A. Preferred Terminology
This appendix gives selected terms, their meaning, and preferred spelling and alternatives, if applicable.
Occasionally, The Open Group Forums and Work Groups may prefer to use an alternative term. This should be agreed in consultation with The Open Group editors.
The Open Group documentation is likely to be translated. Remember to convey important distinctions by using the right term.
API
Application Program Interface.
above
Do not use to refer to another location in a document.
alphanumeric
When used as a modifier.
and/or
Avoid using this term. Rewrite the sentence, or use the two options, followed by "or both".
appendices
Do not use appendixes.
ArchiMate
Note capitalization. Usage needs to follow The Open Group trademark usage guidelines.
argument
Value provided to a function or utility (such as the value of a parameter, operand, or option-argument).
async
Use asynchronous.
Boolean
Note capitalization.
back up
When used as a verb.
backslash
When used as a modifier or noun.
backspace
When used as a modifier, noun, or verb.
backup
When used as a modifier or noun.
behavior
Do not use "behaviour".
below
Do not use to refer to another location in a document.
big-endian
When used as a modifier.
built-in
When used as a modifier.
built-in utility
Special utility implemented within the shell. Also see shell.
C language
When used as a noun.
C-language
When used as a modifier.
can
The term can describes a permissible optional feature or behavior available to the user or application. The feature or behavior is mandatory for an implementation that conforms to the specification. An application can rely on the existence of the feature or behavior.
cannot
One word.
cf
Expand to compare.
client-server
When used as a modifier.
cloud-native
When used as an adjective.
codeset
When used as a modifier or noun.
commands
Call to the shell to perform a specific task. A string entered on the command line or in a script. Contrast with utility which is the name of an executable.
command-line
When used as a modifier.
cross-reference
When used as a noun.
data
Use as a singular noun. Do not use datum.
data type
When used as a noun.
database
When used as a modifier or noun.
default
Value or behavior provided by the system.
Digital Transformation
Note capitalization.
directory name
When used as a noun.
display
Use the verb display rather than appear. For example, "The prompt is displayed on the screen". Avoid using displays without an object. For example, "The system response displays on the screen". (Use of the noun appearance is acceptable.)
e.g.,
May be expanded to "for example," (note the addition of a comma).
et al
May be expanded to "and others".
When used as a modifier or noun.
end user
Person using a system feature.
end-user
When used as a modifier.
enter
To submit input to the system. Also see type.
Do not use enter to indicate the startup of an application.
Enterprise Architecture
Note capitalization.
etc.
May be expanded to "and so on".
execute
To run a command using the current execution environment. Also see invoke.
FIFO
First in, first out.
FILO
First in, last out.
fewer
Use to refer to countable items; for example, "you will find fewer errors ...".
filename
When used as a noun, variable in syntax, or examples.
file sharing
When used as a noun.
file-sharing
When used as a modifier.
file system
When used as a noun.
fixed length
When used as a noun.
fixed-length
When used as a modifier.
floating point
When used as a noun.
floating-point
When used as a modifier.
general-purpose
When used as a modifier.
I/O
Input/output.
i.e.,
May be expanded to "that is," (note the addition of a comma).
implementation
Refers to the way a function or utility works on a particular operating system.
implementation-dependent
(Same meaning as implementation-defined.) Describes a value or behavior that is not defined by the definitions contained in the specification but is selected by an implementor. The value or behavior may vary among implementations that conform to the definitions contained in the specification. An application should not rely on the existence of the value or behavior. An application that relies on such a value or behavior is not portable across conforming implementations.
The implementor normally documents such a value or behavior so that it can be used correctly by an application.
invoke
Run a command with suppression of searching for shell functions and special built-in utilities.
initialize
Not "initialise".
in-line
When used as a modifier.
input
Use as a noun only, not as a verb.
interface
When used as a modifier or noun, not as a verb.
interprocess
When used as a modifier or noun.
keyboard
When used as a modifier or noun.
left-justified
When used as a modifier.
legacy
Describes a feature or behavior that is being retained for compatibility with older applications, but which has limitations which make it inappropriate for developing portable applications. New applications should use alternative means of obtaining equivalent functionality.
less
Use to refer to non-countable items or when discussing something in terms of size or degree; for example, this is less complicated".
log in
When used as a verb.
login
When used as a modifier or noun.
log out
When used as a verb.
logout
When used as a modifier or noun.
long-term
When used as a modifier or noun.
loosely-coupled
When used as an adjective.
lowercase
When used as a modifier or noun.
may
Describes a feature or behavior that is optional for an implementation that conforms to the definitions contained in the specification. An application should not rely on the existence of the feature or behavior. An application that relies on such a feature or behavior is not portable across conforming implementations.
To avoid ambiguity, the opposite of may is expressed as need not, instead of may not.
media
Use as a singular noun.
mouse
Use to refer to any pointing device, screen button, or menu operation. (Remember to define this usage.)
multitasking
When used as a modifier.
multiuser
When used as a modifier.
must
Same meaning as shall; shall is the preferred term.
NaN
Not a number.
need not
The negative of may. Used in preference to may not to avoid ambiguity.
newline
When used as a modifier or noun.
next-generation
When used as an adjective.
nonzero
When used as a modifier or noun.
OR
Do not use as a verb. For example, instead of saying "OR-ing the bits" say "a logical bitwise OR of the bits".
obsolescent
Describes a feature that may be considered for withdrawal in a future version of the specification. Such features are retained because of their widespread use, but are not recommended for new applications. Vendors may continue to support such features, even after they are withdrawn from the standard.
offline
When used as a modifier.
online
When used as a modifier.
open systems
Use generically. If you need to specify the subset of open systems that are based on the UNIX operating system, write: "UNIX operating systems and their derivatives".
option
Argument to a command that (typically) changes the default behavior of the command.
option-argument
Argument to an option.
output
When used as a noun only, not as a verb.
path name
When used as a noun.
pathname
When used as a variable in syntax examples.
path-name
When used as a modifier.
postprocessor
preprocessor
press
Used to indicate the action of pressing a key that does not echo to the screen; the Control key is one such example.
previous
Do not use to refer to another location by position.
read-only
When used as a modifier.
realtime
When used as a modifier or noun.
reentrant
When used as a modifier.
reference page
Use instead of manpage, manual page, and so on.
runtime
When used as a modifier or noun.
screen object
Anything that appears on a screen; for example, box, menu, icon, and so on. Do not use the names of screen objects as verbs.
select
Use this verb to designate information that will be the subject of a subsequent operation.
set up
When used as a verb.
set-up
When used as a modifier.
setup
When used as a noun.
shall
Describes a feature or behavior that is mandatory for an implementation that conforms to the definitions contained in the specification. An application can rely on the existence of the feature or behavior.
shell, the
Change to "the shell as documented in the sh() reference page" when referring to the default shell provided by systems that conform to the Single UNIX Specification.
short-term
When used as a modifier or noun.
should
For an implementation that conforms to the definitions contained in the specification, describes a feature or behavior that is recommended but optional. An application should not rely on the existence of the feature or behavior. An application that relies on such a feature or behavior is not portable across conforming implementations.
For an application, describes a feature or behavior that is recommended programming practice for maximum portability.
shut down
When used as a verb.
shutdown
When used as a modifier.
start-up
When used as a modifier.
startup
When used as a noun.
subdirectory
When used as a noun.
text-only
When used as a modifier.
that
When used as a restrictive pronoun. For example, "... the subset of open systems that are based on ...".
time out
When used as a verb.
time zone
When used as a noun.
timeout
When used as a noun.
TOGAF
Note capitalization. Usage needs to follow The Open Group trademark usage guidelines.
type
Used to indicate the entering of information. For example, "Type the following command".
UNIX
Note capitalization. Usage needs to follow The Open Group trademark usage guidelines.
undefined
Describes the nature of a value or behavior not defined by the definitions contained in the specification which will result from use of an invalid program construct or invalid data input.
The value or behavior may vary among implementations that conform to the definitions contained in the specification. An application should not rely on the existence or validity of the value or behavior. An application that relies on any particular value or behavior is not portable across conforming implementations.
unspecified
Describes the nature of a value or behavior not specified by the definitions contained in the specification which will result from use of a valid program construct or valid data input.
The value or behavior may vary among implementations that conform to the definitions contained in the specification. An application should not rely on the existence or validity of the value or behavior. An application that relies on any particular value or behavior is not portable across conforming implementations.
uppercase
When used as a modifier or noun.
US
United States.
use-case
user ID
When used as a noun.
user name
utility
Executable file that can be called by name from a shell (not including built-in utilities). See also command.
versus
Use Italic font.
via
May be changed to "through" or "by means of".
vice versa
Use Italic font.
virtual machine
Not VM.
viz
Expand to "namely".
when
Use if an event is inevitable. Do not use to mean in contrast/comparison to.
where
Do not use to mean in contrast/comparison to.
which
When used as a non-restrictive pronoun, and preceded with a comma. For example, "... The Open Group Guide, which contains ...".
while
Do not use to mean in contrast/comparison to.
will
Same meaning as shall; shall is the preferred term.
windows
Use the verbs open and close to refer to windows.
worldwide
When used as a modifier.
write-only
When used as a modifier.
zeros
Not zeroes.
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