The data in the database is contained in Tables, organized in columns and rows. We have defined Views over the tables. These represent special subsets of the original table. Most of the tables also have one or more Indices defined on them to speed up searches on them.
Functions and stored Procedures take a number of parameters, and execute a previously defined sequence of commands. Usually, their names are prefixed by f or sp, as in fPhotoStatus or spGetFiberList. The table SDSSConstants contains most of the parameters relevant to the SDSS. Their values can be displayed by clicking on the link in the left hand panel. The table DataConstants contains most of the bit-flags and enumerated quantities relevant to the SDSS. Their values can be displayed by clicking on the link in the left hand panel. There are several access functions to make ineterpretations and the back and forth conversions easier. They are displayed when you look at the individual enumerated fields.
Click on the plus sign [+] in front of the categories on the left to get an expanded view, on the minus sign [-] to collapse the list, on the name to get a summary, and on the individual items to get their detailed description. Enter a keyword into the search box on the top, and press Enter or the Go button to search through the descriptions and units stored in the database.