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

Syslog

Standard for message logging, often used in Unix and Unix-like systems for system management and security auditing.
DevOps

System Team

Team responsible for building and maintaining the platforms used by stream-aligned teams.
DevOps

TLS Certificate: DevOps Explained

Digital certificate that authenticates a website's identity and enables an encrypted connection.
DevOps

Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs)

Patterns of activities or methods associated with a specific threat actor or group of threat actors.
DevOps

Taint Analysis

Technique used to identify and track data in a program that has been tainted with user input.
DevOps

Team Topologies

Organizational design approach focused on optimizing team interactions and boundaries for effective software delivery.
DevOps

TeamCity

Powerful and user-friendly continuous integration server by JetBrains, supporting various version control systems and build tools.
DevOps

Technical Debt

Implied cost of future rework caused by choosing quick, easy solutions now instead of better, more time-consuming approaches.
DevOps

Technology Stack

Set of technologies used to build and run a single application, including programming languages, frameworks, and tools.
DevOps

Telemetry

Automated process of collecting data at remote points and transmitting it to receiving equipment for monitoring.
DevOps

Tenants

In multi-tenant architecture, distinct groups of users who share a common access with specific privileges to the software instance.
DevOps

Terraform

Open-source infrastructure as code software tool that enables defining and provisioning data center infrastructure using a declarative language.
DevOps

Terraform Cloud

Managed service offering of Terraform for teams and organizations, providing collaboration features and workflow management.
DevOps

Test Automation

Use of software to execute tests and compare actual outcomes with predicted outcomes.
DevOps

Test Automation for Everything

Approach of automating all possible tests in the software development process to improve quality and efficiency.
DevOps

Test Data Management

Process of creating, managing, and maintaining test data for software testing, ensuring data quality and relevance.
DevOps

Test Environment

Setup of software and hardware on which the testing team performs testing of a new build.
DevOps

Test Environment Management

Process of planning, creating, maintaining, and managing environments for software testing, ensuring consistency and reliability.
DevOps

Test Kitchen

Tool for testing infrastructure code and software on isolated target platforms, supporting multiple providers and test frameworks.
DevOps

Test-doubles

Generic term for any object used in place of a real object for testing purposes.
DevOps

Test-driven Development (TDD)

Software development process relying on software requirements being converted to test cases before software is fully developed.
DevOps

TestFlight

Apple's platform for over-the-air installation and beta testing of mobile applications before they are submitted to the App Store.
DevOps

Testdatenmanagement

Process of creating, managing, and maintaining test data for software testing, ensuring data quality and relevance for various test scenarios.
DevOps

Testenvironment Self-Service

Ability for testers to provision and manage their own test environments, increasing efficiency and autonomy.
DevOps

Testing-as-a-Service (TaaS)

Outsourcing of testing activities to a third-party service provider, offering specialized expertise and tools for comprehensive testing.
DevOps

The Three Pillars of Observability

Logs, metrics, and traces; key components for understanding the behavior of distributed systems.
DevOps

The Three Ways

Principles underpinning DevOps movements: Flow, Feedback, Continual Learning and Experimentation.
DevOps

Theory of Constraints

Management paradigm that views any manageable system as being limited in achieving its goals by a small number of constraints.
DevOps

Threat Detection and Response (TDR)

Cybersecurity process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating threats to an organization's IT infrastructure in real-time.
DevOps

Threat Hunting

Proactive cybersecurity technique to detect hidden threats that have evaded existing security solutions.
DevOps

Threat Intelligence

Information about potential or current threats to an organization's security, used to inform better decision-making.
DevOps

Threat Landscape

Comprehensive view of potential security threats facing an organization or industry, crucial for effective risk management.
DevOps

Threat Modeling

Process of identifying, understanding, and categorizing potential security threats.
DevOps

Time to First Byte

Measure of responsiveness that indicates the time between a user making an HTTP request and the first byte of the page being received by the browser.
DevOps

Time to Restore Service

Metric measuring how long it takes to restore a service after an incident, important for assessing system reliability.
DevOps

Time to Value

Duration between the initiation of a process and the realization of its benefits, crucial for measuring efficiency and ROI.
DevOps

Toggle by Geo-location

Feature flag technique that enables or disables features based on geographical location.
DevOps

Toggle by User Rights

Feature flag technique that enables or disables features based on user permissions.
DevOps

Toil

Manual, repetitive, automatable work in running production services that lacks long-term value and scales linearly with service growth.
DevOps

Tool Sprawl

Proliferation of tools within an organization, often leading to inefficiency and integration challenges.
DevOps

Toolchain

Set of programming tools used to perform a complex software development task or to create a software product.
DevOps

Traffic Management

Process of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing network traffic to ensure efficient data flow and prevent congestion.
DevOps

Travis CI

Distributed continuous integration service used to build and test software projects hosted on GitHub.
DevOps

Trunk-Based Development

Source control branching model where developers collaborate on code in a single branch.
DevOps

Tsuru

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

TypeScript

Typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript, offering enhanced tooling and error detection in large-scale applications.
DevOps

TypeScript First

Development approach prioritizing TypeScript over JavaScript for enhanced type safety and tooling support.
DevOps

UEBA

User and Entity Behavior Analytics; process of tracking, collecting and analyzing user and machine data to detect anomalies.
DevOps

UI Testing

Process of testing a product's graphical user interface to ensure it meets its specifications.
DevOps

Ubuntu

Popular, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian, known for its ease of use, regular release cycle, and strong community support.
DevOps

Unit Testing

Software testing method where individual units or components of a program are tested in isolation.
DevOps

Uptime

Measure of system reliability, expressed as the percentage of time a machine has been working and available.
DevOps

Uptime Robot

Service for monitoring websites and alerting users when their sites go down, providing 24/7 uptime monitoring.
DevOps

Uptrends

Website and server monitoring service that helps businesses ensure their online presence is always available and performing optimally.
DevOps

Use Mockups

Practice of creating simplified versions of system components for testing purposes.
DevOps

User Acceptance Test

Final phase of software testing where intended users test the software to ensure it can handle required tasks in real-world scenarios.
DevOps

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Final phase of software testing where actual users test the software to ensure it meets business requirements and is fit for purpose.
DevOps

Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities

Security risk of utilizing software components with documented security issues in applications.
DevOps

VMFest

Clojure library for managing virtual machines on various virtualization platforms, simplifying VM lifecycle management.
DevOps

VPC Flow Logging

Feature that enables you to capture information about the IP traffic going to and from network interfaces in your VPC.
DevOps

VPC Peering

Networking connection between two VPCs that enables you to route traffic between them using private IP addresses.
DevOps

Vagrant

Tool for building and managing virtual machine environments, streamlining the setup process for development environments.
DevOps

Vagrant-lxc

Vagrant plugin that allows the use of LXC (Linux Containers) as a provider, enabling lightweight, OS-level virtualization for development environments.
DevOps

Validate Compliance

Process of ensuring that systems and practices meet specified standards or regulations.
DevOps

Value Stream Management

Practice of optimizing the flow of value through the software delivery lifecycle.
DevOps

Value Stream Mapping

Lean technique for analyzing current state and designing future state of events that deliver a product or service to the customer.
DevOps

Vault

Secure secret management tool for storing and controlling access to tokens, passwords, certificates, and other sensitive data.
DevOps

Vaurien

Chaos Monkey-style tool for introducing delays and errors into TCP connections, useful for testing system resilience.
DevOps

Veewee

Tool for easily building custom Vagrant base boxes, KVMs, and virtual machine images.
DevOps

Velocity

Measure of the amount of work a team completes during a sprint or iteration, used in agile project management.
DevOps

Version Control

System that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later.
DevOps

Version Control System (VCS)

Software tools that help software teams manage changes to source code over time.
DevOps

Vieraugenprinzip

German term for the "four-eyes principle", requiring two individuals to approve an action before it can be taken.
DevOps

Virtual Machine (VM)

Emulation of a computer system, providing the functionality of a physical computer.
DevOps

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

On-demand configurable pool of shared computing resources allocated within a public cloud environment.
DevOps

Virtualization

Creation of a virtual version of something, such as a server, storage device, network or operating system.
DevOps

Vulnerability Assessments (VA)

Systematic review of security weaknesses in an information system, often involving scanning and analysis of potential vulnerabilities.
DevOps

Vulnerability Scanning

Automated process of proactively identifying security vulnerabilities of computing systems in a network.
DevOps

WAAP (Web Application & API Protection)

Security solution that protects web applications and APIs from various types of attacks.
DevOps

WAF (Web Application Firewall)

Application firewall for HTTP applications that applies a set of rules to an HTTP conversation.
DevOps

Waste

Any activity in a process that does not add value to the customer, a key concept in lean methodologies for process improvement.
DevOps

Waterfall

Traditional, linear approach to software development with distinct phases, often contrasted with more iterative methodologies like Agile.
DevOps

Weave

Network plugin for Kubernetes that creates a virtual network for connecting containers across multiple hosts.
DevOps

Web API Security

Set of practices and measures taken to protect web APIs from various security threats and unauthorized access.
DevOps

Web Application Development

Process of creating web applications, including design, coding, testing, and deployment, often using various web technologies.
DevOps

Web Application Security

Discipline of protecting websites and web applications against security threats.
DevOps

Web Scraping

Automated process of extracting data from websites, often used for data mining, price monitoring, or content aggregation.
DevOps

WebSockets

Protocol providing full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection.
DevOps

Webhooks

Automated messages sent from apps when something happens, allowing real-time data transfer and integration between different systems.
DevOps

White Box Testing

Method of testing where the internal structure/design/implementation of the item being tested is known to the tester.
DevOps

Wildcard Certificate

SSL certificate that secures a domain and its subdomains, allowing for flexible and cost-effective implementation of HTTPS.
DevOps

Windows Event

Record of an occurrence in a Windows operating system or application, crucial for system monitoring and troubleshooting.
DevOps

Windows Event Log

Detailed record of system, security, and application notifications stored by Windows.
DevOps

Windows Performance Counters

Measurement tools built into Windows that provide information about system operation.
DevOps

Windows Services

Programs that operate in the background on Windows systems, similar to daemons in Unix-like operating systems.
DevOps

Work in Progress (WIP)

Partially completed work or any task that has been started but is not yet finished.
DevOps

Workflow

Sequence of processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion.
DevOps

XDR

Extended Detection and Response; security technology that provides holistic protection against cyber threats.
DevOps

XML External Entities (XXE)

Web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with an application's processing of XML data.
DevOps

Xcode

Integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS containing a suite of software development tools.
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.

Serverless Containers

Container-based applications run on serverless platforms, combining containerization with auto-scaling.

Serverless Cost Optimization

Strategies to minimize expenses in serverless architectures while maintaining performance.

Serverless Data Analytics

Processing and analyzing data using serverless compute resources in the cloud, providing scalable and cost-effective insights.

Serverless Data Processing

Handling and transforming data using auto-scaling, event-driven cloud services, eliminating infrastructure management overhead.

Serverless Databases

Fully managed database services that scale automatically based on demand, eliminating the need for manual provisioning and management.

Serverless DevOps

Practices combining serverless architectures with DevOps principles for efficient cloud development.

Serverless ETL

Extract, Transform, Load processes using serverless compute for data integration in the cloud.

Serverless Integration

Connecting applications and data sources using serverless compute in cloud environments.

Serverless Microservices

Building application components as independent, auto-scaling functions in the cloud.

Serverless Networking

Network management and routing tailored for serverless architectures in cloud environments.

Serverless Resource Optimization

Techniques for efficient use of compute, storage, and network resources in serverless systems.

Serverless Security

Protecting serverless applications from vulnerabilities and attacks in cloud environments.

Serverless Security Frameworks

Tools and practices for implementing security in serverless cloud architectures.

Serverless Security Platforms

Comprehensive solutions for protecting serverless applications and data in the cloud.

Serverless Web Applications

Websites built and hosted using serverless cloud services for automatic scaling.

Serverless Workflows

Orchestrating sequences of serverless functions to create complex, scalable processes.

Service Control Policies (AWS)

Rules for managing permissions in AWS Organizations across multiple accounts, enforcing security and compliance standards.

Service Discovery

Automated detection of services and their network locations in cloud environments.

Service Level Objectives (SLOs)

Targets for service performance and availability in cloud environments, defining quality standards for cloud services.

Service Mesh Control Plane

Central component managing configuration and policies in a service mesh architecture.

Service Mesh Data Plane

Component handling inter-service communication in a service mesh architecture, managing traffic flow and security.

Service Mesh Interface

Standardized APIs for interacting with service mesh technologies in cloud environments.

Service Mesh Observability

Monitoring and analyzing traffic and behavior within a service mesh architecture.

Service Mesh Security

Protecting inter-service communication within a service mesh in cloud environments.

Sharding

Distributing data across multiple database instances to improve performance and scalability in cloud environments.

Showback and Chargeback

Systems for tracking and allocating cloud resource costs within an organization.

Sidecar Pattern

Deploying components of an application as separate containers alongside the main container in cloud environments.

Sidecars

Helper containers deployed alongside main application containers to provide additional functionality in cloud environments.

Silicon Photonics in Cloud Networking

Using light-based chips for high-speed data transmission in cloud data centers, improving network performance and efficiency.

Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Platforms

Tools for implementing SRE practices in cloud environments, focusing on automation and reliability.

Smart Contract Platforms

Cloud-based systems for creating, deploying, and managing self-executing digital contracts.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Approach to cloud network management using software-based controllers instead of hardware.

Software-Defined Power Distribution

Managing and optimizing power allocation in cloud data centers through software control.

Software-Defined Storage (SDS)

Abstracting storage services from underlying hardware in cloud environments for flexible management.

Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

Technology for efficiently routing traffic between cloud and on-premises resources.

Spatial Computing

Integrating digital information with the physical world in cloud-based augmented and virtual reality systems.

Spatial Databases

Cloud databases optimized for storing and querying location-based data, essential for geospatial applications and analytics.

Speech Recognition

Cloud-based service for converting spoken language into text, enabling voice-controlled interfaces and transcription.

Spot Instance Management

Strategies for efficiently using and monitoring discounted, interruptible cloud compute resources.

Spot Instance Management Platforms

Tools for optimizing the use of discounted, interruptible cloud compute resources.

Spot Instance Optimization

Techniques for maximizing cost savings and availability when using discounted, interruptible cloud resources.

Spot Instances

Discounted, interruptible cloud compute resources available for bidding, offering cost savings for flexible workloads.

State Management

Techniques for maintaining application data consistency in distributed cloud environments.

Stateful Serverless Computing

Serverless architectures that maintain state between function invocations in the cloud.

Stateless Functions

Cloud-based functions that don't retain state between invocations, enhancing scalability.

Step Functions (AWS)

AWS service for coordinating multiple Lambda functions into serverless workflows.

Storage Class Memory (SCM)

High-performance, low-latency memory technology bridging DRAM and SSDs in cloud infrastructure.

Storage QoS (Quality of Service)

Mechanisms to ensure consistent performance levels for storage resources in cloud environments.

Storage Tiering Optimization

Automatically moving data between storage tiers based on access patterns to balance cost and performance.

Stream Processing (e.g., Amazon Kinesis, Azure Stream Analytics)

Real-time analysis of continuously flowing data in cloud environments, enabling instant insights and rapid decision-making.

Stream Processing at Scale

Handling and analyzing large volumes of real-time data streams in cloud environments.

Streaming SQL Engines

Cloud-based systems for querying continuous data streams using SQL-like syntax, enabling real-time data analysis.

Subnet

Segmented portion of a cloud network with its own IP address range, allowing for improved security and traffic management.

Sustainability Reporting Platforms

Tools for tracking and reporting environmental metrics of cloud resource usage, promoting eco-friendly cloud computing.

Sustainability Reporting for Cloud Services

Documenting environmental impact and energy efficiency of cloud operations, promoting transparency and accountability.

Sustainability-Aware Resource Scheduling

Allocating cloud resources with consideration for environmental impact, optimizing for energy efficiency.

Sustainability-Driven Optimization

Improving cloud resource efficiency to minimize environmental impact while maintaining performance and reliability.

Sustainable Cloud Computing

Practices and technologies minimizing the environmental impact of cloud operations.

Sustainable Cloud Migration

Moving to the cloud with strategies to minimize environmental impact, optimizing resource usage and energy efficiency.

Sustainable Data Center Design

Creating cloud facilities with minimal environmental impact and maximum energy efficiency.

Swarm Intelligence for Cloud Optimization

Using collective behavior algorithms to optimize cloud resource allocation, improving efficiency and performance.

Swarm Robotics in the Cloud

Coordinating multiple robots using cloud-based swarm intelligence algorithms, enabling scalable and adaptive robotic systems.

Synthetic Data Generation

Creating artificial datasets for testing and development in cloud environments, preserving privacy and expanding data availability.

Synthetic Media Generation Platforms

Cloud services for creating AI-generated images, videos, and audio, enabling content creation at scale.

Tactile Internet Interfaces

Ultra-low latency network interfaces for real-time tactile feedback in cloud applications.

Tagging Strategies

Methods for labeling cloud resources to improve organization, management, and cost allocation.

Telco Cloud

Cloud infrastructure specifically designed for telecommunications service providers.

Telepresence Robotics Control Systems

Cloud-based platforms for remotely operating robots with real-time feedback, enabling distant manipulation and interaction.

Text-to-Speech

Cloud service converting written text into spoken words, often used in accessibility and voice interface applications.

Time Series Forecasting as a Service

Cloud-based predictive analytics for time-dependent data, used for trend analysis and future projections.

Time-Series Databases

Cloud databases optimized for storing and querying time-stamped data, essential for IoT and monitoring applications.

TinyML

Deploying machine learning models on resource-constrained IoT devices connected to the cloud.

Tokenization Services

Cloud-based tools for replacing sensitive data with non-sensitive tokens to enhance security.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Comprehensive assessment of direct and indirect costs associated with cloud adoption and usage.

Transfer Learning

Technique of using pre-trained AI models for new tasks, reducing training time and data requirements in the cloud.

Transit Gateway

Cloud networking service that connects VPCs, on-premises networks, and other cloud services.

Twelve-Factor App Methodology

Set of best practices for building scalable, maintainable cloud-native applications.

Unikernels

Lightweight, single-purpose machine images for running cloud applications with minimal overhead.

Unit Economics in the Cloud

Analysis of costs and revenues associated with individual cloud service units or transactions.

Universal Cloud API Standards

Efforts to create standardized interfaces for interacting with various cloud services.

VPN Connection

Secure, encrypted link between a local network and cloud resources, enabling private access to cloud services over public networks.

VR Streaming

Cloud-based delivery of virtual reality content to end-user devices, enabling immersive experiences without local processing.

Vector Databases

Cloud databases optimized for storing and querying high-dimensional vector data, often used in AI applications.

Version Control in the Cloud

Managing and tracking changes to code and configurations in cloud-based repositories.

Vertical Scaling (Scale Up)

Increasing the capacity of a single cloud resource by adding more power (CPU, RAM, etc.).

Virtual Cloud Network (VCN)

Software-defined network providing connectivity for cloud resources, enabling secure and flexible communication.

Virtual Environments as a Service

Cloud-based platforms offering customizable, isolated development and testing environments.

Virtual Machines (e.g., Amazon EC2, Azure Virtual Machines)

Emulations of computer systems providing scalable, isolated environments in the cloud.

Virtual Network Appliances

Software-based network devices deployed in cloud environments for various networking functions.

Virtual Network Functions (VNF)

Software implementations of network functions running on cloud infrastructure, replacing traditional hardware appliances.

Virtual Reality (VR) Cloud

Cloud-based services for creating, rendering, and delivering virtual reality experiences.

Virtual Reality Cloud Workspaces

Cloud-hosted VR environments for collaborative work and data visualization, enabling immersive remote collaboration.

Voice User Interfaces (VUI) for Cloud Services

Speech-based interfaces for interacting with cloud applications and services, enhancing accessibility and user experience.

Volumetric Display Computation Services

Cloud-based processing for generating 3D holographic or volumetric images, enabling immersive visualization applications.

Volumetric Video Streaming

Cloud services for delivering 3D video content for immersive viewing experiences.

Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE)

Metric measuring water consumption efficiency in cloud data centers, promoting sustainable resource management.

Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) Monitoring

Tracking water consumption and efficiency in cloud data center operations, promoting sustainable resource management.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Cloud-based security service that filters and monitors HTTP traffic between web applications and the Internet.

WebAssembly (Wasm) in the Cloud

Low-level language for running high-performance applications in cloud-based web browsers.

WebAssembly in the Cloud

Binary instruction format enabling high-performance execution of code in cloud-based web 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.