Engineering Glossary

From fundamental principles to cutting-edge practices, this glossary covers the full spectrum of software engineering terminology.

DevOps
Git
Cloud Computing
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
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.
index entry

index entry

A record in Git's index file representing the state of a file in the repository.
integration

integration

A connection between Git and other tools or services to enhance functionality and workflow.
key fingerprint

key fingerprint

A short sequence of bytes used to identify a longer public key in Git's GPG signing process.
keychain

keychain

A secure storage system for passwords and keys, often integrated with Git clients for credential management.
keyword

keyword

A reserved word in Git commands or configurations with a specific meaning or function.
label

label

A way to categorize and organize issues and pull requests in GitHub repositories.
license

license

A document in a Git repository specifying how the project can be used, modified, and distributed.
line comment

line comment

A feature in Git platforms allowing users to comment on specific lines of code in pull requests or commits.
line ending

line ending

Characters marking the end of a line, which can cause issues in Git when collaborating across different operating systems.
locked personal account

locked personal account

A GitHub account that has been restricted due to a violation of terms of service or suspicious activity.
main

main

The default name for the primary branch in many Git repositories, replacing 'master' in recent conventions.
management console

management console

An administrative interface for managing Git hosting services, often used in enterprise environments.
markup

markup

A system of annotation used to format text, often used in Git documentation and comments.
members graph

members graph

A visual representation of an organization's membership on Git hosting platforms.
mention

mention

A way to notify a user on Git platforms by using the @ symbol followed by their username.
merge conflict

merge conflict

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

milestone

A way to track progress on groups of issues or pull requests in GitHub projects.
mirror

mirror

A complete copy of a repository, including all branches and history, often used for backup or as a full replica.
nested team

nested team

A team within a GitHub organization that is a subset of a larger team, inheriting its permissions.
network graph

network graph

A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure of a Git repository.
news feed

news feed

A personalized list of recent activity on Git platforms, showing updates from followed users and repositories.
non-fast-forward

non-fast-forward

A Git push that introduces new commits to the remote branch that aren't direct descendants of the current remote HEAD.
notification

notification

An alert system on Git platforms to inform users about relevant activities and mentions.
object

object

A fundamental unit in Git's data model, representing content, commits, trees, or tags, identified by a unique SHA-1 hash.
object database

object database

The storage system in Git that contains all versions of project files and metadata, organized by SHA-1 hashes.
object identifier (oid)

object identifier (oid)

A unique SHA-1 hash that identifies a Git object, ensuring data integrity and enabling content-addressable storage.
object name

object name

Another term for the SHA-1 hash that uniquely identifies a Git object in the repository.
object type

object type

The classification of Git objects, including blob (file content), tree (directory structure), commit, and tag.
octopus

octopus

A Git merge involving more than two branches simultaneously, creating a commit with multiple parents.
organization

organization

A shared account on Git hosting platforms where businesses and open-source projects can collaborate across many projects.
organization owner

organization owner

A user with administrative privileges for an organization account on Git hosting platforms.
orphan

orphan

A branch in Git with no parent commit, typically used to start a new history unrelated to existing branches.
outside collaborator

outside collaborator

A user granted access to a repository but not a member of the organization that owns the repository.
overlay

overlay

A Git feature that allows files from one branch to temporarily override files in another branch without merging.
owner

owner

The user or organization with administrative rights to a Git repository, controlling access and settings.
pack

pack

A compressed file format used by Git to store multiple objects efficiently, reducing repository size.
pack index

pack index

A file that provides fast random access to objects stored within a packfile in Git.
parent

parent

A commit from which another commit is derived, establishing the hierarchical relationship in Git history.
parent team

parent team

A team in a Git platform that grants its permissions to nested sub-teams within an organization.
participating notifications

participating notifications

Alerts received when you're directly involved in repository activities like being assigned or mentioned.
pathspec

pathspec

A pattern used in Git commands to limit the scope of operations to specific files or directories.
peel

peel

The process of recursively dereferencing a Git object to reveal its underlying object type.
per-worktree ref

per-worktree ref

A reference specific to a particular working tree in a Git repository with multiple worktrees.
permalink

permalink

A URL that points to a specific version of a file or directory in a Git repository, ensuring consistent reference.
personal account

personal account

An individual account on Git platforms, used for personal projects and contributions.
pickaxe

pickaxe

A Git feature for searching the repository history to find when a particular change was introduced.
pinned repository

pinned repository

A featured repository prominently displayed on a user's or organization's profile page on their Git hosting platform of choice.
plumbing

plumbing

Low-level Git commands that expose internal workings, primarily used for scripting and advanced operations.
porcelain

porcelain

High-level Git commands designed for everyday use, providing a user-friendly interface to common version control tasks.
pre-receive hooks

pre-receive hooks

Server-side scripts that run before pushed commits are accepted, used to enforce policies or perform checks.
primary email address

primary email address

The main email associated with a Git account, used for communications and commit author identification.
private contributions

private contributions

Contributions made to private repositories, typically only visible to repository collaborators.
private repository

private repository

A Git repository with restricted access, visible only to the owner and explicitly granted collaborators.
production branch

production branch

A Git branch that represents the stable, deployed version of a project, often protected from direct changes.
profile

profile

A user's public page on a Git platform, displaying information about their activity and repositories.
profile photo

profile photo

An image representing a user on a Git platform, displayed alongside their contributions and activities.
project board

project board

A kanban-style board in Git platforms for organizing and prioritizing project issues and pull requests.
protected branch

protected branch

A branch with rules enforcing certain conditions before changes can be pushed, merged, or deleted.
pseudoref

pseudoref

A Git reference that doesn't follow the standard refs format but is treated similarly, like HEAD or MERGE_HEAD.
public contributions

public contributions

Contributions made to public repositories, visible on a user's profile and activity feed.
public repository

public repository

A Git repository that is openly accessible to anyone, allowing viewing and often cloning without authentication.
pull access

pull access

Permission level in Git allowing a user to clone a repository and fetch updates, but not push changes.
pull request review

pull request review

The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before they are merged into the main codebase.
pulse graph

pulse graph

A visual representation of a GitHub repository's recent activity, including commits, issues, and pull requests.
punch graph

punch graph

A visualization of commit frequency over time, often displayed as a heatmap on Git platforms.
push a branch

push a branch

The act of uploading commits from a local branch to a corresponding branch in a remote Git repository.
push access

push access

Permission to upload local changes to a remote Git repository, allowing direct modification of shared branches.
reachability bitmaps

reachability bitmaps

Data structures used to optimize Git operations by quickly determining which objects are reachable from a given commit.
reachable

reachable

Git objects that can be accessed by following the commit history from a given reference point.
read access

read access

Permission to view and clone a Git repository without the ability to make changes or push commits.
recovery code

recovery code

A backup method for accessing a Git account if two-factor authentication is enabled but unavailable.
ref

ref

A name that points to a specific Git object, typically a commit, such as branches or tags.
refs

refs

The collection of references in a Git repository, including branches, tags, and other named pointers to commits.
remote URL

remote URL

The address of a remote Git repository, used for fetching and pushing changes between local and remote repositories.
remote repository

remote repository

A version of a Git project hosted on a server, serving as a central point for collaboration and backup.
remote-tracking branch

remote-tracking branch

A local reference that represents the state of a corresponding branch in a remote repository.
replica

replica

A copy of a Git repository, often used in distributed systems for redundancy and load balancing.
repository cache

repository cache

A local storage of repository data used to improve performance in Git operations.
repository graph

repository graph

A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure in a Git repository.
repository maintainer

repository maintainer

A person responsible for managing a Git repository, reviewing contributions, and maintaining project quality.
required pull request review

required pull request review

A protection rule requiring one or more reviewers to approve changes before merging in Git platforms.
required status check

required status check

A condition that must be met, such as passing tests, before changes can be merged into a protected branch.
resolve

resolve

The process of addressing and fixing merge conflicts in Git, typically done manually by the developer.
revert

revert

A Git operation that creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by a previous commit.
review

review

The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before merging them into the main codebase.
revision

revision

A specific version of a file, directory, or entire repository in Git, often referenced by a commit hash.
rewind

rewind

The act of moving a branch pointer to an earlier commit in Git, effectively undoing more recent commits.
root directory

root directory

The top-level directory of a Git repository, containing all project files and the .git subdirectory.
root filesystem

root filesystem

The base filesystem of a Git repository, from which all other directories and files are organized.
saved reply

saved reply

A pre-written response that can be quickly inserted into issues or pull request comments on Git platforms.
scope

scope

The range of access or permissions granted to a token or application in Git-based systems.
seat

seat

A licensed user in enterprise Git hosting plans, typically representing a single user account.
secret team

secret team

A team in a Git organization that is hidden from non-members and other teams within the organization.
security log

security log

A record of security-related events and actions in a system, used for monitoring and auditing purposes.
server-to-server request

server-to-server request

An authenticated request between Git servers, often used in integrations or automated processes.
service hook

service hook

A mechanism for Git platforms to send event notifications to external services or applications.
shallow repository

shallow repository

A Git repository with an intentionally truncated history, often created through shallow cloning.
single sign-on

single sign-on

An authentication process allowing users to access multiple Git-related services with one set of credentials.

Serverless Computing (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions)

Cloud execution model where providers manage infrastructure, automatically scaling resources as needed.

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.

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.

Fluentd vs Fluent Bit

Comparison of two popular log processors for containerized environments, with Fluent Bit being more lightweight.

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.