General RRACS — Internal Revenue Manual Part 3. Submission

RRACS Definitions

Accelerator

Keystrokes that function as a shortcut to a specific task.

Action Bar

A bar across the top of a journal entry window that displays the allowable actions for that journal.

Active Journal

The journal which is currently being used and allows mouse and keyboard input. The journal that is active has a highlighted border and title bar.

Authorization

The right granted to a user group to use a computer system, network or database.

Available Choice

An item that can be selected depending upon the current state of the program.

Border

A visual indicator of a window's boundaries.

Button

An area that when selected will initiate an action.

Cancel

A button that, when selected, exits the active window without performing any changes and returns to the journal window that preceded it.

Choice

Any item that can be selected.

Click

The act of pressing and releasing a mouse or key while hovering an arrow cursor over the choice.

Clock Pointer

A visual cue, in the shape of a clock that indicates that the computer is performing operations. The mouse pointer changes to this shape while the computer is processing.

An action that closes and ends an active window.

Cursor

A visual cue that shows you where the mouse or keyboard input will appear on the screen.

Delete Button

Will clear any work in progress prior to journalizing.

Edit Button

Used to correct an identifiable error before posting.

Field

An identifiable area in a journal used to enter data.

File

A collection of related data that is stored and retrieved by an assigned name.

Help

A menu choice that gives assistance and information.

I-Beam Pointer

A pointer that indicates that the cursor is over an area where text can be typed.

Icon

A graphical representation of an object or function.

Inactive Journal

An unselected journal that cannot receive input from the journal, mouse or keyboard.

Information Box

A box displayed that provides feedback to a user after the user posts an action.

Information Processing System

Performs data processing, integrated with processes such as office automation and data communication.

List Box

A list of objects or settings choices.

The act of identifying yourself as authorized to use the resource.

A menu choice that, when selected, displays a pull-up journal in which the user ID and password are provided.

Log Out

To end a session or request that a session be ended.

Logout

A menu choice used to request the end of a session that required a login to start.

Maximize Button

A large, square button located in the right most corner of the title bar of a journal that, when selected, enlarges the journal to its largest possible size.

Message Button

A button that, when selected, will bring up a dialog box where you can type in a message.

A displayed list of available items from which you can select.

Menu Bar

The area near the top of the journal, below the title bar and above the rest of the journal, that contains choices that provide access to other menus.

Mini-icon

A small version of an icon located on the title bar of a journal.

OK Button

A push button that accepts any changes made to information in a pop-up journal; then closes it. It also indicates acceptance of system messages.

Open

To create a file or make an existing file available for processing or use.

Password

A string of characters that you, a program, or a computer operator must specify to meet security requirements before gaining access to a system and to the information stored within it.

Pointer

The symbol displayed on the screen that you move with a pointing device, such as a mouse.

Pop-up Journal

A movable journal, fixed in size, in which you provide information required by an application so that the application can continue to process your requests.

Post Button

A button on the journal that when selected will generate a journal Control Number. This button also validates all field or selected fields within the journal and posts to the database.

Posting Number

Same as a journal Number assigned by the system, comprised of a journal number (3 digits), the system date (MMDDYYYY) and a number (3 digits) incriminated each time a transaction is posted using the journal. (e.g., 210-102201-001)

Pre-Selected Choice

The highlighted choice that appears when a new window opens. Users can then proceed immediately to highlight any other acceptable choice.

Primary Journal

The journal in which the main interaction between the user and the application takes place.

Push Button

A rounded-corner rectangular control containing text or graphics, or both. Push buttons are used in journals for actions that occur immediately when the push button is selected.

RRACS Module

Also referred to as a RRACS Menu, a program within the main RRACS Application Menu screen that performs a specific set of tasks. For example, the RACS Main Menu provides journal entry, and submissions processing center (SPC) reports main menu provides options for service center report printing. A button represents each module within the main RRACS Application menu screen.

Refresh

An action that will clear all previous input and will bring up a clean journal for the user.

Secondary Journal

A type of sub-journal that is always associated with a primary journal.

Select

Used to highlight or choose an item such as an object or a menu choice. When you select an item, there is a subsequent action that will apply.

Selection Cursor

A visual indication that you have selected a choice. A dotted-box outline represents the choice.

Selection Field

An area that offers related choices to select from.

Selection List

A group of related options that can be highlighted and selected.

Shutdown

Used to turn off the computer without losing data and configuration information.

Source Journal

A generic journal used by all RRACS transactions. The first field on the Maintain Source Journal instructions is the identifying document ID for that transaction (i.e., Document #, Treasury #, Schedule #, etc.)

Status

Identifies the debit or credit transaction.

Tab

A key that moves the cursor to the next field.

Unavailable Choice

A choice or object that cannot be selected or directly manipulated; indicated by greying/reduced contrast. Opposite of available choice.

User Identification (User ID)

(1) A string of characters that uniquely identifies a user to a system. (2) The name used to associate the user profile with a user when a user signs-on a system.

Using Help

A cascaded choice on the Help menu that gives you information about how the help function works. This choice is also available on those programs that have Help as a choice on a menu bar.