Systems Application Architecture

Abbreviated SAA. A set of IBM standards, first introduced in 1987, that defines a consistent set of interfaces for future IBM software. Three standards are defined:

• Common User Access (CUA) A graphical user interface definition for products designed for use in an object-oriented operating environment. The OS/2 desktop follows CUA guidelines in its design, and Microsoft Windows implements certain CUA features.
• Common Programming Interface (CPI) A set of application programming interfaces (APIs) designed to encourage independence from the underlying operating system. The standard database query language is Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Common Communications Support (CCS) A common set of communications protocols that interconnect SAA systems and devices.