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

"As code"

Defining and managing infrastructure, configurations, or processes using code, enabling version control, automation, and reproducibility.
DevOps

"Nines"

Measure of system availability, expressed as a percentage. E.g., "five nines" means 99.999% uptime, allowing for minimal downtime.
DevOps

"Single Pane of Glass"

Unified display or interface that integrates data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view of system status or operations.
DevOps

A/B Testing

Comparing two versions of a webpage or app to determine which performs better, based on user interaction and conversion rates.
DevOps

AIOps (Artificial Intelligence Operations)

Using AI and machine learning to enhance IT operations, automating tasks and providing insights for better decision-making.
DevOps

ALB (Application Load Balancing)

Distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets to improve availability and fault tolerance.
DevOps

API

Application Programming Interface; set of protocols and tools for building software applications and enabling communication between systems.
DevOps

API Discovery

Process of identifying and documenting available APIs within an organization or from external sources.
DevOps

API Endpoint

Specific URL where an API can be accessed and where requests are sent to interact with a server or service.
DevOps

API Gateway

Manages, secures, and routes API requests, acting as a single entry point for multiple microservices or backend systems.
DevOps

API Management

Process of creating, publishing, documenting, and analyzing APIs in a secure environment.
DevOps

API Monitoring

Tracking API performance, availability, and usage to ensure optimal functionality and identify issues.
DevOps

API Response Time

The duration between sending a request to an API and receiving the response, crucial for performance evaluation.
DevOps

API Security

Measures and practices to protect APIs from unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches.
DevOps

API Versioning

Managing different versions of an API to maintain compatibility while allowing updates and improvements.
DevOps

ASG (Auto Scaling Group)

Feature in cloud computing that automatically adjusts the number of instances based on defined conditions.
DevOps

ASP.Net Core Monitoring

Observing and analyzing the performance and behavior of applications built with ASP.Net Core framework.
DevOps

ATO (Account Takeover)

Type of identity theft where an attacker gains unauthorized access to a user's account.
DevOps

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services for computing, storage, networking, and more.
DevOps

AWS App Development Tools

Suite of tools provided by AWS for building, testing, and deploying applications on their cloud platform.
DevOps

AWS CLI

Command-line interface for interacting with AWS services, allowing users to manage resources and automate tasks.
DevOps

AWS CloudWatch

Monitoring and observability service for AWS resources and applications, providing metrics, logs, and alarms.
DevOps

AWS CodeDeploy

Fully managed deployment service that automates software deployments to various compute services.
DevOps

AWS CodePipeline

Continuous delivery service for fast and reliable application and infrastructure updates.
DevOps

AWS EC2

Elastic Compute Cloud; scalable computing capacity in the AWS cloud for running virtual servers.
DevOps

AWS ELB

Elastic Load Balancing; automatically distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets.
DevOps

AWS Lambda

Serverless compute service that runs code in response to events and automatically manages the underlying resources.
DevOps

AWS Managed Services

Ongoing management of AWS infrastructure, allowing customers to focus on their applications and business.
DevOps

AWS Monitoring

Process of tracking and analyzing the performance, health, and usage of AWS resources and applications.
DevOps

AWS RDS

Relational Database Service; managed service for setting up, operating, and scaling relational databases in the cloud.
DevOps

AWS RDS Postgres Monitoring

Tracking and analyzing the performance and health of PostgreSQL databases running on AWS RDS.
DevOps

AWS S3

Simple Storage Service; object storage service offering industry-leading scalability, data availability, and performance.
DevOps

AWS S3 Cost Optimization

Strategies and practices to reduce costs associated with storing and accessing data in AWS S3.
DevOps

AWS Security

Set of tools, services, and best practices for protecting data, applications, and infrastructure in the AWS cloud.
DevOps

Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)

Software development approach where acceptance tests are written before the code, guiding implementation.
DevOps

Active Directory

Microsoft's directory service for Windows domain networks, managing users, computers, groups, and other objects.
DevOps

Advanced Rate Limiting

Technique to control the rate of incoming requests to an API or service, preventing overload and ensuring fair usage.
DevOps

Agent

Software component that performs automated tasks, often used in monitoring, data collection, or system management.
DevOps

Agile

Iterative approach to software development emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and rapid delivery of working software.
DevOps

Agile Manifesto

Document outlining values and principles of Agile software development, prioritizing individuals, working software, and adaptability.
DevOps

Agile Methodology

Set of practices based on Agile principles, focusing on iterative development, team collaboration, and customer feedback.
DevOps

Agile Organization

Company structure that emphasizes adaptability, quick response to change, and continuous improvement.
DevOps

Agile Project Management

Applying Agile principles to project management, focusing on iterative planning, frequent delivery, and team empowerment.
DevOps

Agile Software Development

Iterative approach to building software, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and rapid delivery of working features.
DevOps

Ajax Requests

Technique for creating fast, dynamic web pages by exchanging small amounts of data with the server behind the scenes.
DevOps

Alerting

System for notifying relevant personnel about critical events or issues in IT infrastructure or applications.
DevOps

Amazon Aurora

Fully managed relational database engine compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, designed for the cloud.
DevOps

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

A cloud platform offering a wide range of services like computing power, storage, and databases, enabling scalable, flexible solutions.
DevOps

Android Deployment

Process of distributing and installing Android applications on devices or making them available through app stores.
DevOps

Android Emulator

Software tool that simulates Android devices on a computer for testing and development purposes.
DevOps

Android Studio

Official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development, offering a comprehensive set of tools and features.
DevOps

Anomaly Detection

Process of identifying unusual patterns or behaviors that deviate from expected norms in data or system behavior.
DevOps

Ansible

Open-source automation tool for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation.
DevOps

Antifragile

Quality of systems that gain strength from disorder or stress, becoming more resilient in the face of challenges.
DevOps

Apache

Popular open-source web server software that can run on various platforms, known for its reliability and extensive feature set.
DevOps

App Store Connect

Apple's platform for managing apps, viewing analytics, and submitting to the App Store.
DevOps

AppDynamics

Application performance management and IT operations analytics platform for monitoring and optimizing application performance.
DevOps

Application Containerization

Packaging software code and dependencies into lightweight, portable containers for consistent deployment across environments.
DevOps

Application Firewall

Security system that monitors, filters, and blocks HTTP/HTTPS traffic to and from web applications.
DevOps

Application Infrastructure

The hardware, software, and networking components required to run and support an application.
DevOps

Application Lifecycle Management

Process of managing an application from ideation through retirement, including development, testing, and maintenance.
DevOps

Application Migration

Process of moving an application from one environment to another, often involving cloud or platform transitions.
DevOps

Application Performance Monitoring (APM)

Tools and practices for monitoring and managing the performance and availability of software applications.
DevOps

Application Platform

Software framework that provides a foundation for developing and running applications, often including runtime services and APIs.
DevOps

Application Program Interface (API)

Set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software applications and enabling communication between different software systems.
DevOps

Application Release Automation (ARA)

Process of packaging and deploying applications automatically across various environments and platforms.
DevOps

Application Security

Measures taken to improve the security of an application by finding, fixing, and preventing vulnerabilities.
DevOps

Application Team

Group responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving a specific application or set of applications.
DevOps

Application Whitelisting

Security practice that specifies which applications are permitted to run on a system, blocking all others.
DevOps

Application Workflow

Sequence of tasks or processes within an application, often automated to improve efficiency and consistency.
DevOps

Aptly

Debian repository management tool that makes it easy to mirror existing repositories and create new ones.
DevOps

Artifact

Any file or object produced during the software development process, such as compiled code, documentation, or test results.
DevOps

Artifactory

Repository manager for storing and managing software packages, artifacts, and dependencies.
DevOps

Artifacts

Byproducts of software development, including executables, libraries, documentation, and other files created during the process.
DevOps

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning and problem-solving.
DevOps

Asgard

Open-source web-based tool for cloud management and application deployment, primarily used with Amazon Web Services.
DevOps

Asterisk

Open-source framework for building communications applications, particularly used for creating custom telephone systems.
DevOps

Atom

Open-source text and source code editor developed by GitHub, known for its customizability.
DevOps

Attack Surface

Total sum of vulnerabilities in a given system that are accessible to an attacker.
DevOps

Attack Vector

Method or pathway used by a malicious actor to gain unauthorized access to a computer or network.
DevOps

Audit Log

Chronological record of system activities, providing a trail for tracking user actions and system events.
DevOps

Auditd

Linux daemon that monitors and logs system activities to detect security violations.
DevOps

Authentication Factor

Piece of information or process used to verify a user's identity, such as passwords, biometrics, or security tokens.
DevOps

Automated Builds

Process of compiling source code into executable software without manual intervention, often part of CI/CD pipelines.
DevOps

Automation

Use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
DevOps

Autonomy

Degree of independence and self-governance given to teams or systems in making decisions and performing tasks.
DevOps

Awsbox

Tool for deploying node.js apps to Amazon Web Services, simplifying the process of setting up and managing instances.
DevOps

Azure

Microsoft's cloud computing platform providing a wide range of services for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications.
DevOps

Back-end

Server-side of a website or application, responsible for data storage, security, and business logic.
DevOps

Backup

Copy of data created to protect against loss or damage, often stored separately from the original for recovery purposes.
DevOps

Bad/Threat Actor

Individual or entity that attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in systems or networks for malicious purposes.
DevOps

Baklava code

Term describing code that has too many layers, making it overly complex and difficult to understand or maintain.
DevOps

Bamboo

Continuous integration and deployment server by Atlassian, automating the building, testing, and deployment of software.
DevOps

Bare-metal

Physical computer server dedicated to a single tenant, not virtualized or shared among multiple users.
DevOps

Barkeep

Open-source web-based code review system that facilitates collaborative code reviews and discussions.
DevOps

Bash

Unix shell and command language, widely used for scripting and automating tasks in Unix-like operating systems.
DevOps

Bastion host

Specially designed system on a network specifically intended to withstand attacks, usually placed at the edge of a network.
DevOps

Bazel

Open-source build and test tool that enables fast, reproducible builds across multiple platforms and languages.
DevOps

Beats

Lightweight data shippers for various types of data, part of the Elastic Stack for log and metrics collection.
DevOps

Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)

Software development approach that focuses on defining the behavior of an application based on user stories.
DevOps
Git Pull --Rebase

Git Pull --Rebase

A variation of Git pull that fetches remote changes and rebases local commits on top of them instead of merging.
Git Push --Force-with-Lease

Git Push --Force-with-Lease

A safer alternative to force push, which only updates the branch if it hasn't been modified since your last fetch.
Git Range-diff

Git Range-diff

A command that compares the changes between two commit ranges, useful for reviewing rebased branches.
Git Read-tree

Git Read-tree

A low-level command that reads tree objects into the index, used in complex merging scenarios.
Git Reflog

Git Reflog

A log of all reference updates in a repository, useful for recovering lost commits or branches.
Git Reflogs

Git Reflogs

Same as Git Reflog, logs that record when the tips of branches and other references were updated in the repository.
Git Refs Storage

Git Refs Storage

The system Git uses to store references (like branches and tags) as files in the .git directory.
Git Refspec

Git Refspec

A string that specifies the mapping between remote and local references when fetching or pushing.
Git Remote Add

Git Remote Add

Adds a new remote repository to your local Git configuration, associating a name with a URL.
Git Remote Prune

Git Remote Prune

A command that removes remote-tracking branches that no longer exist on the remote repository.
Git Remote Remove

Git Remote Remove

Removes a remote repository from your local Git configuration, deleting its associated references.
Git Replace

Git Replace

A feature allowing one Git object to be transparently used in place of another, useful for history rewriting.
Git Rerere (Reuse Recorded Resolution)

Git Rerere (Reuse Recorded Resolution)

A feature that remembers how you resolved merge conflicts and automatically reapplies the resolution.
Git Reset

Git Reset

A command used to undo changes by moving the current branch head to a specific commit.
Git Reset --Hard

Git Reset --Hard

A Git reset option that updates the working directory and staging area to match the specified commit.
Git Reset --Soft

Git Reset --Soft

A Git reset option that moves the HEAD to a specified commit without changing the working directory or staging area.
Git Rev-list

Git Rev-list

A command that lists commit objects in reverse chronological order, often used as a basis for other commands.
Git Rev-parse

Git Rev-parse

A command used to parse Git revision syntax and return the corresponding object name.
Git Revert

Git Revert

A command that creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by a previous commit.
Git Rm

Git Rm

A command to remove files from both the working directory and the Git repository.
Git Shallow Clone

Git Shallow Clone

A clone that only fetches a limited number of commits, reducing download size and time for large repositories.
Git Shortlog

Git Shortlog

A command that summarizes git log output, typically used to create release announcements.
Git Signed Commits

Git Signed Commits

Commits that are cryptographically signed to verify the identity of the committer and ensure integrity.
Git Signed Tags

Git Signed Tags

Tags that are cryptographically signed to verify the identity of the tagger and ensure the tag's integrity.
Git Squash

Git Squash

The process of combining multiple commits into a single commit, often used to simplify history before merging.
Git Stash Apply

Git Stash Apply

A command that applies a stored stash to the working directory without removing it from the stash list.
Git Stash Pop

Git Stash Pop

A command that applies a stored stash to the working directory and removes it from the stash list.
Git Status

Git Status

A command that displays the state of the working directory and the staging area.
Git Submodule

Git Submodule

A repository embedded within another repository, allowing you to keep a Git repository as a subdirectory of another Git repository.
Git Submodule Foreach

Git Submodule Foreach

A command that executes a specified shell command for each initialized submodule in a Git repository.
Git Subtree

Git Subtree

A feature for managing nested repositories as subdirectories of a parent repository, an alternative to submodules.
Git Update-index

Git Update-index

A low-level Git command that manipulates the staging area, updating file information and preparing changes for commit.
Git Wire Protocol

Git Wire Protocol

The communication protocol used between Git clients and servers for efficient data transfer.
Git Worktree

Git Worktree

A feature allowing multiple working trees to be attached to the same repository, useful for working on different branches simultaneously.
Git Worktree Add

Git Worktree Add

Creates a new working tree associated with the repository, allowing work on multiple branches simultaneously.
Git Worktree List

Git Worktree List

A command to list details of each working tree associated with the repository, showing paths and branch information.
Git Write-tree

Git Write-tree

A low-level Git command that creates a tree object from the current index, representing a directory structure.
Git archive

Git archive

A Git command used to create an archive (zip or tar) of files from a specified commit, useful for creating release packages.
Git branch naming conventions

Git branch naming conventions

Agreed-upon patterns for naming branches to improve organization and clarity in collaborative projects.
Git cat-file

Git cat-file

A command to examine the contents and type of Git objects, useful for inspecting repository internals.
Git cherry-pick --continue

Git cherry-pick --continue

A command to resume the cherry-pick process after resolving conflicts in a paused cherry-pick operation.
Git config scopes (system, global, local)

Git config scopes (system, global, local)

Levels at which Git configuration can be set: system (all users), global (user), and local (repository).
Git count-objects -v

Git count-objects -v

A command providing detailed statistics about the number and size of objects in a Git repository.
Git credential helpers

Git credential helpers

Mechanisms to securely store and retrieve credentials for Git operations, reducing manual authentication.
Git diff drivers

Git diff drivers

Custom scripts that determine how Git should generate diffs for specific file types.
Git filter-repo

Git filter-repo

A versatile tool for rewriting Git repository history, offering more power and flexibility than git filter-branch.
Git gc aggressive

Git gc aggressive

A more thorough garbage collection process in Git, optimizing repository storage and performance.
Git hash-object

Git hash-object

A low-level Git command that computes the object ID (SHA-1 hash) for a given file or string, used in Git's internal storage.
Git hooks (client-side and server-side)

Git hooks (client-side and server-side)

Scripts triggered by specific events in Git workflows, used to automate tasks or enforce policies.
Git index (staging area)

Git index (staging area)

The intermediate area in Git where changes are prepared before committing, also known as the staging area.
Git loose objects

Git loose objects

Individual, uncompressed Git objects stored separately in the object database before being packed.
Git ls-tree

Git ls-tree

A command to list the contents of a tree object in Git, showing files and subdirectories.
Git merge drivers

Git merge drivers

Custom scripts defining how Git should handle merges for specific file types or patterns.
Git mktree

Git mktree

A low-level Git command that creates a tree object from a specific index or tree listing.
Git object types (blob, tree, commit, tag)

Git object types (blob, tree, commit, tag)

The four fundamental object types used by Git to store repository data and history.
Git pack-refs

Git pack-refs

A command to pack references into a single file for improved performance in repositories with many references.
Git packfiles

Git packfiles

Compressed files containing multiple Git objects, optimizing storage and transfer efficiency in repositories.
Git post-receive hooks (server-side)

Git post-receive hooks (server-side)

Server-side scripts that run after commits have been accepted, often used for notifications or deployments.
Git pre-receive hooks (server-side)

Git pre-receive hooks (server-side)

Server-side scripts that run before pushed commits are accepted, used to enforce policies or checks.
Git protocol v2

Git protocol v2

An improved version of the Git transfer protocol, offering better performance and feature negotiation.
Git rebase --onto

Git rebase --onto

A command to move a series of commits to a new base commit, useful for changing the parent of a branch.
Git reflog expire

Git reflog expire

A command to remove old entries from the reflog, useful for cleaning up Git history and freeing space.
Git repack

Git repack

A command to combine all loose objects in a repository into packfiles, improving storage efficiency.
Git reset (soft, mixed, hard)

Git reset (soft, mixed, hard)

Commands to undo changes in Git, with varying impacts on the working directory and staging area.
Git secret management

Git secret management

Techniques and tools for securely storing and accessing sensitive information in Git repositories.
Git show-ref

Git show-ref

A command that lists references in a Git repository along with their associated commit hashes.
Git sparse-checkout

Git sparse-checkout

A feature allowing users to check out only a subset of files from a repository, saving space and time.
Git verify-pack

Git verify-pack

A command to validate the contents of Git pack files, ensuring data integrity in the object database.
GitHub App

GitHub App

An application that can be installed directly on organizations and user accounts to extend GitHub's functionality.
GitHub Flavored Markdown

GitHub Flavored Markdown

A version of Markdown with additional features specifically supported on GitHub.
GitHub Importer

GitHub Importer

A tool for importing repositories to GitHub from other version control systems or source code hosts.
GitHub Issues

GitHub Issues

A feature in GitHub for tracking tasks, enhancements, and bugs for a project.
GitHub Jobs

GitHub Jobs

A platform for posting and finding software development jobs, integrated with GitHub profiles, that was discontinued in 2021.
GitHub Marketplace

GitHub Marketplace

A platform for developers to sell and buy integrations for GitHub, enhancing workflow and productivity.
GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages

A static site hosting service that takes files directly from a GitHub repository to publish websites.
GitHub Wiki

GitHub Wiki

A collaborative documentation feature in GitHub repositories, allowing easy creation and editing of project documentation.
GitHub flow

GitHub flow

A lightweight, branch-based workflow that supports teams and projects where deployments are made regularly.
GitLab flow

GitLab flow

A version control workflow that combines feature-driven development and feature branches with issue tracking.
Gitflow

Gitflow

Branching model for Git that defines a strict branching model designed around project releases.
Gitk (Git Repository Browser)

Gitk (Git Repository Browser)

A graphical interface for viewing Git repositories, providing a visual representation of commit history.
GraphQL

GraphQL

Query language for APIs and a runtime for executing those queries with existing data.
HEAD

HEAD

A pointer in Git that refers to the latest commit in the current checked-out branch.
Hello, World

Hello, World

A simple program often used as an introduction to a new programming language or environment, including Git tutorials.
Hotfix branching

Hotfix branching

A method for quickly patching production releases by branching directly from the main branch or a tag.
Index

Index

Also known as the staging area, where changes are prepared before committing in Git.
Issue templates

Issue templates

Predefined structures for creating new issues in Git repositories, ensuring consistent and complete information.
Jekyll

Jekyll

A static site generator often used with GitHub Pages to create websites from Markdown files in a Git repository.
Jekyll Theme Chooser

Jekyll Theme Chooser

A tool in GitHub Pages that allows users to easily select and apply pre-designed themes to their Jekyll sites.
LFS

LFS

Git Large File Storage, an extension for versioning large files in Git repositories.
Linguist

Linguist

A library used by GitHub to detect the programming languages used in repositories.
Markdown

Markdown

A lightweight markup language commonly used for documentation in Git repositories.
Master

Master

Formerly the default name for the primary branch in Git repositories, now often replaced by 'main'.
Merge

Merge

The process of combining changes from different branches into a single branch, integrating multiple lines of development.
OAuth app

OAuth app

An application that uses the OAuth protocol to access Git platform APIs on behalf of users.
OAuth token

OAuth token

A secure string used for authentication in Git operations, allowing access to resources without sharing passwords.
Origin

Origin

The default name for the remote repository from which a local repository was cloned.
Patch

Patch

A file describing changes between versions, used to share and apply modifications across different Git repositories.
Pull

Pull

A Git command that fetches changes from a remote repository and merges them into the current branch.
Pull Request

Pull Request

A method of submitting contributions to a Git project, proposing changes from a forked repository or branch.
Pull request templates

Pull request templates

Customizable files that automatically populate the body of new pull requests, guiding contributors.

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.

Metrics Pipeline

System for collecting, processing, and storing performance metrics from containerized applications and infrastructure.

Metrics Server

Kubernetes add-on that collects resource metrics from kubelets for use in autoscaling and monitoring.

Metrics Server Optimization

Techniques for improving the performance and efficiency of the Kubernetes Metrics Server for better monitoring.

MicroK8s

Lightweight, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution designed for developer workstations, IoT devices, and CI/CD.

Microservices Chassis Pattern

Reusable base structure for building microservices, providing common functionalities like logging and monitoring.

MinIO Object Storage

High-performance, S3-compatible object storage system, often used for persistent storage in container environments.

Mount Propagation

Feature allowing containers to share mounted volumes, enabling advanced storage scenarios in Kubernetes.

Multi-Container Pod Patterns

Design patterns for deploying multiple containers within a single pod, such as sidecar, ambassador, or adapter patterns.

Multi-architecture Images

Container images supporting multiple CPU architectures, enabling deployment flexibility across diverse hardware.

Multi-cluster Management

Tools and practices for administering and orchestrating multiple Kubernetes clusters as a unified system.

Multi-cluster Networking

Technologies and configurations enabling network connectivity and service discovery across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Orchestration

Coordinated management and deployment of containerized applications across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Service Discovery

Mechanisms for locating and accessing services deployed across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Service Mesh

Implementation of service mesh functionalities spanning multiple Kubernetes clusters for unified traffic management.

Multi-stage Builds

Dockerfile technique using multiple stages to create optimized, smaller container images by separating build and runtime environments.

Multitenancy Benchmarks

Performance and isolation tests for evaluating the effectiveness of multi-tenant Kubernetes cluster configurations.

Multus

CNI plugin enabling attachment of multiple network interfaces to pods in Kubernetes, supporting advanced networking scenarios.

Multus CNI

Container Network Interface plugin allowing multiple CNI plugins to be used simultaneously, enabling multi-network support for pods.

Multus CNI for Multiple Networks

Use of Multus to attach pods to multiple networks, enabling complex networking scenarios in Kubernetes.

Mutating Webhooks

Admission controller webhooks that can modify resource requests before they are persisted, enabling dynamic resource manipulation.

Mutual TLS (mTLS)

Security protocol ensuring both client and server authenticate each other, commonly used in service mesh implementations.

NIST SP 800-190

Observability platform offering performance monitoring and analytics for containerized applications and infrastructure.

NSM (Network Service Mesh)

Cloud-native approach to solving L2/L3 use cases and service chain provisioning in Kubernetes.

NUMA-aware Scheduling

Kubernetes feature considering Non-Uniform Memory Access topology for optimal pod placement.

Namespace

Kubernetes abstraction for creating multiple virtual clusters within a physical cluster, providing a scope for names and resources.

Namespaces

Kubernetes feature for partitioning clusters into virtual sub-clusters, enabling resource isolation and access control.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Process of modifying network address information in packet headers for routing in container networks.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Concept of replacing dedicated network appliances with virtualized functions, often containerized.

Network Microsegmentation

Security technique dividing networks into isolated zones, enhancing container and microservices security.

Network Policies

Kubernetes resources specifying how groups of pods are allowed to communicate with each other and other network endpoints.

Network Policy

Specification of how groups of pods are allowed to communicate with each other and other network endpoints.

Network Policy Logging

Feature enabling logging of allowed and denied network connections based on Kubernetes Network Policies.

Network Segmentation

Practice of dividing a network into smaller segments or subnets, improving security and performance in container environments.

Network Service Mesh (NSM)

Cloud-native solution providing layer 2/3 network services to Kubernetes workloads, enhancing networking capabilities.

NetworkPolicy

Kubernetes resource defining rules for pod-to-pod and pod-to-external communication, implementing network segmentation.

NeuVector for Container Firewall

Security platform providing real-time container firewall, vulnerability management, and compliance for Kubernetes.

New Relic Container Monitoring

Observability platform offering performance monitoring and analytics for containerized applications and infrastructure.

Node

Basic unit of a distributed application in many systems, often referring to individual machines or processes.

Node Affinity

Kubernetes feature allowing pods to be scheduled on nodes with specific characteristics based on labels.

Node Authorization

Kubernetes authorization mode controlling kubelet access to the API server, enhancing cluster security.

Node Auto-provisioning

Feature automatically adjusting the number of nodes in a Kubernetes cluster based on workload demands.

Node Exporter

Prometheus exporter for hardware and OS metrics exposed by *NIX kernels, used for node-level monitoring in Kubernetes.

Node Feature Discovery

Kubernetes add-on detecting hardware features and system configuration, facilitating hardware-aware scheduling.

Node Name

Unique identifier for a node in a Kubernetes cluster, used in various operations and configurations.

Node Pressure Eviction

Process of removing pods from a node when it experiences resource pressure, ensuring stability.

Node Problem Detector

Kubernetes add-on monitoring and reporting node health issues, enhancing cluster reliability.

Node Restriction Admission Plugin

Kubernetes plugin limiting node and pod modifications to increase security and prevent privilege escalation.

Node Selector

Kubernetes feature for constraining pods to nodes with specific labels, enabling basic scheduling control.

Node Upgrade Process

Procedure for updating the software stack on Kubernetes nodes while minimizing disruption to running workloads.

Node-level Logging

Capture and management of system and container logs at the node level in a Kubernetes cluster.

NodeLifecycleController

Kubernetes controller managing the lifecycle of nodes, handling node registration and decommissioning.

NodeLocal DNSCache

Kubernetes add-on running a dns caching agent on cluster nodes to improve DNS performance.

NodePort

Kubernetes service type exposing the service on each node's IP at a static port, enabling external access.

NodePort Services

Kubernetes services that expose applications on a static port on each node, facilitating external access.

Non-root User Containers

Security practice of running containers with non-privileged users to reduce potential attack surface.

North-South Traffic

Network communication between external clients and services within a Kubernetes cluster, typically through ingress.

Notary

Open-source project providing secure content distribution and verification for container registries.

Notary for Content Trust

Implementation of Notary to ensure the integrity and authenticity of container images, enhancing supply chain security.

OCI Distribution Spec

Open Container Initiative specification defining an API protocol for distributing container images.

OCI Image Spec

Open Container Initiative specification defining the format of container images, ensuring interoperability.

OCI Image Specification

Detailed standard for container image format, ensuring interoperability between different container technologies.

OCI Runtime Specification

Standard defining the configuration, execution environment, and lifecycle of containers, ensuring compatibility.

OOM Killer

Linux kernel mechanism for terminating processes when the system runs out of memory, affecting container reliability.

OVN-Kubernetes for Open Virtual Networking

Integration of Open Virtual Network with Kubernetes for advanced software-defined networking.

Octant Dashboard

Open-source developer-centric web interface for visualizing Kubernetes cluster state and workloads.

Open Container Initiative (OCI) Runtime Spec

Industry standard for container runtime implementations, ensuring compatibility across platforms.

Open Policy Agent (OPA)

General-purpose policy engine for cloud-native environments, often used for Kubernetes admission control.

Open Policy Agent (OPA) Constraint Framework

OPA-based system for declaring, managing, and enforcing policies in Kubernetes environments.

OpenEBS

Container-attached storage solution providing persistent storage for stateful workloads in Kubernetes.

OpenEBS Local PV

OpenEBS feature for provisioning local persistent volumes, optimizing performance for I/O intensive workloads.

OpenFaaS

Framework for building serverless functions with Docker and Kubernetes, simplifying the deployment of event-driven workloads.

OpenID Connect Tokens

JSON Web Tokens used for authentication in Kubernetes, often integrated with external identity providers.

OpenTelemetry Collector

Vendor-agnostic way to receive, process, and export telemetry data in various formats for observability.

OpenTracing

Vendor-neutral API for distributed tracing, facilitating the instrumentation of microservices for observability.

OpenYurt

Kubernetes extension designed for edge computing scenarios, enabling efficient management of edge nodes.

Operator Lifecycle Manager (OLM)

Kubernetes extension that oversees installation, upgrades, and management of Operators in a cluster.

Operator Metering

Feature for usage reporting and billing in Kubernetes clusters, often used with Operators.

Operator Metrics

Performance and health indicators exposed by Kubernetes Operators for monitoring and alerting.

Operator Pattern

Kubernetes extension pattern for automating application-specific operational knowledge and tasks.

Operator SDK

Framework for building Kubernetes Operators, simplifying the development process with high-level APIs.

Operator Scorecard

Tool for validating Operators against best practices and providing suggestions for improvements.

OperatorHub

Public registry for finding and sharing Kubernetes Operators, facilitating discovery and distribution.

Out-of-Tree Plugins

Kubernetes plugins developed and maintained outside the main Kubernetes repository, enabling extensibility.

Outbox Pattern for Reliable Messaging

Design pattern ensuring consistency between database and message broker in distributed systems.

Outlier Detection

Process of identifying abnormal behavior in containerized applications or infrastructure for troubleshooting.

Overhead

Additional resource consumption introduced by container runtimes and orchestration systems.

Overlay Filesystems

Layered filesystem used by container runtimes to efficiently manage image layers and container writes.

Overlay Networks

Virtual networks created on top of existing networks, enabling container-to-container communication across hosts.

Parent Image

Base container image upon which other images are built, providing foundational layers for child images.

Peer Authentication

Service mesh feature ensuring mutual authentication between services using mTLS, enhancing security.

Persistent Volume Claims (PVC)

Kubernetes resource representing a request for storage by a user, abstracting storage implementation details.

Persistent Volumes (PV)

Kubernetes abstraction for a piece of storage in the cluster, managed independently of individual pods.

PersistentVolume

Kubernetes resource representing a piece of storage in the cluster that has been provisioned by an administrator.

PersistentVolumeClaim

Kubernetes resource representing a request for storage by a user, abstracting the details of the underlying storage implementation.

Pipeline as Code

Practice of defining CI/CD pipelines using code, often stored alongside application code for version control and review.

Pixie

Open-source observability tool for Kubernetes, providing automatic data collection and real-time debugging capabilities.

Pixie for Kubernetes Observability

Use of Pixie to gain deep insights into Kubernetes cluster performance and application behavior without code changes.

Pod

Smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, consisting of one or more containers sharing storage and network resources.

Pod Affinity

Kubernetes scheduling constraint that allows pods to be co-located with other pods based on labels.

Pod Affinity/Anti-Affinity

Kubernetes features for influencing pod scheduling based on the topology of the cluster and other pods.