M
main document file
The file currently interfaced to by an application's document. It can contain other files as embedded objects.
See also: document, file
major build number
The number used to represent a significantly different software release. For example, in App 3.1, the major build number is 3.
See also: minor build number
makefile
A file containing all the information necessary to specify how to build projects in various environments; generated by build tools from a .mmp file.
Makesis
A program that uses a package file to create Symbian installation files (sis file).
See also: sis file, package file
margins
A set of measurements (in twips), defining the insetting of the top, bottom, left and right edges of a rectangular object, for example, a picture.
See also: picture
markup information
Information that is not part of a rich text object's text content, and which may be stored in a separate stream from the text. Consists of specific paragraph and character formatting, the style list, if owned by the object itself, and pictures. Fields are not markup information.
See also: specific formatting
mask
Bitmap defining transparent regions of another bitmap.
maximum length
The maximum length of data that a modifiable type descriptor is capable of holding.
mbm
File extension for the Symbian multi-bitmap file format.
See also: multi-bitmap file format
mbld file
File format used by the historical Menu builder tool.
MCF
Message Confirmation. Indicates that a complete message has been received and that additional messages may follow.
ME
Mobile Equipment. For example, a mobile phone.
MEAD
Historical GUI tool that created the source, resource, makefiles and build configuration files for a generic Symbian application.
media
The media for storing information: may be a disk, a ROM, a flash RAM, etc; may be removable or non-removable; may be divided into one or more partitions.
See also: device, partition
media server APIs
Historical component that provided audio and image manipulation. Replaced by the Multimedia Framework.
memory leak
In computer science, a memory leak is a particular kind of unintentional memory consumption by a computer program where the program fails to release memory when no longer needed.
menu bar
A strip of menu headings normally hidden off-screen. The menu items on a menu bar send commands to an application when selected.
An application's menu bar and the commands it sends, are defined in its resource file.
See also: command, menu item
menu builder
Historical tool designed to assist developers in the creation of menu structures for Symbian applications.
menu item
An item on a menu bar. A menu item has an associated command.
See also: menu bar, command
message
A data structure which the server uses to communicate with a client. It contains an opcode specifying the service request and a message argument array that is used when reading from and writing to the client.
See also: message argument array
message argument array
An array of pointers to message arguments in the client address space. This array is used by the kernel to create a message that facilitates reading and writing to the client from the server.
See also: message
Message Server
The server that maintains and controls access to all the entries within the messaging system.
Message Server session
The channel of communication between a client and the Message Server.
message service function
A member function in a server session (or object) class which implements the servicing of a specific message request from a client program.
See also: server-side session, object
message slots
Determines the number of outstanding requests a client may have with a server at any one time.
message store
A Symbian OS direct file stream store associated with a Message Server entry that holds message body text, and protocol-specific data.
MExE
Mobile Station Application Execution Environment (GSM 02.57): a framework to ensure a predictable environment for third-party applications in GSM or UMTS handsets (ie the Mobile Station). MExE does this by defining different technology requirements called 'classmarks'. MExE classmark 1 is based on WAP, classmark 2 on PersonalJava and JavaPhone, and classmark 3 on J2ME CLDC and MIDP. Other classmarks may be defined in the future. MExE specifies additional requirements for all classmarks, for instance a security environment, capability and content negotiation, a user profile, user interface personalization, management of services and virtual home environment. A handset can support any number of classmarks.
MIDP
Mobile Information Device Profile. Set of Java APIs that is generally implemented on the Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC). It provides a basic J2ME application runtime environment targeted at mobile information devices, such as mobile phones and two-way pagers. The MIDP specification addresses issues such as user interface, persistent storage, networking, and application model.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions; first proposed in RFC 2045-2049, and continually updated by newer RFCs. A protocol whereby an Internet mail message can be composed of several independent items, including binary and application-specific data. Applications can register themselves as supporting particular MIME types.
See also: application capabilities
minor build number
The number used to represent a sub-release.For example, in App 3.1, the minor build number is 1.
See also: major build number
mixin
An interface class for 'mixing in' with primary base classes, and the only form of multiple inheritance encouraged on Symbian OS. A historical synonym for an interface class.
See also: interface class
mixin protocol
A set of functions defining a protocol for interaction between one class and another. It can be defined by some virtual functions in a primary base class, or in a mixin class.
See also: interface class, mixin
MMCA
MultiMediaCard Association. An international organization created to promote the adoption of the MultiMediaCard as the storage standard for telecommunications products.
MMP
Also known as project file. A hand-edited file whose main purpose is to specify the source files which go to make up a releasable. Used as an input to the build tools.
MMP file
Project definition file - specifies the properties of a project in a platform and compiler independent way.
MMU
Memory Management Unit, translates virtual to physical addresses and provides access permission control.
MMS
Based on the same principles as its evolutionary precursor SMS, multimedia messaging services (MMS) involve the transmission of images, video clips, sound files and text messages over a wireless network. Designed specifically for 3G (and beyond) networks, MMS allows for the quick delivery of varied, content-rich information to a multimedia-enabled device.
MMU
A hardware component which maps kernel and user process virtual memory addresses on to physical memory.
mobile country code
Uniquely identifies the country of domicile of the mobile subscriber.
mobile network code
Identifies the home GSM PLMN for the mobile subscriber.
See also: PLMN
model
Another word for an application engine.
See also: MVC, engine
model
An object used to store the current state of an application or the file it is currently editing.
See also: app UI, document
Model, View, Controller
A way of partitioning the design of software. The 'model' is the internal workings of the program (the algorithms), the 'view' is how the user sees the state of the model and the 'controller' is how the user changes the state or provides input.
See also: MVC
modem connection status
Indicates whether the modem is connected or disconnected, or if the connection mode cannot be determined.
modifier changed event
An event generated by the window server when the state of one of the modifier keys changes.
See also: modifier key
modifier key
The SHIFT, CTRL and FN keys.
module definition file
File with .def extension, which specifies an ordinal value for each named function or data item to be exported from the DLL. It is used during an ordinal build to insert ordinal information into the DLL export table, allowing exports to be accessed by ordinal from user programs.
See also: DLL, export, ordinal build
mover
A control for moving other controls: dragging the pointer generates events to request the control's observer need to move. All dialogs contain a mover control.
See also: control
MPS
Multipage Signal. Indicates the end of a complete page of fax information, and to return to the beginning of phase C upon receipt of a confirmation.
MS
Mobile Station. This comprises the mobile equipment (usually a phone) and the SIM card.
MTM
Message type module: a group of components that together provide message handling for a particular protocol.
MTM component
A library that provides an implementation of an Client-side MTM, User Interface MTM, UI Data MTM, or Server-side MTM.
MTM type UID
UID that defines whether a particular MTM component is a Client-side MTM, User Interface MTM, UI Data MTM, or Server-side MTM.
multi-bitmap file format
Symbian OS bitmap file (.mbm) format.
multi-field numeric editor
A control that supports editing of a number of numeric fields.
Multimedia
(Lat. Multum + Medium) is media that uses multiple forms of information content and information processing (for example, text, audio, graphics, animation, video, interactivity) to inform or entertain the (user) audience.
MultiMediaCard
A data storage device providing small-size, high capacity data storage to handheld communication devices.
multiplexer
A device that combines several signals for transmission over a single medium.
Multi-mode
A multi-mode mobile phone works on multiple radio standards. For this to be possible a phone must have hardware that allows it to process these different signal types. For instance, W-CDMA is designed with GSM compatibility in mind, easing the creation of phones that receive both signal types. This is important as it allows the gradual introduction of WCDMA (3G) networks without forcing customers to give up the wide coverage of GSM (2G) networks.
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
Also known as MIME.
See also: MIME
mutex
A Kernel object used to serialise access to a resource, which may be shared between threads across processes. Access to the mutex is through an RMutex handle.
MVC
Acronym for Model, View, Controller.
See also: Model, View, Controller
