Data sources glossary
Learn the meanings of data source-related terms.
Definitions of data-sources-related terms. Refer to the main glossary for definitions of terms across Retool.
A
B
Bring Your Own Key
A connection to an AI model provider that uses your own API keys. Configure in the Retool AI resource settings.
C
CORS
Cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) is a mechanism to safely bypass the same-origin policy; that is, it allows a web page to access restricted resources from a server on a domain different than the domain that served the web page.
D
Data access enforcement
A per-resource setting that makes access policies available on a resource and closes it by default across all environments. Resources start with it off and no access policy restrictions. Once it is on, users can only reach data that an access policy explicitly grants them.
Data source
A location where data is stored or accessed. For example, a PostgreSQL database, a REST API, etc.
Database constraint
A predefined rule applied to a database table or column to enforce data integrity, accuracy, and reliability. If an operation (like inserting or updating data) violates a constraint, the database management system rejects the transaction to prevent bad data from entering the system.
E
Enforced resource
A resource that has data access enforcement turned on. Queries against an enforced resource run only if an access policy grants the identity that runs them access to the data.
F
Field
A Retool Database table column for the specified type of data. Each field maps to a related PostgreSQL column type.
G
Generic integration
A type of resource that provides a connection to a data source using a standardized format. For example, Rest API and GraphQL are generic resources.
GraphQL
A query language for APIs where the client specifies which fields to return, rather than calling fixed endpoints that return preset data. Retool connects to GraphQL APIs as a resource and runs GraphQL queries against them.
H
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I
No glossary entries found.
J
Join
A SQL operation that combines rows from two or more tables by matching values in a column they have in common, such as an ID column present in both.
K
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L
No glossary entries found.
M
Managed service
A resource that Retool provides as part of the platform, without requiring users to have an existing system or data source in place, or the need to procure/configure one outside of Retool.
Retool Database, Retool Storage, Retool Vectors, and Retool Email are managed services.
MCP resource
A native resource integration that enables you to use custom or external MCPs in Retool apps, workflows, and agents.
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
An open standard that provides a standard protocol for LLM applications (clients) to call tools from a remote system (server).
N
Native integration
A type of resource that provides a connection to a data source or tool from another company or provider. For example, Stripe, Databricks, and Slack are native resources.
O
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P
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Q
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R
Resource
A saved set of user-configured properties that determine how Retool connects to data source. You create a resource for each data source you want to use with Retool.
Resource environment
A set of resource configurations, such as "Production" and "Staging", that dictate which data a resource has access to. Apps, classic apps, and workflows can be configured to use a certain environment.
Resource query
A type of query. A block of code that interacts with or manipulates with a resource, such as an SQL query or API request.
Resources landing page
The page from which a user can view their existing resources and create new ones.
Retool AI
A type of resource that enables you to connect to an AI provider. You can use Retool-managed keys, or you can bring your own key with a self-managed connection.
Retool Database
Retool's solution for saving and editing data to use in Retool apps. It combines a PostgreSQL database with a spreadsheet-like interface to manage your data
Retool Database editor
The interface for creating and managing Retool Database tables.
Retool Email
A hosted email resource for cloud-hosted organizations to send emails without needing to configure an email provider.
Retool RPC (Remote Procedure Call)
A fast, secure solution for calling external code from Retool.
Retool Storage
A Retool-hosted file store for cloud-hosted organizations.
Retool Vectors
A Retool-hosted vector database to store unstructured text from documents and web pages for use with Retool AI>
Retool-managed key
An API key that provides access to an AI model provider and is managed by Retool. Retool-managed keys enable you to start building and testing with AI models immediately.
S
Schema
The database schema is the structure of a database described in a formal language supported typically by a relational database management system (RDBMS). The term "schema" refers to the organization of data as a blueprint of how the database is constructed. The formal definition of a database schema is a set of formulas (sentences) called integrity constraints imposed on a database. These integrity constraints ensure compatibility between parts of the schema. All constraints are expressible in the same language. A database can be considered a structure in realization of the database language. The states of a created conceptual schema are transformed into an explicit mapping, the database schema. This describes how real-world entities are modeled in the database.
Schema browser
The Schema tab in a resource query's code editor. It lists the tables available on the resource, along with each table's columns and their types, and supports searching for a specific table or column.
SOQL
Salesforce Object Query Language, used to query records stored in a Salesforce organization. Retool uses SOQL to read data from the Salesforce resource.
SQL
Structured Query Language, the standard language for querying and modifying data in relational databases. Retool uses SQL to query database resources such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Retool Database.
SSH tunneling
A feature that allows secure connectivity between Retool and data sources that are hosted within private networks. This enables Retool to access data sources that are not directly exposed to the public internet, enhancing security and compliance for organizations with strict network controls.
T
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U
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V
Vector database
A vector database, vector store or vector search engine is a database that uses the vector space model to store vectors along with other data items. Vector databases typically implement one or more approximate nearest neighbor algorithms, so that one can search the database with a query vector to retrieve the closest matching database records.
W
No glossary entries found.
X
No glossary entries found.
Y
No glossary entries found.
Z
Zero-based numbering
Zero-based numbering is a way of numbering in which the initial element of a sequence is assigned the index 0, rather than the index 1 as is typical in everyday non-mathematical or non-programming circumstances. Under zero-based numbering, the initial element is sometimes termed the zeroth element, rather than the first element; zeroth is a coined word for the ordinal number zero. In some cases, an object or value that does not (originally) belong to a given sequence, but which could be naturally placed before its initial element, may be termed the zeroth element. There is no wide agreement regarding the correctness of using zero as an ordinal, as it creates ambiguity for all subsequent elements of the sequence when lacking context.