Address

A location of a residence or workplace, designated with numbers and/or letters, and arranged in a format for easy reference on a map.

Alphanumeric Grid

A grid with letter and number ordination used to easy locate places and features.

Annotation

Text, images, or notes on a map used to provide information to the user.

API

A set of commands, tools, and protocols used to interact directly with information in a program.

Assessment

An evaluation of something to determine its quality, quantity, or state.

Attribute

A piece of information which describes an object or feature.

Authentication

Axis

Basemap

A foundational layer for a map that provides context and reference information for other data layers to be overlaid.

Biogeography

The study of how species are distributed across the planet and their evolution.

Boundary

A line which delineates an area.

Boolean Value

A data type or variable with two possible values: true or false.

Boundary Survey

An evaluation by measurements, conducted by a professionally licensed surveyor which establishes the corners of a legal parcel of land.

CAD

Computer-aided design - CAD, utilizes computer software to facilitate drawing, analyzing, and disseminating technical designs. It is typically used in architectural, engineering, and machining workflows.

Calculation Field

Calculation fields are a feature on the Fulcrum platform and can be used to write simple expressions to calculate values dynamically based on inputs given to other fields in your forms. This can be simple ‘total’ calculations or complex equations referencing other calculation fields and even data contained in repeatable sections. Calculated field expressions can be written in JavaScript, even as complex functions (and entire programs).

Calibration

Readings and adjustments compared against a standard to ensure accuracy, typically with instruments or equipment.

Cartography

The science of map creation.

Cell

With raster data or spreadsheets, cells are the intersections of rows and columns.

Cartographic Generalization

The process of reducing the detail of the features being represented within a visualization.

Centroid

The center point of a geometric object such as a line or polygon.

Character

A letter or symbol.

Cluster Analysis

Compass

A device which indicates the direction of magnetic north and references the bearing to the other cardinal directions.

Compression

A process run upon some data whereby it is transported or stored in a smaller size than its original composition.

Concatenate

To link or chain things together, in series.

Conditional

A concept in programming where different actions are executed depending upon whether a boolean value is met.

Contour

A line joining points of equal elevation, typically represented on a map or as a dataset.

Coordinate

A set of numbers representing a position.

Cultural Geography

The study of various aspects of human culture across the globe and throughout time.

Database

A collection of data that is stored in a manner which enables efficient retrieval.

Data Collector

A data collector can be a person and/or a device. The data collector records observations, states, or quantities of a particular subject.

Data Collection/Data Capture

A process whereby observations are documented according to a predetermined set of criteria.

Dataset

A collection of related data.

Data Type

The classification of data which determines what sort of values can be stored and how it can be used.

Datum

In Geodesy, a datum is a mathematical equation which defines a reference from which measurements can be taken.

Degree

A unit of measurement of angles.

Density

The distribution or quantity of something per unit of area.

Dimension

A physical measurement of a property of an object.

Distribution

The spatial arrangement of an object or species.

Edge

The outside limit of an object, area, or surface.

Elevation

The height above a given point.

Envelope

The box drawn around one or many features, also known as a Bounding Box.

Equator

The line of latitude that falls equidistant between the north and south poles, with the measurement of 0°.

Error

A mistake, inaccuracy, or miscalculation.

Extrapolation

The act of projecting a conclusion based upon existing data and current trends.

Export

In computing, an output of data in a particular format type.

Feature

A distinct attribute or property.

Form Field

An element of a record, representing a single piece of data.

Form Fields have different available types, including:

Text
Numeric
Yes / No
Label
Single Choice
Multiple Choice
Classification Set
Photo Fields
Video
Audio
Barcode
Date & Time
Sections

Filter

The process of including only a desired subset from the original dataset.

Geocoding

The process of deriving coordinates from a physical address.

Geodatabase

A database with the specialized ability to create, handle, and store geographic data.

Geodesy

The science and mathematics related to the shape of the earth, its position in space, and gravity.

Geography

The science and study of the earth, its inhabitants, physical features, and atmosphere.

Geometry

The branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relations of shapes.

GIS

An acronym for Geographic Information System - A collection of hardware, software, data, and personnel which together form a system for creating, updating, and disseminating geographic information.

GPS

A navigation system which consists of a network of orbiting satellites, ground control stations, and user receivers. One way signals are transmitted to users with positioning, navigation, and timing data as long as devices have a clear line-of-sight with four or more satellites.

GMT

An acronym for Greenwich Mean Time, GMT is the former world time standard but has been since replaced by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). They are generally considered equivalent.

Grid

Ground Truthing

Verifying a record of observation directly at the subject's site.

Icon

International Date Line

The imaginary line running approximately along 180° longitude which demarcates one day from another.

Interpolation

The act of estimating a value within two known values.

Joining

When two or more columns from tables in a relational database are combined using values common to each.

Latitude

The angular distance of a point, north or south of the equator.

Longitude

The angular distance of a point, east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Layer

In GIS, a layer is a graphical representation of geographic data.

Legend

A map element which helps the user understand the symbology.

Mean

The average in a set of numbers; add together the numbers in the set and divide by how many numbers there are.

Median

The middle number in a set of numbers; if there are two numbers in the middle position, take the average of those.

Metes And Bounds

A method of documenting land (as property), in which 'metes' describe the distances between points and 'bounds' refer to the prominent features and general layout of the area.

Monitoring

A repeated process or workflow which observes or records something.

Nadir

The direction below a position - opposite of zenith.

The practice of determining ones location and accurately orienting your course to an intended destination.

Noise

Distortions in a signal which interfere with the intended message.

Null Island

An invented geography with the coordinates 0°, 0°. Null Island is a concept derived from the results of geocoding data where the intended coordinates could not be matched for the entered address - resulting in a "0,0" being returned.

Overlay

Parcel

A legal boundary of land ownership.

Plat

A map document which primarily details land ownership parcels, but also describes boundaries and other relevant reference information. Also known as a Cadastral Map.

Position

Precision

The closeness of measured values.

Piloting

Testing or trial of a process before fully conducting it.

Quadrant

Qualitative

Of or pertaining to analysis of the quality of something.

Quantitative

Of or pertaining to analysis of the quantity of something.

Query

A detailed request for information made against some data.

Raster

A type of GIS data which consists of a series of gridded cells that contain values representing various information such as elevation.

Record

An individual collection of values in a larger dataset.

Sample / Sampling

An observation or collected record / the process of collecting data.

Scale

The conversion factor between the distance on a map and that actual distance on the ground.

Shapefile

Developed by the company Esri, a Shapefile is a combination of files which together represent vector geometry and attributes of GIS data.

SQL

An acronym for Structured Query Language, SQL is the primary language for manipulating databases.

Surveying

The science of assessing and documenting lands for precise measurement and evaluation.

Symbology

In cartography, the use of characters, symbols, or styles for representation of meaning.

Spatial Data

A piece of information with a spatial or geographic component.

Table

Numbers or values arranged in rows and columns.

Theodolite

A surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles.

Tile

Small and numerous images of map data that together combine to form a larger map - typically viewed on the web.

Tile Server

A collection of databases, libraries, and software which work together to return the correct map tiles to the requesting client.

URL

An acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, URL is a reference to a resource on the Internet.

USGS

A United States of America scientific agency for natural sciences, including earth science and biology.

UTM

An acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator, UTM is a coordinate system for the earth. UTM is not one single coordinate system but instead divides the earth into 60 different zones - each with their own projection.

Variable

A name which is assigned a value.

Vector

In GIS, features composed of point, line, or polygon geometry.

Waypoint

A point of reference generally associated with GPS units as stored coordinates with a few basic attributes.

WGS84

An acronym for World Geodetic Survey 1984, WGS is the standard coordinate system for the earth. It was established in 1984 and is used by GPS.