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)

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 IDispatch COM Automation interface

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'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