Glossary of software application development

A

  • Agile Development: A methodology focused on iterative development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration.
  • API (Application Programming Interface): A set of tools and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other.
  • Authentication: The process of verifying a user’s identity to grant access to a system or application.
  • Automation Testing: The use of scripts and tools to execute tests on software applications automatically.

B

  • Back-End Development: The server-side of application development, involving databases, servers, and APIs.
  • Bug: An error, flaw, or failure in a software application that causes unexpected behavior.
  • Build: A version of software compiled for testing or release.
  • Business Logic: The rules and operations that define how data is created, stored, and modified in an application.

C

  • Cache: Temporary storage that helps reduce data retrieval time by storing frequently used data.
  • CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment): A practice where developers frequently integrate and deploy code changes into a shared repository.
  • Cloud Computing: Delivery of computing services like storage, databases, and servers over the internet.
  • Code Review: The process of reviewing another developer’s code to identify bugs or improvement opportunities.
  • Containerization: The use of tools like Docker to package applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable units.

D

  • Database: A structured collection of data stored electronically.
  • Debugging: The process of identifying and fixing errors in a software application.
  • Deployment: Releasing an application or updates to a live environment where end-users can access it.
  • Design Patterns: Reusable solutions to common software design problems.

E

  • Endpoint: A URL or interface where APIs accept requests and send responses.
  • Error Handling: Mechanisms implemented in software to manage and respond to errors or unexpected behavior.
  • Event-Driven Architecture: A software design pattern where actions are triggered in response to specific events.

F

  • Framework: A pre-built collection of tools, libraries, and best practices for developing software applications (e.g., React, Laravel).
  • Frontend Development: The client-side of application development, focused on user interface and experience.
  • Functionality Testing: Testing software features to ensure they work as intended.

G

  • Git: A version control system used for tracking changes in code.
  • GraphQL: A query language for APIs that allows clients to request specific data.
  • GUI (Graphical User Interface): The visual part of an application that users interact with.

H

  • HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): A protocol used for transmitting data over the web.
  • Hosting: Providing server space for running and storing web or software applications.

I

  • IDE (Integrated Development Environment): A software suite that combines tools like code editors, debuggers, and compilers (e.g., Visual Studio, IntelliJ IDEA).
  • Integration Testing: Testing how different modules or services in an application work together.
  • Iteration: A development cycle within methodologies like Agile, focusing on delivering incremental improvements.

J

  • JavaScript: A programming language commonly used for interactive web applications.
  • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight format for storing and exchanging data.

K

  • Kanban: A workflow management method used to visualize tasks and improve efficiency in development.
  • Kubernetes: An open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

L

  • Library: A collection of pre-written code that developers can use to perform common tasks (e.g., jQuery, Lodash).
  • Load Testing: A type of performance testing to evaluate how an application handles heavy loads.
  • Low-Code Development: Building software applications using visual interfaces with minimal hand-coding.

M

  • Middleware: Software that connects different components or applications, enabling communication and data exchange.
  • Microservices: An architectural style where applications are composed of small, independent services.
  • Minimum Viable Product (MVP): The simplest version of a product that can be launched to gather user feedback.

N

  • NoSQL: A type of database designed for unstructured or semi-structured data (e.g., MongoDB).
  • Normalization: The process of organizing a database to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency.
  • Notification System: A feature that alerts users about updates or actions in an application.

O

  • Open Source: Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
  • ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): A tool that allows developers to interact with databases using programming languages instead of SQL queries (e.g., Hibernate, Sequelize).

P

  • Patch: An update that fixes bugs or security vulnerabilities in an application.
  • Prototype: An early sample or model of a software application used to test concepts or features.
  • Push Notifications: Messages sent from an app to a user’s device, often used for updates or alerts.

R

  • Refactoring: The process of restructuring existing code without changing its functionality.
  • Regression Testing: Testing to ensure that new updates haven’t introduced new bugs into previously working code.
  • REST (Representational State Transfer): An architectural style for designing networked applications.

S

  • Scalability: The ability of an application to handle increased workloads or users as it grows.
  • Scrum: An Agile methodology that focuses on delivering small, incremental changes in short development cycles.
  • SDK (Software Development Kit): A collection of tools and libraries for building software on a specific platform.
  • Source Control: Tools like Git or SVN used to track changes in the codebase.

T

  • Test Automation: The use of scripts and tools to test software applications automatically.
  • Third-Party Integration: Incorporating external services or APIs into an application.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): An extra layer of security requiring two forms of identification to access an application.

U

  • UI (User Interface): The visual and interactive elements of an application that users interact with.
  • Unit Testing: Testing individual components or pieces of code to ensure they work as expected.
  • UX (User Experience): The overall experience a user has when interacting with an application.

V

  • Version Control: A system for tracking and managing changes to software code (e.g., Git).
  • Virtual Machine: A software-based environment that mimics physical hardware, used for running applications or testing.

W

  • Waterfall Model: A sequential software development methodology where each phase must be completed before moving to the next.
  • Webhooks: Automated messages sent from one application to another based on specific events.
  • Wireframe: A blueprint or outline of an application’s layout and structure.

Y

  • YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language): A human-readable data serialization format often used for configuration files.

Z

  • Zero Downtime Deployment: A deployment process that ensures an application remains available during updates.