Block

Block - In mainframe data processing, a group of records. In geodemographics, a piece of land bounded by four streets, although the boundaries can also be streams, rail road tracks, mountains or other surface features.

[Category=Database Marketing ]

Source: Postcom, 11 February 2010 14:04:32, http://postcom.org/public/admail_image/glossary.htm

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block - A block is a contiguous set of bits or bytes that forms an identifiable unit of data. The term is used in database management, word processing, and network communication.

1) In some databases, a block is the smallest amount of data that a program can request. It is a multiple of an operating system block, which is the smallest amount of data that can be retrieved from storage or memory. Multiple blocks in a database comprise an extent.

2) In word processing, a block is a contiguous set of characters. Often it consists of a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph, or a set of paragraphs that is selected by the user for copying/pasting, cutting, or moving. But a block can consist of any contiguous set of characters, whether or not it forms a logical unit of text.

3) In network communication, a block is a group of data bits or bytes that is transferred as a standard unit. The size (or length) of such a block depends on the communications protocol.

Related glossary terms: binary large object (BLOB), data structure, catalog, data mart (datamart), ECMAScript (European Computer Manufacturers Association Script), Visual FoxPro, segment, flat file

[Category=Data Management ]

Source: WhatIs.com, 07 July 2013 09:08:18, http://whatis.techtarget.com/glossary/Data-and-Data-Management