The LIMS Glossary includes LIMS and Technology "often-used" terms. If you can't think of how to spell a word or are looking for a definition, use our online glossary.

Laboratory Management
Those individuals directly responsible and accountable for planning, implementing, and assessing work, and for the overall operation of a facility.

LAN
( Local Area Networks) Network that spans a limited geographical area to connect computers and terminals, usually at moderate to high data rates.

Laser Scanner
An optical bar code reading device using a low-energy laser light beam for scanning.

LASF
(Laboratory Automation Standards Foundation), A foundation established to standardize the best practices of laboratory automation.

LCD
Liquid Crystal Display.

LED
( Light Emitting Diodes) Solid state devices that radiate in the visible region used in alphanumeric displays and as indicator or wiring lights.

LIMS
(Laboratory Information Management Systems) Automated systemd that are used in the various industries to improve communications between the quality control and production functions.

LIMS Raw Data (LRD)
Original observations recorded by the LIMS that are needed to verify, calculate, or derive data that is or may be reported.

LIMS Raw Data (LRD) storage media
The media to which LIMS Raw Data is first recorded.

Linear
Said of any device or motion where the effect is exactly proportional to the cause.

Log-out
The act of readying a sample for reporting. After all testing of the sample has been completed, any product grading or final sample validation checks are done at log-out and the sample is set to a data completion status.

Lot
A quantity of product that is considered uniform for sampling.

LPM
Lines per minute.

Machine Language
Binary instructions to a computer that it can execute directly, without translation.

Macro
A kind of computer shorthand that reduces many commands to one, making it easy to activate frequently used functions.

Mainframe
A large computer normally requiring a controlled environment in terms of temperature, air quality, and static electricity.

Maintainability
The probability that a system can be maintained or restored within a given period of time.

Maintenance / Enhancement
Resolving problems not detected during testing, improving the performance of the product and modifying the system to meet changing requirements.

MaxiCode
Fixed size two dimensional symbology having elements arranged around a unique circular finder pattern. MaxiCode is omnidirectional and is primarily used for freight sortation and tracking.

Memory
A device into which data can be entered, in which it can be held, and from which it can be retrieved at a later time.

MICR
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition style printing on the bottom of personal and bank checks.

Microprocessor
A programmable, large scale integrated circuit containing all the elements required to process binary-encoded data, and having all the functions of a computer, except memory and I/O systems. A microprocessor can perform basic arithmetic, and logical, as well as control functions equivalent to the CPU of a conventional computer.

Mil 1/1000th
(0.001) of an inch or approximately 0.0254 millimeter. Bar code densities are commonly referred to as number of mils (i.e. 10 mils).

Minicomputer
A class of computer having a CPU constructed of a number of discrete components and integrated circuits, rather than being comprised of a single integrated circuit, as in a microprocessor. A "mini" is larger than a microcomputer and has a typical word length of 16 or 32 bits. It is a small, programmable, general purpose computer typically used for dedicated applications.

Misread
A condition which occurs when the data output of a bar code reader does not correspond with the data encoded in the bar code symbol.

Modeling
The mathematical characterization of a process, object, or concept to enable the manipulation of variables so as to simulate typical behavior in programmed situations.

Modem
A MODulator - DEModulator interfaces with data processing devices to convert data to a form compatible for sending and receiving on transmission facilities, most commonly telephone lines.

Module
The narrowest nominal unit of measure in a bar code.

Motherboard
A printed circuit board that holds the principal components of a microcomputer.

MRP
(Material Requirements Planning) A system that typically tracks materials, keeps inventory, generates bills of material, work orders and scheduling.

MRD
Minimum Reflectance Differential. A method that is used to determine if there is an adequate difference between absorbed and reflected light.

MSI Plessey
Modified Plessey Code is a pulse width modulated bar code used primarily for marking retail shelving.

Multiplexer
An I/O device that routes data from several sources to a common destination.

Multiprocessing
1) Pertaining to simultaneous execution of two or more programs or sequences of instructions by a computer.
2) Use of a linked set of central processors to perform parallel processing.

Multitasking
Procedures in which several separate but interrelated tasks operate under a single program identity.

Natural Language
Any naturally evolved human language.

NBS
The U.S. National Bureau of Standards.

Nesting
1) To embed a subroutine or data block in a larger routine or data block.
2) The organization of data in hierarchical structures for greater efficiency in storing and processing repetitive elements. Identical elements need to be represented only once in a database.

Network
1) Any system of computers and peripherals.
2) In an electrical or hydraulic circuit, any combination of circuit elements.

Network Computer
An extremely "thin" client that sells for as little as $500 and uses Web access to acquire data and functionality.

Network Management
In a Client/Server architecture, making sure all hardware, servers, PC's, hubs, switches, bridges, routers, etc., are working properly.

Network Topology
The physical arrangement of communication nodes in a network.

Neural Network
A processing architecture derived from models of neuron interconnections of the brain. Unlike typical computers, neural networks are supposed to incorporate learning, rather than programming, and parallel, rather than sequential, processing.

NFS
(Network File System): A protocol that allows a computer to utilize disk space and files of another computer over a TCP/IP network.

Node
One component of a network where interconnections occur.

Noise
In general, any unwanted disturbance superimposed on a useful communications signal that tends to obscure information content.

Nominal
The ideal value for a specified parameter. The ideal value for a specified parameter.

Null Modem
A cable that criss-crosses the DTE and the DCE signals between two DTE devices, so that the two devices can communicate.

Object-Oriented Database
A database used to store objects that form the basis of objectoriented computing, in which data, as well as references to the procedures used to perform operations on that data, are combined.

Object-Oriented Programming
Programming based on objects that communicate by passing messages. An object is a package of information and descriptions of procedures used to manipulate that information.

Object
Oriented Software - Results from a kind of modular programming. Each object is a software package containing a collection of related procedures and data that can be reused to shorten application development time. Objects also make it easier to customize software systems to mirror actual business processes without negatively impacting the ability to migrate to later software releases.

OCR
Optical Character Recognition is a technology designed specifically to read certain stylized fonts (such as OCR-A and OCR-B) containing the full alphanumeric character set. The term OCR is also used when translating and inputting other stylized fonts (such as Courier) or text found in magazines and newspapers into a computer. This technology is also referred to as Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR).

OCR-A
Character set used for optical character recognition and described in ANSI Standard X3.17-1981.

OCR-B
Character set used for optical character recognition and described in ANSI Standard X3.49-1975.

Off-Line
1) Any element of a process that stands independent of its normal flow. 2) Describing the state of a subsystem or computer that is operable, but currently bypassed or disconnected from the main system. 3) Devices not under direct control of the CPU.

OIRM
(Office of Information Resources Management) An office within the EPA that has responsibility for GALPs.

On-Line
1) Process elements that are an integral part of its normal flow.
2) A subsystem or computer that is operable and connected to the main system.
3) Devices under direct control of the CPU.

Open Systems
An approach to computing that stresses the interconnectability of systems based on compliance to established standards.

Operating System
A structured set of system programs that controls the activities of a computer system and associated peripheral devices, as well as the execution of programs and flow of data.

Operational Qualifications
The act of establishing confidence that a system in operation is performing satisfactorily and within specifications.

Operator Interface
The shared boundary between the human operator and a computer system, typically consisting of a graphical representation, keyboard, or mouse.

Output
1) The end result of a process or system.
2) Information leaving a device; data resulting from the processing.
3) An audio, electric, or mechanical signal delivered by an instrument to a load.