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D Glossary

 

absolute references

References to cells or ranges that remain fixed, no matter where the cell containing the formula is moved or copied. Absolute references are preceded with the dollar sign ($) before each coordinate to be fixed, such as $A1 or $A$1 .

accelerator

A key or sequence of keys (typically a modifier key such as [Ctrl], [Shift], or [Alt] and some other key) that provides a shortcut to use a program function.

active window

The window that is affected by keyboard and mouse actions. Only one window can be active at a time.

annotate

Adding text to the data area of a graph.

application program interface (API)

A separate product which provides the NExS connections library, a set of callable subroutines, for creating real-time data exchange with NExS spreadsheets.

argument

A parameter appended to a function statement, specifying the values that NExS should use in calculating the function.

BIFF

Binary Interchange File Format. The native file format of Microsoft Excel.

argumentlist

In the syntax statement for a function, the list of arguments the function should use for its calculation.

cell protection

A feature whereby NExS prohibits the user from making direct changes to the contents of a protected cell. The cell may be changed by recalculation, or by removing or disabling cell protection.

circular references

Two or more cells defined by each other.

click

To quickly press and release a mouse button.

clock

An icon that appears on the screen while NExS is working and the keyboard and mouse are temporarily disabled.

computed cell references

The result of a function that is itself a cell reference or range reference.

concatenation

Linking two strings together. For example, if you concatenate the string "John" in cell A1 with the string "Smith" in cell A2, the result is the value "John Smith."

conditional statistical function

A statistical function in which the last argument is a constraint expression that NExS evaluates for each cell in the argument list. Only cells that meet constraint criteria are included in the calculation.

connections

The NExS facility whereby worksheets can be linked with up to 63 external data sources for real-time data transfer.

connections library

The NExS-provided programming routines, embedded in the external program, that enable connections to take place.

constraint-checking

A process whereby NExS checks constraint expressions while recalculating the worksheet. If constraint-checking is disabled in the Default Sheet Characteristics dialog box, NExS ignores constraint expressions.

constraint expression

An expression appended to a formula that establishes conditions under which the formula operates or boundaries for valid results of the formula.

Control/Status

The area of the display above the worksheet view, where NExS displays the input line, edit line, and status or error messages.

cost

The original cost of a depreciable capital asset.

CSV

Comma Separated Values, data imported or exported using commas as the only delimiters separating the data.

cursor

A graphical image, usually a vertical bar or block, that shows the location where text will appear when keys are pressed or where a selection will be made. Current cursor position is often shown by highlighting in reverse video or another color.

date and time function

A function that returns a value corresponding to the specified date, month, year, hour, minute or second. It can also be the current system time and date.

dates

A value represented as an integer equal to the number of days since December 31, 1899.

default

An object or action that is specified for selection if no other selection is specified.

dialog box

A pop-up window that NExS displays for you to enter information about certain commands and functions.

digital logical function

A function that returns the values 0, 1 or -1 (unknown) based on the value of its arguments. Digital logical functions evaluate the integer portion of a value. Any value not equal to 0 or 1 is considered unknown.

dimmed selection

A selection that is not currently available.

double-click

To press and release a mouse button twice in rapid succession.

drag

To press and hold a mouse button while moving the mouse.

Edit Mode

An mode of operation whereby NExS is ready to accept edits to cell contents. (As opposed to input mode, where NExS accepts new cell contents).

embedded tools

A set of functions in NExS that have the ability to return data in a matrix, not just the resident cell. These functions make non-scalar operations such as matrix multiplication and "live" recalculation as easy to use as an ordinary spreadsheet function.

enabled

Turned on. Many NExS capabilities, such as cell protection, title printing, automatic recalculation and constraint-checking, can be enabled or disabled to suit your preferences.

File Filter

A dialog box that NExS presents in certain cases where you must specify a source file or destination file, such as in Import and Export operations.

financial function

A function that performs a common financial calculation, such as future value of an annuity at a given interest rate.

font metrics

The calculation tables required for NExS to handle proportionally spaced fonts.

formula

A way of establishing and calculating mathematical relationships between the elements of a spreadsheet. Formulas are automatically changed to reflect any changes in referenced cells.

forward reference

A cell whose value depends on values calculated later in a spreadsheet.

function

An NExS-provided formula that performs the work of many formulas, or performs special functions that cannot be achieved by formulas, such as manipulating text strings.

goal-seeking

An NExS tool that uses iterative calculation to find the value required in one cell (variable) in order to achieve a desired value in another cell.

graph

A pictorial representation of data. Also know as a chart.

highlight

A visual cue to the current selection or current location of the cursor, frequently accomplished by reverse video.

I-beam

A graphic image used to represent the location of the mouse pointer in a text entry box, providing a visual cue that text can be entered in an area.

icon

A small graphic imaged used to represent a window. Windows can be turned into icons, (minimized) to save room or unclutter the workspace.

inactive

A window that does not have the current input focus.

indirect reference

A unique cell referencing technique in NExS which allows you to refer to cells by row and/or column offset values relative to the current cell. This can be used anywhere a cell reference is expected: function arguments, formulas, constraint expressions. It uses the following construct: #{column offset,row offset}.

input focus

The cell, range, area or window where keyboard and mouse actions will take effect. The computer can work on many tasks at once, but can only one can have the attention of the keyboard and mouse.

insertion cursor

A graphic symbol that provides a visual cue to the insertion point for data and text.

insertion point

The point marked by the insertion cursor in a text entry area, where text will appear when keys are pressed on the keyboard.

iterative calculation

A method of calculation whereby NExS passes through the worksheet more than once, addressing circular references or performing goal-seeking.

justification

Alignment of value displaced in a cell. Aligned either against the left side of the cell (left-aligned), the right side (right-aligned), or centered.

LaTeX

A trademarked product of the American Mathematical Society, a typesetting program popular in scientific and academic environments.

location cursor

A graphic symbol that marks the current location of the keyboard input focus for selection, typically a box that surrounds the current object or a highlight that shows the current object in reverse video.

logical function

A functions that evaluates conditions on a purely true/false basis, returning the value 0 if the condition is False and the value 1 if the condition is True.

lower

To move a window to the bottom of the window stack in the workspace.

mathematical function

A function that performs calculations with numeric values as arguments.

maximize

To enlarge a window to its maximum size.

maximize button

The control button in the window frame that is used to maximize a window.

menu

A list of available selections from which the user chooses.

menu bar

A bar at the top of the window that contains the titles of NExS pull-down menus.

message box

Any dialog box that provides information, tells the status of a work in progress, asks a question, issues a warning or draws attention to an error.

minimize

To turn a window into an icon.

minimize button

The control button in the window frame that is used to minimize a window.

miscellaneous function

A function that performs a variety of calculations such as returning a reference to a specific cell or range.

mnemonic

A single character (usually the initial character) of a menu selection, which initiates a selection when a menu is displayed.

mouse

A pointing device commonly used with a keyboard for using NExS.

named cell

A cell to which a name has been assigned with the Named Range utility. Named cells can be referenced by their names or addresses.

named range

A range of cells to which a name has been assigned with the Named Range utility. Named ranges can be referenced by name anywhere that a standard range reference is accepted.

natural recalculation

A method of calculation that follows a natural hierarchy of the importance of cell dependencies.

operators

The characters that establish the relationships between values in a formula, such as +, -, * and <= . Arithmetic operators calculate numeric values; text operators act on strings of text, and logical operators evaluate true/false conditions.

paste

Inserting data into an area after it has been cut from another area, perhaps another worksheet.

point

To position the pointer or location cursor.

pointer

The graphic image that appears on the workspace and represents the current location.

PostScript

A registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc., that refers to a popular format for producing highly formatted printed documents.

primary key

In the Sort operation, the primary column on which NExS should base the sort. If two entries in the primary key column are identical, NExS sorts based on the value in the secondary key column.

protection

The act of prohibiting users from making direct changes to entries in a protected cell. Cell protection is applied with the Protect utility, removed with the Unprotect utility, and enabled/disabled for the entire sheet in the Default Sheet Characteristics dialog box.

radio button

A graphic control that simulates the buttons on a car radio, representing mutually exclusive selections.

range

A contiguous, rectangular block of cells that has been referenced as a group in a cell formula, or selected to be affected by some editing action, such as Copy Formulas or Move.

recalculation

The process whereby NExS re-computes the mathematics of the worksheet after the user makes changes. NExS lets you designate whether recalculation takes place on demand or after any change is made.

relative references

Cell or range references that are interpreted relative to the current position of the cell containing the formula. Relative references are updated whenever a cell is copied or moved, to reflect the new position of the cell. By default, NExS considers references to be relative.

restore

To return an icon or maximized window to its normal size.

save

To write changes to a data file to a storage device for safekeeping.

statistical function

A function that performs aggregation and counting operations on a group of values expressed as a list of arguments.

string functions

Functions that act on strings of text, rather than on numeric values.

scroll bar

A graphic device used to change the view of a worksheet or list box. A user changes the view by moving a slider within the scroll bar or by pressing a scroll arrow at either end of the slider.

secondary key

In the Sort operation, the column on which NExS should base the sort, if two entries in the primary key column are identical, from a sorting standpoint.

selection cursor

A highlighted area that indicates the current selection.

select

To choose a menu selection, worksheet cell, range of cells or other area to be acted upon or an action to be performed. Selections are usually displayed in reverse video.

setting

A parameter that does not cause an operation, but rather influences the outcome of related operations.

slider

The object that is dragged within a scroll bar to change the view of a worksheet or list box.

spreadsheet

The foundation of the NExS way of working; a row-by-column matrix of cells that contain numeric values, text values and formulas that calculate values.

string function

A function that manipulates and evaluates character strings.

submenu

A subsidiary menu that is called from within another menu.

target

In the goal-seeking operation, the target value sought by manipulating another value.

target cell

In the goal-seeking operation, the cell that contains the target value, the objective of the goal-seeking.

titles (row, column)

In the general worksheet view, row labels and column headings that have been protected by the Set Title utility. These titles remain in view, even as you scroll through far-reaching areas of the worksheet.

titles (graph)

In graphics, the title of the graph, usually displayed centered above the graph.

TSV

Tab Separated Values, data imported or exported using tabs as the only delimiters separating the data.

variable cell

In goal seek, the cell that will be changed in order to reach the target.

WKS/WK1

The formats used by many other spreadsheets for storing information. NExS can load and save spreadsheet files in the WKS or WK1 formats.

window

A rectangular subset of the terminal's display screen, surrounded by a window frame consisting of a resize border, window menu button, title bar and window control buttons.

window manager

A program that controls the size, placement and operation of windows on the screen.

window menu

A menu activated from within the window frame, containing selections for restoring, moving, sizing, minimizing, maximizing and closing the window.

XLS

The three-letter file name extension commonly used for Excel native files. (see also BIFF).


next up previous contents index
Next: Index Up: NExS 1.4 User's Guide Previous: C.2 Summary of Error

NExS User's Guide, Version 1.4.5
Grey Trout Software
11 April 1999