Glossary
Definitions of key terms for reference
This glossary isn't exhaustive and will be continually updated. The glossary's main purpose is for linking from other pages in the Ninox manual to quickly explain certain terms.
A
Admin
A type of user role related to access rights. For example, an admin can invite new collaborators to a workspace and set up a database.
Application
also app
A complete, self-contained computer program developed for the end user.
An application performs a specific useful task that is not related to system operation or maintenance. Includes mobile and desktop programs.
(auto)
UI element
By default, the language of the Ninox app is set to match the system language of your device. This default setting is displayed as (auto) in the general settings.
B
base64
Refers to a method for encoding a file into a string so that it can be sent for further processing via a REST API.
Boolean
JavaScript Boolean
A JavaScript Boolean represents 1 of 2 values: true or false. It cannot take any other values.
Examples
YES/NOON/OFFTRUE/FALSE
C
Client
A client is the program that is executed on a terminal device of a network, communicating with a server. Depending on what needs to be done, Ninox executes an instruction directly in the client or on the server. In the case of Ninox, these are the native apps and the web app.
Collaborator
Someone who works in a Ninox workspace. A collaborator can be an owner, a member, or a contributor.
Constant
Script
A numeric or string value that is not calculated and, therefore, does not change.
Contributor
A type of collaborator in a Ninox workspace. A contributor's license is separate from the owner's subscription.
D
Database
A collection of data formatted for easy search and retrieval.
Data type
Script
A property of a field that defines the kinds of data the field can store, e.g., string (text).
Digital Adoption Platform (DAP)
A software that is built on top of another software product, app, or website to assist users in gaining competency by guiding them through important activities and giving contextual information as they navigate the product.
E
Expression
Script
A combination of operators, constants, literal values, functions, and names of fields (columns), controls, and properties that evaluates to a single value.
F
Field
There are different types of fields you can add to your database to store information in Ninox. For example, special fields are available for text, numbers, dates, choices, etc.
Form
In some applications, particularly databases, a structured window, box, or other self-contained element serves as a visual filter for the underlying data it represents.
A form can also be a template into which information (data) is entered, e.g., first and last name, a customer's address, etc. When a form is used to enter data, it often already contains coding to trigger a specific form of data processing.
Function
Data type
A piece of code that operates as a single logical unit. A function is called by name, accepts optional input parameters, and returns a status and optional output parameters.
G
UI element
General settings
Enable or disable product tours
Visit the Ninox manual
Contact our Support team
Create/access your Personal Access Token (API key)
Change the language
Table settings
In the table settings, you have access to:
Edit fields
Update multiple records
Import data
Export data
Share view
Print preview
I
iCloud
When using the Ninox iPhone/iPad, or Mac app while logged in with the same Apple ID on all devices, you may store your databases locally and sync them via iCloud.
Invitation
Invite
UI element
In your workspace, the right side of the screen displays information about your subscription and lists invited and pending collaborators of this workspace. Click Invite to add a member or a collaborator to your workspace.
J
JSON data type
In JSON, values must be one of the following data types:
a string
a number
an object (JSON object)
an array
a boolean
null
JSON values cannot be one of the following data types:
a function
a date
undefined
JSON strings
Strings in JSON must be written in double quotes.
Example
JSON numbers
Numbers in JSON must be an integer or a floating point.
Example
JSON objects
Values in JSON can be objects.
Example
K
Keyword
A token in a programming language, as well as in Ninox script, that has a specific meaning and must not be used as a name of variables and functions. Keywords serve as "vocabulary" in programming languages.
L
Literal
Script
A value used exactly as you see it.
M
Member
A type of collaborator in a Ninox workspace. A member's license is included in the subscription of the workspace owner.
N
Native app
Native apps are programmed for and installed on a specific platform. For example, these can be applications for mobile operating systems such as Android or iOS (but not exclusively). Ninox apps are available for Android, iPhone/iPad, and as a Mac app.
Ninox Cloud
also Public Cloud
When you use Ninox in a browser, we're syncing your databases via our servers.
O
Operator
Simple operators are
Arithmetic operators
Operators that perform an arithmetic operation:
+,-,x, or/. An arithmetic operator usually requires 1 or 2 arguments.
Relational operators
Operators that allow you to compare 2 (or more) values or expressions. Typical comparison operators are greater than (
>), equal to (=), less than (<), not equal to (<>), greater than or equal to (>=), and less than or equal to (<=).
Ninox operators
Ninox operators are especially important when writing your script.
Owner
A type of collaborator in a Ninox workspace. An owner is the contractual partner of Ninox, i.e., the one who pays and manages all licenses of their workspace.
P
Profile
Your account
UI element
Upload a profile picture
Change your display name
Change your password
Manage your subscription
Log out
Manage subscription takes you to your detailed profile settings where you can edit additional information.
R
Record
A group of related fields (columns) of information treated as a unit and arranged in a horizontal line in a table or spreadsheet.
Regular expression
also RegExp, Regex
Script
A notation for describing the pattern of a string. Because the notation is so commonly used, there are many free resources where you can learn more, as well as sandboxes where you can test regular expressions.
If you would like to do more research on Regex, we recommend this website w3schools.com.
To test a regular expression or to write one in a step-by-step approach, we recommend the website: regex101.
S
Sandbox
Script
An isolated environment that allows for the testing of software before it is released to the public.
Server
A server is a computer program or device that provides functionality, utilities, data, or other resources (in this case, mainly Ninox Cloud) so that other computers or programs ("clients") can access them, usually over a network.
String (text)
Data type
A group of characters or character bytes handled as a single entity. Strings are used by computer programs to store and transmit data and commands.
Subscription
Ninox is a cloud-based software (SaaS = Software as a Service). To use Ninox, sign up for a subscription. Learn more about the different subscription levels.
T
Table
A table contains data. It is a database object that stores data in records (rows) and fields (columns). The data usually refers to a certain category of things, e.g., employees or orders. You may be familiar with this from an Excel spreadsheet, for example.
Team
Refer to Workspace
Trial subscription
Try all Ninox features for 30 days with a free trial. We won't ask for your payment details until you sign up for a subscription.
U
Unix time
also Unix Epoch
Unix time is a system for representing a point in time. It's the number of seconds that have elapsed since Thursday, January 1, 1970 at 00:00 UTC time minus the leap seconds.
No matter your location, the point in time technically does not change.
| Duration | Seconds |
|---|---|
1 hour | 3,600 seconds |
1 day | 86,400 seconds |
1 week | 604,800 seconds |
1 month (30.44 days) | 2,629,743 seconds |
1 year (365.24 days) | 31,556,926 seconds |
V
Variable
Script
A symbolically named entity which may assume an assigned value, or a number of values.
W
Web app
also web application
A web app is an application program based on the client-server model. Unlike a classic desktop application, you don't download and install software locally on your computer. The processing of your data usually takes place on a remote server. The result of the processing is transferred to your computer (client). A web app is used via a browser, e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
Example: We used to purchase Windows Office on a CD in the store and installed it on a computer. Today, we get Office 365 from the internet at the click of a mouse and work in a network, so that we always have the same version on all our devices.
Workspace
Sometimes called "team." The workspace contains your databases. When you sign up for Ninox for the first time, a workspace is automatically created. You can create as many additional workspaces as you like.
UI element
Edit mode
In edit mode, you create or edit your database. In the Ninox app, click the wrench icon in the upper right corner of the screen to enable edit mode.
Admins or owners can see the wrench icon, and thus can enter edit mode. Editors with permission for data entry do not see the wrench icon as they don't have permission to modify the setup of a database.
Z
Last updated
