Glossary

This glossary provides definitions of key terms frequently used in NOMAD. For a comprehensive list, please refer to the NOMAD Documentation Glossary.

Key Terms

Archive: Processed data stored in NOMAD. The entirety of all processed data is referred to as the Archive. Sometimes used to refer to the processed data of a particular entry.

Dataset: Users can organize entries into datasets. Datasets can be compared to albums, labels, or tags on other platforms. Users can obtain a DOI for their datasets.

ELN (Electronic Lab Notebook): Editable entries in NOMAD for documenting research activities, offering form fields and widgets to modify contents.

Entry: A database entry in NOMAD, identified by an entry id. Entries are associated with raw files and have individual pages on the NOMAD GUI.

Mainfile: Each entry has one raw file that defines it. This is called the mainfile of that entry.

Metadata: A specific technical subset of processed data, including ids, timestamps, authors, datasets, references, and schema information.

Metainfo: The sum of all schemas. It includes all pre-defined schemas used to represent processed data in a standardized way.

Parser: A program that converts raw data files into NOMAD's structured format, transforming information from a specific source format.

Processed data: The outcome of parsing and normalizing raw data files. Processed data always follows a schema.

Quantity: The smallest referable unit of processed data, which can have many types and shapes, such as strings, numbers, lists, or matrices.

Raw file: Any file provided by a NOMAD user. Raw files always belong to an upload and might be associated with an entry.

Results (section results): A particular section of processed data comprising a summary of the most relevant data for an entry.

Schema: Defines possible data structures for processed data, organizing data hierarchically in sections and subsections.

Section and Subsection: Sections provide hierarchy and organization for processed data, while quantities refer to the actual pieces of data.

Upload: Raw files organized and submitted to NOMAD, which can be shared and published. Uploads consist of raw files and a list of respective entries.

For more detailed definitions, visit the NOMAD Documentation Glossary.