directory

Both directory and folder refer to a way of organizing objects. A context is what JNDI calls a directory or a folder. Directory is used more commonly in UNIX systems and in command-line terminology. Folder is used more commonly with graphical interfaces for manipulating objects. Because the BI Beans persistence service includes a graphical user interface, this document uses folder instead of directory. You will notice, however, that some methods and class names imply directory. It is the same thing as a folder or a context.

A BIContext object is a context that has added functionality. PersistenceManager and MDFolder extend BIContext. The BI Beans Help topics use PersistenceManager, MDFolder, context, and folder interchangeably. Subcontext and subfolder are the same thing, as well.