionally including DEFAULT values and CHECK conditions. Some domains, such as the monetary data types, are pre-defined in SQL Anywhere. Also called user-defined data type.

See also: data type.

download

The stage in synchronization where data is transferred from the consolidated database to a remote database.

dynamic SQL

SQL that is generated programmatically by your program before it is executed. UltraLite dynamic SQL is a variant designed for small-footprint devices.

EBF

Express Bug Fix. An express bug fix is a subset of the software with one or more bug fixes. The bug fixes are listed in the release notes for the update. Bug fix updates may only be applied to installed software with the same version number. Some testing has been performed on the software, but the software has not undergone full testing. You should not distribute these files with your application unless you have verified the suitability of the software yourself.

embedded SQL

A programming interface for C programs. SQL Anywhere embedded SQL is an implementation of the ANSI and IBM standard.

encoding

Also known as character encoding, an encoding is a method by which each character in a character set is mapped onto one or more bytes of information, typically represented as a hexadecimal number. An example of an encoding is UTF-8.

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event model

In MobiLink, the sequence of events that make up a synchronization, such as begin_synchronization and download_cursor. Events are invoked if a script is created for them.

external login

An alternate login name and password used when communicating with a remote server. By default, SQL Anywhere uses the names and passwords of its clients whenever it connects to a remote server on behalf of those clients. However, this default can be overridden by creating external logins. External logins are alternate login names and passwords used when communicating with a remote server.

extraction

In SQL Remote replication, the act of unloading the appropriate structure and data from the consolidated database. This information is used to initialize the remote database.

See also: replication.

failover

Switching to a redundant or standby server, system, or network on failure or unplanned termination of the active server, system, or network. Failover happens automatically.

FILE

In SQL Remote replication, a message system that uses shared files for exchanging replication messages. This is useful for testing and for installations without an explicit message-transport system.

See also:replication.

file-based download

In MobiLink, a way to synchronize data in which downloads are distributed as files, allowing offline distribution of synchronization changes.

file-definition database

In MobiLink, a SQL Anywhere database that is used for creating download files.

See also: file-based download.

foreign key

One or more columns in a table that duplicate the primary key values in another table. Foreign keys establish relationships between tables.

See also:

foreign key constraint

A restriction on a column or set of columns that specifies how the data in the table relates to the data in some other table. Imposing a foreign key constraint on a set of columns makes those columns the foreign key.

See also:

foreign table

The table containing the foreign key.

See also: foreign key.

full backup

A backup of the entire database, and optionally, the transaction log. A full backup contains all the information in the database and provides protection in the event of a system or media failure.

See also: incremental backup.

gateway

A MobiLink object, stored in MobiLink system tables or a Notifier properties file, that contains information about how to send messages for server-initiated synchronization.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

generated join condition

A restriction on join results that is automatically generated. There are two types: key and natural. Key joins are generated when you specify KEY JOIN or when you specify the keyword JOIN but do not use the keywords CROSS, NATURAL, or ON. For a key join, the generated join condition is based on foreign key relationships between tables. Natural joins are generated when you specify NATURAL JOIN; the generated join condition is based on common column names in the two tables.

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generation number

In MobiLink, a mechanism for forcing remote databases to upload data before applying any more download files.

See also: file-based download.

global temporary table

A type of temporary table for which data definitions are visible to all users until explicitly dropped. Global temporary tables let each user open their own identical instance of a table. By default, rows are deleted on commit, and rows are always deleted when the connection is ended.

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grant option

The level of permission that allows a user to grant permissions to other users.

hash

A hash is an index optimization that transforms index entries into keys. An index hash aims to avoid the expensive operation of finding, loading, and then unpacking the rows to determine the indexed value, by including enough of the actual row data with its row ID.

histogram

The most important component of column statistics, histograms are a representation of data distribution. SQL Anywhere maintains histograms to provide the optimizer with statistical information about the distribution of values in columns.

iAnywhere JDBC driver

The iAnywhere JDBC driver provides a JDBC driver that has some performance benefits and feature benefits compared to the pure Java jConnect JDBC driver, but which is not a pure-Java solution. The iAnywhere JDBC driver is recommended in most cases.

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identifier

A string of characters used to reference a database object, such as a table or column. An identifier may contain any character from A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, underscore (_), at sign (@), number sign (#), or dollar sign ($).

incremental backup

A backup of the transaction log only, typically used between full backups.

See also: transaction log.

index

A sorted set of keys and pointers associated with one or more columns in a base table. An index on one or more columns of a table can improve performance.

InfoMaker

A reporting and data maintenance tool that lets you create sophisticated forms, reports, graphs, cross-tabs, and tables, and applications that use these reports as building blocks.

inner join

A join in which rows appear in the result set only if both tables satisfy the join condition. Inner joins are the default.

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integrated login

A login feature that allows the same single user ID and password to be used for operating system logins, network logins, and database connections.

integrity

Adherence to rules that ensure that data is correct and accurate, and that the relational structure of the database is intact.

See also: referential integrity.

Interactive SQL

A SQL Anywhere application that allows you to query and alter data in your database, and modify the structure of your database. Interactive SQL provides a pane for you to enter SQL statements, and panes that return information about how the query was processed and the result set.

isolation level

The degree to which operations in one transaction are visible to operations in other concurrent transactions. There are four isolation levels, numbered 0 through 3. Level 3 provides the highest level of isolation. Level 0 is the default setting. SQL Anywhere also supports three snapshot isolation levels: snapshot, statement-snapshot, and readonly-statement-snapshot.

See also: snapshot isolation.

JAR file

Java archive file. A compressed file format consisting of a collection of one or more packages used for Java applications. It includes all the resources necessary to install and run a Java program in a single compressed file.

Java class

The main structural unit of code in Java. It is a collection of procedures and variables grouped together because they all relate to a specific, identifiable category.

jConnect

A Java implementation of the JavaSoft JDBC standard. It provides Java developers with native database access in multi-tier and heterogeneous environments. However, the iAnywhere JDBC driver is the preferred JDBC driver for most cases.

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JDBC

Java Database Connectivity. A SQL-language programming interface that allows Java applications to access relational data. The preferred JDBC driver is the iAnywhere JDBC driver.

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join

A basic operation in a relational system that links the rows in two or more tables by comparing the values in specified columns.

join condition

A restriction that affects join results. You specify a join condition by inserting an ON clause or WHERE clause immediately after the join. In the case of natural and key joins, SQL Anywhere generates a join condition.

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join type

SQL Anywhere provides four types of joins: cross join, key join, natural join, and joins using an ON clause.

See also: join.

light weight poller

In MobiLink server-initiated synchronization, a device application that polls for push notifications from a MobiLink server.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

Listener

A program, dblsn, that is used for MobiLink server-initiated synchronization. Listeners are installed on remote devices and configured to initiate actions on the device when they receive push notifications.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

local temporary table

A type of temporary table that exists only for the duration of a compound statement or until the end of the connection. Local temporary tables are useful when you need to load a set of data only once. By default, rows are deleted on commit.

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lock

A concurrency control mechanism that protects the integrity of data during the simultaneous execution of multiple transactions. SQL Anywhere automatically applies locks to prevent two connections from changing the same data at the same time, and to prevent other connections from reading data that is in the process of being changed.

You control locking by setting the isolation level.

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log file

A log of transactions maintained by SQL Anywhere. The log file is used to ensure that the database is recoverable in the event of a system or media failure, to improve database performance, and to allow data replication using SQL Remote.

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logical index

A reference (pointer) to a physical index. There is no indexing structure stored on disk for a logical index.

LTM

Log Transfer Manager (LTM) also called Replication Agent. Used with Replication Server, the LTM is the program that reads a database transaction log and sends committed changes to Sybase Replication Server.

See: Replication Server.

maintenance release

A maintenance release is a complete set of software that upgrades installed software from an older version with the same major version number (version number format is major.minor.patch.build). Bug fixes and other changes are listed in the release notes for the upgrade.

materialized view

A materialized view is a view that has been computed and stored on disk. Materialized views have characteristics of both views (they are defined using a query specification), and of tables (they allow most table operations to be performed on them).

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message log

A log where messages from an application such as a database server or MobiLink server can be stored. This information can also appear in a messages window or be logged to a file. The message log includes informational messages, errors, warnings, and messages from the MESSAGE statement.

message store

In QAnywhere, databases on the client and server device that store messages.

See also:

message system

In SQL Remote replication, a protocol for exchanging messages between the consolidated database and a remote database. SQL Anywhere includes support for the following message systems: FILE, FTP, and SMTP.

See also:

message type

In SQL Remote replication, a database object that specifies how remote users communicate with the publisher of a consolidated database. A consolidated database may have several message types defined for it; this allows different remote users to communicate with it using different message systems.

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metadata

Data about data. Metadata describes the nature and content of other data.

See also: schema.

mirror log

See also: transaction log mirror.

MobiLink

A session-based synchronization technology designed to synchronize UltraLite and SQL Anywhere remote databases with a consolidated database.

See also:

MobiLink client

There are two kinds of MobiLink clients. For SQL Anywhere remote databases, the MobiLink client is the dbmlsync command line utility. For UltraLite remote databases, the MobiLink client is built in to the UltraLite runtime library.

MobiLink Monitor

A graphical tool for monitoring MobiLink synchronizations.

MobiLink server

The computer program that runs MobiLink synchronization, mlsrv11.

MobiLink system table

System tables that are required by MobiLink synchronization. They are installed by MobiLink setup scripts into the MobiLink consolidated database.

MobiLink user

A MobiLink user is used to connect to the MobiLink server. You create the MobiLink user on the remote database and register it in the consolidated database. MobiLink user names are entirely independent of database user names.

network protocol

The type of communication, such as TCP/IP or HTTP.

network server

A database server that accepts connections from computers sharing a common network.

See also: personal server.

normalization

The refinement of a database schema to eliminate redundancy and improve organization according to rules based on relational database theory.

Notifier

A program that is used by MobiLink server-initiated synchronization. Notifiers are integrated into the MobiLink server. They check the consolidated database for push requests, and send push notifications.

See also:

object tree

In Sybase Central, the hierarchy of database objects. The top level of the object tree shows all products that your version of Sybase Central supports. Each product expands to reveal its own sub-tree of objects.

See also: Sybase Central.

ODBC

Open Database Connectivity. A standard Windows interface to database management systems. ODBC is one of several interfaces supported by SQL Anywhere.

ODBC Administrator

A Microsoft program included with Windows operating systems for setting up ODBC data sources.

ODBC data source

A specification of the data a user wants to access via ODBC, and the information needed to get to that data.

outer join

A join that preserves all the rows in a table. SQL Anywhere supports left, right, and full outer joins. A left outer join preserves the rows in the table to the left of the join operator, and returns a null when a row in the right table does not satisfy the join condition. A full outer join preserves all the rows from both tables.

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package

In Java, a collection of related classes.

parse tree

An algebraic representation of a query.

PDB

A Palm database file.

performance statistic

A value reflecting the performance of the database system. The CURRREAD statistic, for example, represents the number of file reads issued by the database server that have not yet completed.

personal server

A database server that runs on the same computer as the client application. A personal database server is typically used by a single user on a single computer, but it can support several concurrent connections from that user.

physical index

The actual indexing structure of an index, as it is stored on disk.

plug-in module

In Sybase Central, a way to access and administer a product. Plug-ins are usually installed and registered automatically with Sybase Central when you install the respective product. Typically, a plug-in appears as a top-level container, in the Sybase Central main window, using the name of the product itself; for example, SQL Anywhere.

See also: Sybase Central.

policy

In QAnywhere, the way you specify when message transmission should occur.

polling

In MobiLink server-initiated synchronization, the way a light weight poller, such as the MobiLink Listener, requests push notifications from a Notifier.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

PowerDesigner

A database modeling application. PowerDesigner provides a structured approach to designing a database or data warehouse. SQL Anywhere includes the Physical Data Model component of PowerDesigner.

PowerJ

A Sybase product for developing Java applications.

predicate

A conditional expression that is optionally combined with the logical operators AND and OR to make up the set of conditions in a WHERE or HAVING clause. In SQL, a predicate that evaluates to UNKNOWN is interpreted as FALSE.

primary key

A column or list of columns whose values uniquely identify every row in the table.

See also: foreign key.

primary key constraint

A uniqueness constraint on the primary key columns. A table can have only one primary key constraint.

See also:

primary table

The table containing the primary key in a foreign key relationship.

proxy table

A local table containing metadata used to access a table on a remote database server as if it were a local table.

See also: metadata.

publication

In MobiLink or SQL Remote, a database object that identifies data that is to be synchronized. In MobiLink, publications exist only on the clients. A publication consists of articles. SQL Remote users can receive a publication by subscribing to it. MobiLink users can synchronize a publication by creating a synchronization subscription to it.

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publication update

In SQL Remote replication, a list of changes made to one or more publications in one database. A publication update is sent periodically as part of a replication message to the remote database(s).

See also:

publisher

In SQL Remote replication, the single user in a database who can exchange replication messages with other replicating databases.

See also: replication.

push notification

In QAnywhere, a special message delivered from the server to a QAnywhere client that prompts the client to initiate a message transmission. In MobiLink server-initiated synchronization, a special message delivered from a Notifer to a device that contains push request data and internal information.

See also:

push request

In MobiLink server-initiated synchronization, a row of values in a result set that a Notifier checks to determine if push notifications need to be sent to a device.

See also: server-initiated synchronization.

QAnywhere

Application-to-application messaging, including mobile device to mobile device and mobile device to and from the enterprise, that permits communication between custom programs running on mobile or wireless devices and a centrally located server application.

QAnywhere agent

In QAnywhere, a process running on the client device that monitors the client message store and determines when message transmission should occur.

query

A SQL statement or group of SQL statements that access and/or manipulate data in a database.

See also: SQL.

Redirector

A web server plug-in that routes requests and responses between a client and the MobiLink server. This plug-in also implements load-balancing and failover mechanisms.

reference database

In MobiLink, a SQL Anywhere database used in the development of UltraLite clients. You can use a single SQL Anywhere database as both reference and consolidated database during development. Databases made with other products cannot be used as reference databases.

referencing object

An object, such as a view, whose definition directly references another object in the database, such as a table.

See also: foreign key.

referenced object

An object, such as a table, that is directly referenced in the definition of another object, such as a view.

See also: primary key.

referential integrity

Adherence to rules governing data consistency, specifically the relationships between the primary and foreign key values in different tables. To have referential integrity, the values in each foreign key must correspond to the primary key values of a row in the referenced table.

See also:

regular expression

A regular expression is a sequence of characters, wildcards, and operators that defines a pattern to search for within a string.

relational database management system (RDBMS)

A type of database management system that stores data in the form of related tables.

See also: database management system (DBMS).

remote database

In MobiLink or SQL Remote, a database that exchanges data with a consolidated database. Remote databases may share all or some of the data in the consolidated database.

See also:

REMOTE DBA authority

In SQL Remote, a level of permission required by the Message Agent (dbremote). In MobiLink, a level of permission required by the SQL Anywhere synchronization client (dbmlsync). When the Message Agent (dbremote) or synchronization client connects as a user who has this authority, it has full DBA access. The user ID has no additional permissions when not connected through the Message Agent (dbremote) or synchronization client (dbmlsync).

See also: DBA authority.

remote ID

A unique identifier in SQL Anywhere and UltraLite databases that is used by MobiLink. The remote ID is initially set to NULL and is set to a GUID during a database's first synchronization.

replication

The sharing of data among physically distinct databases. Sybase has three replication technologies: MobiLink, SQL Remote, and Replication Server.

Replication Agent

See: LTM.

replication frequency

In SQL Remote replication, a setting for each remote user that determines how often the publisher's message agent should send replication messages to that remote user.

See also: replication.

replication message

In SQL Remote or Replication Server, a communication sent between a publishing database and a subscribing database. Messages contain data, passthrough statements, and information required by the replication system.

See also:

Replication Server

A Sybase connection-based replication technology that works with SQL Anywhere and Adaptive Server Enterprise. It is intended for near-real time replication between a few databases.

See also: LTM.

role

In conceptual database modeling, a verb or phrase that describes a relationship from one point of view. You can describe each relationship with two roles. Examples of roles are "contains" and "is a member of."

role name

The name of a foreign key. This is called a role name because it names the relationship between the foreign table and primary table. By default, the role name is the table name, unless another foreign key is already using that name, in which case the default role name is the table name followed by a three-digit unique number. You can also create the role name yourself.

See also: foreign key.

rollback log

A record of the changes made during each uncommitted transaction. In the event of a ROLLBACK request or a system failure, uncommitted transactions are reversed out of the database, returning the database to its former state. Each transaction has a separate rollback log, which is deleted when the transaction is complete.

See also: transaction.

row-level trigger

A trigger that executes once for each row that is changed.

See also:

schema

The structure of a database, including tables, columns, and indexes, and the relationships between them.

script

In MobiLink, code written to handle MobiLink events. Scripts programmatically control data exchange to meet business needs.

See also: event model.

script-based upload

In MobiLink, a way to customize the upload process as an alternative to using the log file.

script version

In MobiLink, a set of synchronization scripts that are applied together to create a synchronization.

secured feature

A feature specified by the -sf option when a database server is started, so it is not available for any database running on that database server.

server-initiated synchronization

A way to initiate MobiLink synchronization from the MobiLink server.

server management request

A QAnywhere message that is formatted as XML and sent to the QAnywhere system queue as a way to administer the server message store or monitor QAnywhere applications.

server message store

In QAnywhere, a relational database on the server that temporarily stores messages until they are transmitted to a client message store or JMS system. Messages are exchanged between clients via the server message store.

service

In Windows operating systems, a way of running applications when the user ID running the application is not logged on.

session-based synchronization

A type of synchronization where synchronization results in consistent data representation across both the consolidated and remote databases. MobiLink is session-based.

snapshot isolation

A type of isolation level that returns a committed version of the data for transactions that issue read requests. SQL Anywhere provides three snapshot isolation levels: snapshot, statement-snapshot, and readonly-statement-snapshot. When using snapshot isolation, read operations do not block write operations.

See also: isolation level.

SQL

The language used to communicate with relational databases. ANSI has defined standards for SQL, the latest of which is SQL-2003. SQL stands, unofficially, for Structured Query Language.

SQL Anywhere

The relational database server component of SQL Anywhere that is intended for use in mobile and embedded environments or as a server for small and medium-sized businesses. SQL Anywhere is also the name of the package that contains the SQL Anywhere RDBMS, the UltraLite RDBMS, MobiLink synchronization software, and other components.

SQL-based synchronization

In MobiLink, a way to synchronize table data to MobiLink-supported consolidated databases using MobiLink events. For SQL-based synchronization, you can use SQL directly or you can return SQL using the MobiLink server APIs for Java and .NET.

SQL Remote

A message-based data replication technology for two-way replication between consolidated and remote databases. The consolidated and remote databases must be SQL Anywhere.

SQL statement

A string containing SQL keywords designed for passing instructions to a DBMS.

See also:

statement-level trigger

A trigger that executes after the entire triggering statement is completed.

See also:

stored procedure

A stored procedure is a group of SQL instructions stored in the database and used to execute a set of operations or queries on a database server

string literal

A string literal is a sequence of characters enclosed in single quotes.

subquery

A SELECT statement that is nested inside another SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement, or another subquery.

There are two types of subquery: correlated and nested.

subscription

In MobiLink synchronization, a link in a client database between a publication and a MobiLink user, allowing the data described by the publication to be synchronized.

In SQL Remote replication, a link between a publication and a remote user, allowing the user to exchange updates on that publication with the consolidated database.

See also:

Sybase Central

A database management tool that provides SQL Anywhere database settings, properties, and utilities in a graphical user interface. Sybase Central can also be used for managing other Sybase products, including MobiLink.

synchronization

The process of replicating data between databases using MobiLink technology.

In SQL Remote, synchronization is used exclusively to denote the process of initializing a remote database with an initial set of data.

See also:

SYS

A special user that owns most of the system objects. You cannot log in as SYS.

system object

Database objects owned by SYS or dbo.

system table

A table, owned by SYS or dbo, that holds metadata. System tables, also known as data dictionary tables, are created and maintained by the database server.

system view

A type of view, included in every database, that presents the information held in the system tables in an easily understood format.

temporary table

A table that is created for the temporary storage of data. There are two types: global and local.

See also:

transaction

A sequence of SQL statements that comprise a logical unit of work. A transaction is processed in its entirety or not at all. SQL Anywhere supports transaction processing, with locking features built in to allow concurrent transactions to access the database without corrupting the data. Transactions end either with a COMMIT statement, which makes the changes to the data permanent, or a ROLLBACK statement, which undoes all the changes made during the transaction.

transaction log

A file storing all changes made to a database, in the order in which they are made. It improves performance and allows data recovery in the event the database file is damaged.

transaction log mirror

An optional identical copy of the transaction log file, maintained simultaneously. Every time a database change is written to the transaction log file, it is also written to the transaction log mirror file.

A mirror file should be kept on a separate device from the transaction log, so that if either device fails, the other copy of the log keeps the data safe for recovery.

See also: transaction log.

transactional integrity

In MobiLink, the guaranteed maintenance of transactions across the synchronization system. Either a complete transaction is synchronized, or no part of the transaction is synchronized.

transmission rule

In QAnywhere, logic that determines when message transmission is to occur, which messages to transmit, and when messages should be deleted.

trigger

A special form of stored procedure that is executed automatically when a user runs a query that modifies the data.

See also:

UltraLite

A database optimized for small, mobile, and embedded devices. Intended platforms include cell phones, pagers, and personal organizers.

UltraLite runtime

An in-process relational database management system that includes a built-in MobiLink synchronization client. The UltraLite runtime is included in the libraries used by each of the UltraLite programming interfaces, and in the UltraLite engine.

unique constraint

A restriction on a column or set of columns requiring that all non-null values are different. A table can have multiple unique constraints.

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unload

Unloading a database exports the structure and/or data of the database to text files (SQL command files for the structure, and ASCII comma-separated files for the data). You unload a database with the Unload utility.

In addition, you can unload selected portions of your data using the UNLOAD statement.

upload

The stage in synchronization where data is transferred from a remote database to a consolidated database.

user-defined data type

See domain.

validate

To test for particular types of file corruption of a database, table, or index.

view

A SELECT statement that is stored in the database as an object. It allows users to see a subset of rows or columns from one or more tables. Each time a user uses a view of a particular table, or combination of tables, it is recomputed from the information stored in those tables. Views are useful for security purposes, and to tailor the appearance of database information to make data access straightforward.

window

The group of rows over which an analytic function is performed. A window may contain one, many, or all rows of data that has been partitioned according to the grouping specifications provided in the window definition. The window moves to include the number or range of rows needed to perform the calculations for the current row in the input. The main benefit of the window construct is that it allows additional opportunities for grouping and analysis of results, without having to perform additional queries.

Windows

The Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, such as Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 200x.

Windows CE

See Windows Mobile.

Windows Mobile

A family of operating systems produced by Microsoft for mobile devices.

work table

An internal storage area for interim results during query optimization.