Graph IDE ► Overview ► Glossary
Below is a glossary of words used in this manual.
| Terminology | Definition |
| Axis | An axis is the part of a graph which shows coordinate values. For a two dimensional graph there are usually two axis. For additional information consult Linear Axis. |
| Coordinate | A coordinate is the geometric entity which is shown by a graph and for which data graphics are bound to. A coordinate is usually thought of as x and y paired quantities varying bi-linearly in space (Cartesian Coordinate System). |
| Cubic Bezier Spline | A Cubic Bezier Spline is a curve segment that is defined by four points. Two points define the ends of the curve section and are called "vertex points" and are shown as "Vertex Knobs" and the other two points define the end of (imaginary) tangent line segments which intersect the vertex points and define the slope of the curve at the end points of the curve. Those points are shown as "Knot Knobs". See Cubic Bezier for additional information. |
| Degenerate | Graphics are often referred to by their degenerate form. For example, a graphic which is an ellipse with pie section cut out and gradient and other graphic attributes applied has a degenerate form of a circle once parameters are simplified and is simply referred to as a circle. Graphics are many times referred to by their degenerate form within its class, and corresponding name, even though that form is not present at the time as a matter of compactness. |
| Dimension | A dimension is one component of a coordinate. For example, the {x,y} pairs of a coordinate have dimension x and dimension y. Compare with the definition of Unit below. |
| Function | A Function is a sequence of points whose x-values increase as the sequence progresses. For additional information consult Function. |
| Graph | A graph is a combination of graphics representing data and a single graphic which displays attributes of the coordinate system that the data is defined in. For additional information consult Introduction To Graphs. |
| Layer | A Layer is a grouping of graphics. You never see a layer as a layer merely forwards its implementation to other graphics. For additional information consult Layer. |
| Palette | A Graph IDE document that has pre-made graphics and can be accessed quickly using the Palette menu in Graph IDE. See Palette. |
| Point Tag | A point tag is an indicator for a point and is implemented as a marker and a label. See Point Tags for additional information. |
| Polygon | A Polygon is a sequence of points which are connected (in sequence) by lines. For additional information consult Polygon. |
| Representation | A representation is the graphical translation of data. Notably, the Spreadsheet maps data to various representations and also maintains that map (association) so that when the data is changed then the representation is updated to reflect the new data value. The representation can also be synonymous with the data, for example the use of a Function without using a spreadsheet. |
| RGBA | Four numbers from zero to one which correspond to the red green blue alpha channels of the color. Zero means less color component while one means most color component. Zero alpha means transparent while one alpha means opaque. For an example consult Point Tags Inspector Editor and Sequence Colors. |
| Selection Tool | The Selection Tool is a mode that is set so that you can mouse-select graphics (instead of creating them). It is not really a tool, but rather a mode. For additional information consult Graphic Selector. It is important to choose the selection tool after creating a graphic because you will probably want to do other things than create a graphic like reselect. Because that pattern of create and reselect is so common you can alt-click a factory tool to then create a graphic in which case the graphic selector reverts to the selection tool mode. |
| Segment | A segment is a graphic connecting two points and is usually a line or spline. Segments are usually arranged in a sequence because the points are arranged in a sequence. Consult Sequence Colors for an example of color indexed by a sequence of segments. |
| Spreadsheet | A Spreadsheet is a way of storing UNICODE textual entries within a document. For additional information consult Spreadsheet. Note that any data can reside within other graphics and that the use of a spreadsheet is optional. |
| Unit | A unit is defined as the type of measurement of a dimension. For a good example see Unit Selector. Note that the use of dimension in the unit definition is unrelated to that as defined above. |
| Vvidget | (Pronounced as "vijit") A Vvidget is anything really, as long as it implements its functionality in a predefined way. In the context of Graph IDE, a Vvidget is usually a graphical element. However, that is an unneeded, albeit convenient, restriction. The word Vvidget is a takeoff of the word Widget (with a W) which is a regular English word of a similar meaning. |