# Glossary

Definitions of key terms and concepts used throughout Comind.work.

## Core concepts[​](#core-concepts "Direct link to Core concepts")

* **Action** - an operation that changes a record's state or data. Actions are defined in app code. Examples: approve, reject, assign, close. See [actions](/developer-guide/building-blocks/actions.md) in the developer guide.
* **App** - a configurable data model with UI, defined as a TypeScript NPM package. Each app works like a database table with rich UI including forms, lists, and actions. Examples: TASK, TICKET, DEAL, WIKI. See [core concepts](/user-guide/overview/fundamentals.md) for how apps fit into the platform.
* **Field** - a data attribute on a record such as text, number, date, or lookup. Custom fields use the `c_` prefix. See [fields and field options](/developer-guide/building-blocks/fields-and-field-options.md).
* **Form** - the UI for viewing and editing a single record. See [form layouts](/developer-guide/building-blocks/form-layouts.md).
* **List** - a saved configuration of filters, sort order, and columns for viewing multiple records. See [about lists](/user-guide/app-records-list/about-lists.md).
* **List format** - the visual representation of a list. Available formats include [table](/user-guide/list-formats/table.md), [cards](/user-guide/list-formats/cards.md), [boards](/user-guide/list-formats/boards.md), [Gantt](/user-guide/list-formats/gantt.md), [calendar](/user-guide/list-formats/calendar.md), [charts](/user-guide/list-formats/charts.md), [pivot](/user-guide/list-formats/pivot-table-report.md), and [Vega](/developer-guide/how-to/advanced/vega-visualizations.md).
* **Record** - a single data entry within an app. Each record has a unique slug such as `CMW/TASK123`. Records are displayed in forms for editing and in lists for browsing. See [view a record](/user-guide/app-record/view-app-record.md).
* **Workspace** - an organizational unit - such as a project, department, or team - that contains apps and users. See [core concepts](/user-guide/overview/fundamentals.md).

## Roles[​](#roles "Direct link to Roles")

* **App developer** - creates and customizes apps as TypeScript NPM packages.
* **System admin** - a global administrator who can manage all workspaces and the app catalog. See [admin roles overview](/admin-guide/getting-started/admin-roles-overview.md).
* **User** - anyone who logs in and works with data.
* **Workspace admin** - manages users, apps, and permissions within a workspace. See [admin roles overview](/admin-guide/getting-started/admin-roles-overview.md).

## App development[​](#app-development "Direct link to App development")

* **Compile-time** - the stage where TypeScript source is compiled into a schema object.
* **inheritFrom** - a pattern where a child app extends a parent app, overriding only what it needs.
* **Low-code** - creating apps as TypeScript NPM packages using the `@comind/api` SDK.
* **Plugin** - a reusable package that adds capabilities to apps such as notifications, followers, or permissions. See [plugins and inheritFrom](/developer-guide/building-blocks/plugins-and-inheritfrom.md).
* **Run-time** - the stage where the compiled schema is configured with settings and served to users.
* **Schema** - the compiled representation of an app, including its fields, actions, layouts, and settings.
* **Zero-code** - creating apps visually in the web editor without writing code.

## Platform[​](#platform "Direct link to Platform")

* **ACL** - access control list. Permissions are evaluated at four levels: workspace, app, record, and field. See [user permissions](/user-guide/common-features/user-permissions.md).
* **Calc field** - a calculated or virtual field whose value is derived from other fields or related records.
* **Faceted filtering** - checkbox-based filters displayed alongside list views.
* **Group** - a named collection of users used for permissions and access control. See [manage groups and permissions](/admin-guide/workspace-admin/manage-groups-permissions.md).
* **Lookup** - a field type that references a predefined set of values, similar to a dropdown.
* **METAMETA** - the system-level workspace used for app deployment and configuration.
* **Rollup** - an aggregation of values from child records such as sum or count.
* **Shadow** - a denormalized copy of a field from a related record, kept in sync automatically.
* **Shell** - the main workspace interface that hosts app UIs. Also referred to as UI-Shell.
* **Split view** - a side-by-side display of a list and a record form. See [split view](/user-guide/common-features/split-view.md).

## Infrastructure[​](#infrastructure "Direct link to Infrastructure")

* **Compilation service** - the service that compiles app source code into deployable schemas.
* **Background processing service** - handles async operations such as calc fields, notifications, and indexing.