QuickStart Guide - Glossary

Chapter 7. Glossary

Some of the definitions in this glossary are taken from the IBM Dictionary of Computing, ZC20-1699.

A
accelerator
A keystroke sequence that reduces the number of steps needed to complete a task.
anchor window
The window in which a Data Explorer session starts (either the Visual Program Editor or the Image window). The window is identified by an anchor symbol in the top left corner. When this window is closed, the Data Explorer session ends.
array
In Data Explorer, an array structure containing an ordered list of data items of the same type along with additional descriptive information.
B
Browser
A Data Explorer user interface for determining the layout and organization of data in a file.
C
camera
An object that describes the viewing parameters of an image (e.g., width of the viewport, viewer's location relative to the object, and the resolution and aspect ratio of the image). A camera may be explicitly defined and passed as a parameter to the Render or Display module. It may also be implicitly defined in the use of interactive, mouse-driven options (such as zoom or rotate) in the Image window.
canvas
The area of a VPE window used in building and editing visual programs.
cell-centered data
See connection-dependent data.
clipping plane
A plane that divides a 3-dimensional object into a rendered and an unrendered region, making the object's interior visible.
colormap
In Data Explorer, a color map that relates colors to data values. The colors are carried in the map's "data" component and the data values to which each color applies in its "positions" component.
Colormap Editor
A Data Explorer user interface for mapping precise colors to specified data values, the results of which are displayed in a visual image.
component
A basic part of a field (such as "positions," "data," or "colors"); each component is indexed by a string (e.g., "positions"), and its value is typically an array object (e.g., the list of position values).
connection
Component of an IBM Data Explorer data field that specifies how a set of points are joined together. Also controls interpolation.
connection-dependent data
Cell-centered data. The data value is interpreted as constant throughout the connection element.
contour
On a surface, a line that connects points having the same data value (e.g., pressure, depth, temperature).
control panel
A Data Explorer interactive window that facilitates setting and changing the parameters of visual programs.
cube
A volumetric connection element that connects eight positions in a data field.
cutting plane
An arbitrary plane, in 3-dimensional space, onto which data are mapped.
D
data-driven interactor
Interactors whose attributes (such as minimum and maximum) are set by an input data field.
Data Prompter
A graphical user interface that enables a user to describe the format of the data in a file. The prompter creates a General Array Format header file that is used by the Import module to import the data.
dialog box
The "window" displayed when the user selects a pull-down option that offers or requires more detailed specification.
display
(1) v. To present information for viewing, usually on a terminal screen or a hard-copy device.
(2) n. A device or medium on which information is presented, such as a terminal screen.
(3) Deprecated term for panel.
Display module
A non-interactive module for displaying an Image. See Image window.
E
element
See connection.
executive
The component of the Data Explorer system that manages the execution of specified modules. The term often refers to the entire server portion of the Data Explorer client-server model, including the executive, modules, and data-management components.
F
field
A self-contained collection of data items. A Data Explorer field typically consists of the data itself (the "data" component), a set of sample points (the "positions" component), a set of interpolation elements (the "connections" component), and other information as needed.
G
general array format
A data-importing method that uses a header file to describe the data format of a data file. This "format" makes it possible to import data in a variety of formats.
glyph
A graphical figure used to represent a particular variable. Each occurrence of a glyph represents a single value of the associated variable. Some attribute of the glyph (e.g., length or angle) is a function of the variable and varies with it.
group
A collection of objects.
I
icon
A displayed symbol that a user can point to with a device such as a mouse to select a particular operation or software application.
Image window
IBM Data Explorer window that displays the image generated by a visual program. Associated with the Image window are special interactors for 3-D viewing.
interactor

A
accelerator	A keystroke sequence that reduces the number of steps needed to complete a task.
anchor window	The window in which a Data Explorer session starts (either the Visual Program Editor or the Image window). The window is identified by an anchor symbol in the top left corner. When this window is closed, the Data Explorer session ends.
array	In Data Explorer, an array structure containing an ordered list of data items of the same type along with additional descriptive information.
B
Browser	A Data Explorer user interface for determining the layout and organization of data in a file.
C
camera	An object that describes the viewing parameters of an image (e.g., width of the viewport, viewer's location relative to the object, and the resolution and aspect ratio of the image). A camera may be explicitly defined and passed as a parameter to the Render or Display module. It may also be implicitly defined in the use of interactive, mouse-driven options (such as zoom or rotate) in the Image window.
canvas	The area of a VPE window used in building and editing visual programs.
cell-centered data	See connection-dependent data.
clipping plane	A plane that divides a 3-dimensional object into a rendered and an unrendered region, making the object's interior visible.
colormap	In Data Explorer, a color map that relates colors to data values. The colors are carried in the map's "data" component and the data values to which each color applies in its "positions" component.
Colormap Editor	A Data Explorer user interface for mapping precise colors to specified data values, the results of which are displayed in a visual image.
component	A basic part of a field (such as "positions," "data," or "colors"); each component is indexed by a string (e.g., "positions"), and its value is typically an array object (e.g., the list of position values).
connection	Component of an IBM Data Explorer data field that specifies how a set of points are joined together. Also controls interpolation.
connection-dependent data	Cell-centered data. The data value is interpreted as constant throughout the connection element.
contour	On a surface, a line that connects points having the same data value (e.g., pressure, depth, temperature).
control panel	A Data Explorer interactive window that facilitates setting and changing the parameters of visual programs.
cube	A volumetric connection element that connects eight positions in a data field.
cutting plane	An arbitrary plane, in 3-dimensional space, onto which data are mapped.
D
data-driven interactor	Interactors whose attributes (such as minimum and maximum) are set by an input data field.
Data Prompter	A graphical user interface that enables a user to describe the format of the data in a file. The prompter creates a General Array Format header file that is used by the Import module to import the data.
dialog box	The "window" displayed when the user selects a pull-down option that offers or requires more detailed specification.
display	(1) v. To present information for viewing, usually on a terminal screen or a hard-copy device. (2) n. A device or medium on which information is presented, such as a terminal screen. (3) Deprecated term for panel.
Display module	A non-interactive module for displaying an Image. See Image window.
E
element	See connection.
executive	The component of the Data Explorer system that manages the execution of specified modules. The term often refers to the entire server portion of the Data Explorer client-server model, including the executive, modules, and data-management components.
F
field	A self-contained collection of data items. A Data Explorer field typically consists of the data itself (the "data" component), a set of sample points (the "positions" component), a set of interpolation elements (the "connections" component), and other information as needed.
G
general array format	A data-importing method that uses a header file to describe the data format of a data file. This "format" makes it possible to import data in a variety of formats.
glyph	A graphical figure used to represent a particular variable. Each occurrence of a glyph represents a single value of the associated variable. Some attribute of the glyph (e.g., length or angle) is a function of the variable and varies with it.
group	A collection of objects.
I
icon	A displayed symbol that a user can point to with a device such as a mouse to select a particular operation or software application.
Image window	IBM Data Explorer window that displays the image generated by a visual program. Associated with the Image window are special interactors for 3-D viewing.
interactor