An alternative name used instead of a primary name.

See application programming interface (API).

An interface that allows an application program that is written in a high-level language to use specific data or functions of the operating system or another program.

A rectangular area that displays the graphics associated with a specific application. Application windows can be opened, closed, combined with other types of windows, moved, stacked, and otherwise manipulated through user interaction with a window manager.

Descriptive information that provides important details about a module, requirement, discussion, or element. The elements in a module are associated with a number of attributes. An attribute has a name, type, description, and value. The attribute types are Checkbox, Choice, Date, File, Float, Heading, History, Integer, Link, Incoming Links, List, Lock, Matrix, Multi Choice, Text, Unique ID, and URL.

A read-only copy of a module, which contains the history of the module up to the time the baseline was created. You might create baselines of a module at certain times so that you can compare the baselines and identify the differences. The name of the active baseline is in parenthesis after the title of the view.

An advanced expression used to perform calculations or otherwise manipulate the value of attributes. For example, a business rule could be a formula that can check the quality of requirements, implement a complete workflow, or aggregate sales figures for a large corporation.

See also expression.

The area at the top of the application window containing a search field and a set of buttons.

A standard on which a judgment or decision might be based.

Contains all of the users who have access to Rational Focal Point and all of the workspaces.

A collection of attribute values describing a specific entity, such as a product, project or portfolio.

A simple statement used to perform calculations or otherwise manipulate the value of attributes. An example of using an expression is entering “=PI” instead of “3.1415”. See also business rule.

A device or program that separates data, signals, or material in accordance with specified criteria. You can add a filter to a view to find a specific subset of elements and attributes in the view.

A filtered view displays only the elements that meet the rules that you specify in the Filter setup window. You can create and save several filters.

A user who has administrative rights on a global level that is outside the workspaces. This user does not necessarily have access to all workspaces.

A database that contains all the users that have access toFocal Point^® and all of the workspaces that have been created.

A graphical representation of a project timeline and duration in which schedule data is displayed as horizontal bars along a time scale.

A generic attribute definition created at the installation level that can be copied to several workspaces at the same time.

A user who has no administrative rights and has access to one or several workspaces.

A collection of elements describing a set of entities with a common set of attributes. Modules have different functions, but they all contain a structured set of elements. Some modules support the work of the administrator and exist in Rational Focal Point from the start; for example, Criteria, Releases, Checkpoints, Saved Charts, and Saved Reports. You cannot delete these modules. Other modules can be created according to specific business requirements and are used to configure business-specific information, such as projects and requirements.

The customizable menu in the left side of the application window.

The process of comparing two elements according to a qualitative criterion to determine which element best matches the criterion.

See workspace.

A chart in which variables are displayed on different axes that start from the same point.

A method of displaying elements to get an overview of the folder and element structure of a view.

A template that is used to create reports. Parameters in the report template are specified when the report is created or run.

A structured process for detecting and correcting faults and inconsistencies of elements.

A view that illustrates the relationships between requirements of the same or different types. This matrix is used to create, modify, and delete traceability relationships and view indirect relationships and traceability relationships with a suspect state. See also view.

Any individual, organization, process, device, program, protocol, or system that uses the services of a computing system.

A subset of information that can be displayed by applying filters or sorting. Administrators define views. Regular users have access to only certain elements and attributes through views. Users must be given access to views.

A bar chart in which the values of the dependent variables are indicated by both the width and length of the bars.

See web services application programming interface (web services API).

An application programming interface (API), based on standard technology, that allows the user to access information in Rational Focal Point externally and facilitates integration with other tools.

The sequence of activities performed in accordance with the business processes of an enterprise.

A project that contains a number of modules for managing information.

The users in the database can be given access to zero, one, or more workspaces. In earlier versions of Rational Focal Point, workspaces are called projects.

A user who is administrator of one or several workspaces.

An area where workspace information is displayed and edited. The workspace area also displays a list of available workspaces.

A model that determines the basic structure for a workspace and contains settings such as modules, views, and attributes.