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
stash entry
stash entry
A single set of stashed changes in Git, which can be reapplied later to the working directory.
status checks
status checks
Automated tests or processes that run when changes are proposed in a Git repository, ensuring code quality and compatibility.
subscription
subscription
Notifications or updates a user receives about activity in Git repositories they're interested in or contributing to.
superproject
superproject
The main Git repository that contains submodules, managing references to specific versions of nested repositories.
symref
symref
A symbolic reference in Git that points to another reference, most commonly used for HEAD pointing to the current branch.
tag object
tag object
A Git object containing metadata about a tag, including the tagger, date, and optional message.
team
team
A group of users on a Git platform with shared access permissions to repositories within an organization.
team maintainer
team maintainer
A user with administrative privileges for managing a team's membership and access rights in a Git organization.
timeline
timeline
A chronological display of events and activities in a Git repository or user profile on hosting platforms.
topic branch
topic branch
A short-lived Git branch created to develop a specific feature or fix a particular issue.
topics
topics
Keywords or categories assigned to Git repositories to help users discover related projects on hosting platforms.
traffic graph
traffic graph
A visual representation of visitor activity and clone statistics for a Git repository on hosting platforms.
transfer
transfer
The process of moving Git objects between repositories during push, fetch, or clone operations.
tree
tree
A Git object representing a directory structure, containing references to blobs (files) and other trees (subdirectories).
tree object
tree object
A Git object that stores the hierarchy of files and directories in a repository at a specific point in time.
tree-ish (also treeish)
tree-ish (also treeish)
A Git term referring to an object that resolves to a tree, such as a commit, tag, or tree.
unborn
unborn
A state of a Git branch that has no commits yet, typically seen when initializing a new repository.
unmerged index
unmerged index
The state of the Git index containing conflicting changes from different branches during a merge operation.
unreachable object
unreachable object
A Git object not accessible from any reference, potentially subject to garbage collection if not recovered.
upstream branch
upstream branch
The remote branch that a local branch is set to track, used as a reference for pull and push operations.
user
user
An individual account on a Git platform, associated with personal repositories and contributions.
user-to-server request
user-to-server request
An authenticated request from a Git client to a server, typically for operations like push or fetch.
username
username
The unique identifier for a user account on Git platforms, used for authentication and mention notifications.
visible team
visible team
A team in a Git organization that is visible to all members of the organization, as opposed to secret teams.
watch
watch
A feature allowing users to receive notifications about activity in Git repositories they're interested in.
watching notifications
watching notifications
Alerts received for all notable events in a watched Git repository, including issues, pull requests, and releases.
web notifications
web notifications
Alerts displayed on Git platforms' web interfaces, notifying users of relevant activity or mentions.
working area
working area
The directory on your local machine where you modify files before staging and committing them in Git.
working tree
working tree
The set of files and directories in your project that are currently checked out and available for editing.
worktree
worktree
A Git feature allowing multiple working directories to be associated with a single repository.
write access
write access
Permission to make changes to a Git repository, including pushing commits and modifying branches.
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.