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

Docker Container

A lightweight, portable unit that packages an application and its dependencies, allowing it to run consistently across different environments.
DevOps

Docker Log Management

Process of collecting, storing, and analyzing logs generated by Docker containers.
DevOps

Dokku

Mini-Heroku powered by Docker, helping developers quickly deploy their applications.
DevOps

Domain Drive Design (DDD)

Software design approach focusing on modeling software to match a domain according to input from domain experts.
DevOps

Drone

Cloud-native continuous integration and delivery platform that uses a simple YAML configuration file to define and execute pipelines.
DevOps

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Security testing methodology that analyzes a running application to find vulnerabilities.
DevOps

Dynamic Infrastructure

IT infrastructure that can be programmatically allocated and managed, often associated with cloud computing and Infrastructure as Code.
DevOps

Dynatrace

Platform for application performance management, AI operations, cloud infrastructure monitoring, and digital experience management.
DevOps

EC2

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud; web service providing resizable compute capacity in the cloud.
DevOps

EKS

Managed Kubernetes service for easy deployment on AWS without the need to install and operate your own Kubernetes clusters.
DevOps

Edge Computing

Distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed.
DevOps

ElasticSearch

Distributed, RESTful search and analytics engine capable of addressing a growing number of use cases.
DevOps

Elasticity

Ability of a system to automatically scale up or down based on demand, crucial for efficient resource utilization in cloud environments.
DevOps

Emergent Design

Design approach where the architecture of a system evolves gradually as the system is developed.
DevOps

Enabling Team

Group that helps other teams to deliver software more effectively, often by providing tools and platforms.
DevOps

Encapsulation

Bundling of data with the methods that operate on that data, restricting direct access to some of an object's components.
DevOps

End-to-End Testing (EE Testing)

Methodology used to test whether the flow of an application is performing as designed from start to finish.
DevOps

Endpoint Security

Approach to protecting computer networks that are remotely bridged to client devices.
DevOps

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

Use of software and architectural principles to integrate enterprise applications.
DevOps

Enterprise Security

Overarching strategy and implementation of security measures across an entire organization.
DevOps

Environment

Set of conditions under which a piece of software is developed, tested, or run, including hardware, configuration, and other software.
DevOps

Environment Variable

Dynamic-named value that can affect the way running processes will behave on a computer.
DevOps

Environments

Different setups where software can be run, such as development, testing, staging, and production.
DevOps

Envoy

High-performance distributed proxy designed for cloud-native applications, often used as a service mesh component.
DevOps

Ephemeral Environments

Temporary, disposable environments created on-demand for testing or development, ensuring consistency and isolation.
DevOps

Error Budget

Acceptable amount of unplanned downtime or errors a service can experience without consequences.
DevOps

Error Log

Record of error messages generated by a software application or system, crucial for troubleshooting and monitoring.
DevOps

Error Tracking

Process of identifying, recording, and analyzing errors in software applications to improve reliability and user experience.
DevOps

Eucalyptus

Open-source software for building AWS-compatible private and hybrid cloud computing environments.
DevOps

Event Log

Record of events taking place in the execution of a system to provide an audit trail.
DevOps

Event-Driven Architecture (EDA)

Design paradigm in which the flow of the program is determined by events such as user actions, sensor outputs, or messages from other programs.
DevOps

Everything as Code (EaC)

Approach to managing all aspects of IT infrastructure and operations through code.
DevOps

Excessive Data Exposure

Security issue where an API returns more data than necessary, potentially revealing sensitive information.
DevOps

Exploratory Testing

Approach to software testing that emphasizes the tester's freedom and creativity to uncover issues.
DevOps

FAI (Fully Automatic Installer)

Tool for unattended mass installation of Linux systems, streamlining the process of setting up multiple machines.
DevOps

Fabric

Python library and command-line tool for streamlining the use of SSH for application deployment or systems administration tasks.
DevOps

Fail Fast

Design principle promoting immediate reporting of failures to enable quick detection and resolution of issues.
DevOps

Failed Builds

Instances where the compilation or integration process of software fails due to errors.
DevOps

False Positive

Error in evaluation where a condition is mistakenly flagged as true when it is actually false.
DevOps

Fargate

AWS serverless compute engine for containers that works with both Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS.
DevOps

Fault Tolerance

Property that enables a system to continue operating properly in the event of the failure of some of its components.
DevOps

Fear-driven Development

Anti-pattern where developers make decisions based on fear rather than best practices or data.
DevOps

Feature Branching

Practice of creating a separate branch in version control for each feature during development.
DevOps

Feature Flagging

Technique allowing teams to modify system behavior without changing code, enabling gradual rollouts and A/B testing.
DevOps

Feature Flags

Technique in software development that turns certain functionality on and off during runtime, without deploying new code.
DevOps

Feature Management

Practice of using feature flags to control and manage the lifecycle of features in software applications.
DevOps

Feature Toggle

Technique in software development for turning features on or off quickly without changing code.
DevOps

Fig

Tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications, now replaced by Docker Compose.
DevOps

File Inclusion

Vulnerability that allows an attacker to include a file, usually exploiting dynamic file inclusion mechanisms implemented in the target application.
DevOps

FinDevOps

Application of DevOps principles to financial services, emphasizing security and compliance.
DevOps

FinOps

Practice bringing financial accountability to cloud spending, enabling teams to balance speed, cost, and quality in business decisions.
DevOps

First Input Delay (FID)

Measure of responsiveness that quantifies the experience users feel when trying to interact with unresponsive pages.
DevOps

Five Nines

Discover the gold standard of system reliability: "five nines" uptime. Learn what 99.999% availability means, its importance, and the challenges in achieving this elite DevOps goal.
DevOps

Flaky Test

Test that sometimes passes and sometimes fails without any code changes, often causing frustration in CI/CD pipelines.
DevOps

Flow

The smooth, continuous movement of code from development to production, emphasizing automation, collaboration, and rapid feedback to optimize software delivery.
DevOps

Flow Metrics

Measurements used to understand and optimize the flow of work through a system, crucial in lean and agile methodologies.
DevOps

Flutter

Google's UI toolkit for building natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.
DevOps

Flynn

Open-source platform designed to simplify deploying and maintaining applications, offering a heroku-like experience using Docker containers.
DevOps

Foreman

Open-source tool for complete lifecycle management of physical and virtual servers, automating repetitive tasks and simplifying provisioning.
DevOps

Four Key Metrics

Set of metrics (lead time, deployment frequency, mean time to restore, change failure rate) used to measure software delivery performance.
DevOps

Four Nines

Explore the concept of "four nines" in system reliability. Learn what 99.99% uptime means, its importance in DevOps, and strategies to achieve this high availability standard.
DevOps

Four-eyes Principle

Security measure requiring two individuals to approve or perform an action, reducing the risk of fraud or errors.
DevOps

Fpm

Tool to easily build packages such as rpms, debs, and more, simplifying the process of creating software packages for different systems.
DevOps

Full Stack Observability

Comprehensive visibility into all parts of a software system, from front-end to back-end.
DevOps

Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)

Cloud computing service that allows execution of code in response to events without complex infrastructure.
DevOps

Functional Testing

Type of testing that verifies that each function of the software application operates according to the specification.
DevOps

Functions as a Service

Cloud computing execution model where developers run and manage application functionalities without the complexity of building and maintaining infrastructure.
DevOps

Fuzz Testing

Automated software testing technique that involves providing invalid, unexpected, or random data as inputs to a computer program.
DevOps

Gain Privileges

Process or action of obtaining higher levels of access or permissions in a system.
DevOps

Ganglia

Scalable distributed monitoring system for high-performance computing systems such as clusters and grids.
DevOps

Gemba

Japanese term meaning "the actual place," used in management to emphasize the importance of direct observation.
DevOps

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
DevOps

Gift Card Fraud

Unauthorized or deceptive use of gift cards for financial gain, often involving stolen card numbers or exploitation of card systems.
DevOps

Git Branch

Lightweight movable pointer to a commit in Git version control, allowing for parallel development and experimentation.
DevOps

Git Repository

Storage location for a Git project, containing all the files and their revision history.
DevOps

GitHub

Web-based hosting service for version control using Git, offering collaboration features, code review, and integration with various development tools.
DevOps

GitHub Actions

GitHub's built-in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) platform, allowing automated build, test, and deployment workflows.
DevOps

GitLab

Web-based DevOps lifecycle tool that provides a Git-repository manager with wiki, issue-tracking and CI/CD pipeline features.
DevOps

GitOps

Framework applying DevOps best practices like version control, collaboration, compliance, and CI/CD to infrastructure automation.
DevOps

GitOps Operator

Software agent that implements GitOps practices, reconciling the desired state in Git with the actual state of the system.
DevOps

Gitflow Workflow

Git workflow that defines a strict branching model designed around the project release.
DevOps

Gitlab CI

GitLab's built-in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment tool, allowing automated testing and deployment of code changes.
DevOps

GoCD

Open-source continuous delivery server to model and visualize complex workflows.
DevOps

Golden Image

Pre-configured template for a virtual machine, used to create standardized instances.
DevOps

Google App Engine

Platform as a Service for developing and hosting web applications in Google-managed data centers.
DevOps

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Suite of cloud computing services running on the same infrastructure that Google uses internally.
DevOps

Governance

The policies, controls, and standards to ensure compliance, security, and quality across the software delivery pipeline while maintaining agility and efficiency.
DevOps

Gradle

Powerful build automation tool that supports multi-language development and offers a flexible, plugin-based architecture for customization.
DevOps

Grafana

Open-source platform for monitoring and observability, allowing users to visualize, alert on, and understand metrics from various data sources.
DevOps

Graphite

Monitoring tool that stores numeric time-series data and renders graphs of this data on demand.
DevOps

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; U.S. legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.
DevOps

HTTP Requests

Messages sent by clients to initiate actions on servers, forming the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web.
DevOps

Hadoop Architecture

Framework that allows for the distributed processing of large data sets across clusters of computers.
DevOps

HashiCorp Vault

Tool for securely accessing secrets like API keys, passwords, and certificates, central to modern secret management strategies.
DevOps

Heartbeat Monitoring

Continuous monitoring of a system or service to check if it's operational, often used in high-availability setups.
DevOps

Helm Chart

Package format for defining, installing, and upgrading complex Kubernetes applications, simplifying the deployment process.
DevOps

Heroku

Cloud platform as a service (PaaS) supporting several programming languages, used for deploying, managing, and scaling modern apps.
DevOps

High Availability

Characteristic of a system designed to avoid loss of service by reducing or managing failures.
DevOps

Hybrid Cloud

Computing environment that uses a mix of on-premises, private cloud and third-party, public cloud services.
DevOps

Hypothesis-Driven Development

Approach where features are treated as experiments to validate business outcomes.
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.

Hybrid Blockchain-Cloud Solutions

Systems integrating blockchain technology with traditional cloud services for enhanced security and transparency.

Hybrid Cloud Management

Tools and practices for managing resources across public and private cloud environments.

Hybrid Cloud Monitoring

Tracking performance and health of resources spanning both public and private cloud environments.

Hybrid Cloud Orchestration

Coordinating and automating workflows across multiple cloud environments and on-premises infrastructure.

Hybrid Cloud Storage

Data storage solutions that span both on-premises and cloud environments, offering flexible and scalable data management.

Hybrid Connectivity

Network solutions that connect on-premises infrastructure with cloud services, enabling seamless integration and data flow.

Hybrid Identity Management

Managing user identities and access across both on-premises systems and cloud services.

Hybrid Integration Platforms

Tools for connecting applications, data, and processes across on-premises and cloud environments.

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Algorithms

Computational methods combining quantum and classical processing in cloud environments.

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing

Using both quantum and classical computing resources in tandem for cloud-based problem-solving.

Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP)

Database systems supporting both real-time transactions and analytics in cloud environments.

Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI)

Integrated compute, storage, and networking in a single cloud-managed system, simplifying data center architecture.

Hyperparameter Tuning

Process of optimizing machine learning model parameters in cloud-based environments.

Hypervisor

Software layer that manages virtual machines in cloud computing environments, enabling efficient resource utilization and isolation.

IAM Roles and Policies

Defined permissions and access controls for users and services in cloud environments.

ISO 27001 Certification

International standard for information security management in cloud environments.

Identity-Aware Proxies

Security tools that verify user identity before granting access to cloud applications.

Image Scanning

Automated process of examining container images for vulnerabilities in cloud environments.

Immutable Infrastructure Security

Security approach based on replacing rather than modifying cloud infrastructure components.

Immutable Storage

Cloud storage that prevents data modification after writing, ensuring data integrity and compliance.

In-Memory Database (e.g., Amazon ElastiCache, Azure Cache for Redis)

Database system that primarily uses main memory for data storage in cloud environments.

In-Memory Grid Computing

Distributed computing using the collective memory of networked computers in the cloud.

In-Network Computing

Processing data within network devices to reduce latency and bandwidth use in cloud architectures.

Incremental Computing Frameworks

Systems for efficiently updating computation results when input data changes in cloud environments.

Indexing

Process of organizing data to optimize query performance in cloud databases, enhancing search and retrieval efficiency.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security Scanning

Automated tools for identifying security issues in infrastructure definition files.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Testing

Validating infrastructure definitions before deployment in cloud environments, ensuring reliability and consistency.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Cloud-based provision of virtualized computing resources over the internet, including servers, storage, and networking.

Infrastructure-from-Code

Generating cloud infrastructure configurations directly from application code, streamlining development and deployment processes.

Instance Types (e.g., General Purpose, Compute Optimized, Memory Optimized)

Predefined virtual server configurations optimized for different use cases in cloud environments.

Integration Flow Designer

Visual tool for creating and managing data integration processes in cloud environments.

Integration Monitoring and Analytics

Tools for tracking and analyzing the performance of integrated cloud systems and processes.

Intelligent Tiering

Automated data storage class selection based on access patterns in cloud environments.

Intelligent Tiering for Storage

Automatic movement of data between storage tiers based on usage patterns in the cloud.

Intent-Based Networking

Network management approach using AI to automate configuration based on business intent.

Internet Gateway

Network node that connects cloud VPCs to the internet, enabling communication with external resources.

Interplanetary File System (IPFS) Cloud Storage

Decentralized storage system for distributing and accessing files in the cloud, enhancing data availability and resilience.

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

Security tool that monitors network traffic for suspicious activity in cloud environments.

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

Security system that not only detects but also blocks potential threats in cloud networks.

IoT Analytics

Processing and analyzing data from Internet of Things devices in cloud environments.

IoT Anomaly Detection

Identifying unusual patterns in data from IoT devices using cloud-based analytics.

IoT Central (Azure)

Fully managed IoT application platform in the Azure cloud for connecting, monitoring, and managing IoT devices at scale.

IoT Data Ingestion

Process of collecting and importing data from IoT devices into cloud systems for storage, analysis, and processing.

IoT Data Lake

Centralized repository in the cloud for storing large volumes of IoT device data.

IoT Device Management

Cloud-based systems for monitoring, updating, and controlling IoT devices, ensuring efficient operation and security at scale.

IoT Device Provisioning

Process of setting up and configuring IoT devices for secure cloud connectivity.

IoT Device SDK

Software development kit for building applications that connect IoT devices to cloud services.

IoT Edge

Deploying cloud intelligence directly to IoT devices for local processing and analytics.

IoT Edge Computing

Processing data from IoT devices locally before sending to the cloud, reducing latency and bandwidth usage.

IoT Greengrass (AWS)

AWS service for running local compute, messaging, and data caching for connected IoT devices.

IoT Hub

Central message hub for bi-directional communication between IoT applications and devices.

IoT Integration Frameworks

Tools for connecting and managing diverse IoT devices and data streams in cloud environments.

IoT Lifecycle Management

Cloud-based tools for managing IoT devices from deployment through retirement, ensuring efficient device administration.

IoT Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

Remote software updates for IoT devices managed through cloud platforms, ensuring device security and functionality.

IoT Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Cloud-based platform for developing, managing, and integrating IoT applications and devices.

IoT Protocols (MQTT, CoAP)

Lightweight communication protocols designed for IoT devices in cloud environments.

IoT Rules Engine

Cloud service for processing and acting on data from IoT devices based on predefined conditions.

IoT Security

Measures to protect IoT devices, data, and infrastructure in cloud-connected environments.

IoT Streaming Analytics

Real-time processing and analysis of data streams from IoT devices in the cloud.

Key Management Service (KMS)

Cloud service for creating and managing cryptographic keys for data encryption, ensuring secure data protection.

Knative

Kubernetes-based platform for building, deploying, and managing serverless workloads.

Kubeless

Kubernetes-native serverless framework enabling function deployment without managing underlying infrastructure.

Kubernetes Network Policies

Rules for controlling network traffic between pods in Kubernetes clusters, enhancing security in cloud-native environments.

Kubernetes Security Posture Management (KSPM)

Tools for assessing and improving security configurations in Kubernetes environments.

Kubernetes Services (e.g., Amazon EKS, Azure AKS, Google GKE)

Managed Kubernetes platforms offered by major cloud providers for container orchestration.

Kustomize

Kubernetes native configuration management tool for customizing application configurations.

Lambda@Edge (AWS)

AWS service for running Lambda functions at edge locations to customize content delivery.

Launch Configuration

Template for EC2 instance settings used in Auto Scaling groups, defining instance type, AMI, and other parameters.

Least Privilege Principle

Security concept of granting only the minimum permissions necessary in cloud environments.

License Optimization for Cloud

Managing software licenses efficiently to reduce costs in cloud environments, ensuring compliance and cost-effectiveness.

Lift and Shift

Migration strategy of moving applications to the cloud without significant modifications.

Lightweight VMs (like Firecracker)

Minimalist virtual machines designed for fast startup and low resource usage in cloud environments.

Linkerd

Lightweight service mesh for Kubernetes, providing observability, reliability, and security for microservices.

Liquid Cooling for High-Density Compute

Using liquid to dissipate heat in densely packed cloud data centers for improved efficiency.

Load Balancer (Application, Network, Classic)

Service that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed.

Log Analytics

Process of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing log data from cloud resources for insights and troubleshooting.

Log Intelligence

AI-driven analysis of log data to identify patterns, anomalies, and insights in cloud environments.

Low-Code Integration Platforms

Tools for building application integrations with minimal hand-coding in cloud environments.

Low-Code/No-Code Development Platforms

Cloud-based tools for creating applications with little to no traditional programming.

Low-Code/No-Code Platforms

Cloud services enabling app development with minimal coding, using visual interfaces and pre-built components.

MQTT Protocol

Lightweight messaging protocol designed for IoT devices and low-bandwidth networks in cloud ecosystems.

Machine Learning Platforms (e.g., Amazon SageMaker, Azure Machine Learning)

Cloud-based services for building, training, and deploying machine learning models at scale.

Master Data Management (MDM) in the Cloud

Centralized management of critical business data entities in cloud environments.

Meta-Learning Frameworks

Tools for developing AI models that can learn how to learn, improving adaptability in cloud environments.

Metadata Management Services

Cloud tools for organizing, integrating, and governing metadata across various data sources.

Metamaterial Antennas for Cloud Connectivity

Advanced antenna designs using engineered materials to enhance cloud network performance.

Metric Collection

Gathering and storing quantitative data about cloud resource performance and usage.

Micro-Frontends

Architectural style where frontend apps are composed from independently deployable components in the cloud.

Microsegmentation Orchestration

Automating the process of dividing cloud networks into secure zones for enhanced protection.

Microservices Integration

Connecting and coordinating interactions between independent microservices in cloud architectures.

Migration Planning

Strategic process of preparing and scheduling the move of applications and data to cloud environments.

Mixed Reality as a Service

Cloud-based platforms for developing and deploying mixed reality applications, combining virtual and physical environments.

Mobile Edge Computing

Bringing cloud computing capabilities closer to mobile users to reduce latency and improve performance.

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)

Extending cloud computing capabilities to the edge of mobile networks for lower latency.

Model Deployment

Process of making machine learning models available for use in cloud production environments.

Model Explainability

Techniques for understanding and interpreting decisions made by AI models in cloud environments.

Model Monitoring

Tracking the performance and behavior of deployed machine learning models in cloud environments.

Model Registry

Centralized repository for storing and managing machine learning models in cloud environments.

Model Serving

Process of making trained machine learning models available for real-time predictions in cloud environments.

Model Training

Process of teaching machine learning algorithms to make predictions using data in cloud environments.

5G MEC Integration

Integration of 5G mobile edge computing with container platforms for low-latency applications and services at network edges.

AIOps for Container Environments

Application of AI and machine learning for automated operations, monitoring, and management of containerized environments.

API Deprecation Policy

Guidelines for phasing out older API versions in Kubernetes, ensuring smooth transitions for users.

API Extensions

Mechanisms to extend the Kubernetes API with custom resources and functionalities, enhancing platform capabilities.

API Gateway Pattern

Containerized service that acts as a single entry point for all client requests to a microservices architecture.

API Server

Core component of Kubernetes that exposes the cluster's API and handles all administrative operations.

API Server Aggregation

Kubernetes feature allowing the API server to be extended with additional APIs without modifying core Kubernetes code.

API-First Development

Approach prioritizing API design before implementation, crucial for developing scalable containerized microservices.

AWS Fargate

Serverless compute engine for containers, allowing you to run containers without managing the underlying infrastructure.

Adapter Pattern

Design pattern in containerized microservices that wraps a service's interface to make it compatible with other services.

Admission Controllers

Plugins that intercept requests to the Kubernetes API server before object persistence, enforcing policies or modifying objects.

Admission Controllers for Security

Admission controllers specifically focused on enforcing security policies and validating security-related configurations.

Admission Webhooks

HTTP callbacks that receive admission requests and can modify or validate objects before they are persisted.

Admission Webhooks in Operators

Use of admission webhooks within Kubernetes operators to enforce custom policies or modify resources.

Advanced Audit

Kubernetes feature providing detailed logging of all requests processed by the API server for security and compliance.

Aggregated API Servers

Extension of the Kubernetes API server to include custom resources and functionalities without modifying core Kubernetes.

Aggregated ClusterRoles

Combination of multiple ClusterRoles into a single role, simplifying RBAC management in Kubernetes.

Air-gapped Registries

Container registries isolated from public networks, used in secure or restricted environments.

Akri

Open-source project for exposing heterogeneous leaf devices as resources in Kubernetes clusters.

Alertmanager Configuration

Setup and management of Prometheus Alertmanager for handling alerts from monitoring systems.

Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)

Fully managed Docker container registry provided by AWS for storing, managing, and deploying container images.

Ambassador Pattern

Microservices design pattern where a dedicated service acts as an API gateway for other services.

Ambient Mesh

Service mesh implementation that doesn't require sidecars, reducing resource overhead and simplifying deployment.

Anchore Engine for Image Scanning

Open-source tool for deep inspection of container images, including vulnerability scanning and policy enforcement.

Ansible-based Operators

Kubernetes operators implemented using Ansible for automating application lifecycle management.

Antrea Network Policies

Network policies specific to the Antrea CNI plugin, offering fine-grained control over pod-to-pod communication.

Antrea for Open vSwitch-based Networking

Kubernetes networking solution using Open vSwitch for improved performance and advanced networking features.

Apache OpenWhisk

Open-source serverless platform that executes functions in response to events or direct invocations.

AppArmor Profiles

Security profiles for Linux that restrict program capabilities, enhancing container isolation and security.

Application-level Logging

Logging implemented within applications, providing detailed insights into application behavior and performance.

Aqua Security

Platform providing security and compliance for container-based and cloud-native applications throughout their lifecycle.

Aqua Security Platform

Comprehensive security solution for containerized and cloud-native environments, offering vulnerability management and runtime protection.

Argo CD

GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes, automating application deployment and lifecycle management.

Argo Rollouts

Kubernetes controller for advanced deployment strategies like canary and blue-green deployments.

ArgoCD

Declarative GitOps tool for Kubernetes, automating application deployment and synchronization with Git repositories.

Artifact Management

Process of storing, organizing, and managing container images and related artifacts in container registries.

Athenz for Fine-grained Access Control

Open-source platform for fine-grained access control and authentication in distributed systems.

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

Access control paradigm where authorization decisions are based on attributes of users, resources, and environment.

Audit Annotations

Additional metadata added to Kubernetes audit events for enhanced context and analysis, improving audit trails.

Audit Backends

Components responsible for processing and storing Kubernetes audit logs, supporting various storage and analysis options.

Audit Events

Records of requests and activities within a Kubernetes cluster, used for security monitoring and compliance.

Audit Levels

Configurable detail levels for Kubernetes audit logs, ranging from metadata-only to full request and response details.

Audit Logging

Process of recording API server requests and responses for security, troubleshooting, and compliance purposes.

Audit Logs

Detailed records of activities and operations within a Kubernetes cluster, used for security and compliance monitoring.

Audit Policy

Configuration defining which events should be recorded in Kubernetes audit logs and at what level of detail.

Audit Profile

Predefined set of audit policy rules for common use cases in Kubernetes, simplifying audit configuration.

Audit Stages

Different phases of request processing where audit events can be generated in Kubernetes, providing comprehensive auditing.

Audit Webhook Configuration

Setup for sending Kubernetes audit events to external webhook endpoints for processing or analysis.

Auditing

Process of systematically recording and examining activities within a Kubernetes cluster for security and compliance purposes.

Authenticating Proxy

Intermediary service that handles authentication before forwarding requests to the Kubernetes API server.

Authentication Modules

Pluggable components in container orchestration platforms for verifying user identities using various methods.

Authorization Policies

Rules defining access permissions for users and services in container orchestration platforms.

Azure Container Instances

Serverless container hosting service in Azure, offering rapid deployment of containers without cluster management.

Azure Container Registry

Managed Docker registry service for storing and managing container images in Azure cloud environments.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) in Containers

Implementation of Border Gateway Protocol within containerized network environments for advanced routing.

BGP in Container Networks

In container networks, BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) manages routing information between containers and external networks for efficient traffic routing.

Backend for Frontend (BFF) Pattern

Microservices design pattern where a dedicated service acts as an API gateway for specific frontend needs.

Backup and Restore

Processes for preserving and recovering container data and configurations in orchestration platforms.

Base Image

Foundation Docker image upon which other images are built, containing core OS and runtime components.

Base Image Selection

Process of choosing appropriate foundation images for container builds, balancing size, security, and functionality.

Best Effort QoS

Kubernetes quality of service class for pods with no resource guarantees, scheduled when resources are available.

Blue-Green Deployments

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

Bootstrap Tokens

Temporary tokens used for secure cluster initialization and node joining in Kubernetes, simplifying cluster setup.

Bottlerocket OS

Minimalist Linux-based operating system optimized for running containers in cloud environments.

BuildKit

Advanced container image building toolkit offering improved performance and caching capabilities.

BuildKit for Advanced Image Building

Use of BuildKit for efficient, concurrent, and cache-optimized container image creation, improving build performance.

Bulkhead Pattern

Isolation technique in microservices to contain failures and prevent system-wide cascading failures.

Bulkhead Pattern in Microservices

The Bulkhead Pattern in microservices isolates failures by dividing services into separate compartments, preventing issues in one from affecting others.

Burstable QoS

Kubernetes quality of service class for pods that can use more resources than requested when available.

CIS Benchmarks for Containers

Security configuration guidelines for deploying containers securely in various environments.

CNI Plugin Chaining

Technique of using multiple Container Network Interface plugins together for advanced networking capabilities.

CPU Manager

Kubernetes feature for fine-grained CPU resource management and allocation to containers, optimizing performance.

CPU Throttling

Technique to limit CPU usage of containers to prevent resource monopolization and ensure fair allocation.

CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)

Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in distributed systems, often used in microservices.

CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) Pattern

Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in distributed systems, often used in microservices.

CRI (Container Runtime Interface) Specification

Standard interface between container runtimes and Kubernetes, allowing pluggable runtime implementations.

CRI Image Management

Functionality within CRI for pulling, inspecting, and removing container images, standardizing image operations.

CRI Logging

Standardized logging interface for container runtimes implementing the Container Runtime Interface.

CRI Metrics

Performance and resource usage data exposed by container runtimes adhering to the CRI specification.

CRI Runtime Class

Kubernetes feature allowing selection of different runtime configurations for containers, enabling specialized runtimes.

CRI Socket

Unix domain socket used for communication between Kubelet and the CRI-compatible container runtime.

CRI Validation Testing

Process of verifying that a container runtime correctly implements the CRI specification, ensuring compatibility.

CRI-O

Lightweight container runtime specifically designed for Kubernetes, implementing the CRI specification.

CRI-O Internals

Core components and architecture of the CRI-O container runtime, including its interaction with Kubernetes.

CRI-O as Container Runtime

Use of CRI-O, a lightweight container runtime, as the primary runtime in a Kubernetes cluster.

CSI Controller Plugin

Component of CSI responsible for volume provisioning and attachment operations in container orchestration systems.

CSI Drivers

Plugins implementing the Container Storage Interface for various storage systems in Kubernetes.

CSI Ephemeral Volumes

Short-lived volumes in Kubernetes, created and deleted alongside a pod using CSI drivers, for temporary storage.

CSI Migration

Process of transitioning from in-tree volume plugins to CSI drivers in Kubernetes, improving storage extensibility.

CSI Node Plugin

Component of CSI responsible for mounting volumes and making them available to containers.

CSI Topology

Feature allowing storage provisioning based on topology constraints in Kubernetes, optimizing data locality.

Cache-Aside Pattern

Caching strategy where the application checks the cache before retrieving data from the main data store.

Caching Strategies for Containers

Techniques for implementing and managing caches in containerized applications for improved performance.

Calico

Open-source networking and network security solution for containers, providing a rich set of security policies.

Calico eBPF Datapath

High-performance networking mode in Calico using extended Berkeley Packet Filter for packet processing.

Canary Deployments

Technique of releasing new versions to a subset of users or servers to minimize risk and gather feedback.

Capabilities

Fine-grained privileges that can be assigned to containers, enhancing security by limiting root-level access.

Capability Controls

Mechanisms for managing and restricting Linux capabilities assigned to containers for improved security.

Categories

Groupings or classifications of container-related resources or components for easier management and discovery.

Ceph RBD

Ceph's block storage system, often used for persistent volumes in container orchestration platforms.