Welcome to the DataBlend Glossary! You can use this glossary to find DataBlend specific definitions. Please visit the rest of our Knowledge Base for more documentation, best practices, how-to's, as well as questions and answers to common problems.
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DataBlend Terms
Collector - A tool within the DataBlend platform that retrieves data from a connected source system.
Data Target - A tool within the DataBlend platform to connect to the destination system or platform and create, update, or manage records in the target system.
Data Types
Array
An Array is a data type that is used when ordering data. Arrays are useful to manage large sets of data under one variable name. This is a common data type.
BigInt
BigInt is a data type that is used when Int values are larger than what is supported for Int. This is an uncommon data type.
Boolean
A Boolean data type is useful for users wishing to utilize True, False, or NULL values.
Char
A Char data type is useful to store a fixed-length amount of data. Char can include letters, numbers, and characters. This is a common data type.
Decimal
A Decimal data type is useful for fixed and precise numbers. This allows for numbers like -10^28-1.
Double
A Double data type is useful when storing 64 bits of decimal numbers or floating points.
Float
A Float data type is useful when using numbers that are not integers. The Float data type is used to store both positive and negative numbers with a decimal point.
Int
An Int data type, or Integer, is useful when using a numerical value. Int does not include a value that with floating point values. This is one of the most common data types.
SmallInt
A SmallInt is a data type that is used when int values are smaller than what is supported for Int. SmallInt values only hold 16 bits. This is an uncommon data type.
String
A String is a data type that is useful for characters, text, numbers, or symbols. This is the most common type of data type.
Struct
A Struct is a data type that is useful for small data structures that require value semantics.
TinyInt
A TinyInt is similar to a SmallInt. TinyInt is a data type that is used when int values are smaller than what is supported for SmallInt. TinyInt values only hold 8 bits/1byte. This is an uncommon data type.
VarChar
A VarChar data type is useful to store a variable length of data. VarChar is like the Char data type. VarChar can include letters, numbers, and characters. This is a common data type.
SQL Basics
Select
The select allows users to populate their query with the desired columns via the column section. Designating columns in the select tab is necessary to tell DataBlend what data users want from specific fields.
From
The From of the Query selects data for use in a Query. This from section allows users to select where the data will be coming from that they wish to transform. The From tab establishes what tables specifically the user would like DataBlend to access data.
Where
To further refine the data that that a user is requesting in a query, WHERE is needed.
**Adding a date range in the WHERE section is useful if date times/ timestamps are in the user’s date.
Group By
The Group By section allows users to group their data in a specific way.
Order By
Using the Order By Data Type can help users get data back in a specific order.
Limit
Using the Limit Data Type allows users to limit the amount of rows that are returned from a query.
Pivot
Using the Pivot allows users to pivot similar to excel. The Pivot function allows users to transfer data from a row to a column
Join
A join combines two or more tables from a DataBlend Schema. This works by combining data in a variety of ways from two or more tables. DataBlend offers Cross, Full, Implicit, Inner, Left, and Right joins. All are visually represented by the Venn diagram icon in the center of the two selected schemas.
Union
A union combines two or more DataBlend schemas into a single result. A union is similar to a join but with a more rigid use case. A union stacks several datasets (or DataBlend Schemas). A union also remove duplicates present in the combined data.
Aliased Schema
Aliased Schema is a unique relationship name within DataBlend. An aliased schema is an easy way to denote selected data from a schema using an optional alias. This is the most common DataBlend relationship. This is very similar to Table.
Aliased Relation
Aliased Relation is a unique relationship name within DataBlend. An aliased relation is an easy way to denote selected data from a Schema, Table, Table Subquery, or an Unnest using an optional alias. This is a common DataBlend relationship.
Except
An Except compares distinct values of a left query and a right query. If a value from left is found in the right, it is excluded from the query results. This is useful when creating queries for data targets.
Intersect
An Intersect is helpful when combining a large set of common data from various tables. This is a collection of values that are common in the set of combined data.
Table
A Table within a SQL is when data is logically organized in rows and columns. Each row will represent a unique record. Each column will represent a field in the record.
Unnest
An unnest function is useful when wanting to convert and array into a set of multiple rows. This is common to flatten nested data. Please note that an unnest will remove the order from the elements of an array.
Parameter
Relative Date
Relative Date parameters provide users the ability to collect data within a relative window of time. The dates are entered as within a wide variety of timeframes such as start of the first quarter and end of the last quarter.
Offset
Determines how many periods should be added or subtracted from the base date.