Glossary

Here are some terms used throughout this documentation.

Add button: Button with a plus sign icon located in toolbars and its function is to add new records or items.
Band (Ring): A band (also called a ring) is a small, uniquely numbered metal or plastic tag attached to a bird’s leg for identification. In ornithology, bands are used to mark individual birds, allowing researchers to track movements, survival, and behavior over time. In Xolmis, band records store details such as band number, material, size, and issuing authority, ensuring that each marked bird can be reliably linked to its corresponding individual record.
Batch dialog: A dialog with the purpose of insert data records in batches, especially for the cases when many records have data in common.
Boolean: A boolean is a data type with only two possible values: true or false. In Xolmis, boolean fields are used for yes/no options, switches, or logical conditions.
Cell: A cell is the smallest unit of a data grid or spreadsheet, located at the intersection of a row and a column. Each cell contains a single value or piece of information corresponding to one field of a record. In Xolmis, cells are used to display and edit individual data points within grids, allowing precise control over the content of each record.
Column: A column is a vertical set of cells in a data grid, representing one field or attribute of a record. In Xolmis, columns define which data fields are visible in the grid and can be customized for readability.
Connection: A connection refers to the active link between the application and a specific database. In Xolmis, the term is often used almost synonymously with database, since each connection points to one dataset file or server.
CSV: CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain text format used to store tabular data, where each line represents a row and values are separated by commas (or semicolons). In Xolmis, CSV files are commonly used for importing or exporting grids of records.
Data grid: A data grid (or just grid) is the tabular interface used to display records in rows and columns. In Xolmis, grids resemble spreadsheets but are directly linked to the database, allowing filtering, sorting, and editing of records.
Database: A database is an organized collection of structured information stored electronically. In Xolmis, the database holds all records, modules, and relationships, serving as the central repository of data.
DBF: DBF (Database File) is a legacy file format originally used by dBASE and widely supported in GIS software. In Xolmis, DBF files may appear as attribute tables linked to shapefiles, storing tabular data associated with geographic features.
Delete button: Button with a trashcan icon located in toolbars and its function is to delete the selected record or item.
Dialog: It is a type of window that opens from the main window, and generally can not be maximized. It includes the edit dialogs.
Edit button: Button with a pencil icon located in toolbars and its function is to edit the selected record or item.
Edit dialog: A dialog with the purpose of insert or edit data records. Each module have its own edit dialog.
Encoding: Encoding is the process of converting information into a specific format for storage, transmission, or interpretation. In Xolmis, encoding ensures that characters, symbols, and data are correctly represented across systems.
Expedition: An expedition is a planned field trip or campaign carried out by researchers or teams to collect data in a specific region and time period. In Xolmis, expeditions serve as organizational units that group surveys, captures, and observations under the same fieldwork effort, providing context for location, duration, and participants.
Gazetteer: It is a catalog of toponyms or named places on a map.
GeoAssist: Name of the tool used to help fill geographical coordinates in records.
GeoJSON: GeoJSON is a JSON-based format for encoding geographic data structures, such as points, lines, and polygons. In Xolmis, GeoJSON is used for interoperability with web mapping applications and modern GIS tools.
GIS: GIS (Geographic Information System) is a framework for capturing, storing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial or geographic data. In Xolmis, GIS integration allows researchers to map localities, sampling plots, and expeditions, and to analyze spatial relationships among records.
GPX: GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an XML-based format for storing GPS data, including waypoints, tracks, and routes. In Xolmis, GPX files can be imported to record survey paths or sampling plot coordinates.
Home: The module that opens when Xolmis starts. Same as start page. Represented by a purple house button at the top left of main window.
Individual: An individual represents a single bird that has been identified and tracked within the system. In Xolmis, an individual record is used to maintain continuity across multiple observations, captures, or samples of the same bird. This allows researchers to link data such as banding information, measurements, and life history events to one unique organism, ensuring consistency and traceability throughout the database.
JSON: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that uses key-value pairs and arrays. In Xolmis, JSON is used for structured data exchange between modules and external applications.
KML: KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML-based format for representing geographic data, such as points, lines, and polygons. In Xolmis, KML files can be used to visualize localities, sampling plots, or expeditions in mapping tools like Google Earth.
KMZ: KMZ is a compressed version of a KML file, packaged as a ZIP archive. In Xolmis, KMZ files are useful for sharing larger geographic datasets with reduced file size.
Locality: A locality is a specific geographic place where a record (such as a capture, sighting, or sample) occurs. In Xolmis, localities are linked to the gazetteer and represent the precise site of data collection, usually defined within a municipality or administrative unit. Localities provide spatial context for records, ensuring that observations and samples can be accurately mapped, analyzed, and compared across surveys and expeditions.
Lookup field: A lookup field is a data entry field that retrieves values from another table or list. In Xolmis, lookup fields ensure consistency by allowing users to select predefined options instead of typing free text.
Main menu: The main menu is the primary navigation interface of the application. In Xolmis, it provides access to modules, tools, and settings, serving as the starting point for all operations.
Main window: The Xolmis window from where all modules and features can be used.
Mist net: A mist net is a fine mesh net used in ornithology to safely capture birds for research. In Xolmis, mist net records document effort, dimensions, and usage during surveys and expeditions.
Module: Any feature of Xolmis that opens in a tab on the main window. It can be an inventory of some type of data or a tool to manage data.
Municipality: A municipality is the lowest administrative division with local government authority, typically responsible for managing a city, town, or district. In Xolmis, municipalities are linked to the gazetteer and represent the geographic unit below states or provinces, used to organize localities consistently.
New button: Button at the top left of main window, represented as a purple plus sign . It opens a menu with options to create new records of many types.
ODS: ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) is a file format for spreadsheets based on the OpenDocument standard, commonly used by LibreOffice and OpenOffice. In Xolmis, ODS files can be used to import or export tabular data in an open, non-proprietary format.
Outlier: An outlier is a data point that differs significantly from other observations in a dataset. Outliers may occur due to natural variation, measurement error, or unusual conditions. In Xolmis, identifying outliers is important for data validation and analysis, since they can affect statistical results, highlight exceptional biological events, or reveal inconsistencies in data entry.
Parent taxon: Taxon of higher rank in the botanical or zoological taxa hierarchy, to which other taxa are subordinated.
Parent toponym: Toponym of higher rank in the gazetteer hierarchy, to which other toponyms are subordinated.
Permit: A permit is an official authorization issued by a competent authority that allows researchers or institutions to carry out specific activities, such as capturing, banding, or sampling wild birds. In Xolmis, permit records store details about the issuing institution, validity period, and scope of the authorization, ensuring that all fieldwork complies with legal and ethical requirements.
Philornis sp.: Philornis sp. refers to parasitic flies of the genus Philornis, known for affecting birds by laying larvae that feed on nestlings. In Xolmis, records of Philornis sp. are important for documenting parasitism events and their impact on bird populations.
Quick Entry: Name of the tool to insert data records in batches using a spreadsheet-like grid. It differs from batch dialogs in allowing to add records without data in common.
Record: A record is a single entry in the database, representing one unit of information (e.g., a capture, a sighting, a specimen). In Xolmis, records are the fundamental data objects stored and managed across modules.
Related data: In some modules each record can have one or more lists of related records. The related data is located at the bottom of the module tab and main window, and have a bar with a button to add related records and the tabs of related types of records. The related data is shown or hidden clicking the related tabs. Each related tab shows the number of related records, if it have any.
Report: A report is a formatted output generated from the database, summarizing or presenting data for analysis, publication, or decision-making. In Xolmis, reports can be exported or printed directly from data grids and modules.
Row: A row is a horizontal line of cells in a data grid or spreadsheet. Each row represents a single record, with its values distributed across the columns. In Xolmis, rows are used to display and edit records within grids, allowing users to view multiple entries at once and navigate through datasets efficiently.
Sample: A sample is a material taken from a specimen or environment for analysis, such as feathers, blood, or tissue. In Xolmis, collected samples are the same as specimens.
Sampling plot: A sampling plot is a defined geographic area where systematic data collection takes place. In Xolmis, sampling plots are linked to surveys and represent the spatial unit of effort, allowing researchers to record captures, sightings, or environmental measurements consistently within a bounded location.
Schema: A schema is the structural definition of how data is organized in the database, including tables, fields, and relationships. In Xolmis, the schema ensures consistency across modules and defines how records interconnect.
Sighting: A sighting is the observation (or hearing) of one or more birds in the field, without necessarily capturing them. In Xolmis, sighting records document the taxon observed, the locality, date, time, and observer, providing valuable data for monitoring populations, distribution, and behavior. Sightings complement capture records by expanding knowledge of species presence and abundance in surveyed areas.
Specimen: A specimen is an individual organism (or part of it) collected, observed, or documented for study. In Xolmis, a specimen record represents a collected sample.
Spreadsheet: A spreadsheet is a file or interface that organizes data in rows and columns, typically used for manual entry and calculations. In Xolmis, spreadsheet-like tools (such as Quick Entry) allow bulk data input before importing into the database.
Start page: Same as home.
Survey: A structured sampling event in which data is collected following a defined protocol. In Xolmis, a survey represents the organizational unit that groups together captures, sightings, mist nets, and other related records. It provides the temporal and spatial context for fieldwork, ensuring that all associated data can be linked to the same sampling effort.
Synonym: A synonym is an alternative scientific name that has been historically applied to a taxon but is not currently the accepted name. In taxonomy, synonyms arise when species are reclassified or when multiple names have been published for the same organism. In Xolmis, synonyms are stored to ensure that older records remain traceable and can be correctly linked to the accepted taxon.
Taxon: A taxon (plural: taxa) is a unit of biological classification, representing a group of organisms that share common characteristics. It can refer to any rank in the taxonomic hierarchy, such as species, genus, family, order, or higher categories.
Taxonomy: Taxonomy is the scientific system of classifying organisms into hierarchical categories such as species, genus, family, and order. In Xolmis, the taxonomy module organizes taxa and ensures that records are linked to standardized classifications.
Toponym: A toponym is the name given to a geographic place, such as a city, river, mountain, or region. Toponyms are linguistic labels that identify locations and often carry historical, cultural, or descriptive meaning. In Xolmis, toponyms are used in the gazetteer to standardize locality names, ensuring that records are consistently linked to recognized geographic entities.
Validation: Validation is the process of checking whether data entered into the system meets required rules or formats. In Xolmis, validation ensures consistency, prevents errors, and maintains the integrity of records.
Vernacular name: A vernacular name is the common or popular name used by the general public to refer to a species, often varying by language, region, or culture. In Xolmis, vernacular names provide accessible references to taxa alongside scientific names, helping users identify species more easily in different contexts.
WGS84: WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) is the standard coordinate reference system used globally for mapping and GPS. In Xolmis, all geographic data (localities, coordinates, maps) are stored and displayed using WGS84 to ensure compatibility with external tools and datasets.
Wizard: A wizard (assistant) is a guided interface that helps users complete complex tasks step by step. In Xolmis, wizards simplify operations such as importing data, creating records, or configuring modules.
XLSX: XLSX is the default spreadsheet file format used by Microsoft Excel, based on the Office Open XML standard. In Xolmis, XLSX files are often used for exchanging data with researchers who rely on Excel.
XML: XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup format that uses tags to define structured data. In Xolmis, XML can be used for data exchange and integration with other systems.
ZIP: ZIP is a compressed file format that bundles one or more files into a single archive, reducing storage size and simplifying distribution. In Xolmis, ZIP files are often used to package databases or geographic files (such as KML/KMZ) for sharing and backup.