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Appendix G1: Glossary

Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this Code the following terms and definitions apply. Synonyms are shown in italics.

Annotation
Part of a drawing consisting of letters or numbers and, where relevant, associated graphic entities

Associative dimensioning
Dimensions that automatically update when the graphic entity that the dimension relates to is modified

Attribute
Trait, quality or characteristic of an entity

CAD
Computer aided draughting is the term to describe the base functionality of computer draughting software, e.g, to draw lines, arcs and text

CADD
Computer aided design and draughting is the term to describe computer draughting software with extended analysis and design capability

Database
Organized collection of data that can be interpreted and operated on by computer

Data structure
Description of the way in which information is organized within a database

Drawing definition
Specification of the content and composition of a particular drawing

EDMS
Electronic document/drawing/data management system

Entity
Information unit having uniform meaning and use

Extranet
An extranet is a private network that uses Internet technology and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's Intranet that is extended to users outside the company. It has also been described as a 'state of mind' in which the Internet is perceived as a way to do business with other companies as well as to sell products to customers

GA
General arrangement drawing, showing the location in plan, section or elevation of major assemblies and components

Graphic file (model file)
Data file containing 2D or 3D graphic entities and any non-graphic data stored with them

H&S
Health and safety file

Internet
A communications network consisting of countless networks and computers across the world that allows millions of people to share information. The lines that carry the majority of the information are known as the Internet backbone

Intranet
A restricted-access network that works like the Internet, but isn't on it. Usually owned and managed by a corporation, an intranet enables a company to share its resources with its employees without confidential information being made available to everyone with Internet access

Layer (level)
attribute of an entity used for identification, commonly used to control visibility, and for the classification of entities within a model

Model
Collection of model files and associated non-graphic information

Model file
Computer file containing 2D or 3D graphic entities and any non- graphic data stored with them

O&M
Operations and maintenance manual

Nest
Hierarchical arrangement of entities or model files

Object
Instance of a class of entities which has individual state and behaviour and unique identity

Parameter
Attribute of an entity which affects its geometry, size or appearance when drawn

Primitive
Entity which is a basic, indivisible, geometrical element used within computer modelling systems (e.g. a point, line or arc) which is not defined in terms of subordinate entities

Project model (single model environment, common data environment, shared graphic database)
A database containing all the project data, both graphical and non-graphical

Project collaboration
Data sharing and exchange to an extent that makes the team more than the sum of the individual members

Reference file
Model file associated with an active model file and containing information which can be viewed and interrogated but not immediately altered

RFI
Request for information where quantity and quality is not sufficient for purpose. Can also initiate a change order

Sheet file
The representation of the paper drawing sheet into which the graphic or model files are referenced and plotted in context to produce a drawing

Style
Parameter affecting the appearance of a primitive

Sub model (instance, block, cell)
model included as an instance in another model occurrence of an entity at a particular location and orientation within a model

Wildcarding
text searching based on a template composed of characters which either appear in a specific position in the character sequence being sought, or are wildcard characters such as * or ?, reserved as place holders or selection delimiters

Zone
volume defined by coordinates within an overall project model

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