> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cgps.gitbook.io/data-flo/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cgps.gitbook.io/data-flo/basics/terminology.md).

# Terminology

| Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Example                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <p><strong>Workflows</strong></p><p></p><p>Workflows are combinations of adaptors that work together to edit, clean, merge and transform your data. <br></p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/n1Ox-J-j2qreao7COQLQPCNyouyiO5XR_Ab8BuLM6mYjPp3tCLkz9xL0E1wJ6LSf4YsetlilVEbCZb11tRs4AE3cP_UC7Gh046jnL8aaNqGQ3qJ-K2cf99KpG6ta_82w1vb4EfQh-0BroS7pamuI5EU) |
| <p><strong>Canvas</strong></p><p></p><p>The canvas appears on the Editor page where workflows are built. </p><p></p><p>On the canvas, you can create, edit, and test workflows to ensure they are functioning as intended.<br></p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/N5Z1EmOh4LKxLgCPypcBevkSvhegRhTLvmJp-8tB2kozHTuzwPTyyZ-yTgwtxb5pq6nS-L9IFT0GdKesKXx06OjmjX663AGfh85j0y8YSSJCnLFjgL0PVowuMp-oUcV80L_7VGB3IXDvFNvTnx5IY6s) |
| <p><strong>Side bar</strong></p><p></p><p>The side bar serves many purposes. It is where you will see a list of all available adaptors, descriptions of adaptor inputs, processed data, and error messages. </p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | <img src="/files/u9TlR2CUn1PAmtAp7UpC" alt="" data-size="original">                                                                                                                               |
| <p><strong>Adaptors</strong> </p><p></p><p>Adaptors are the individual steps that make up a Workflow. </p><p></p><p>There are adaptors that import data, export data and transform data. </p><p></p><p>Each adaptor is pre-coded for a specific function (such as changing column names, concatenating columns, filtering datasets, merging datasets).</p><p></p><p>Users can customise adaptor input and output options to tailor to their needs.<br></p>                                                                                                                              | ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/r9FQGOyLmNIGTydUbU364-AhMwaAo15Nbu8rUJTWAvHb_Rfktp6to6aHDiV_eYkCU4oVc8ZN25nrkGOGBKzxZZKPTWOFkK8TuvIXociBoLG8KIGQANX2H1DE_fDQL_tqQUldfJdhE6muX9V-PsgPHMI) |
| <p><strong>Adaptor inputs and outputs</strong> </p><p></p><p>Each <strong>adaptor consists of</strong> one or more <strong>options</strong> that users define to customise how the adaptor will treat your data. </p><p></p><p>The <strong>inputs</strong> appear on the <strong>left side column</strong> of every adaptor. Some adaptors need multiple inputs (such as a join adaptor).<br></p><p>The <strong>adaptor outputs appear on the right side column of each adaptor</strong>; this is the output of each transformed dataset. There may be one ore more outputs.</p><p></p> | <img src="/files/42NxYWNuVH4YtWUYSZot" alt="" data-size="original">                                                                                                                               |