Glossary
========

.. glossary::

  Aggregate
    Applying a function to a Measure, such as summing, calculating the mean etc

  Backdrop
    An application that is part of the performance platform. It provides the `read and write API <https://github.com/alphagov/backdrop>`_ for data.

  Chart
    A graphical representation of a Measure and a Dimension (eg number of applications by channel)

  Dashboard
    A page showing multiple metrics, typically for a single :term:`service`

  Data group
    Something

  Dataset
    A collection of data of a particular type. In relational terms, this is a table.
    In non-relational terms, this is a collection of documents.

  Data type
    Each :term:`Dataset` stores a particular type of data, eg current traffic volume

  Dimension
    A non-numeric type of :term: `Field` eg an operating system or browser

  Element
    A component of a Visualisation such as a chart or aggregate summary

  Field
    A 'column' in a dataset

  Measure
    A numeric type of :term: `Field`, eg number of applications. A Measure may be aggregated

  Metric
    A specific data series, eg completion rate, user satisfaction, page load time, uptime etc

  Module
    A module is a :term:`metric` and a :term:`visualisation` together, eg digital take-up shown as a line chart

  Observation
    A 'row' in a dataset

  Service
    Central govenment in the UK operates 766 services, eg Renew you car tax, Apply for Carer's Allowance, Book a practical driving test etc

  Service Group
    A group of closely related services, eg Carer's Allowance service group includes applications, existing claims, appeals etc

  Spotlight
    An application that is part of the performance platform. It is responsible for `rendering data <https://github.com/alphagov/backdrop>`_ from the :term:`Backdrop` API to display visualisations of service performance

  Stageprompt
    A JavaScript library that provides an adapter over analytics software

  Transaction
    Central government in the UK handles about 1.5 billion transactions a year, including applications, renewals, bookings, claims etc

  Visualisation
    A set of Elements using the Measures and Dimensions from the Dataset