Software Development Glossary

A project management methodology where software is developed in short cycles called sprints (usually 2 weeks). Each sprint delivers a working piece of the product, allowing for regular feedback and adjustments.

Application Programming Interface — a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs enable your app to connect with payment gateways, social media, maps, and other services.

Amazon Web Services — the world's largest cloud computing platform. AWS provides servers, databases, storage, and 200+ services that allow businesses to run applications without owning physical hardware.

The server-side of a software application that users don't see. It handles data storage, business logic, authentication, and API processing. Common backend technologies include Node.js, Python, Java, and .NET.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment — an automated process where code changes are automatically tested and deployed to production. This reduces bugs and speeds up delivery.

Customer Relationship Management — software that helps businesses manage interactions with customers. It tracks leads, sales, support tickets, and customer data in one centralized system.

Software that works on multiple operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows) from a single codebase. Frameworks like React Native and Flutter enable cross-platform mobile app development.

A combination of Development and Operations practices that automates software delivery. DevOps uses tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines to deploy code faster and more reliably.

A platform that packages applications into containers — lightweight, portable units that run consistently across any environment. Docker eliminates 'it works on my machine' problems.

Enterprise Resource Planning — comprehensive business software that integrates inventory, accounting, HR, CRM, manufacturing, and analytics into a single system. ERP eliminates data silos and automates business processes.

Google's mobile and web application development platform. It provides authentication, real-time databases, cloud storage, push notifications, and analytics — all without managing your own servers.

Google's open-source UI framework for building natively compiled mobile, web, and desktop applications from a single Dart codebase. Flutter apps achieve near-native performance on both iOS and Android.

The client-side of a software application — the part users see and interact with. Frontend development uses HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.

A developer or approach that covers both frontend (user interface) and backend (server, database) development. Full-stack development means handling the entire technology stack.

A version control system that tracks changes to code over time. Git allows multiple developers to work on the same project without conflicts and enables rollback to previous versions if needed.

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure — an encrypted version of HTTP that protects data transmitted between a user's browser and a website. HTTPS is required for SEO and user trust.

JavaScript Object Notation — a lightweight data format used to exchange information between a server and a web application. JSON is the standard format for APIs and data storage.

An open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes orchestrates Docker containers across multiple servers.

An architecture where a large application is split into small, independent services that communicate via APIs. Each service can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.

A popular NoSQL database that stores data in flexible JSON-like documents instead of traditional tables. MongoDB is ideal for applications with rapidly changing data structures.

Minimum Viable Product — the simplest version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and gather feedback. Building an MVP first saves 30-50% of development costs.

A React-based framework for building fast, SEO-friendly web applications. Next.js supports server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes — making it ideal for business websites.

A JavaScript runtime that allows running JavaScript on servers. Node.js is used for building fast, scalable backend services, APIs, and real-time applications.

A category of databases that don't use traditional table-based structure. NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Firebase, Redis) are designed for flexibility, scalability, and handling unstructured data.

A powerful, open-source relational database system known for reliability and advanced features. PostgreSQL handles complex queries, transactions, and large datasets efficiently.

A web application that works like a native mobile app — with offline support, push notifications, and home screen installation. PWAs cost less than native apps while providing a similar experience.

A versatile programming language used for web development, data science, AI, automation, and scripting. Python is known for its readability and extensive library ecosystem.

Facebook's open-source JavaScript library for building user interfaces. React uses a component-based architecture and virtual DOM for fast, interactive web applications.

A framework for building native mobile apps using React and JavaScript. React Native allows one codebase to run on both iOS and Android, reducing development time by 30-40%.

Representational State Transfer API — a standard way for applications to communicate over HTTP using methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE. Most modern web and mobile apps use REST APIs.

Software as a Service — cloud-based software accessed via a web browser rather than installed locally. Users pay a subscription fee. Examples: Google Workspace, Slack, Salesforce.

An agile framework where work is divided into sprints (1-4 week cycles). Each sprint has planning, daily standups, review, and retrospective meetings to ensure continuous improvement.

Search Engine Optimization — the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher on Google and other search engines. SEO covers on-page content, technical performance, backlinks, and user experience.

Structured Query Language — the standard language for managing relational databases. SQL is used to create, read, update, and delete data in databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server.

Secure Sockets Layer certificate — encrypts data between a web server and browser. SSL certificates enable HTTPS and are required for secure websites, especially those handling payments or personal data.

A superset of JavaScript that adds static typing. TypeScript catches errors during development rather than at runtime, making code more reliable and maintainable for large projects.

User Interface (UI) is how an app looks. User Experience (UX) is how it feels to use. Good UI/UX design makes software intuitive, beautiful, and enjoyable — directly impacting user retention and satisfaction.

A communication protocol that enables real-time, two-way data exchange between a client and server. WebSockets power live chat, real-time notifications, stock tickers, and multiplayer games.