Software Engineering Glossary

"U" Glossary Content



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Other topics within the glossary:

UDF
Acronym for unit development folder. See: software development file.
unconditional jump
A jump that takes place regardless of execution conditions. Contrast with: conditional jump.
underflow exception
An exception that occurs when the result of an arithmetic operation is too small a fraction to be represented by the storage location designated to receive it. See also: addressing exception; data exception; operation exception; overflow exception; protection exception.
undirected graph
A graph (sense 2) in which no direction is implied in the internode connections. Contrast with: directed graph.
unit
  1. A separately testable element specified in the design of a computer software component.
  2. A logically separable part of a computer program.
  3. A software component that is not subdivided into other components.
  4. See: test unit.
Note: The terms "module," "component," and unit" are often used interchangeably or defined to be sub-elements of one another in different ways depending upon the context. The relationship of these terms is not yet standardized.
unit development folder (UDF)
See: software development file.
unit requirements documentation
Documentation that sets forth the functional, interface, performance, and design constraint requirements for a test unit
unit testing
Testing of individual hardware or software units or groups of related units. See also: component testing; integration testing; interface testing, system testing.
unpack
To recover the original form of one or more data items from packed data. Contrast with: pack.
unstratified language
A language that can be used as its own metalanguage; for example, English, German. Contrast with: stratified language.
UNTIL
A single-entry, single-exit loop, in which the loop control is executed after the loop body. Syn: post-tested iteration. Contrast with: closed loop; WHILE. See also: trailing decision.
unwind
In programming, to state explicitly and in full all of the instructions involved in multiple executions of a loop. See also: straightline coding.
up
Pertaining to a system or component that is operational and in service. Such a system is either busy or idle. Contrast with: down. See also: busy; idle.
up time
The period of time during which a system or component is operational and in service; that is, the sum of busy time and idle time. Contrast with: down time. See also: busy time; idle time; mean time between failures; set-up time.
upward compatible
Pertaining to hardware or software that is compatible with a later or more complex version of itself; for example, a program that handles files created by a later version of itself. Contrast with: downward compatible.
upward compression
In software design, a form of demodularization in which a subordinate module is copied in-line into the body of a superordinate module. Contrast with: lateral compression; downward compression.
usability
The ease with which a user can learn to operate, prepare inputs for, and interpret outputs of a system or component.
user
See: end user.
user documentation
Documentation describing the way in which a system or component is to be used to obtain desired results. See also: data input sheet; user manual.
user friendly
Pertaining to a computer system, device, program, or document designed with ease of use as a primary objective.
user guide
See: user manual.
user interface
An interface that enables information to be passed between a human user and hardware or software components of a computer system.
user manual
A document that presents the information necessary to employ a system or component to obtain desired results. Typically described are system or component capabilities, limitations, options, permitted inputs, expected outputs, possible error messages, and special instructions. Note: A user manual is distinguished from an operator manual when a distinction is made between those who operate a computer system (mounting tapes, etc.) and those who use the system for its intended purpose. Syn: user guide. See also: data input sheet; diagnostic manual; installation manual; operator manual; programmer manual; support manual.
user name
The name you use to log on to a network. This name identifies you to other network users.
user state
See: problem state.
utility
A software tool designed to perform some frequently used support function. For example, a program to copy magnetic tapes.
utilization
In computer performance evaluation, a ratio representing the amount of time a system or component is busy divided by the time it is available. See also: busy time; idle time; use time.