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
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.

Blockchain Interoperability

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

Blockchain as a Service

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

Blockchain as a Service (BaaS)

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

Blockchain-Based Audit Trails for Cloud Resources

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

Blockchain-Based Databases

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

Blockchain-Based Networking

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

Blockchain-Based Security Audit Trails

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

Blockchain-based Cloud Security

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

Blockchain-based Supply Chain

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

Blue-Green Deployment

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

Blue-Green Deployments

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

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

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

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) for Cloud Interaction

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

Budget Alerts

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

Budget Management

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

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

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

CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)

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

Calico

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

Canary Deployments

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

Carbon Footprint Calculation for Cloud Services

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

Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE)

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

Carbon-Aware Computing

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

Carbon-Intelligent Computing

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

Carbon-Intelligent Workload Scheduling

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

Centralized Logging

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

Chaos Engineering Platforms

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

Chaos Engineering Tools

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

Chaos Engineering as a Service

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

Chargeback Models

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

Chargeback and Showback

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

Chatbot Services

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

Cilium

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

Circuit Breaker Pattern

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

Circular Economy in Cloud Hardware

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

Cloud Abstraction Layer

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

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

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

Cloud Adoption Framework

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

Cloud Analytics

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

Cloud Asset Intelligence

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

Cloud Asset Management

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

Cloud Broker

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

Cloud Bursting

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

Cloud CDN

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

Cloud Carbon Footprint Monitoring

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

Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE)

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

Cloud Configuration Optimization

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

Cloud Cost Anomaly Detection

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

Cloud Cost Optimization

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

Cloud Custodian

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

Cloud DNS

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

Cloud Data Sovereignty Solutions

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

Cloud Development Kit (CDK)

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

Cloud Financial Operations

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

Cloud Functions (Google Cloud)

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

Cloud Gaming

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

Cloud Governance Framework

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

Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM)

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

Cloud Interconnect (Google Cloud)

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

Cloud License Optimization

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

Cloud Management Platform

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

Cloud Migration Assessment

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

Cloud Monitoring

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

Cloud Native Application Performance Management (APM)

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

Cloud Native Buildpacks

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

Cloud Native CI/CD

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

Cloud Native Databases

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

Cloud Native Networking

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

Cloud Native Observability

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

Cloud Native Security

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

Cloud Native Storage

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

Cloud Network Automation

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

Cloud Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

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

Cloud Network Intelligence

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

Cloud Performance Benchmarking Tools

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

Cloud Rendering

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

Cloud Repatriation

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

Cloud Robotics

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

Cloud Robotics Data Analytics

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

Cloud Robotics Security

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

Cloud Robotics Simulation Environments

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

Cloud Run (Google Cloud)

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

Cloud Security

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

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)

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

Cloud Service Catalog

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

Cloud Spend Analysis

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

Cloud Spend Anomaly Detection

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

Cloud Spend Forecasting

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

Cloud WAN

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

Cloud WAN (Wide Area Network)

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

Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)

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

Cloud-Based 3D Asset Management

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

Cloud-Based Computer Vision for Robotics

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

Cloud-Based Data Labeling Services

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

Cloud-Based Digital Twins

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

Cloud-Based Distributed Operating Systems

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

Cloud-Based Generative AI Services

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

Cloud-Based Haptic Feedback

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

Cloud-Based Motion Capture

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

Cloud-Based Reinforcement Learning

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

Cloud-Based Robot Learning

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

Extended Resources

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

Extender

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

External Admission Webhooks

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

External Secrets Management Integration

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

ExternalName

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

ExternalName Services

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

FPGA Scheduling

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

FaaS on Kubernetes

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

Falco

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

Falco for Runtime Security

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

Fault Injection

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

Feature Gates

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

Federated Service Mesh

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

Federation

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

Finalizers

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

Finalizers in Operators

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

Firecracker

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

Firecracker MicroVMs

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

Fission

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

Flagger

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

Flannel

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

Flannel for Simple Overlay Networking

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

FlexVolume

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

FluentD

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

Fluentd DaemonSet

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

Fluentd Input Plugins

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

Fluentd Output Plugins

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

Flux CD

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

Flux v2

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

Function Autoscaling

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

Function Buildpacks

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

GPU Scheduling in Kubernetes

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

Garden.io for Remote Kubernetes Development

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

Generic Ephemeral Volumes

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

Geneve Overlay Networks

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

GitLab CI/CD

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

GitOps Toolkit

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

GitOps Workflow

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

GlusterFS

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

Go-based Operators

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

Goldilocks for Resource Recommendation

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

Google Cloud Run

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

Google Container Registry (GCR)

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

Grafana Dashboards

Customizable visualization panels for monitoring containerized environments and applications.

Grafana Data Sources

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

Grafana Loki

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

Grafana Provisioning

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

GraphQL in Containerized Environments

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

Guaranteed QoS

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

Harbor

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

Harness CD

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

Headless Services

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

Helm

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

Helm Charts

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

Helm Hooks

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

Helm Operator

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

Helm Repositories

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

Helm Values

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

Helm-based Operators

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

Hierarchical Namespaces

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

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler

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

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler Metrics

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

Horizontal Pod Autoscaler with Custom Metrics

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

HorizontalPodAutoscaler

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

Host Networking

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

HugePages

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

IPVS

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

IPsec for Container Networks

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

IPv4/IPv6 Dual-Stack

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

IPv6 in Kubernetes

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

Idempotent API Design

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

Image

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

Image Digests

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

Image Index (Fat Manifest)

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

Image Layer Caching

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

Image Layer Optimization

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

Image Manifest

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

Image Manifest V2 Schema 2

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

Image Promotion

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

Image Pulling

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

Image Pushing

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

Image Retention Policies

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

Image Scanning

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

Image Signing

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

Image Signing and Verification

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

Image Squashing

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

Image Tagging

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

Image Vulnerability Scanning

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

ImageService

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

Immutable Infrastructure

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

Imperative Deployments

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

In-Memory Data Grids

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

In-Place Upgrades

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

In-Tree Plugins

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

Incremental Image Transfer (eStargz)

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

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Testing

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

Ingress

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

Ingress Controllers

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

Ingress Gateway

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

Init Container Pattern

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