> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://uttws.gitbook.io/gis-workshop/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://uttws.gitbook.io/gis-workshop/mapping-wildlife-movement-in-qgis/terms.md).

# Terms

Here is a very short list of terms which you may come across when you use QGIS.

* **Attribute**: a piece of data relating to a *feature*, for example the name of a settlement, or the population of a region
* **Attribute table**: a table showing the *attribute* values for all the *features* in a *layer*
* **Buffer**: an area of equal distance drawn around a point, line or polygon
* **Clip**: to cut the size of a data object by placing a mask over it - sometimes known as 'cookie cutter'
* **Coordinate Reference System (CRS)**: the system used to reference the x and y coordinates of your data
* **Feature**: an individual object in your data - for example a line, point or polygon
* **Layer**: a set of data, usually of one type which can be turned on and off, moved above or below other layers, and styled/labelled
* **Line**: vector data which has two ends which don't meet, possibly with intermediate points - for example roads or railway lines
* **Plugin**: an optional application which provides additional functionality to QGIS
* **Point**: data comprising sets of individual x and y coordinates, but not joined together - for example villages or hospitals
* **Polygon**: data comprising one or more closed lines, forming shapes which can be filled - for example land masses, or provinces
* **Print Composer**: the layout tool within QGIS which is used to produce maps for output
* **Project**: a set of data, styles and Print Composers within QGIS used to make a map
* **Raster**: map data which is represented as an image, with pixel values of between 0 and 255
* **Style**: the rules used to represent data objects with colour, shapes, icons or charts according to the values of their attributes
* **Vector**: data which is represented as sets of coordinates, producing lines, points or polygons