---
term: finding
category: spatial
status: canonical
authority: find.elonn.local
---

Finding

In the Layout model ([layout.md](../canonical/layout.md)): a result returned for
presentation in the Results pane. A Finding references the Object to which the result
pertains, does not duplicate it, and is not a Placement on any layer. Focusing a
Finding opens its referenced Object on Carry. A runtime may render a Finding as a card;
"card" is presentation, not a canonical type.

In Find (find.elonn.local): a candidate informational result discovered or computed by
Find — one kind of result that may be presented as a Finding. A Find finding is not yet
normalized runtime content.

Examples:
- recommended restaurant
- nearby friend
- active gathering
- traffic alert
- calendar conflict
- suggested route

A finding:
- is produced by Find from a provider
- is contextual and time-bounded
- is distinct from a notification (which is targeted and recipient-scoped)
- is distinct from activity (which is an append-only feed record)

Sub-concepts:
- finding provider — an internal or external source queried by Find

Allowed:
- finding
- findings
- findings provider
- [type] finding (e.g., nearby finding)

Forbidden:
- result (implies a response to an explicit search query; findings may be proactive)
- recommendation (too specific; findings include alerts and computed results)
- suggestion (same)

Notes:
- "Finding" is the product noun for what a provider discovers or computes. "Find" is the service. Do not use "find" as a noun for an individual result.
- Findings are distinct from discovery (the Social graph traversal).
- The Results pane is cumulative: new Findings are added above existing ones, newest at
the top, and remain until cleared (see layout.md, Results pane).

Related:
- find (service)
- discovery (distinct; social graph traversal)
- results pane
- entry
- object
- notification (distinct)
- activity (distinct)