| ======= |
| Lexicon |
| ======= |
| |
| Before we dive into the concepts, let's clarify the terminology we'll be using: |
| |
| .. list-table:: |
| :header-rows: 0 |
| |
| * - Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) |
| - A `directed acyclic graph <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directed\_acyclic\_graph>`_ is a computer \ |
| science/mathematics term for representing the world with "nodes" and "edges", where "edges" only flow in one \ |
| direction. It is called a graph because it can be drawn and visualized. |
| * - Dataflow |
| - The organization of functions and dependencies. This is a DAG -- it's directed (one function is running before \ |
| the other), acyclic, (there are no cycles, i.e., no function runs before itself), and a graph (it is easily \ |
| naturally represented by nodes and edges) and can be represented visually. |
| * - Transform Function, or simply Function |
| - A python function used to represent a Hamilton transform -- it can compile to one (in the standard case) or \ |
| many (with the use of decorators) transforms. See :doc:`hamilton-function-structure` for more details. |
| * - Transform |
| - A step in the dataflow DAG representing a computation -- usually 1:1 with functions but decorators break that \ |
| pattern -- in which case multiple transforms trace back to a single function. |
| * - Node |
| - Synonymous with Transform. A node in the DAG is equivalent to a transform step in the DAG. |
| * - Hamilton Driver |
| - A specific class written to enable execution of the DAG with certain parameters. This will be your main \ |
| interface with your Hamilton code. See :doc:`driver-capabilities` for more detail. |
| * - "*driver*" script/code |
| - Code that you write to tell Hamilton what the DAG is, what outputs you want, and where the inputs come from. |
| * - Config |
| - Data that dictates the way the DAG is constructed. See :doc:`driver-capabilities` for more details. |
| * - Decorators |
| - A python function that modifies another python function in some way. Used in Hamilton to compile functions to \ |
| sets of transforms. See :doc:`decorators-overview` for more detail. |
