ANNEX A

(to Recommendation Z.341)

Classification of terms

1.	Introduction

This annex classifies the MMI terms according to the following classification scheme.

The purpose of this classification is to partition MMI terms into conceivable collections:

a)	to users of the MMI Recommendations;

b)	to those who can benefit from the knowledge of MMI terms, such as programmers; and

c)	to developers of the MMI Recommendations, for the identification of new work items, the organization of future work and new Recommendations.

The classes are intended to aid the identification and delimitation of the scope of the terms and therefore enhance the readability of the Recommendations and specifications. For example, an MMI designer who wants to document the terms to be used at the MMI can use this classification to organize the MMI documentation. The following defines MMI terms and describes their use.

This classification scheme is inspired by the conceptual scheme work [1] within ISO. The application area and scope are, however, different.

2.	Overview

The totality of MMI terms is divided into classes shown in Figure A-1/Z.341. The classes can form a hierarchical structure. If a term is applicable to more than one class, it may appear in the most general class.

The classes can very well be divided into subclasses.

3.	Classes and their usage

The following text defines different classes, explains their usage and gives examples of their contents. Terms are classified as application- independent and application-dependent terms. These classes are classified into subclasses.

1)	Application-independent terms

Terms which can be common for all MMI applications:

a)	Primitives

Terms which cannot be further defined but are used to define other terms.

Users: Everyone, in particular, language designers. End users can read system documentation which applies these terms.

Examples: Predicates, logical connectors, quantifiers, terms, etc.

b)	Metaterms

General terms which are not restricted to the classes listed below.

This class includes common terms from mathematics and logic as well as general terms such as time and space.

Users: Everyone, in particular, language designers. End users can read system documentation which applies these terms.

Examples: Arithmetics, algebra, etc.

Space, time, terminology, phenomenon, etc.

1) APPLICATION-INDEPENDENT TERMS

a) Primitives

b) Metaterms

c) System specification terms

d) MMI manipulation and presentation terms

d1) MMI manipulation terms

d2) MMI presentation terms

2) APPLICATION-DEPENDENT TERMS

e) MMI terms for operations and maintenance

e1) computer equipment and computer software

e2) telecommunication networks and services

f) MMI constructs for the use of telecommunications networks and services

g) Other application-dependent terms

Figure A-1/Z.341

Classification scheme

c)	System specification terms

Terms restricted to one system description language, often aimed at one application area.

Users: Everyone, in particular, applications system	designers including MMI designers. End users can	read system documentation which applies these	terms.

Example: Block channel, signal, etc., in basic SDL.

Flow line, non-terminal input symbol, etc., in the	MML metalanguage. Entity, relationship, domain,	cardinality, etc., in the Entity-relationship	approach.

d) Application-independent MMI manipulation and presentation terms

Terms needed to manipulate all MMI terms and to present terms common for all MMI applications.

d1) MMI manipulation terms

Terms which can be used to manipulate other terms.

Users: Everyone who applies a man-machine interface, both end

users and system developers.

Examples: Next page, delete window, etc.

Retrieve (from database to screen), insert (from screen to database).

d2) MMI presentation terms

Terms which are needed to present other terms.

Presentation terms are intended to present other terms.

Users: Everyone who observes a man-machine interface, both end

users and system developers.

Examples: Window, window area, field, pixel, etc.

Common field, work window area, etc.

2) APPLICATION-DEPENDENT TERMS

Terms which are not common for all MMI applications.

e) MMI terms for operations and maintenance

e1) computer equipment and computer software

Terms used for the management of software and equipment through their whole life cycle.

Users: Everyone who explicitly accesses, installs or supports

computer resources, or administers their availability including access administration.

Examples: Machine, terminal, program, program statement

database, etc.

Logon, backup, suspend, etc.

e2) telecommunications networks and services

Terms for the Administrations' manipulation and presentation of	telecommunications networks and services.

Users: Everyone in the Administrations who administers

telecommunications networks or services.

Examples: Subscriber, multiplex group, traffic intensity,	installation plan, subscriber equipment, etc.

Subscriber identity, circuit identity, etc.

Insertion of routing data, etc.

f) MMI terms for the use of telecommunications networks and services

Terms which are specific for the subscribers' manipulation and	presentation of telecommunications networks and services.

Users: Everyone who applies telecommunications networks or	services.

Examples: Dial up, send Teletex, electronic envelope, etc.

g) Other application-dependent terms

Any application-dependent term which is not listed above.

Users: Everyone who applies MMIs for manipulating or presenting	data concerned with the actual topics.

Examples: Employee number, salary information, etc.

REFERENCE

1. VAN GRIETHUYSEN (J.J.), ed. - Concepts and Terminology for the Conceptual Schema and the Information Base, Report ISO/TC97/SC21-N197, ANSI, 1982.

4.	Classification of terms

4.	Application-independent terms

4.1)	b)	application metaterms

arithmetic