# Welcome to the CDF API Documentation

## Some Links to Get Started

* If you're interested in details about the Dashboard objects, start in the `Dashboard` class. From there you can jump to the specific classes and their details.
* If you want to review the methods for the base component classes, start `here`. This module defines the `BaseComponent` class (from where all other components inherit) and the `UnmanagedComponent` (from where most of the default components inherit).
* If you want to know more about the component lifecycle, there's a good write up about the Unmanaged lifecycle `here`. For other documentation about the subject, in your Pentaho installation, navigate to Plugin Samples `->` CDF `->` Documentation `->` lifecycle and also Plugin Samples `->` CDF `->` Documentation `->` concepts.
* If you want to know about all existing CDF components and their properties, that's also available in your Pentaho installation. Navigate to Plugin Samples `->` CDF `->` Require Samples `->` Documentation `->` Component Reference `->` Core Components. There's a sample and a property listing for all of them there.

## API Structure

[cdf](/pba-ctools/pentaho-cdf-api/cdf.md)

* [components](/pba-ctools/pentaho-cdf-api/components.md)
* [dashboard](/pba-ctools/pentaho-cdf-api/dashboard.md)
* [queries](/pba-ctools/pentaho-cdf-api/queries.md)


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