Thanks, I didn't know that. The distinction does not exist in portuguese (my native language). The word for jam is "compota", and I don't know of any portuguese sweet like what you describe as compote.
doce (sweet) is a sugar syrup with fruits normally mashed, this is not preserve this is made to be served. compota (jam) is mashed whole fruits with sugar (pure de frutos). geleia (jelly) is fruit juice jellied or thicken. conserva (preserve/compote) is whole fruits preserved in a sugary syrup. marmelada/goiabada is the same as a compota whit a mashed whole fruits with sugar, but since these 2 fruits create a thick jellied paste, we give it a proper name.
sot he is talking about is a conserva/preserve/compote is all the same thing, its a whole fruits you cant spread that, its for eating or making other things like cakes and such and Portugal has plenty of those as well hehehe :D