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
@mention

@mention

A feature in Git platforms that allows users to notify specific team members or reference issues by using the @ symbol followed by a username.
API preview

API preview

A feature allowing developers to test and provide feedback on new Git API functionality before it's officially released.
Bare Repository

Bare Repository

A Git repository containing version control information without a working directory, typically used as a central repository for collaboration.
Bisect

Bisect

A Git command used to perform a binary search through a repository's history to identify the commit that introduced a bug or issue.
Bitbucket Pipelines

Bitbucket Pipelines

An integrated CI/CD service in Bitbucket for automating builds, tests, and deployments.
Blame

Blame

A Git feature that shows which user last modified each line of a file, helping developers trace changes and understand code history.
Blamestorming

Blamestorming

A collaborative process of analyzing Git blame information to identify the source of bugs or issues in a codebase.
Branch

Branch

A parallel version of a repository, allowing developers to work on different features or experiments without affecting the main codebase.
Branch policies

Branch policies

Rules enforced on Git branches to ensure code quality, require reviews, or restrict certain actions before merging.
Business plan

Business plan

A premium subscription tier offered by Git hosting services, providing advanced features and support for enterprise users.
CA certificate

CA certificate

A digital certificate issued by a Certificate Authority, used in Git to establish secure HTTPS connections and verify server identities.
Cache

Cache

A temporary storage area that holds frequently accessed data for quick retrieval, improving system performance.
Checkout

Checkout

A Git command used to switch between different branches or restore files from a specific commit in a repository's history.
Cherry-Pick

Cherry-Pick

A Git operation that applies the changes from a specific commit to the current branch, useful for selective code integration.
Cherry-picking

Cherry-picking

The practice of selecting and applying specific commits from one branch to another in Git, often used for targeted bug fixes.
Clone

Clone

The process of creating a local copy of a remote Git repository, allowing developers to work on the codebase independently.
Code owners file

Code owners file

A file specifying individuals or teams responsible for code in different parts of a repository.
Commit

Commit

Operation in version control systems that saves changes to the local repository, creating a new revision with a unique identifier.
Conflict

Conflict

A situation in Git where incompatible changes have been made to the same part of a file, requiring manual resolution before merging.
Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration

Practice of merging all developer working copies to a shared mainline several times a day.
DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)

DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)

Directed Acyclic Graph, the underlying data structure used by Git to represent the commit history and relationships between commits.
Detach HEAD

Detach HEAD

A Git operation that moves the HEAD pointer to a specific commit, allowing for temporary exploration of historical states.
Diff

Diff

A Git command or operation that shows the differences between two commits, branches, files, or other Git objects.
Downstream

Downstream

Refers to the direction of change propagation in Git, typically from a parent branch to its child branches or forks.
Explorer

Explorer

A feature in Git platforms for browsing repository contents, viewing files, and navigating through different branches.
Feature branch workflow

Feature branch workflow

A Git pattern where each new feature is developed in a dedicated branch, then merged back to the main branch.
Fetch

Fetch

A Git command that retrieves changes from a remote repository without automatically merging them into the local branch.
Force Push

Force Push

A Git push operation that overwrites the remote branch's history with the local branch, potentially causing data loss if used carelessly.
Fork

Fork

A personal copy of another user's repository on a Git hosting platform, allowing independent development without affecting the original project.
Free plan

Free plan

A no-cost tier offered by Git hosting services, typically with limited features and storage for individual users or small projects.
GPG (GNU Privacy Guard)

GPG (GNU Privacy Guard)

An encryption software used with Git for signing commits and tags, enhancing security and verification.
Gist

Gist

A simple way to share code snippets, notes, or small files using Git, often integrated into Git platforms.
Git

Git

Distributed version control system for tracking changes in source code during software development.
Git Alias

Git Alias

A custom shortcut command defined by users to simplify complex or frequently used Git operations.
Git Alternates

Git Alternates

A mechanism in Git allowing a repository to borrow objects from another repository, useful for saving disk space in large projects.
Git Annotate

Git Annotate

A Git command that shows the author and commit information for each line in a file, similar to the "blame" feature.
Git Assume Unchanged

Git Assume Unchanged

A Git feature that tells the system to temporarily ignore changes to a tracked file, useful for local configuration files.
Git Attributes

Git Attributes

A mechanism in Git for defining attributes on a per-path basis, controlling how Git handles certain files or directories.
Git Bisect

Git Bisect

A Git command used to perform a binary search through the commit history to find the commit that introduced a bug.
Git Bisect Run

Git Bisect Run

An automated version of Git Bisect that uses a script to determine if each checked-out commit is "good" or "bad".
Git Blame -C (Copy Detection)

Git Blame -C (Copy Detection)

An enhanced version of Git Blame that detects lines moved or copied from other files, providing better change tracking.
Git Bundle

Git Bundle

A Git command that creates a single file containing all the data needed to recreate a repository's branch or history.
Git Bundle Create/Verify

Git Bundle Create/Verify

Commands to create and verify Git bundles, useful for transferring repository data without using a network.
Git Cheat Sheet

Git Cheat Sheet

A quick reference guide summarizing common Git commands and their usage, helpful for both beginners and experienced users.
Git Cherry

Git Cherry

A Git command used to find commits that haven't been merged upstream, useful for identifying changes to be applied to another branch.
Git Clean

Git Clean

A command to remove untracked files from the working directory, helping to maintain a clean repository state.
Git Commit --amend

Git Commit --amend

A command that allows you to modify the most recent commit, adding new changes or updating the commit message.
Git Commit Amend

Git Commit Amend

A command that allows you to modify the most recent commit, changing its message or contents, and update it without creating a new commit.
Git Commit Hooks

Git Commit Hooks

Scripts that run automatically before or after a commit, allowing you to enforce rules, format code, or perform checks on changes.
Git Commit Templates

Git Commit Templates

Predefined structures for commit messages, helping maintain consistency and include necessary information in commits.
Git Commit Trailers

Git Commit Trailers

Metadata added to the end of commit messages, often used for things like issue references or sign-offs.
Git Commit-graph

Git Commit-graph

A file format used to store commit graph structure, improving performance for operations that traverse commit history.
Git Commit-graph Verify

Git Commit-graph Verify

A command to check the integrity and validity of the commit-graph file in a Git repository.
Git Commit-tree

Git Commit-tree

A low-level Git command used to create a new commit object from an existing tree object.
Git Config

Git Config

A command and system for setting configuration options for Git on a global, local, or repository level.
Git Count-objects

Git Count-objects

A diagnostic command that provides statistics about the number and size of objects in a Git repository.
Git Credential Helper

Git Credential Helper

A system that securely stores and retrieves credentials for Git operations, reducing the need for manual authentication.
Git Daemon

Git Daemon

A lightweight server for the Git protocol, allowing anonymous read access to Git repositories.
Git Dangling Objects

Git Dangling Objects

Objects in Git that are not reachable from any reference, often created during rebasing or other history-altering operations.
Git Describe

Git Describe

A command that generates a human-readable name for a commit based on the most recent tag and additional commit information.
Git Diff

Git Diff

A command that shows changes between commits, branches, files, or the working directory and the index.
Git Diff Algorithms

Git Diff Algorithms

Various methods used by Git to compute differences between versions of files, optimizing for different scenarios.
Git Diff Tool

Git Diff Tool

An external program or interface used to visualize differences between files or commits in a more user-friendly manner.
Git Fetch --All

Git Fetch --All

A command that fetches updates from all remote repositories configured in a Git project.
Git Filter-branch

Git Filter-branch

A powerful tool for rewriting Git history, allowing for large-scale changes across many commits.
Git Flow

Git Flow

A branching model for Git that defines a strict branching structure designed to support multiple parallel developments.
Git Fork

Git Fork

The process of creating a personal copy of someone else's project, allowing for independent development without affecting the original.
Git Fsck

Git Fsck

A command that verifies the connectivity and validity of objects in the Git database.
Git Fsck (File System Check)

Git Fsck (File System Check)

Verifies the integrity of objects in the Git database, checking for corruption and inconsistencies.
Git GPG verification

Git GPG verification

A security feature in Git that uses GPG to sign and verify commits and tags, ensuring authenticity.
Git Garbage Collection (gc)

Git Garbage Collection (gc)

A process that optimizes the Git repository by removing unnecessary files and compressing objects.
Git Gc (Garbage Collection)

Git Gc (Garbage Collection)

Short for Git Garbage Collection, a command to clean up unnecessary files and optimize the repository.
Git Grep

Git Grep

A command for searching files in a Git repository using regular expressions or simple string matching.
Git Hook

Git Hook

A script that Git automatically runs before or after specific events, like commits or merges, to customize workflows and enforce rules.
Git Hooks

Git Hooks

Same as Git Hook, scripts triggered by various Git actions to automate tasks or enforce policies.
Git Ignore

Git Ignore

A mechanism to specify intentionally untracked files that Git should ignore, typically defined in a .gitignore file.
Git Index Format

Git Index Format

The internal format used by Git to store the staging area information, representing the next commit to be made.
Git Init

Git Init

A command used to initialize a new Git repository, creating the necessary directory structure for version control.
Git Interactive Rebase

Git Interactive Rebase

A feature allowing users to modify commits in their branch history, useful for cleaning up before merging.
Git Internals (objects, refs, etc.)

Git Internals (objects, refs, etc.)

The underlying data structures and mechanisms Git uses to store and manage version control information.
Git Interpret-trailers

Git Interpret-trailers

A command to parse and manipulate the trailer lines typically found at the end of commit messages.
Git LFS (Large File Storage)

Git LFS (Large File Storage)

A system that manages large files by storing them outside the main repository, replacing them with lightweight pointers to improve performance and efficiency.
Git Large File Storage (LFS)

Git Large File Storage (LFS)

An extension that replaces large files with text pointers in Git, while storing the file contents on a remote server.
Git Log

Git Log

A command to display the commit history of a repository, showing details like author, date, and commit message.
Git Maintenance

Git Maintenance

A set of tasks performed to keep a Git repository in good condition, including garbage collection and optimization.
Git Merge Strategies

Git Merge Strategies

Different algorithms used by Git to combine separate development histories when merging branches.
Git Merge Tools

Git Merge Tools

External programs or interfaces used to resolve merge conflicts in a more visual and user-friendly manner.
Git Merge-base

Git Merge-base

A command that finds the best common ancestor between two commits, useful for determining the point where branches diverged.
Git Multi-pack Index (MIDX)

Git Multi-pack Index (MIDX)

A feature that improves performance for repositories with many pack files by creating an index across multiple packs.
Git Namespaces

Git Namespaces

A feature allowing multiple references (like branches or tags) with the same name to coexist by separating them into different namespaces.
Git Notes

Git Notes

A way to add or inspect object notes, allowing additional information to be attached to Git objects without changing their SHA-1 hash.
Git Object Storage

Git Object Storage

The system Git uses to store all the versions of files, commits, and other objects in a content-addressable filesystem.
Git Pack Files

Git Pack Files

Compressed files containing Git objects, used to efficiently store and transfer repository data.
Git Packfile Format

Git Packfile Format

The internal format used by Git to store multiple objects efficiently in a single file, reducing disk usage and improving performance.
Git Partial Clone

Git Partial Clone

A feature allowing users to clone a repository without downloading all of its objects, saving bandwidth and storage.
Git Patch

Git Patch

A file format representing changes between versions, used for sharing and applying modifications across different repositories.
Git Plumbing Commands

Git Plumbing Commands

Low-level Git commands that expose the internal workings of Git, primarily used for scripting and advanced operations.
Git Porcelain Commands

Git Porcelain Commands

User-friendly commands for everyday tasks, like git status and git commit, designed for ease of use and clear output.
Git Protocol

Git Protocol

The native network protocol used by Git for efficient data transfer between repositories.
Git Prune

Git Prune

A command that removes objects that are no longer reachable from any references in the repository.

Blockchain Interoperability

Capability of different blockchain networks to exchange and use information across cloud platforms.

Blockchain as a Service

Cloud-based blockchain infrastructure and management tools offered as a service, simplifying blockchain adoption.

Blockchain as a Service (BaaS)

Cloud platforms offering blockchain infrastructure and tools as a managed service for easy deployment and scaling.

Blockchain-Based Audit Trails for Cloud Resources

Immutable, distributed ledgers recording all actions and changes to cloud resources for enhanced accountability.

Blockchain-Based Databases

Distributed databases using blockchain for data storage and validation in cloud environments.

Blockchain-Based Networking

Use of blockchain technology for secure, decentralized network management and routing in cloud infrastructures.

Blockchain-Based Security Audit Trails

Immutable records of security events and access logs in cloud systems using blockchain technology.

Blockchain-based Cloud Security

Use of blockchain technology to enhance security, integrity, and transparency of cloud services and data.

Blockchain-based Supply Chain

Cloud-hosted blockchain networks for tracking and verifying supply chain transactions and product provenance.

Blue-Green Deployment

Cloud deployment strategy using two identical environments to minimize downtime and risk during updates.

Blue-Green Deployments

Technique using two identical production environments to reduce downtime and risk when deploying new versions of cloud applications.

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

Internet routing protocol used in cloud networking to exchange routing information between autonomous systems.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) for Cloud Interaction

Experimental systems allowing direct neural control of cloud resources and services.

Budget Alerts

Notifications triggered when cloud spending reaches predefined thresholds to help control costs.

Budget Management

Tools and practices for setting, tracking, and controlling cloud service expenditures.

Business Intelligence Tools (e.g., Amazon QuickSight, Power BI)

Cloud-based platforms for data analysis and visualization, e.g., Amazon QuickSight, Power BI.

CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)

Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in cloud-based applications.

Calico

Open-source networking and security solution for containers and Kubernetes in cloud environments.

Canary Deployments

Technique of rolling out changes to a small subset of users before full deployment in cloud environments.

Carbon Footprint Calculation for Cloud Services

Tools and methods for estimating the environmental impact of cloud resource usage.

Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE)

Metric measuring the carbon emissions associated with data center energy consumption in cloud facilities.

Carbon-Aware Computing

Cloud computing practices that consider and optimize for carbon emissions in resource allocation and usage.

Carbon-Intelligent Computing

Cloud infrastructure and algorithms designed to minimize carbon footprint by optimizing energy use and sourcing.

Carbon-Intelligent Workload Scheduling

Cloud resource management that schedules tasks based on availability of low-carbon energy sources.

Centralized Logging

Consolidation of log data from various cloud services and applications into a single, searchable repository.

Chaos Engineering Platforms

Cloud-based systems for designing, running, and analyzing controlled experiments to test system resilience.

Chaos Engineering Tools

Software used to intentionally introduce failures in cloud systems to test and improve their resilience.

Chaos Engineering as a Service

Cloud-based platforms for designing and executing controlled experiments to test system resilience.

Chargeback Models

Frameworks for allocating and billing cloud service costs to different departments or projects within an organization.

Chargeback and Showback

Methods for allocating cloud costs to business units, showing actual charges or usage without billing.

Chatbot Services

Cloud-based platforms for building, deploying, and managing conversational AI agents.

Cilium

Open-source, eBPF-based networking, observability, and security solution for container and Kubernetes environments.

Circuit Breaker Pattern

Design pattern that prevents cascading failures in distributed cloud systems by temporarily disabling failing components.

Circular Economy in Cloud Hardware

Practices promoting reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of cloud infrastructure components.

Cloud Abstraction Layer

Software that provides a unified interface to multiple cloud providers, simplifying multi-cloud management.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

Service that mediates between cloud users and providers, enforcing security policies and monitoring usage.

Cloud Adoption Framework

Structured approach for planning and implementing cloud migration and optimization strategies.

Cloud Analytics

Tools and services for processing and analyzing large datasets using cloud-based resources.

Cloud Asset Intelligence

Systems for discovering, classifying, and managing cloud resources across an organization's infrastructure.

Cloud Asset Management

Processes and tools for tracking, optimizing, and governing cloud resources throughout their lifecycle.

Cloud Broker

Intermediary service that helps organizations select, integrate, and manage multiple cloud services.

Cloud Bursting

Technique of extending on-premises infrastructure into the cloud to handle peak workloads.

Cloud CDN

Content Delivery Network services that distribute data from cloud origins to global edge locations for faster access.

Cloud Carbon Footprint Monitoring

Tools and practices for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of cloud resource consumption.

Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE)

Cross-functional team responsible for cloud strategy, governance, and best practices within an organization.

Cloud Configuration Optimization

Process of adjusting cloud resource settings to improve performance, security, and cost-efficiency.

Cloud Cost Anomaly Detection

Automated identification of unusual or unexpected changes in cloud spending patterns.

Cloud Cost Optimization

Strategies and tools for reducing cloud expenses while maintaining performance and meeting business needs.

Cloud Custodian

Open-source tool for managing and enforcing cloud security, compliance, and cost optimization policies.

Cloud DNS

Scalable, managed Domain Name System service for translating domain names to IP addresses in cloud environments.

Cloud Data Sovereignty Solutions

Services ensuring data storage and processing comply with regional data residency and privacy laws.

Cloud Development Kit (CDK)

Framework for defining cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages instead of configuration files.

Cloud Financial Operations

Practices and tools for managing, optimizing, and reporting on cloud spending and resource utilization.

Cloud Functions (Google Cloud)

Serverless compute platform for running event-driven code without managing infrastructure.

Cloud Gaming

Service that streams video games from cloud servers to user devices, reducing hardware requirements.

Cloud Governance Framework

Set of policies, processes, and tools for managing and controlling cloud resource usage and compliance.

Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM)

Tools for managing access rights and permissions across multi-cloud environments.

Cloud Interconnect (Google Cloud)

Service providing direct, private network connections between on-premises networks and Google Cloud.

Cloud License Optimization

Strategies and tools for managing software licenses in cloud environments to reduce costs and ensure compliance.

Cloud Management Platform

Integrated suite of tools for monitoring, managing, and optimizing multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments.

Cloud Migration Assessment

Evaluation of on-premises IT assets to determine feasibility, strategy, and costs for moving to the cloud.

Cloud Monitoring

Tools and services for tracking performance, availability, and health of cloud resources and applications.

Cloud Native Application Performance Management (APM)

Tools for monitoring and optimizing performance of applications built for cloud environments.

Cloud Native Buildpacks

Standardized way to transform application source code into container images for cloud deployment.

Cloud Native CI/CD

Continuous integration and delivery practices optimized for cloud-native application development and deployment.

Cloud Native Databases

Database systems designed to leverage cloud infrastructure for scalability, resilience, and performance.

Cloud Native Networking

Network architectures and technologies optimized for cloud-native application environments.

Cloud Native Observability

Practices and tools for monitoring, logging, and tracing cloud-native applications and infrastructure.

Cloud Native Security

Security practices and tools designed specifically for protecting cloud-native applications and infrastructure.

Cloud Native Storage

Storage systems designed to integrate seamlessly with cloud-native applications and container orchestrators.

Cloud Network Automation

Tools and practices for automating the deployment, configuration, and management of cloud network resources.

Cloud Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Virtualizing network functions like firewalls and load balancers in cloud environments.

Cloud Network Intelligence

AI-driven tools for optimizing and securing cloud network performance and operations.

Cloud Performance Benchmarking Tools

Services for measuring and comparing performance metrics across different cloud providers and configurations.

Cloud Rendering

Use of cloud computing resources for processing and generating complex graphics or animations.

Cloud Repatriation

Process of moving applications or data from public cloud environments back to on-premises or private cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Robotics

Integration of cloud computing with robotics, enabling robots to leverage cloud resources for processing and data storage.

Cloud Robotics Data Analytics

Cloud-based tools for processing and analyzing large datasets generated by robotic systems.

Cloud Robotics Security

Measures and tools to protect cloud-connected robotic systems from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Cloud Robotics Simulation Environments

Cloud-based platforms for testing and training robotic systems in virtual environments.

Cloud Run (Google Cloud)

Fully managed platform for deploying and scaling containerized applications in a serverless environment.

Cloud Security

Comprehensive measures and tools to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in cloud computing environments.

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)

Tools for continuously monitoring and improving security risks in cloud infrastructure configurations.

Cloud Service Catalog

Centralized repository of available cloud services and resources within an organization.

Cloud Spend Analysis

Tools and practices for analyzing and optimizing cloud expenditures across an organization.

Cloud Spend Anomaly Detection

Automated identification of unusual or unexpected patterns in cloud service usage and costs.

Cloud Spend Forecasting

Predictive analytics tools for estimating future cloud costs based on historical usage and trends.

Cloud WAN

Wide Area Network service that connects and manages global network resources using cloud infrastructure.

Cloud WAN (Wide Area Network)

Managed service for connecting and managing global network resources using cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)

Security solutions designed to protect cloud-native applications and workloads across multiple environments.

Cloud-Based 3D Asset Management

Services for storing, versioning, and collaborating on 3D models and assets in the cloud.

Cloud-Based Computer Vision for Robotics

Services providing image and video analysis capabilities for cloud-connected robotic systems.

Cloud-Based Data Labeling Services

Platforms offering human-powered or AI-assisted data annotation for machine learning models.

Cloud-Based Digital Twins

Virtual representations of physical objects or systems, powered by cloud computing and IoT data.

Cloud-Based Distributed Operating Systems

OS designed to manage resources across multiple cloud environments as a single system.

Cloud-Based Generative AI Services

Platforms offering pre-trained or customizable generative AI models as cloud services.

Cloud-Based Haptic Feedback

Services using cloud computing to generate and deliver tactile sensations for virtual or augmented reality experiences.

Cloud-Based Motion Capture

Services utilizing cloud resources to process and analyze motion capture data for animation or biomechanics.

Cloud-Based Reinforcement Learning

Platforms offering scalable environments and resources for training AI agents using reinforcement learning algorithms.

Cloud-Based Robot Learning

Services enabling robots to learn and improve their capabilities using cloud-based AI and machine learning resources.

Extended Resources

Custom, cluster-level resources in Kubernetes that can be allocated to containers, such as GPUs or FPGAs.

Extender

Kubernetes component allowing custom logic to be added to the scheduling process for advanced pod placement strategies.

External Admission Webhooks

HTTP callbacks that receive admission requests and can modify or reject objects before persistence in Kubernetes.

External Secrets Management Integration

Incorporation of external secret management systems like HashiCorp Vault with container platforms.

ExternalName

Kubernetes service type that maps a service to a DNS name, useful for representing external services within a cluster.

ExternalName Services

Kubernetes services that reference external resources by DNS name, facilitating access to external dependencies.

FPGA Scheduling

Allocation and management of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays as resources in container orchestration platforms.

FaaS on Kubernetes

Implementation of Function-as-a-Service platforms on Kubernetes, enabling serverless architectures in container environments.

Falco

Open-source cloud-native runtime security project, providing real-time threat detection for containerized environments.

Falco for Runtime Security

Use of Falco to monitor and alert on unexpected behavior in running containers and Kubernetes clusters.

Fault Injection

Technique of intentionally introducing failures in containerized systems to test resilience and error handling capabilities.

Feature Gates

Flags in Kubernetes used to enable or disable specific features, allowing for fine-grained control over cluster functionality.

Federated Service Mesh

Implementation of service mesh across multiple Kubernetes clusters, enabling cross-cluster service communication.

Federation

Technique for managing multiple Kubernetes clusters from a single control plane, useful for multi-cloud or hybrid deployments.

Finalizers

Kubernetes feature allowing controllers to implement asynchronous pre-delete hooks, ensuring proper resource cleanup.

Finalizers in Operators

Use of finalizers in Kubernetes operators to perform cleanup operations before custom resource deletion.

Firecracker

Lightweight virtualization technology used for creating and managing secure, multi-tenant container environments.

Firecracker MicroVMs

Minimal virtual machines used by Firecracker to provide strong isolation for containers or functions.

Fission

Open-source, Kubernetes-native serverless framework for running functions, supporting multiple languages and event triggers.

Flagger

Progressive delivery tool for Kubernetes, automating canary releases and A/B testing of containerized applications.

Flannel

Network fabric for containers designed to give a consistent, easily configured layer 3 network across multiple hosts for Kubernetes.

Flannel for Simple Overlay Networking

CNI plugin providing a simple overlay network for container communication across hosts, enabling basic networking.

FlexVolume

Out-of-tree plugin mechanism in Kubernetes for interfacing with third-party storage systems, predating CSI.

FluentD

Open-source data collector for unified logging layer, enabling efficient data collection and consumption for better use of data.

Fluentd DaemonSet

Kubernetes deployment ensuring Fluentd log collectors run on every node for comprehensive log aggregation.

Fluentd Input Plugins

Modular components in Fluentd for ingesting logs from various sources in containerized environments.

Fluentd Output Plugins

Modular components in Fluentd for sending processed logs to various destinations from containerized environments.

Flux CD

GitOps toolkit for deploying applications to Kubernetes, automating the deployment pipeline from Git repositories.

Flux v2

Next generation of Flux, providing a set of continuous delivery solutions for Kubernetes with improved modularity and features.

Function Autoscaling

Automatic adjustment of function instances based on demand in serverless container environments.

Function Buildpacks

Standardized way of building function containers, abstracting away infrastructure concerns for developers.

GPU Scheduling in Kubernetes

Process of allocating and managing GPU resources for containers running machine learning workloads.

Garden.io for Remote Kubernetes Development

Tool facilitating development and testing of Kubernetes applications in remote clusters.

Generic Ephemeral Volumes

Kubernetes feature allowing for dynamic provisioning of short-lived volumes for containers.

Geneve Overlay Networks

Network virtualization technology used in some container networking solutions for multi-tenant environments.

GitLab CI/CD

Integrated CI/CD platform with native container and Kubernetes support for building, testing, and deploying applications.

GitOps Toolkit

Set of composable APIs and specialized tools for building continuous delivery systems on top of Kubernetes.

GitOps Workflow

Operational model where the desired state of a Kubernetes cluster is version controlled and automated from a Git repository.

GlusterFS

Distributed file system that can be used for providing persistent storage to containerized applications in Kubernetes.

Go-based Operators

Kubernetes operators written in Go, leveraging the client-go library for interacting with the Kubernetes API.

Goldilocks for Resource Recommendation

Tool that provides recommendations for resource requests and limits for Kubernetes deployments.

Google Cloud Run

Managed compute platform for deploying containerized applications in a serverless environment.

Google Container Registry (GCR)

Managed Docker registry service by Google for storing, managing, and securing container images.

Grafana Dashboards

Customizable visualization panels for monitoring containerized environments and applications.

Grafana Data Sources

Configurable backends in Grafana for retrieving metrics and logs from various container monitoring systems.

Grafana Loki

Horizontally-scalable, multi-tenant log aggregation system designed for use in containerized environments.

Grafana Provisioning

Automated setup and configuration of Grafana dashboards and data sources in container deployments.

GraphQL in Containerized Environments

Implementation of GraphQL APIs in microservices architectures for flexible data querying and manipulation.

Guaranteed QoS

Kubernetes Quality of Service class ensuring pods receive the exact amount of requested resources, ideal for critical workloads.

Harbor

Open-source container registry providing content trust, vulnerability scanning, and RBAC for storing and distributing container images.

Harness CD

Continuous Delivery platform supporting various deployment strategies for containerized applications in Kubernetes environments.

Headless Services

Kubernetes services that don't allocate a cluster IP, used for direct pod-to-pod communication in stateful applications.

Helm

Package manager for Kubernetes that helps you define, install, and upgrade even the most complex Kubernetes applications.

Helm Charts

Packages of pre-configured Kubernetes resources, facilitating the deployment and management of complex applications.

Helm Hooks

Helm feature allowing custom actions to be performed at specific points in a release's lifecycle, enhancing deployment flexibility.

Helm Operator

Kubernetes operator that manages Helm releases, automating the deployment and lifecycle of Helm-based applications.

Helm Repositories

Storage locations for packaged Helm charts, enabling version control and distribution of containerized application configurations.

Helm Values

Mechanism in Helm for parameterizing chart templates, allowing for customization of deployments across different environments.

Helm-based Operators

Kubernetes operators leveraging Helm charts for managing the lifecycle of complex, stateful applications.

Hierarchical Namespaces

Kubernetes feature allowing nested namespaces, providing finer-grained resource isolation and multi-tenancy capabilities.

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler

Kubernetes controller that automatically adjusts the number of pods in a deployment based on observed metrics.

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler Metrics

Metrics used by HPA to determine when to scale containerized applications, including CPU, memory, and custom metrics.

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler with Custom Metrics

Extended HPA functionality allowing scaling decisions based on application-specific or external metrics.

HorizontalPodAutoscaler

Kubernetes resource defining the behavior for automatically scaling the number of pods in a replication controller or deployment.

Host Networking

Container networking mode where pods use the host's network namespace, bypassing virtual networks for improved performance.

HugePages

Linux kernel feature for managing large memory pages, improving performance for memory-intensive containerized applications.

IPVS

IP Virtual Server, a transport-layer load balancing technology used in Kubernetes for efficient service proxying and load distribution.

IPsec for Container Networks

Implementation of IPsec protocols to secure container-to-container communications across hosts and clusters.

IPv4/IPv6 Dual-Stack

Kubernetes feature enabling pods and services to be assigned both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, facilitating transition to IPv6.

IPv6 in Kubernetes

Support and configuration for using IPv6 addressing in Kubernetes clusters, enabling large-scale container deployments.

Idempotent API Design

Approach to designing APIs that can be called multiple times without changing the result, crucial for reliable microservices.

Image

Lightweight, standalone, executable package that includes everything needed to run a piece of software.

Image Digests

Unique identifiers for container images, ensuring consistency and integrity across different environments and registries.

Image Index (Fat Manifest)

OCI specification for multi-architecture container images, allowing a single image to support multiple platforms.

Image Layer Caching

Technique for reusing unchanged layers when building or pulling container images, improving build and deployment speed.

Image Layer Optimization

Strategies for reducing the size and number of layers in container images, improving storage efficiency and pull times.

Image Manifest

Metadata file describing the contents and configuration of a container image, crucial for image distribution and deployment.

Image Manifest V2 Schema 2

Standardized format for container image manifests, supporting multi-architecture images and content-addressable layers.

Image Promotion

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

Image Pulling

Process of downloading container images from a registry to a local environment or container runtime.

Image Pushing

Process of uploading locally built container images to a remote registry for distribution and deployment.

Image Retention Policies

Rules defining how long container images are kept in a registry, balancing storage costs with availability needs.

Image Scanning

Automated process of analyzing container images for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues.

Image Signing

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

Image Signing and Verification

End-to-end process of cryptographically signing container images and verifying their authenticity before deployment.

Image Squashing

Technique of combining multiple layers of a container image into a single layer, potentially reducing image size and complexity.

Image Tagging

Process of assigning human-readable labels to container images, facilitating version management and deployment workflows.

Image Vulnerability Scanning

Automated security analysis of container images to identify known vulnerabilities in installed packages and dependencies.

ImageService

Component in container runtimes responsible for managing image-related operations like pulling, pushing, and local storage.

Immutable Infrastructure

Practice of replacing entire container instances instead of modifying existing ones, enhancing consistency and reliability.

Imperative Deployments

Approach to deploying containerized applications by directly specifying the desired actions, as opposed to declarative methods.

In-Memory Data Grids

Distributed data management systems optimized for high-performance data processing in containerized environments.

In-Place Upgrades

Technique for updating containerized applications or infrastructure components without full redeployment, minimizing downtime.

In-Tree Plugins

Built-in plugins in Kubernetes for various functionalities, as opposed to out-of-tree or external plugins.

Incremental Image Transfer (eStargz)

Technique for optimizing container image distribution by allowing partial and on-demand loading of image layers.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Testing

Automated testing of infrastructure definitions, ensuring consistency and reliability in container deployments.

Ingress

Kubernetes API object managing external access to services in a cluster, typically HTTP, providing load balancing and SSL termination.

Ingress Controllers

Components implementing the Ingress resource in Kubernetes, managing the routing of external traffic to internal services.

Ingress Gateway

Entry point for external traffic in service mesh architectures, providing routing, security, and observability for incoming requests.

Init Container Pattern

Design pattern using specialized containers that run before app containers in a pod, used for setup or dependency management.