Engineering Glossary

From fundamental principles to cutting-edge practices, this glossary covers the full spectrum of software engineering terminology.

DevOps
Cloud Computing
Git
Containerization & Orchestration

Compliance as Code

Approach to maintaining regulatory compliance by defining compliance requirements as code, enabling automation and consistency.
DevOps

Complicated-subsystem Team

Team responsible for a specific complex component within a larger system, requiring specialized knowledge.
DevOps

ConDep

Open-source tool for automating continuous deployment and server provisioning, simplifying infrastructure management.
DevOps

Configuration Drift

Inconsistencies between the desired configuration state and the actual state of a system.
DevOps

Configuration Management

Process of maintaining systems, such as computer servers, in a desired, consistent state across time.
DevOps

Configuration as Code (CaC)

Managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable definition files.
DevOps

Constraint

Limitation or restriction in a system that affects its performance or capacity, often a focus in optimization efforts.
DevOps

Consul

Service networking platform to connect and secure services across any runtime platform and cloud.
DevOps

Container Image

Lightweight, standalone, executable package of software that includes everything needed to run an application.
DevOps

Container Registry

Centralized repository for storing, managing, and distributing container images, crucial for container-based development and deployment.
DevOps

Containerization

Encapsulating an application and its environment to ensure consistent operation across different computing environments.
DevOps

Containers

Lightweight, standalone executable packages of software that include everything needed to run an application.
DevOps

Containers-as-a-Service (CaaS)

Model where container engines, orchestration and underlying compute resources are provided on-demand.
DevOps

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Geographically distributed network of proxy servers to provide high availability and performance.
DevOps

Continuous Compliance

Ongoing process of adhering to regulatory and security standards throughout the development lifecycle.
DevOps

Continuous Delivery (CD)

Approach where teams produce software in short cycles, ensuring it can be reliably released at any time.
DevOps

Continuous Delivery Pipeline

Automated implementation of an application's build, deploy, test, and release process.
DevOps

Continuous Deployment (CD)

Practice of automatically deploying every change that passes all stages of the production pipeline.
DevOps

Continuous Feedback

Constant flow of information about a product or process to facilitate continuous improvement.
DevOps

Continuous Governance

Ongoing process of implementing and monitoring policies and controls in software development.
DevOps

Continuous Improvement

Ongoing effort to enhance products, services, or processes, central to many management philosophies including Lean and Six Sigma.
DevOps

Continuous Integration (CI)

Development practice where code changes are automatically built, tested, and prepared for a release.
DevOps

Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD)

Combined practices of Continuous Integration and either Continuous Delivery or Continuous Deployment.
DevOps

Continuous Intelligence

Real-time analytics embedded into business operations, processing current and historical data.
DevOps

Continuous Learning Culture

Organizational approach that encourages ongoing skill development and knowledge sharing.
DevOps

Continuous Monitoring

Automated process of identifying compliance and security risks in an IT infrastructure.
DevOps

Continuous Quality

Ongoing process of building quality assurance into every step of the development lifecycle.
DevOps

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Systematic approach to enhancing processes and products to achieve better performance.
DevOps

Continuous Reliability

Practice of building and maintaining reliable systems through constant monitoring and improvement.
DevOps

Continuous Security

Integrating security practices throughout the entire software development and deployment lifecycle.
DevOps

Continuous Testing

Process of executing automated tests as part of the software delivery pipeline to obtain feedback on business risks.
DevOps

Contract Testing

Testing method that verifies interactions at the boundary of an external service meet expectations.
DevOps

Cordova

Mobile application development framework that allows developers to build mobile apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
DevOps

CoreOS

Lightweight Linux operating system designed for providing infrastructure to clustered deployments, now part of Red Hat.
DevOps

Coupon Scraping

Automated collection of online coupon codes, often to exploit promotional offers.
DevOps

Create Test for Every Bug

Practice of writing a test that reproduces a bug before fixing the issue, ensuring the bug doesn't recur.
DevOps

Credential Abuse

Unauthorized use of valid credentials to gain access to systems or data, often resulting from poor password practices or stolen credentials.
DevOps

Credential Stuffing

Cyberattack method where stolen account credentials are used to gain unauthorized access to user accounts through large-scale automated login requests.
DevOps

Credmgr

Credential manager tool for securely storing and managing passwords and other secrets.
DevOps

Cron Job

Time-based job scheduler in Unix-like operating systems, used to automate system maintenance or administration tasks.
DevOps

Cross Platform

Ability of software or hardware to work across different types of platforms or operating systems.
DevOps

Cross-Functional Team

Group of people with different functional expertise working toward a common goal.
DevOps

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Security vulnerability allowing attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by others.
DevOps

CruiseControl

Java-based framework for creating a custom continuous integration and deployment environment, popular in early CI/CD implementations.
DevOps

Cryptomining Malware

Malicious software that uses system resources to mine cryptocurrency without user consent.
DevOps

Culture

Shared values, beliefs, and practices that characterize an organization, crucial in shaping DevOps and Agile transformations.
DevOps

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

Web performance metric measuring visual stability, quantifying how much page content unexpectedly shifts during loading.
DevOps

Cybersecurity

Practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks, crucial in today's interconnected world.
DevOps

DAST

Dynamic Application Security Testing; analyzes running applications to find vulnerabilities.
DevOps

DDoS

Distributed Denial of Service; cyberattack that floods a system with traffic to make it unavailable.
DevOps

DNS Lookup Time

Time taken to query the Domain Name System to translate a domain name into an IP address.
DevOps

DORA Metrics

Four key metrics (deployment frequency, lead time for changes, time to restore service, change failure rate) used to measure software delivery performance.
DevOps

Dark Launch

Technique of releasing features to production that are invisible to users until activated, allowing for testing in real environments.
DevOps

Dark Launching

Deploying code or feature flags to production without making them visible to users.
DevOps

Dark Release

Releasing new features to production that are invisible to users until activated.
DevOps

Dashboards

Visual displays of key performance indicators and metrics, providing at-a-glance views of business performance or system status.
DevOps

Data Breach

Incident where sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by unauthorized individuals.
DevOps

Data Leakage

Unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination or recipient.
DevOps

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Set of tools and processes to ensure sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users.
DevOps

Data Security

Protective measures applied to prevent unauthorized access to databases, websites, and computers.
DevOps

Database Management

Process of storing, organizing, and managing data in databases, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
DevOps

Database Versioning

Practice of keeping different versions of database schemas, often in conjunction with application versioning.
DevOps

Datadog

Monitoring and analytics platform for cloud-scale applications, providing full-stack observability for IT infrastructure and application performance.
DevOps

Dead Code

Source code that's never executed or has no effect on program output, often a target for removal to improve maintainability and performance.
DevOps

Declarative Infrastructure

Defining infrastructure using a descriptive model, focusing on what should be deployed rather than how.
DevOps

Dedicated Environment

Computing resources exclusively allocated to a single user, project, or organization.
DevOps

Defense-in-Depth (DiD)

Cybersecurity strategy that employs multiple layers of security controls to protect assets and data from various types of threats.
DevOps

Definition of Done

Agreed-upon set of items that must be completed before a project or user story can be considered complete.
DevOps

Deis

Open-source Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) that makes it easy to deploy and manage applications.
DevOps

Denial of Service (DoS)

Cyberattack aimed at making a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users.
DevOps

Deploykit

Tool designed to simplify and automate the process of deploying software applications across different environments and platforms.
DevOps

Deployment

Process of making software available and ready for use in a specific environment.
DevOps

Deployment Frequency

Rate at which new code or features are deployed to production, often used as a key metric in DevOps practices.
DevOps

Deployment Pattern

Standardized approach to rolling out software updates or changes, ensuring consistency and reliability in the deployment process.
DevOps

Deployment Pipeline

Automated manifestation of the process for getting software from version control to users.
DevOps

Deployment Target

Specific environment or infrastructure where software is deployed, such as development, staging, or production environments.
DevOps

Design Patterns

Reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems in software design, providing tested, proven development paradigms.
DevOps

Dev (from DevOps)

Represents the development aspects in the DevOps methodology, focusing on software creation and testing processes.
DevOps

DevOps

Set of practices combining software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the development lifecycle.
DevOps

DevOps Assembly Line

Series of automated steps for building, testing, and deploying software in a DevOps environment.
DevOps

DevOps Culture

Organizational culture that bridges the gap between development and operation teams.
DevOps

DevOps Engineer

Professional combining software development and IT operations skills to improve collaboration and productivity.
DevOps

DevOps Lifecycle

Continuous cycle of development, testing, deployment, and monitoring in DevOps practices.
DevOps

DevOps Model

Conceptual framework for integrating development and operations teams and practices.
DevOps

DevOps Pipeline

Automated processes and tools used to move code from development to production in DevOps.
DevOps

DevOps Team

Cross-functional team responsible for the entire software delivery process in a DevOps environment.
DevOps

DevOps-as-a-Service

Outsourcing of DevOps functions to a third-party provider, offering expertise and tools to improve software delivery processes.
DevOps

DevSecOps

Approach integrating security practices within the DevOps process, ensuring security is considered throughout the software development lifecycle.
DevOps

DevSecOps Pipeline

Automated workflow that integrates security at every phase of the software development lifecycle.
DevOps

DevXOps

Extension of DevOps principles to include all teams involved in delivering software.
DevOps

Developer Experience

Overall experience developers have when using tools, platforms, or processes in their work.
DevOps

Device Fingerprinting

Technique of collecting information about a device for identification purposes, used in security and fraud prevention.
DevOps

Diamond

Ruby-based system monitoring tool that collects metrics and allows configuring custom collectors.
DevOps

Digital Customer Experience

Overall experience a customer has with a brand through digital channels and touchpoints.
DevOps

Directory Traversal

Security vulnerability allowing attackers to access unauthorized directories, potentially exposing sensitive files.
DevOps

Distributed Tracing

Method of tracking application requests as they flow through distributed systems.
DevOps

Distributed Version Control System (DVCS)

Version control system where the complete codebase, including its full history, is mirrored on every developer's computer.
DevOps

Django Framework

High-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.
DevOps

Djangy

Platform-as-a-Service specifically designed for hosting and scaling Django web applications, simplifying deployment and management.
DevOps

Docker

Platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers, enabling consistent deployment across different environments.
DevOps
Pull/Pull Request

Pull/Pull Request

Alternative terms for the same concept of proposing and reviewing changes in Git-based collaboration.
Push

Push

A Git command used to upload local repository changes to a remote repository, sharing updates with collaborators.
README

README

A file in a Git repository that provides information about the project, its purpose, and how to use or contribute to it.
Rebase

Rebase

A Git operation that moves or combines a sequence of commits to a new base commit, often used to maintain a linear history.
Rebase Interactive

Rebase Interactive

A Git rebase mode allowing users to modify, reorder, or squash commits before applying them to the target branch.
RefLog

RefLog

A Git mechanism that records updates to branch tips and other references in a repository.
Refspec

Refspec

A string that specifies the mapping between remote and local references when fetching or pushing in Git.
Release branching

Release branching

A strategy where a separate branch is created for release preparation, allowing continued development on the main branch.
Remote

Remote

A Git repository hosted on a server, allowing collaboration and synchronization between multiple developers.
Repository

Repository

Centralized location where software packages or modules are stored and managed, facilitating version control and collaboration.
Repository ("Repo")

Repository ("Repo")

A data structure containing all the files, history, and metadata for a Git-managed project.
SCM

SCM

Source Control Management, a system for tracking and managing changes to code, of which Git is an example.
SHA-1

SHA-1

The cryptographic hash function used by Git to generate unique identifiers for objects in the repository.
SSH key

SSH key

A secure authentication method using a pair of cryptographic keys for accessing remote systems or services.
Shallow Clone

Shallow Clone

A Git clone that only fetches a limited number of recent commits, reducing download size for large repositories.
Squash

Squash

The process of combining multiple commits into a single commit in Git, often used to simplify history.
Staging

Staging

The process of preparing changes to be committed in Git, also known as "adding to the index."
Stash

Stash

A Git feature for temporarily storing uncommitted changes, allowing you to switch branches without committing work in progress.
Stashing

Stashing

A Git feature for temporarily saving uncommitted changes, allowing you to switch contexts without committing incomplete work.
Status

Status

A Git command that shows the state of the working directory and staging area, indicating which files are modified or staged.
SubModule

SubModule

A Git repository nested within another repository, allowing you to include external projects in your own project.
Tag

Tag

A named reference to a specific point in Git history, typically used to mark release points or important milestones.
Team plan

Team plan

A subscription level for GitHub designed for collaborative groups or small organizations.
Upstream

Upstream

The original repository from which a fork is created, or the branch that a local branch is tracking.
Upstream and Downstream

Upstream and Downstream

Terms describing the flow of changes in Git, with upstream being the source and downstream the destination.
Work in Progress (WIP) Commit

Work in Progress (WIP) Commit

A temporary commit indicating unfinished work, often used to save progress or facilitate code reviews.
access token

access token

A secure alternative to passwords, used for authentication in Git operations, providing limited access to specific resources or actions.
alternate object database

alternate object database

A secondary location where Git stores object files, useful for optimizing storage and performance in large repositories.
appliance

appliance

A dedicated hardware or virtual machine optimized for running Git services, often used in enterprise environments for improved performance.
assignee

assignee

The person responsible for addressing an issue or pull request in a Git repository, helping to organize and prioritize tasks.
authentication code

authentication code

A temporary code used in two-factor authentication to verify a user's identity when accessing Git repositories or services.
base branch

base branch

The primary branch in a Git repository from which feature branches are created and into which they are merged after development.
basic authentication

basic authentication

A simple authentication method in Git using a username and password, often discouraged in favor of more secure methods.
billing cycle

billing cycle

The recurring period for which Git hosting services charge users or organizations for their subscriptions and usage.
billing email

billing email

The email address associated with a Git account or organization for receiving invoices and billing-related communications.
billing manager

billing manager

A user role in Git hosting platforms responsible for managing billing information, subscriptions, and payments for an organization.
billing plan

billing plan

A subscription package offered by Git hosting services, defining features, storage limits, and pricing for users or organizations.
bio

bio

A brief description of a user's profile on Git platforms, typically including their role, interests, or expertise in software development.
blob object

blob object

A Git object type representing the contents of a file, stored as a sequence of bytes without any metadata or file attributes.
block

block

An action on Git platforms to restrict a user's ability to interact with a repository, often used to manage disruptive behavior.
branch restriction

branch restriction

A set of rules applied to Git branches to control who can push changes, merge, or perform certain actions, enhancing code quality.
cURL

cURL

A command-line tool often used with Git to transfer data and interact with APIs, supporting various protocols including HTTPS.
card

card

A visual representation of an issue or pull request in Git project management tools, used for organizing and prioritizing work.
chain

chain

A series of connected commits in Git, representing a sequence of changes that build upon each other in a repository's history.
changeset

changeset

A group of changes made to files in a Git repository, typically represented by a commit and including additions, modifications, and deletions.
check

check

An automated test or verification process run on Git repositories to ensure code quality, security, or compliance with project standards.
child team

child team

A nested team within a Git organization's hierarchy, inheriting permissions and access rights from its parent team.
clean

clean

A Git command used to remove untracked files and directories from a working directory, helping to maintain a tidy repository.
clustering

clustering

A technique used in Git hosting services to distribute repository data across multiple servers for improved performance and reliability.
code frequency graph

code frequency graph

A visual representation of code additions and deletions over time in a Git repository, useful for tracking project activity.
code of conduct

code of conduct

A document outlining expected behavior and guidelines for contributors in a Git repository, promoting a positive community.
code owner

code owner

A designated person or team responsible for reviewing and approving changes to specific files or directories in a Git repository.
collaborator

collaborator

A user with read and write access to a Git repository, able to contribute code and participate in project discussions.
commit ID

commit ID

A unique identifier (SHA-1 hash) assigned to each commit in Git, used to reference specific points in a repository's history.
commit author

commit author

The person who originally created a commit in Git, distinct from the committer who may have applied the changes on behalf of the author.
commit graph

commit graph

A visual representation of the commit history in a Git repository, showing the relationships between different branches and merges.
commit graph concept, representations and usage

commit graph concept, representations and usage

The underlying structure and visual representations of Git's commit history, used for understanding project evolution.
commit message

commit message

A descriptive text associated with a Git commit, explaining the purpose and details of the changes made in that commit.
commit object

commit object

A Git object type containing metadata about a commit, including the author, committer, date, and a pointer to the tree object.
commit-graph file

commit-graph file

A file used by Git to store commit graph information, optimizing performance for operations that traverse the commit history.
commit-ish (also committish)

commit-ish (also committish)

A term referring to any Git object that can be resolved to a commit, including commit IDs, branch names, and tags.
compare branch

compare branch

A Git feature allowing users to view differences between two branches, often used before merging to review changes.
contribution graph

contribution graph

A visual representation of a user's Git activity over time, showing the frequency and distribution of their contributions to repositories.
contribution guidelines

contribution guidelines

A document in a Git repository outlining best practices, coding standards, and procedures for contributors to follow when submitting changes.
contributions

contributions

The collective changes, commits, issues, and pull requests made by a user to Git repositories, showcasing their involvement in projects.
contributor

contributor

Any person who has made contributions to a Git repository, whether through code, documentation, or other forms of project support.
contributors graph

contributors graph

A visual representation of all contributors to a Git repository, showing their relative contributions over time and by type.
core Git

core Git

The fundamental set of Git commands and functionality, excluding third-party extensions or hosting platform-specific features.
coupon

coupon

A promotional code offering discounts or credits for Git hosting services, often used to attract new users or upgrade existing accounts.
cron

cron

A time-based job scheduler used in Git hosting platforms to automate tasks such as backups, notifications, or periodic code checks.
dangling object

dangling object

A Git object not reachable from any reference (branch, tag, etc.), often created during rebasing or other history-altering operations.
dashboard

dashboard

A central interface in Git platforms providing an overview of a user's repositories, activities, and notifications.
default branch

default branch

The primary branch in a Git repository, typically named "main" or "master," serving as the base for new branches and deployments.
dependency graph

dependency graph

A visual representation of a project's dependencies, showing relationships between different components or external libraries.
dependents graph

dependents graph

A visualization of other projects or repositories that depend on a given Git repository, useful for understanding its impact.
deploy key

deploy key

An SSH key granting read-only access to a specific Git repository, commonly used for automated deployments or CI/CD processes.
dereference

dereference

The process of resolving a Git reference (like a branch or tag) to its corresponding commit object or SHA-1 hash.
detached HEAD

detached HEAD

A state in Git where the HEAD pointer references a specific commit rather than a branch, often used for temporary work.
diagnostics

diagnostics

Tools and features in Git used to identify and troubleshoot issues with repositories, commits, or configuration settings.
directory

directory

A folder within a Git repository containing files and potentially other subdirectories, organized hierarchically.
dirty

dirty

A term describing a Git working directory that contains uncommitted changes, indicating modifications that haven't been saved to the repository.
email notifications

email notifications

Alerts sent via email by Git platforms to inform users about repository activities, mentions, or updates.
enterprise account

enterprise account

A high-tier account type offered by Git hosting services, providing advanced features and support for large organizations.
evil merge

evil merge

A problematic merge in Git where conflicts are resolved incorrectly, potentially introducing subtle bugs or inconsistencies.
fast-forward

fast-forward

A type of Git merge where the target branch's pointer is simply moved to the latest commit of the source branch, without creating a new commit.
feature branch

feature branch

A temporary branch in Git created to develop a specific feature or fix, typically merged back into the main branch upon completion.
fenced code block

fenced code block

A markdown syntax used in Git documentation and comments to display formatted code snippets with syntax highlighting.
file system

file system

The underlying structure used by Git to store repository data, including objects, refs, and configuration files.
following (users)

following (users)

A feature in Git platforms allowing users to receive updates and notifications about other users' activities.
gitfile

gitfile

A file containing a Git repository's object database, used in certain Git operations.
gitignore

gitignore

A text file specifying intentionally untracked files that Git should ignore, customizable for different project types.
graft

graft

A technique in Git to join two unrelated commit histories, typically used for repository repair or history modification.
hash

hash

A unique identifier (SHA-1) for Git objects, used to ensure data integrity and create content-addressable storage.
head branch

head branch

The default branch that is checked out when a repository is cloned, typically 'main' or 'master'.
head ref

head ref

A reference to the tip of a branch, representing the most recent commit in that branch's history.
high-availability

high-availability

A characteristic of Git hosting systems designed to ensure continuous operation and minimal downtime.
hook

hook

A script that Git executes before or after events such as commit, push, and receive, used for automating or controlling Git processes.
hostname

hostname

The unique name assigned to a device on a network, used for identification and communication purposes.
identicon

identicon

A visual representation of a hash value, often used as a default avatar in Git platforms.
identity provider

identity provider

A service that creates, maintains, and manages identity information for users, often integrated with Git platforms.

3D Stacked Memory for Cloud Servers

High-density memory architecture using vertically stacked chips, enhancing performance and capacity in cloud server hardware.

5G Cloud

Cloud infrastructure optimized for 5G networks, supporting high-speed, low-latency services and applications.

5G Network Slicing

Technique to create multiple virtual networks on a shared physical 5G infrastructure, each optimized for specific use cases.

5G and Edge Computing

Integration of 5G networks with edge computing to enable low-latency, high-bandwidth applications closer to end-users.

6G Cloud Integration

Future convergence of 6G networks with cloud computing, promising ultra-high speeds and advanced capabilities.

ACID Compliance

Database transaction properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) ensuring data integrity in cloud environments.

AI Ethics Compliance Tools

Software ensuring AI systems adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations in cloud deployments.

AI Ethics and Bias Detection Tools

Software for identifying and mitigating ethical issues and biases in AI models deployed in cloud environments.

AI Ethics and Governance Tools

Solutions for managing ethical considerations and regulatory compliance in cloud-based AI systems.

AI Governance Frameworks

Structured approaches for managing AI development, deployment, and use in cloud environments.

AI Model Governance Platforms

Comprehensive solutions for managing, monitoring, and controlling AI models in cloud-based systems.

AI Model Interpretability Services

Cloud-based tools for explaining and understanding the decision-making processes of AI models.

AI Model Interpretability Tools

Software for analyzing and explaining AI model decisions, crucial for transparency in cloud AI services.

AI Model Marketplaces

Cloud platforms for discovering, sharing, and monetizing pre-trained AI models and algorithms.

AI Model Monitoring and Drift Detection

Tools for tracking AI model performance and identifying deviations from expected behavior in cloud environments.

AI Model Versioning and Governance

Systems for managing different versions of AI models and enforcing governance policies in cloud deployments.

AI-Assisted Coding Platforms

Cloud-based development environments that use AI to assist programmers in writing and optimizing code.

AI-Augmented Analytics

Integration of AI capabilities into data analytics processes in cloud environments for enhanced insights.

AI-Driven Capacity Planning

Use of AI algorithms to predict and optimize resource allocation in cloud infrastructures.

AI-Driven Cloud Optimization

Application of AI techniques to improve efficiency, performance, and cost-effectiveness of cloud resources.

AI-Driven Cloud Resource Allocation

Automated distribution of cloud resources using AI to optimize performance and cost-efficiency.

AI-Driven Cloud Service Composition

AI-based automation of cloud service selection and integration for complex workflows.

AI-Driven Code Generation

Automated creation of source code using AI models, often integrated into cloud development platforms.

AI-Driven Data Classification

Automated categorization and labeling of data using AI algorithms in cloud storage and processing systems.

AI-Driven Network Optimization

Use of AI to improve network performance, efficiency, and security in cloud environments.

AI-Driven Resource Allocation

Intelligent distribution of computing resources in cloud environments using AI algorithms.

AI-Driven Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Enhanced SIEM systems using AI for improved threat detection and response in cloud environments.

AI-Driven Threat Detection

Use of AI algorithms to identify and analyze potential security threats in cloud systems.

AI-Driven Threat Hunting

Proactive search for hidden threats in cloud environments using AI-powered analytics and automation.

AI-Optimized Cloud Hardware

Cloud infrastructure components designed or configured to enhance AI workload performance.

AI-Optimized Databases

Database systems tailored for AI workloads, often featuring in-memory processing and distributed architectures.

AI-Powered Anomaly Detection

Use of AI algorithms to identify unusual patterns or behaviors in cloud systems and data.

AI-Powered Integration

Intelligent automation of data and application integration processes in cloud environments using AI.

AI-as-a-Service

Cloud-based offering of AI capabilities, allowing businesses to leverage AI without extensive in-house expertise.

AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS)

Cloud-based AI capabilities offered as a service, enabling easy integration of AI into applications.

AIOps

Application of AI for automating and enhancing IT operations management in cloud environments.

AIOps Platforms

Integrated solutions leveraging AI for automated monitoring, analysis, and management of cloud IT operations.

AIOps for Predictive Maintenance

Use of AI-driven analytics to forecast and prevent system failures in cloud infrastructure.

API Security Gateway

Service that protects APIs in cloud environments by managing access, monitoring traffic, and preventing attacks.

API Security Gateways

Dedicated services for securing and managing APIs in cloud environments, including access control and threat protection.

API-First Development

Design approach prioritizing API creation before implementation, common in cloud-native application development.

API-Led Connectivity

Integration strategy using purpose-built APIs to connect data, devices, and applications in cloud ecosystems.

AR Cloud

Persistent 3D digital content overlaid on the physical world, accessible via cloud infrastructure for augmented reality applications.

AR/VR Analytics

Cloud-based tools for analyzing user behavior and performance in augmented and virtual reality environments.

AR/VR Collaboration Platforms

Cloud-hosted services enabling multi-user interaction in shared augmented or virtual reality spaces.

AR/VR Content Delivery Network

Specialized CDN optimized for delivering AR/VR content with low latency and high bandwidth.

AR/VR Development Platforms

Cloud-based tools and services for creating, testing, and deploying augmented and virtual reality applications.

ARM Templates (Azure)

JSON-based files defining infrastructure and configuration for Azure resource deployment.

Adaptive User Interfaces for Cloud Services

Dynamic UIs that adjust based on user behavior, device capabilities, and context in cloud applications.

Adversarial Machine Learning Detection

Techniques to identify and mitigate attacks on ML models in cloud-based AI systems.

Alerting and Notification

Systems for informing administrators or users about important events or issues in cloud environments.

Algorithmic Auditing

Process of examining AI algorithms for bias, errors, or unintended consequences in cloud-based systems.

Ambient Computing Interfaces for Cloud

Seamless, context-aware interaction methods for accessing cloud services in IoT environments.

Anomaly Detection Systems

Tools for identifying unusual patterns or behaviors in cloud systems, often using machine learning techniques.

Application-Aware Networking

Network management approach that optimizes performance based on specific application requirements in cloud environments.

Approximate Query Processing

Technique for quickly estimating query results in large-scale cloud databases, trading accuracy for speed.

Archive Storage (e.g., Amazon Glacier, Azure Archive Storage)

Low-cost cloud storage for infrequently accessed data with longer retrieval times, e.g., Amazon Glacier, Azure Archive Storage.

Artifact Repository

Cloud-based storage for software build outputs, dependencies, and related metadata.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as a Service

Hypothetical cloud offering of human-level AI capabilities across various domains.

Artificial General Intelligence Research Platforms

Cloud-based environments for developing and testing advanced AI systems approaching human-level intelligence.

Audit Logging

Systematic recording of actions and events in cloud systems for security and compliance purposes.

Audit Trails

Chronological records of system activities for reconstructing and examining the sequence of events in cloud environments.

Augmented Analytics

Integration of machine learning and natural language processing in cloud-based data analytics workflows.

Augmented Reality (AR) Cloud

Shared, persistent digital content overlaid on the physical world, accessible via cloud infrastructure.

Augmented Reality Cloud Interfaces

Cloud-based systems for managing and delivering AR content and experiences, enabling scalable AR applications.

Augmented Reality Cloud Rendering

Cloud-powered generation of AR graphics and content, offloading processing from end-user devices.

Auto Scaling Groups

Collections of EC2 instances that automatically adjust capacity based on defined conditions.

Auto-scaling

Automatic adjustment of cloud resources to match workload demands, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

AutoML

Automated machine learning processes for model selection, hyperparameter tuning, and feature engineering in cloud environments.

AutoML in the Cloud

Cloud-based services automating the machine learning pipeline from data preparation to model deployment and monitoring.

Automated AI Pipeline Optimization

AI-driven tools for improving efficiency and performance of machine learning workflows in the cloud.

Automated Cloud Governance Enforcement

Systems that automatically implement and maintain cloud resource policies and compliance.

Automated Compliance Monitoring

Continuous, AI-driven assessment of cloud systems against regulatory and security standards.

Automated Data Discovery

AI-powered tools for identifying, categorizing, and mapping data assets in cloud environments.

Automated Data Governance

AI-driven systems for managing data quality, security, and compliance in cloud environments.

Automated Data Wrangling Services

Cloud-based tools using AI to clean, transform, and prepare data for analysis, streamlining data preparation processes.

Automated Feature Engineering

AI-powered generation and selection of features for machine learning models in cloud environments.

Automated Incident Response Orchestration

AI-driven coordination of security incident detection and resolution in cloud systems, automating response workflows.

Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)

Cloud services that automate the process of creating and optimizing machine learning models, from data prep to deployment.

Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) Platforms

Cloud-based systems that automate the end-to-end machine learning model development process, including feature engineering and model selection.

Automated Penetration Testing

AI-driven tools for simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in cloud systems and applications.

Automated Threat Modeling

AI-powered analysis of cloud architectures to identify potential security risks and attack vectors.

Autonomous Systems in the Cloud

Self-managing, self-healing cloud services requiring minimal human intervention, leveraging AI for operations.

Azure Edge Zones

Ultra-low latency edge computing extensions of Azure for 5G networks, bringing cloud resources closer to users.

Azure Policy

Service for creating, assigning, and managing policies to control Azure resources and ensure compliance.

B2B Integration Platforms

Cloud-based services facilitating data exchange and process integration between business partners.

Backend for Frontend (BFF) Pattern

Architectural approach creating backend services tailored to specific frontend application needs in cloud environments.

Bare Metal Server

Physical server dedicated to a single tenant, offering direct hardware access in cloud environments.

Bare Metal Servers

Dedicated physical servers without virtualization, offered as a cloud service for high-performance workloads.

Batch Processing (e.g., AWS Batch, Azure Batch)

Execution of series of jobs without user interaction, often for large-scale data processing in the cloud (e.g., AWS Batch, Azure Batch).

Big Data Clusters

Distributed computing environments for processing and analyzing massive datasets in the cloud.

Billing Dashboard

Interface for monitoring and managing cloud service usage and costs, providing detailed breakdowns and forecasts.

Biocomputing in the Cloud

Use of cloud resources for computational biology and genomics research, enabling large-scale analysis and modeling.

Biodiversity Impact Assessment for Cloud Facilities

Evaluation of cloud data center effects on local ecosystems and wildlife to ensure sustainable operations.

Block Storage

Cloud storage that provides fixed-size raw storage volumes, typically used for databases or file systems.

Block Storage (e.g., Amazon EBS, Azure Disk Storage)

Cloud services providing persistent block-level storage volumes for use with compute instances.

Blockchain Analytics

Cloud-based tools for analyzing and visualizing blockchain data and transactions, offering insights into network activity.

Blockchain Databases

Distributed databases using blockchain technology for enhanced security and immutability in cloud environments.

Blockchain Governance Tools

Software for managing and enforcing rules, permissions, and consensus mechanisms in blockchain networks deployed on cloud platforms.

Blockchain Integration Services

Cloud-based solutions for connecting blockchain networks with existing enterprise systems and applications.

Ceph RadosGW

Object storage gateway for Ceph, providing S3-compatible API for container storage needs in Kubernetes.

Cgroup (Control Group)

Linux kernel feature for limiting, prioritizing, and isolating resource usage of container groups.

Change Data Capture (CDC)

Technique for tracking and capturing changes in databases, useful in microservices architectures.

Chaos Engineering in CI/CD

Practice of intentionally injecting failures in CI/CD pipelines to improve system resilience.

Chaos Mesh for Reliability Testing

Platform for simulating various abnormal scenarios in Kubernetes environments to test reliability.

Checkov for IaC Security Scanning

Static code analysis tool for detecting misconfigurations in Infrastructure as Code deployments.

Cilium

Open-source networking, observability, and security solution for container workloads based on eBPF.

Cilium Service Mesh

eBPF-powered service mesh offering high-performance traffic management and security for microservices.

Cilium's Hubble for Network Observability

Observability platform for Kubernetes providing deep visibility into container network flows.

Cilium's eBPF Datapath

High-performance networking mode in Cilium using extended Berkeley Packet Filter for packet processing and security.

CircleCI

Continuous integration and delivery platform supporting containerized application testing and deployment.

Circuit Breaker Pattern

Fault tolerance pattern preventing cascading failures in distributed containerized systems.

Circuit Breaking

Technique to detect failures and prevent system overload in microservices architectures, enhancing resilience.

Claim Check Pattern for Large Messages

Design pattern for handling large payloads in microservices by storing data externally, improving efficiency.

Clair for Static Image Analysis

Open-source tool for static analysis of vulnerabilities in container images, enhancing security.

Cloud Controller Manager

Kubernetes component managing interactions between cluster and cloud provider APIs, enabling cloud integration.

Cloud Native Application Bundle (CNAB)

Specification for packaging and managing distributed applications across different environments.

Cloud-Native Buildpacks

Tooling for building container images from source code without Dockerfiles, adhering to best practices.

Cloud-Native Design Patterns

Architectural patterns specifically tailored for distributed, containerized applications in cloud environments.

CloudEvents

Specification for describing event data in common formats, facilitating event-driven architectures in cloud environments.

CloudEvents Specification

Isolation technique in containerized microservices to prevent failure propagation across the system.

Cluster

Group of servers or other resources that work together as a single system to provide high availability.

Cluster API

Kubernetes project for declarative management and provisioning of clusters using Kubernetes-style APIs.

Cluster API Provider

Implementation of Cluster API for specific infrastructure providers, enabling cluster lifecycle management.

Cluster Autoscaler

Kubernetes component that automatically adjusts the size of a cluster based on resource demands.

Cluster Capacity Planning

Process of estimating and allocating resources needed for container workloads in a cluster.

Cluster Federation

Mechanism for coordinating multiple Kubernetes clusters, enabling multi-cluster application deployment and management.

Cluster Mesh

Interconnected network of container clusters, enabling cross-cluster communication and resource sharing.

Cluster Networking

Network configuration and management within and between container clusters, enabling inter-container communication.

Cluster Upgrade Process

Procedure for updating the Kubernetes version and components of a cluster while minimizing disruptions.

Cluster-level Logging

Centralized logging solution capturing logs from all containers and nodes in a cluster, aiding in troubleshooting.

ClusterAutoscaler

Kubernetes component that automatically adjusts the number of nodes in a cluster based on resource utilization.

ClusterIP

Kubernetes service type that exposes the service on an internal IP within the cluster, facilitating internal communication.

ClusterIP Services

Kubernetes services accessible only within the cluster, used for internal communication between pods.

ClusterRole

Kubernetes RBAC resource defining permissions across an entire cluster, not limited to a single namespace.

ClusterRoleBinding

Kubernetes RBAC resource that binds a ClusterRole to users, groups, or service accounts across all namespaces.

ClusterServiceVersion (CSV)

Custom resource in Operator Lifecycle Manager describing a specific version of an Operator.

Codefresh GitOps

GitOps platform for managing and automating containerized application deployments, streamlining CD workflows.

Cold Start Optimization

Techniques to reduce initialization time of containers, particularly important in serverless environments.

Compensating Transaction Pattern

Design pattern for handling failures in distributed container-based systems by reversing or compensating actions.

ConfigMap

Kubernetes API object used to store non-confidential data in key-value pairs, accessible by pods.

Consul Connect

Service mesh feature of Consul providing secure service-to-service communication with automatic TLS encryption.

Container

Standardized unit of software that packages code and all its dependencies for quick, reliable deployment.

Container Breakout Techniques

Methods used by attackers to escape container isolation and access the host system, posing security risks.

Container Engine

Software responsible for managing container lifecycle, including creation, execution, and destruction.

Container Escape

Security vulnerability allowing a process to break out of container isolation and access the host system.

Container Escape Prevention

Security measures and best practices to prevent containers from breaking out of their isolation.

Container Escape Vulnerabilities

Weaknesses in container runtimes or configurations that could allow processes to escape isolation.

Container Health Checks

Mechanisms to verify the health and readiness of containerized applications, ensuring service availability.

Container Host

Physical or virtual machine running the container runtime and hosting containers, providing the execution environment.

Container Image Promotion

Process of moving container images through different environments (e.g., dev, test, prod) in a controlled manner.

Container Image Signing

Cryptographic process of digitally signing container images to ensure their integrity and authenticity during distribution.

Container Lifecycle

Stages a container goes through from creation to termination, including running, paused, and stopped states.

Container Lifecycle Management

Processes and tools for managing containers throughout their lifecycle, from creation to deletion.

Container Logging

Process of capturing and managing log output from containerized applications for monitoring and troubleshooting.

Container Manifest

Configuration file specifying how to build a container image, including base image, commands, and environment setup.

Container Metrics

Quantitative measures of container performance, resource usage, and health, used for monitoring and optimization.

Container Network Interface (CNI)

Specification and libraries for configuring network interfaces in Linux containers, standardizing networking.

Container Network Interface (CNI) Spec

Standard for developing plugins to configure network interfaces in Linux containers, ensuring interoperability.

Container Networking Model

Architecture and principles governing how containers communicate within and across hosts in orchestrated environments.

Container Orchestration

Automated arrangement, coordination, and management of software containers, crucial in large-scale deployments.

Container Probes (Liveness, Readiness, Startup)

Kubernetes mechanisms (liveness, readiness, startup) for checking container health and controlling lifecycle.

Container Real User Monitoring (RUM)

Technique for capturing and analyzing real user interactions with containerized applications.

Container Restart Policies

Rules defining how containers should be restarted in case of failures or exits, enhancing application resilience.

Container Runtime

Software responsible for running containers, managing their lifecycle from creation to deletion.

Container Runtime Security

Measures and tools to protect containers during execution, preventing unauthorized access or malicious activities.

Container Shims

Lightweight processes that manage the lifecycle of containers and provide abstraction between runtimes.

Container Storage Interface (CSI)

Standardized interface for container orchestration platforms to interact with storage systems.

Container Storage Interface (CSI) Spec

Standard for developing storage plugins for container orchestration platforms, enabling storage extensibility.

Container Vulnerability Scanning

Process of identifying security vulnerabilities in container images and their dependencies.

Content Trust

Mechanism for verifying the integrity and authenticity of container images before deployment.

Continuous Deployment

Automated process of releasing container images to production environments after passing tests.

Continuous Verification

Ongoing process of validating deployed containers against defined policies and expectations.

Contiv-VPP for High-performance Networking

Container networking solution using VPP (Vector Packet Processing) for optimized performance.

Contract-First API Development

Approach prioritizing API definition before implementation, crucial for microservices architecture.

Control Groups (cgroups)

Linux kernel feature for limiting, prioritizing, and isolating resource usage of container groups.

Control Plane

Components managing the overall state of a container cluster, including API server, scheduler, and controllers.

Control Plane Upgrade

Process of updating the core components of a container orchestration system while maintaining cluster stability.

Controller Manager

Kubernetes component running controller processes to regulate the state of the cluster, maintaining desired state.

Controller Runtime

Software framework for building Kubernetes controllers and operators, simplifying custom resource management.

Conversion Webhooks

Kubernetes feature allowing custom resource API version conversions via external webhooks.

Copy-on-Write (CoW)

Storage optimization technique used in container filesystems to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

Cordon

Process of marking a node as unschedulable in Kubernetes, preventing new pods from being assigned to it.

CoreDNS

Flexible, extensible DNS server used for service discovery in Kubernetes clusters, replacing kube-dns.

Cortex

Horizontally scalable, multi-tenant, long-term storage for Prometheus metrics, enhancing monitoring capabilities.

Cortex for Multi-tenant Prometheus

Use of Cortex to provide isolated Prometheus monitoring for multiple users or teams in shared environments.

CronJob

Kubernetes object for creating time-based jobs, running containers on a schedule for automated tasks.

CronJob Patterns

Kubernetes patterns for running batch processes and scheduled tasks in containerized environments.

Cross-namespace Operators

Kubernetes operators capable of managing resources across multiple namespaces, enabling broader automation.

Custom Metrics API

Kubernetes API extension allowing pods to consume custom metrics for autoscaling and monitoring.

Custom Resource

Extension of the Kubernetes API that defines new, custom resource types specific to a cluster's needs.

Custom Resource Conversion

Process of converting custom resources between different API versions in Kubernetes, enabling API evolution.

Custom Resource Definition (CRD)

Kubernetes API extension allowing the definition of custom resources, enabling cluster customization.

Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs)

Kubernetes feature for extending the API with custom resources, enabling cluster customization.

Custom Resources

User-defined API objects in Kubernetes, extending the core functionality of the platform for specific use cases.

Custom Scheduler

Alternative or additional scheduler implementation for Kubernetes, allowing custom pod placement logic.

Custom Schedulers

Alternative scheduling implementations in Kubernetes for custom pod placement strategies, enabling specialized scheduling logic.

DNS for Services and Pods

Kubernetes feature providing DNS-based service discovery for containers within the cluster.

DPDK in Container Networks

Use of Data Plane Development Kit for high-performance packet processing in container networks.

DaemonSet

Kubernetes object ensuring that all (or some) nodes run a copy of a specific pod, useful for cluster-wide services.