Terminology

Adapted from the glossary in IBM Visualization Data Explorer Users Guide

array: DX stores all of its data as a list of data items, arrays can be regulary or irregular.
attribute: A characteristic of an Object.
colormap: A map of colors that relates a specific value to a color. The colors are added to the maps data component.
colormap editor: A tool that allows the user to determine the mapping of specific color values to specific data values.
component: A basic part of a field. Each component is indexed by a string (eg. "positions") and its value is typically an array object.
contour: On a surface, a line that connects points having the same data value.
control panel: A DX window that allows the user to change parameters of a visual program.
dependence: A component attribute. One component is dependent on another if the their component arrays have an one to one relationship.
field: A self-contatined collection of data items. DX fields typically contain a data component, positions component, and a connections component. Other information can be included as necessary.
general array format: A method of importing data that uses a separate header file to describe the format.
glyph: A graphical representation of a particular variable. The length, angle, or other attributes of the glyph are some function of the value of the variable.
isosurface: A surface in 3D space that connects all of the values in a data set that have the same value.
item: A single piece of data in an array.
member: An individual unit or object in a group. A collection of members makes a group.
module: A primitive function such as isosurface, or import. Also refers to the icons that represent the functions such as those mentioned above.
network: In DX a set of tool modules, interactors, and connections that constitutes a visual program. In the Visual Program Editor, a network appears as a set of icons connected by wires. Equivilant to a program.
object: Any discrete and identifiable entity.
positions component: A component that consists of a set of dimensional points in a field.
ribbon: A figure derived from lines. Ribbons may twist to show vorticity.
sequencer: A DX tool that allows for creation of "animated" sequences of images.
streaklines: Lines that represent the path of particals in a changing vector field. Also called rakes.
streamlines: Lines that represent the path of particals in a vector field at a particular time. Also called flow lines.
visual program: Typically a user specified set of modules and interconnections that performs operations on data and may or may not display it.

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