D

data services

deployment

digital certificate

directory-based project

distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)

distribution unit

domain

domain-managed security

data services

A concept supporting the lowest visible level of abstraction used for manipulating data within an application. This support implies the ability to define, maintain, access, and update data. Data services manage and satisfy requests for data generated by business services, and are often implemented as stored procedures or COM components.

deployment

A means to get application components and related files from one computer to another so that they may be available to users. These components can include COM components, Java classes, Web pages, and accompanying files. For example, you might package Java classes in a .cab file, and then deploy them to a Web server for downloading.

digital certificate

A set of data as a virtual document that identifies an entity, and is issued by a certificate authority after that authority has verified the entity's identity. The data set includes the public cryptographic key tendered to the entity. When the sender of a message signs the message with its private key, the recipient of the message can use the sender's public key to verify that the sender is legitimate.

directory-based project

A kind of project in which the contents of the project are defined by the contents of the folder in which the project files exist, rather than a project file. Examples include Microsoft® Visual J++™ projects. Contrast with reference-based project.

distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)

An object protocol that enables COM components to communicate directly with each other across a network. DCOM is language neutral, so any language that produces COM components can also produce DCOM applications.

distribution unit

A file that contains application components and accompanying files so that they may be deployed from one computer to another where they are available to users. Distribution units can be cabinet, setup, or Zip files, and can be digitally signed. For example, a distribution unit might be a .cab file containing Java classes, and available for download from a Web page.

domain

In Windows NT, a collection of computers defined by the administrator of a Windows NT Server network that share a common directory database. A domain provides access to the centralized user accounts and group accounts maintained by the domain administrator. Each domain has a unique name.

domain-managed security

A security mechanism in which security is managed by the Windows NT domain in cooperation with Microsoft® SQL Server™ security. Only one user ID/password set is required to gain access to the servers on the domain.