This alphabetized glossary is designed to help you understand critical concepts, methodologies, tools, and roles in software development. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, these terms will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the software engineering industry, participate in user groups, and excel in certificate programs.
Why This Glossary Matters
Software engineering is a vast field, and understanding the terminology is crucial for success. This glossary includes:
- Course-specific terms: Commonly introduced in software engineering training and certification programs.
- Industry-recognized terms: Widely used across teams, companies, and projects worldwide.
We’ve excluded references to specific course weeks to make this resource universally applicable!
How to Use This Glossary
The glossary is alphabetized for easy reference. Each term includes:
- Definition: A clear and concise explanation of the term.
- Context: How the term relates to software engineering.
Feel free to bookmark this post and refer to it whenever you need a quick refresher on key software engineering concepts.
Glossary of Terms
2-tier
A computing model where the server hosts, delivers, and manages most of the resources and services delivered to the client.
3-tier
An organizational pattern that splits applications into three tiers:
- Presentation tier: User interface.
- Middle tier: Application/business logic.
- Data tier: Storage and management.
Agile
An iterative software development methodology where teams work in sprints to deliver working code in small, incremental releases. Feedback from stakeholders is incorporated after each sprint.
Alpha Release
The first functioning version of a system released to a select group of stakeholders for initial feedback.
API Gateway
A server that routes API requests from clients to backend services and handles communication between services.
Application Programming Interface (API)
Code that allows two applications to communicate with each other.
Array
A fixed-size data structure that stores elements of the same type in sequential order, starting from index 0.
Attributes
The properties and data that belong to an object in object-oriented programming (OOP).
Backend Developers
Developers who build and maintain the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power applications.
Behavioral Models
Models that describe what a system does without detailing how it does it. They show the overall behavior of the system.
Beta Release
A limited release of software to select stakeholders outside the development organization for final testing and feedback.
Black-box Testing
A testing method where the tester evaluates functionality without looking at the internal code or structure.
Boolean Expression
A programming statement that evaluates to either true or false.
Branching
Logic in a program that makes decisions based on certain conditions, leading to different sets of instructions.
Build Automation Utilities
Tools that compile and link source code into executables or build artifacts.
Business Logic
The part of an application that dictates rules, processes, and interactions, such as database transactions or calculations.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
A web development language used to define the style, layout, and appearance of web pages.
Class
A blueprint for creating objects in object-oriented programming. Defines attributes (properties) and methods (functions).
Client-Server
Another name for the 2-tier architecture model.
Compiled Language
Languages that require a compiler to convert source code into machine code, creating an executable file.
Component
A modular unit of functionality in software that works with other components to deliver a complete application.
Conditional Statement
An “if-then” statement that enables branching logic in software.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
A DevOps practice for automating code integration, testing, and deployment to ensure frequent and reliable updates.
Create, Read, Update, Delete (CRUD)
The four basic operations for interacting with a database.
Database Management System (DBMS)
Software that manages databases and facilitates interaction between users and the database.
Distributed System
A system in which multiple services are hosted on different machines and communicate over a network.
Dynamic Content
Content generated each time it is requested by a client, as opposed to static content stored on a server.
Encapsulation
The bundling of data and methods in OOP to hide the internal state of an object and expose only necessary functionality.
Event-driven Architecture
A design pattern where the flow of the program is determined by events such as user actions or sensor outputs.
Extensibility
The ability to add new functionality to a component without modifying existing components.
Firewall
A network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Framework
A pre-written collection of code that provides a foundation for building applications.
Frontend Developers
Developers who build the part of the application that users interact with, such as web pages and mobile interfaces.
Fullstack Developers
Developers skilled in both frontend and backend development.
Function
A reusable piece of code that performs a specific action and can return a result.
Functional Testing
A type of black-box testing that verifies the software’s functionality based on input and expected output.
General Availability
A stable version of software intended for all users.
Git
A version control system that tracks changes to code and supports branching and merging workflows.
Hybrid Cloud
A cloud computing model that combines public and private cloud infrastructures.
Inheritance
An OOP concept where a subclass inherits properties and methods from a parent class.
Integration Testing
Testing that occurs after unit testing to ensure that combined components work properly.
JavaScript
An object-oriented programming language used to add interactivity to web pages.
Load Balancer
A tool that distributes network traffic among multiple servers to prevent overload and maximize responsiveness.
Loop
A sequence of instructions that repeats until a specific condition is met.
Microservices
An architectural style that breaks an application into modular, independently deployable services.
Minimal Viable Product (MVP)
A basic version of a product with just enough features to gather stakeholder feedback.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
A programming paradigm focused on objects, which bundle data (attributes) and behavior (methods).
Proxy Server
An intermediary server that handles requests between two systems for purposes like caching and load balancing.
Regression Testing
Testing to ensure that recent changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.
Responsive Design
A website design approach that ensures the layout adjusts to fit different screen sizes.
Scalability
The capacity of an application to handle increasing or decreasing loads without affecting performance.
Scrum Master
A role in Agile development responsible for facilitating teamwork and removing roadblocks.
Unit Testing
Testing individual components or “units” of code in isolation.
User Stories
Short descriptions of software requirements from the perspective of the end-user.
Final Thoughts
This glossary serves as a valuable resource for understanding software engineering terminology. Whether you’re preparing for a certification, collaborating with a team, or brushing up on concepts, these terms will help you stay informed and confident in your software engineering journey.
If you found this glossary helpful, feel free to share it with others in your network!
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