Glossary of tech terms

Some concepts that can be helpful to understand when you're working on a tech project, or working with tech consultants, or trying to figure out what tech to use.

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Last updated 9 months ago

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Glossary of tech terms

Some concepts that can be helpful to understand when you're working on a tech project, or working with tech consultants, or trying to figure out what tech to use.

API (Application Programming Interface): The group of protocols and definitions that systems use to communicate within each other
Backward Compatibility: Concept where a new version a system is designed to be compatible with data generated by older versions of it (for example it’s possible to import data exported by older versions of the system).
CSS is a stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML. CSS describes how elements should be rendered on screen, on paper, in speech, or on other media.
Domain Names: The names (urls) used to access the web in a more easy to remember way than using IP addresses. New domains needs to be bought and renew every few years. It’s also passable to create subdomains (blog.theengineroom.org is a subdomain of theengineroom.org).
HTML is the most basic building block of the Web. It defines the meaning and structure of web content.
is a lightweight markup language that you can use to add formatting elements to plaintext text documents.
Older tech compatibility: Systems will look different in different devices (windows/mac) and browsers (chrome, firefox, etc). They will also look and function differently in older versions of tech. It’s important to map which devices will our users use because it’s harder to make sure that the system works well in older tech (ex Internet Explorer 6).
Programming Languages: JavaScript, Java, Ruby, Python, Go, PHP, C#, etc are programming languages. Different programming languages could be appropriate for building different tools (websites, apps, etc) or could be chosen as a preference of the development team (by paradigm, expertise)
Required Stack/Project Stack: are the programming languages, frameworks and tools that need to be installed in the developer computer in order to run the project in development mode
Servers: a computer or group of computers where a tool is installed (a website for example). The server manages user requests to access the product. Servers can be physical( in an organization office, dedicated software and hardware) or could be virtual (uses virtual infrastructure, virtualization software and abstracts the physical server’s computer resources to create virtual environments)
(SSL/HTTPS): Cryptographic protocols designed to provide communications security (privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity) over a computer network by using certificates.
SEO: A process of internet marketing to increase the traffic in your website/product by adding descriptions, titles and images that will make the site rank higher in search engines.
Virtualization/Containerization: Software that emulates a full computer. This practice is good in terms of isolation as programs running inside a container cannot view or use the host’ resources.

.... to be continued!

PreviousWelcome to the Digital Resilience Hub NextWhat we mean by 'Meaningful Connectivity'

Last updated 9 months ago

Was this helpful?

API (Application Programming Interface): The group of protocols and definitions that systems use to communicate within each other
Backward Compatibility: Concept where a new version a system is designed to be compatible with data generated by older versions of it (for example it’s possible to import data exported by older versions of the system).
CSS is a stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML. CSS describes how elements should be rendered on screen, on paper, in speech, or on other media.
Domain Names: The names (urls) used to access the web in a more easy to remember way than using IP addresses. New domains needs to be bought and renew every few years. It’s also passable to create subdomains (blog.theengineroom.org is a subdomain of theengineroom.org).
HTML is the most basic building block of the Web. It defines the meaning and structure of web content.
is a lightweight markup language that you can use to add formatting elements to plaintext text documents.
Older tech compatibility: Systems will look different in different devices (windows/mac) and browsers (chrome, firefox, etc). They will also look and function differently in older versions of tech. It’s important to map which devices will our users use because it’s harder to make sure that the system works well in older tech (ex Internet Explorer 6).
Programming Languages: JavaScript, Java, Ruby, Python, Go, PHP, C#, etc are programming languages. Different programming languages could be appropriate for building different tools (websites, apps, etc) or could be chosen as a preference of the development team (by paradigm, expertise)
Required Stack/Project Stack: are the programming languages, frameworks and tools that need to be installed in the developer computer in order to run the project in development mode
Servers: a computer or group of computers where a tool is installed (a website for example). The server manages user requests to access the product. Servers can be physical( in an organization office, dedicated software and hardware) or could be virtual (uses virtual infrastructure, virtualization software and abstracts the physical server’s computer resources to create virtual environments)
(SSL/HTTPS): Cryptographic protocols designed to provide communications security (privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity) over a computer network by using certificates.
SEO: A process of internet marketing to increase the traffic in your website/product by adding descriptions, titles and images that will make the site rank higher in search engines.
Virtualization/Containerization: Software that emulates a full computer. This practice is good in terms of isolation as programs running inside a container cannot view or use the host’ resources.

.... to be continued!