Glossary Guide

Metadata

Information that describes or characterizes data. Metadata are used to provide documentation for data products. In essence, metadata answer the…

4 years ago

Location Transparency

A mechanism that keeps the specific physical address of data or an object unknown to the user. This is done…

4 years ago

LocationReference System

A system for storing, maintaining, and retrieving location information. One technique is to locate a specific position with respect to…

4 years ago

Local Access Database (LAD)

Also called “data mart.” A database that serves individual systems and workgroups as the end point for shared data distribution.…

4 years ago

legacy system

An older computer system or application program that an agency continues to use. Many legacy systems are unable to meet…

4 years ago

Java

An object-oriented computer programming language (see also object-oriented programming) based on C++ but without many of its rarely used features.…

4 years ago

Interoperable Database

Also called “federated database.” A collection of autonomous and possibly heterogeneous database systems over multiple sites that are connected through…

4 years ago

Information Systems Architecture

An information systems framework that describes: (1) business rules—functions a business performs and the information it uses; (2) system structure—definitions…

4 years ago

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A computer program interface that takes advantage of a computer’s graphics capabilities to make a program easier to use. Well-designed…

4 years ago

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer-based tool used to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce information related to the surface of the earth. This…

4 years ago