A class that provides common behavior across a set of subclasses but is not itself designed to have instances that work.

A simplified description or view of something that emphasizes characteristics or purposes relevant to the user, while suppressing details that are immaterial or distracting.

An object that stores query specifications and stored procedure specifications so that an application can retrieve them when it queries a database. See also query specification, stored procedure specification.

Methods that an object provides to define the interface to its instance variables. The accessor method to return the value of an instance variable is often called a "get" method or "getter" method, and the accessor method to assign a value to an instance variable is called a "set" method or "setter" method.

In VA Smalltalk, a function or operation that a part can perform upon receiving a message. Actions enable a part's public interface to give other parts access to its behaviors. Compare to event and attribute.

Application program interface.

The use to which an information processing system is put; for example, a payroll application or an order-entry application.

A collection of defined and extended classes that provides a reusable feature. An application contains and organizes functionally related classes. It also can contain subapplications and specify prerequisites.

Policies that determine which users of a library can access specific applications. See also image and library controls.

A team member who is responsible for the overall state of an application. An application manager coordinates the activities of the application's developers and assigns ownership of classes to team members.

A browser from which users can create, delete, manage, or configure applications in their image.

An functional interface supplied by an operating system or other software system. The interface enables an application program written in a high-level language to use specific data or functions of the underlying system.

A data element included as part of a message. Arguments provide additional information that the receiver can use to perform the requested operation. Binary messages and keyword messages take arguments. In a keyword message, a colon ( : ) following a keyword indicates that an argument is required.

A literal that is an indexed sequence of literals. The number sign (#) precedes this sequence and parentheses enclose the sequence. For example, #(5 7 9) is an array of three integers.

A statement that, when executed, causes a variable to refer to an object. See also named variable and indexed variable.

In Smalltalk, an object that represents a string used as a unique identifier within the system. An atom literal is a sequence of characters preceded by 2 number signs (##) with no embedded blanks. For example: high, ##low. Contrast with symbol

In VA Smalltalk, data that represents a property of a part. (For example, a customer part could have a name attribute and an address attribute.) Attributes enable a part's public interface to give other parts access to its properties. An attribute can itself be a part, with its own behavior and attributes. Compare to event and action.

A connection from an attribute of one part to an attribute of another part. When one attribute is updated, the other attribute is updated automatically. See also connection.

A connection to an attribute of a part from a script. The connected attribute receives its value from the script, which can make calculations based on the values of other parts. See also connection.