Jargon Buster

• landing / land-pattern - A landing is the physical layout of pads and holes that you solder a component to. In Eagle it's part of your part definition.

• part definition - A part definition is a collection of a Symbol, Device and Package. It makes up a whole part usable in schematic and PCB view.

• symbol - The symbol is the schematic representation of your part. It will include the name, value and a diagram of the part and pins which you can connect nets to.

• net - In schematic view, nets connect symbols together. They define how your circuit is laid out.

• package - A package will include the land pattern, and often a silkscreen outline of your part. It should include an orientation dot for ICs. It can also include any drill holes for mounting or exclusion zones for parts that need extra space around them.

• device - A device combines a symbol and package into a usable part. It defines how every pin on the symbol connects to a pad on the package.

• surface mount / smd - A surface-mount component sits upon the surface of your PCB. It's soldered onto flat, copper pads. A lot of interesting integrated circuits are only avaliable as surface-mount. It's well worth getting used to them.

• through hole / pth - A through-hole component has leads or legs which fit through holes on your PCB. They are often bigger, easier to handle and easier to solder. Large parts might be through-hole, because they need a strong physical connection to your board.