Engineering Glossary
From fundamental principles to cutting-edge practices, this glossary covers the full spectrum of software engineering terminology.
YAML (Yet Another Markup Language)
Human-readable data serialization standard that can be used in conjunction with all programming languages.
DevOps
YAML Sprawl
Proliferation of YAML configuration files, often leading to maintenance and consistency challenges.
DevOps
Yak Shaving
Seemingly useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.
DevOps
Yarn
Fast, reliable, and secure dependency management tool for Node.js, offering improved performance and additional features over NPM.
DevOps
Yocto
Open-source collaboration project that helps developers create custom Linux-based systems.
DevOps
Yoda Conditions
Programming style where the constant goes before the variable in a conditional statement.
DevOps
You Build it You Run it
DevOps principle where development teams are also responsible for supporting the software in production.
DevOps
Zabbix
Open-source software tool to monitor various IT components, including networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services.
DevOps
Zero Downtime Deployment
Deployment method that ensures the application remains available to users during the entire update process.
DevOps
Zero Nines
A measure of system availability where no uptime guarantee is provided. It indicates a service with no specified reliability commitments or expectations.
DevOps
Zero Trust
Security concept centered on the belief that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters.
DevOps
Zero-day Attack
Cyber attack exploiting a vulnerability that is unknown to the software vendor or to antivirus vendors.
DevOps
Zipkin
Distributed tracing system that helps gather timing data needed to troubleshoot latency problems in service architectures.
DevOps
Zookeeper
Centralized service for maintaining configuration information, naming, providing distributed synchronization, and providing group services.
DevOps
Zsh (Z Shell)
Extended version of the Bourne Shell with many improvements, including some features of Bash, ksh, and tcsh.
DevOps
iOS Deployment
Process of distributing iOS applications to Apple devices, often through the App Store or enterprise distribution methods.
DevOps
macOS
Apple's Unix-based operating system for Macintosh computers, known for its user-friendly interface and tight integration with Apple hardware.
DevOps
index entry
index entry
A record in Git's index file representing the state of a file in the repository.
integration
integration
A connection between Git and other tools or services to enhance functionality and workflow.
key fingerprint
key fingerprint
A short sequence of bytes used to identify a longer public key in Git's GPG signing process.
keychain
keychain
A secure storage system for passwords and keys, often integrated with Git clients for credential management.
keyword
keyword
A reserved word in Git commands or configurations with a specific meaning or function.
label
label
A way to categorize and organize issues and pull requests in GitHub repositories.
license
license
A document in a Git repository specifying how the project can be used, modified, and distributed.
line comment
line comment
A feature in Git platforms allowing users to comment on specific lines of code in pull requests or commits.
line ending
line ending
Characters marking the end of a line, which can cause issues in Git when collaborating across different operating systems.
locked personal account
locked personal account
A GitHub account that has been restricted due to a violation of terms of service or suspicious activity.
main
main
The default name for the primary branch in many Git repositories, replacing 'master' in recent conventions.
management console
management console
An administrative interface for managing Git hosting services, often used in enterprise environments.
markup
markup
A system of annotation used to format text, often used in Git documentation and comments.
members graph
members graph
A visual representation of an organization's membership on Git hosting platforms.
merge conflict
merge conflict
A situation in Git where incompatible changes have been made to the same part of a file, requiring manual resolution.
milestone
milestone
A way to track progress on groups of issues or pull requests in GitHub projects.
mirror
mirror
A complete copy of a repository, including all branches and history, often used for backup or as a full replica.
nested team
nested team
A team within a GitHub organization that is a subset of a larger team, inheriting its permissions.
network graph
network graph
A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure of a Git repository.
news feed
news feed
A personalized list of recent activity on Git platforms, showing updates from followed users and repositories.
non-fast-forward
non-fast-forward
A Git push that introduces new commits to the remote branch that aren't direct descendants of the current remote HEAD.
notification
notification
An alert system on Git platforms to inform users about relevant activities and mentions.
object
object
A fundamental unit in Git's data model, representing content, commits, trees, or tags, identified by a unique SHA-1 hash.
object database
object database
The storage system in Git that contains all versions of project files and metadata, organized by SHA-1 hashes.
object identifier (oid)
object identifier (oid)
A unique SHA-1 hash that identifies a Git object, ensuring data integrity and enabling content-addressable storage.
object name
object name
Another term for the SHA-1 hash that uniquely identifies a Git object in the repository.
object type
object type
The classification of Git objects, including blob (file content), tree (directory structure), commit, and tag.
octopus
octopus
A Git merge involving more than two branches simultaneously, creating a commit with multiple parents.
organization
organization
A shared account on Git hosting platforms where businesses and open-source projects can collaborate across many projects.
organization owner
organization owner
A user with administrative privileges for an organization account on Git hosting platforms.
orphan
orphan
A branch in Git with no parent commit, typically used to start a new history unrelated to existing branches.
outside collaborator
outside collaborator
A user granted access to a repository but not a member of the organization that owns the repository.
overlay
overlay
A Git feature that allows files from one branch to temporarily override files in another branch without merging.
owner
owner
The user or organization with administrative rights to a Git repository, controlling access and settings.
pack
pack
A compressed file format used by Git to store multiple objects efficiently, reducing repository size.
pack index
pack index
A file that provides fast random access to objects stored within a packfile in Git.
parent
parent
A commit from which another commit is derived, establishing the hierarchical relationship in Git history.
parent team
parent team
A team in a Git platform that grants its permissions to nested sub-teams within an organization.
participating notifications
participating notifications
Alerts received when you're directly involved in repository activities like being assigned or mentioned.
pathspec
pathspec
A pattern used in Git commands to limit the scope of operations to specific files or directories.
peel
peel
The process of recursively dereferencing a Git object to reveal its underlying object type.
per-worktree ref
per-worktree ref
A reference specific to a particular working tree in a Git repository with multiple worktrees.
permalink
permalink
A URL that points to a specific version of a file or directory in a Git repository, ensuring consistent reference.
personal account
personal account
An individual account on Git platforms, used for personal projects and contributions.
pickaxe
pickaxe
A Git feature for searching the repository history to find when a particular change was introduced.
pinned repository
pinned repository
A featured repository prominently displayed on a user's or organization's profile page on their Git hosting platform of choice.
plumbing
plumbing
Low-level Git commands that expose internal workings, primarily used for scripting and advanced operations.
porcelain
porcelain
High-level Git commands designed for everyday use, providing a user-friendly interface to common version control tasks.
pre-receive hooks
pre-receive hooks
Server-side scripts that run before pushed commits are accepted, used to enforce policies or perform checks.
primary email address
primary email address
The main email associated with a Git account, used for communications and commit author identification.
private contributions
private contributions
Contributions made to private repositories, typically only visible to repository collaborators.
private repository
private repository
A Git repository with restricted access, visible only to the owner and explicitly granted collaborators.
production branch
production branch
A Git branch that represents the stable, deployed version of a project, often protected from direct changes.
profile
profile
A user's public page on a Git platform, displaying information about their activity and repositories.
profile photo
profile photo
An image representing a user on a Git platform, displayed alongside their contributions and activities.
project board
project board
A kanban-style board in Git platforms for organizing and prioritizing project issues and pull requests.
protected branch
protected branch
A branch with rules enforcing certain conditions before changes can be pushed, merged, or deleted.
pseudoref
pseudoref
A Git reference that doesn't follow the standard refs format but is treated similarly, like HEAD or MERGE_HEAD.
public contributions
public contributions
Contributions made to public repositories, visible on a user's profile and activity feed.
public repository
public repository
A Git repository that is openly accessible to anyone, allowing viewing and often cloning without authentication.
pull access
pull access
Permission level in Git allowing a user to clone a repository and fetch updates, but not push changes.
pull request review
pull request review
The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before they are merged into the main codebase.
pulse graph
pulse graph
A visual representation of a GitHub repository's recent activity, including commits, issues, and pull requests.
punch graph
punch graph
A visualization of commit frequency over time, often displayed as a heatmap on Git platforms.
push a branch
push a branch
The act of uploading commits from a local branch to a corresponding branch in a remote Git repository.
push access
push access
Permission to upload local changes to a remote Git repository, allowing direct modification of shared branches.
reachability bitmaps
reachability bitmaps
Data structures used to optimize Git operations by quickly determining which objects are reachable from a given commit.
reachable
reachable
Git objects that can be accessed by following the commit history from a given reference point.
read access
read access
Permission to view and clone a Git repository without the ability to make changes or push commits.
recovery code
recovery code
A backup method for accessing a Git account if two-factor authentication is enabled but unavailable.
ref
ref
A name that points to a specific Git object, typically a commit, such as branches or tags.
refs
refs
The collection of references in a Git repository, including branches, tags, and other named pointers to commits.
remote URL
remote URL
The address of a remote Git repository, used for fetching and pushing changes between local and remote repositories.
remote repository
remote repository
A version of a Git project hosted on a server, serving as a central point for collaboration and backup.
remote-tracking branch
remote-tracking branch
A local reference that represents the state of a corresponding branch in a remote repository.
replica
replica
A copy of a Git repository, often used in distributed systems for redundancy and load balancing.
repository cache
repository cache
A local storage of repository data used to improve performance in Git operations.
repository graph
repository graph
A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure in a Git repository.
repository maintainer
repository maintainer
A person responsible for managing a Git repository, reviewing contributions, and maintaining project quality.
required pull request review
required pull request review
A protection rule requiring one or more reviewers to approve changes before merging in Git platforms.
required status check
required status check
A condition that must be met, such as passing tests, before changes can be merged into a protected branch.
resolve
resolve
The process of addressing and fixing merge conflicts in Git, typically done manually by the developer.
revert
revert
A Git operation that creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by a previous commit.
review
review
The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before merging them into the main codebase.
revision
revision
A specific version of a file, directory, or entire repository in Git, often referenced by a commit hash.
rewind
rewind
The act of moving a branch pointer to an earlier commit in Git, effectively undoing more recent commits.
root directory
root directory
The top-level directory of a Git repository, containing all project files and the .git subdirectory.
root filesystem
root filesystem
The base filesystem of a Git repository, from which all other directories and files are organized.
saved reply
saved reply
A pre-written response that can be quickly inserted into issues or pull request comments on Git platforms.
scope
scope
The range of access or permissions granted to a token or application in Git-based systems.
seat
seat
A licensed user in enterprise Git hosting plans, typically representing a single user account.
secret team
secret team
A team in a Git organization that is hidden from non-members and other teams within the organization.
security log
security log
A record of security-related events and actions in a system, used for monitoring and auditing purposes.
server-to-server request
server-to-server request
An authenticated request between Git servers, often used in integrations or automated processes.
service hook
service hook
A mechanism for Git platforms to send event notifications to external services or applications.
shallow repository
shallow repository
A Git repository with an intentionally truncated history, often created through shallow cloning.
single sign-on
single sign-on
An authentication process allowing users to access multiple Git-related services with one set of credentials.
special ref
special ref
A Git reference with a specific meaning or function, such as HEAD or FETCH_HEAD.
staging instance
staging instance
A deployment environment used for testing changes before releasing to production in Git-based workflows.
star
star
A feature on Git hosting platforms allowing users to bookmark repositories of interest.
Workload Placement Optimization
Techniques for efficiently distributing applications and data across cloud resources.
Workload Portability
Ability to move applications and data between different cloud environments with minimal modifications.
Workload-Aware Data Placement
Optimizing data storage location based on application requirements in cloud environments.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Security model that requires strict identity verification for every person and device accessing cloud resources.
Zero Trust Security Model
Approach assuming no automatic trust, requiring continuous verification in cloud environments.
Zero UI Cloud Interactions
Interfacing with cloud services through ambient intelligence, without traditional user interfaces.
Zero-Knowledge Proof Services
Cloud-based cryptographic methods allowing data verification without revealing the data itself.
Zero-Knowledge Proof Systems
Cryptographic protocols enabling data verification without disclosing the actual data in cloud environments.
Zero-Trust Microsegmentation
Fine-grained network segmentation approach in cloud environments, limiting lateral movement of threats.
Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Security framework requiring strict authentication and authorization for all cloud network access.
Zoned Namespaces (ZNS) SSDs
Storage devices optimized for cloud workloads, improving performance and reducing write amplification.
5G MEC Integration
Integration of 5G mobile edge computing with container platforms for low-latency applications and services at network edges.
AIOps for Container Environments
Application of AI and machine learning for automated operations, monitoring, and management of containerized environments.
API Deprecation Policy
Guidelines for phasing out older API versions in Kubernetes, ensuring smooth transitions for users.
API Extensions
Mechanisms to extend the Kubernetes API with custom resources and functionalities, enhancing platform capabilities.
API Gateway Pattern
Containerized service that acts as a single entry point for all client requests to a microservices architecture.
API Server
Core component of Kubernetes that exposes the cluster's API and handles all administrative operations.
API Server Aggregation
Kubernetes feature allowing the API server to be extended with additional APIs without modifying core Kubernetes code.
API-First Development
Approach prioritizing API design before implementation, crucial for developing scalable containerized microservices.
AWS Fargate
Serverless compute engine for containers, allowing you to run containers without managing the underlying infrastructure.
Adapter Pattern
Design pattern in containerized microservices that wraps a service's interface to make it compatible with other services.
Admission Controllers
Plugins that intercept requests to the Kubernetes API server before object persistence, enforcing policies or modifying objects.
Admission Controllers for Security
Admission controllers specifically focused on enforcing security policies and validating security-related configurations.
Admission Webhooks
HTTP callbacks that receive admission requests and can modify or validate objects before they are persisted.
Admission Webhooks in Operators
Use of admission webhooks within Kubernetes operators to enforce custom policies or modify resources.
Advanced Audit
Kubernetes feature providing detailed logging of all requests processed by the API server for security and compliance.
Aggregated API Servers
Extension of the Kubernetes API server to include custom resources and functionalities without modifying core Kubernetes.
Aggregated ClusterRoles
Combination of multiple ClusterRoles into a single role, simplifying RBAC management in Kubernetes.
Air-gapped Registries
Container registries isolated from public networks, used in secure or restricted environments.
Akri
Open-source project for exposing heterogeneous leaf devices as resources in Kubernetes clusters.
Alertmanager Configuration
Setup and management of Prometheus Alertmanager for handling alerts from monitoring systems.
Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
Fully managed Docker container registry provided by AWS for storing, managing, and deploying container images.
Ambassador Pattern
Microservices design pattern where a dedicated service acts as an API gateway for other services.
Ambient Mesh
Service mesh implementation that doesn't require sidecars, reducing resource overhead and simplifying deployment.
Anchore Engine for Image Scanning
Open-source tool for deep inspection of container images, including vulnerability scanning and policy enforcement.
Ansible-based Operators
Kubernetes operators implemented using Ansible for automating application lifecycle management.
Antrea Network Policies
Network policies specific to the Antrea CNI plugin, offering fine-grained control over pod-to-pod communication.
Antrea for Open vSwitch-based Networking
Kubernetes networking solution using Open vSwitch for improved performance and advanced networking features.
Apache OpenWhisk
Open-source serverless platform that executes functions in response to events or direct invocations.
AppArmor Profiles
Security profiles for Linux that restrict program capabilities, enhancing container isolation and security.
Application-level Logging
Logging implemented within applications, providing detailed insights into application behavior and performance.
Aqua Security
Platform providing security and compliance for container-based and cloud-native applications throughout their lifecycle.
Aqua Security Platform
Comprehensive security solution for containerized and cloud-native environments, offering vulnerability management and runtime protection.
Argo CD
GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes, automating application deployment and lifecycle management.
Argo Rollouts
Kubernetes controller for advanced deployment strategies like canary and blue-green deployments.
ArgoCD
Declarative GitOps tool for Kubernetes, automating application deployment and synchronization with Git repositories.
Artifact Management
Process of storing, organizing, and managing container images and related artifacts in container registries.
Athenz for Fine-grained Access Control
Open-source platform for fine-grained access control and authentication in distributed systems.
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Access control paradigm where authorization decisions are based on attributes of users, resources, and environment.
Audit Annotations
Additional metadata added to Kubernetes audit events for enhanced context and analysis, improving audit trails.
Audit Backends
Components responsible for processing and storing Kubernetes audit logs, supporting various storage and analysis options.
Audit Events
Records of requests and activities within a Kubernetes cluster, used for security monitoring and compliance.
Audit Levels
Configurable detail levels for Kubernetes audit logs, ranging from metadata-only to full request and response details.
Audit Logging
Process of recording API server requests and responses for security, troubleshooting, and compliance purposes.
Audit Logs
Detailed records of activities and operations within a Kubernetes cluster, used for security and compliance monitoring.
Audit Policy
Configuration defining which events should be recorded in Kubernetes audit logs and at what level of detail.
Audit Profile
Predefined set of audit policy rules for common use cases in Kubernetes, simplifying audit configuration.
Audit Stages
Different phases of request processing where audit events can be generated in Kubernetes, providing comprehensive auditing.
Audit Webhook Configuration
Setup for sending Kubernetes audit events to external webhook endpoints for processing or analysis.
Auditing
Process of systematically recording and examining activities within a Kubernetes cluster for security and compliance purposes.
Authenticating Proxy
Intermediary service that handles authentication before forwarding requests to the Kubernetes API server.
Authentication Modules
Pluggable components in container orchestration platforms for verifying user identities using various methods.
Authorization Policies
Rules defining access permissions for users and services in container orchestration platforms.
Azure Container Instances
Serverless container hosting service in Azure, offering rapid deployment of containers without cluster management.
Azure Container Registry
Managed Docker registry service for storing and managing container images in Azure cloud environments.
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) in Containers
Implementation of Border Gateway Protocol within containerized network environments for advanced routing.
BGP in Container Networks
In container networks, BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) manages routing information between containers and external networks for efficient traffic routing.
Backend for Frontend (BFF) Pattern
Microservices design pattern where a dedicated service acts as an API gateway for specific frontend needs.
Backup and Restore
Processes for preserving and recovering container data and configurations in orchestration platforms.
Base Image
Foundation Docker image upon which other images are built, containing core OS and runtime components.
Base Image Selection
Process of choosing appropriate foundation images for container builds, balancing size, security, and functionality.
Best Effort QoS
Kubernetes quality of service class for pods with no resource guarantees, scheduled when resources are available.
Blue-Green Deployments
Deployment strategy using two identical environments to minimize downtime and risk during updates.
Bootstrap Tokens
Temporary tokens used for secure cluster initialization and node joining in Kubernetes, simplifying cluster setup.
Bottlerocket OS
Minimalist Linux-based operating system optimized for running containers in cloud environments.
BuildKit
Advanced container image building toolkit offering improved performance and caching capabilities.
BuildKit for Advanced Image Building
Use of BuildKit for efficient, concurrent, and cache-optimized container image creation, improving build performance.
Bulkhead Pattern
Isolation technique in microservices to contain failures and prevent system-wide cascading failures.
Bulkhead Pattern in Microservices
The Bulkhead Pattern in microservices isolates failures by dividing services into separate compartments, preventing issues in one from affecting others.
Burstable QoS
Kubernetes quality of service class for pods that can use more resources than requested when available.
CIS Benchmarks for Containers
Security configuration guidelines for deploying containers securely in various environments.
CNI Plugin Chaining
Technique of using multiple Container Network Interface plugins together for advanced networking capabilities.
CPU Manager
Kubernetes feature for fine-grained CPU resource management and allocation to containers, optimizing performance.
CPU Throttling
Technique to limit CPU usage of containers to prevent resource monopolization and ensure fair allocation.
CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)
Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in distributed systems, often used in microservices.
CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) Pattern
Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in distributed systems, often used in microservices.
CRI (Container Runtime Interface) Specification
Standard interface between container runtimes and Kubernetes, allowing pluggable runtime implementations.
CRI Image Management
Functionality within CRI for pulling, inspecting, and removing container images, standardizing image operations.
CRI Logging
Standardized logging interface for container runtimes implementing the Container Runtime Interface.
CRI Metrics
Performance and resource usage data exposed by container runtimes adhering to the CRI specification.
CRI Runtime Class
Kubernetes feature allowing selection of different runtime configurations for containers, enabling specialized runtimes.
CRI Socket
Unix domain socket used for communication between Kubelet and the CRI-compatible container runtime.
CRI Validation Testing
Process of verifying that a container runtime correctly implements the CRI specification, ensuring compatibility.
CRI-O
Lightweight container runtime specifically designed for Kubernetes, implementing the CRI specification.
CRI-O Internals
Core components and architecture of the CRI-O container runtime, including its interaction with Kubernetes.
CRI-O as Container Runtime
Use of CRI-O, a lightweight container runtime, as the primary runtime in a Kubernetes cluster.
CSI Controller Plugin
Component of CSI responsible for volume provisioning and attachment operations in container orchestration systems.
CSI Drivers
Plugins implementing the Container Storage Interface for various storage systems in Kubernetes.
CSI Ephemeral Volumes
Short-lived volumes in Kubernetes, created and deleted alongside a pod using CSI drivers, for temporary storage.
CSI Migration
Process of transitioning from in-tree volume plugins to CSI drivers in Kubernetes, improving storage extensibility.
CSI Node Plugin
Component of CSI responsible for mounting volumes and making them available to containers.
CSI Topology
Feature allowing storage provisioning based on topology constraints in Kubernetes, optimizing data locality.
Cache-Aside Pattern
Caching strategy where the application checks the cache before retrieving data from the main data store.
Caching Strategies for Containers
Techniques for implementing and managing caches in containerized applications for improved performance.
Calico
Open-source networking and network security solution for containers, providing a rich set of security policies.
Calico eBPF Datapath
High-performance networking mode in Calico using extended Berkeley Packet Filter for packet processing.
Canary Deployments
Technique of releasing new versions to a subset of users or servers to minimize risk and gather feedback.
Capabilities
Fine-grained privileges that can be assigned to containers, enhancing security by limiting root-level access.
Capability Controls
Mechanisms for managing and restricting Linux capabilities assigned to containers for improved security.