Software Development
Definitions related to software development, including tech terms about programming and words and phrases about Scrum, Agile and waterfall methodologies.IN- - PER
- in-app purchase (IAP) - An in-app purchase (IAP) is something bought from within an application, typically a mobile app running on a smartphone or other mobile device.
- incremental shift left testing - Incremental shift left testing is a widely adopted method that starts testing earlier in the development cycle – shifting it to the left on the timeline -- and breaks complex development down into smaller pieces that build upon each other.
- Infinite Monkey Theorem - The Infinite Monkey Theorem is a proposition that an unlimited number of monkeys, given typewriters and sufficient time, will eventually produce a particular text, such as Hamlet or even the complete works of Shakespeare.
- information radiator - An information radiator, also known as a Big Visible Chart (BVC), is a large graphical representation kept plainly in sight within an agile development team’s shared workspace.
- instance - An instance, in object-oriented programming (OOP), is a specific realization of any object.
- instant app (Google Android instant app) - A Google Android instant app is a small software program that enables end users to test out a portion of a native Android app without installing it on a device.
- intellectual property (IP) - Intellectual property (IP) is a term for any intangible asset -- something proprietary that doesn't exist as a physical object but has value.
- IntellJ IDEA - The free and open source IntellJ IDEA includes JUnit and TestNG, code inspections, code completion, support for multiple refactoring, Maven and Ant build tools, a visual GUI (graphical user interface) builder and a code editor for XML as well as Java.
- intentional programming (IP) - Intentional programming (IP), also called intentional software, is the rendering of application intentions in a form that can be processed by a computer.
- iOS developer kit - The iOS software development kit (iOS SDK) is a collection of tools for the creation of apps for Apple’s mobile operating system.
- iOS Developer Program - The iOS Developer Program is a fee-based subscription that allows program members to publish approved apps to the Apple app store.
- IT consultant - A consultant is an experienced individual in a given field who provides expert advice for a fee.
- IT solution - An information technology (IT) solution is a set of related software programs and/or services that are sold as a single package.
- iteration - In agile software development, an iteration is a single development cycle, usually measured as one week or two weeks.
- iterative development - Iterative development is a way of breaking down the software development of a large application into smaller chunks.
- Jargon File (New Hacker's Dictionary) - The Jargon File is a compilation of computer-related slang that was first developed in 1975 by Raphael Finkel at Stanford University from sources including the Stanford and MIT AI Labs, Carnegie Mellon University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
- Java abstract class - In Java and other object oriented programming (OOP) languages, objects and classes may be abstracted, which means that they are summarized into characteristics that are relevant to the current program’s operation.
- Java annotations - Within the Java development kit (JDK), there are simple annotations used to make comments on code, as well as meta-annotations that can be used to create annotations within annotation-type declarations.
- Java assert - The Java assert is a mechanism used primarily in nonproduction environments to test for extraordinary conditions that will never be encountered unless a bug exists somewhere in the code.
- Java BufferedReader - Java BufferedReader is a public Java class that allows large volumes to be read from disk and copied to much faster RAM to increase performance over the multiple network communications or disk reads done with each read command otherwise.
- Java Business Integration (JBI) - Java Business Integration (JBI) is a specification that defines an approach to implementing a service-oriented architecture (SOA), the underlying structure supporting Web service communications on behalf of computing entities such as application programs or human users.
- Java Comparator - Java Comparator can compare objects to return an integer based on a positive, equal or negative comparison.
- Java compiler - Generally, Java compilers are run and pointed to a programmer’s code in a text file to produce a class file for use by the Java virtual machine (JVM) on different platforms.
- Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) - The Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) is an application program interface (API) that provides a uniform framework for the implementation of security features in Java.
- Java IDE - Java IDEs typically provide language-specific features in addition to the code editor, compiler and debugger generally found in all IDEs.
- Java keyword - Java keywords are terms that have special meaning in Java programming and cannot be used as identifiers for variables, classes or other elements within a Java program.
- Java string - Strings, in Java, are immutable sequences of Unicode characters.
- JavaFX - JavaFX is a software development platform for the creation of both desktop aps and rich internet applications (RIAs) that can run on various devices.
- JAX-WS (Java API for XML Web Services) - Java API for XML Web Services (JAX-WS) is one of a set of Java technologies used to develop Web services.
- Jenkins - Jenkins is an open source continuous integration/continuous delivery and deployment (CI/CD) automation software DevOps tool written in the Java programming language.
- JeOS (just enough operating system) - JeOS (just enough operating system) is a highly customized operating system built for a specific application.
- Joomla! - Joomla! is a free open source website development and content management (CMS) platform.
- JSON (Javascript Object Notation) - JSON (JS Object Notation) is a text-based, human-readable data interchange format used for representing simple data structures and objects in Web browser-based code.
- JUnit - JUnit is an open source framework designed for the purpose of writing and running tests in the Java programming language.
- Kebab case - Kebab case -- or kebab-case -- is a programming variable naming convention where a developer replaces the spaces between words with a dash.
- kernel panic - A kernel panic is a computer error from which the operating system (OS) cannot quickly or easily recover.
- kill switch - A kill switch in an IT context is a mechanism used to shut down or disable a device or program.
- Kong - Kong is an open source API gateway and platform that acts as middleware between compute clients and the API-centric applications.
- Kony - Kony is a company that provides enterprise mobility products and services, including a mobile application development platform (MADP) and mobile backend as a service.
- Kotlin - Kotlin is a static type, object-oriented programing (OOP) language that is interoperable with the Java virtual machine, Java libraries and Android.
- Language Workbench - A Language Workbench (LWB) is a development toolset that facilitates the development and editing of domain specific languages (DSLs).
- language-oriented programming (LOP) - Language-oriented programming (LOP) is an approach to software development that focuses on the use of domain specific languages (DSLs) to solve problems within various domains in a system or application.
- learnability - Learnability is a quality of products and interfaces that allows users to quickly become familiar with them and able to make good use of all their features and capabilities.
- lemmatization - Lemmatization is the grouping together of different forms of the same word.
- lift and shift - Lift and shift is a strategy for moving an application or operation from one environment to another – without redesigning the app.
- Lightning (Salesforce Lightning) - Lightning (Salesforce1 Lightning) is a component-based framework for app development from Salesforce.
- LINQ (Language Integrated Query) - LINQ (Language Integrated Query) is a Microsoft programming model and methodology that essentially adds formal query capabilities into Microsoft .
- living documentation - Living documentation is a dynamic method of system documentation that provides information that is current, accurate and easy to understand.
- load testing - Load testing is the process of subjecting a computer, peripheral, server, network or application to a work level approaching the limits of its specifications.
- low-code and no-code development platforms - Low-code/no-code development platforms are types of visual software development environments that allow enterprise developers and citizen developers to drag and drop application components, connect them together and create mobile or web apps.
- manipulative design - Manipulative design is an approach to creating user interfaces that are designed to influence or trick users into taking particular actions that they might not take otherwise.
- Mantle - Mantle is a low-level 3D graphics application programming interface (API) created by AMD for their graphics processing units (GPUs) based on the Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture.
- market validation - Market validation is a series of actions that an entrepreneur carries out early in the product development lifecycle to verify there is a need for the new product or service in question.
- marketecture (or marchitecture) - A marketecture (or marchitecture) is a high-level representation of software or hardware architecture designed with marketing requirements as a primary consideration.
- massive open online course (MOOC) - A massive open online course (MOOC) is a free web-based distance learning program that is designed for large numbers of geographically dispersed students.
- MATLAB - MATLAB is a fourth-generation programming language and numerical analysis environment used for matrix calculations, developing and running algorithms, creating user interfaces (UI) and data visualization as well as other functions.
- MEAN (MongoDB, Ember, Angular, Node) - MEAN is an acronym that stands for MongoDB, Express, Angular, and Node.
- memory dump - A memory dump is the process of taking all information content in RAM and writing it to a storage drive.
- Mendix - Mendix is a low-code collaborative development platform for mobile and web-based applications.
- microservice architecture (MSA) - A microservice architecture (MSA) is a logical structure for the design of a software program involving loosely-coupled modular components known as microservices.
- microservices - Microservices, or microservices architecture, is an approach to application development in which a large application is built from modular components or services.
- Microsoft Quantum Development Kit - The Microsoft Quantum Development Kit is a set of programming tools for writing code that will run on a quantum computer.
- mob programming - Mob programming is a software development technique where software development teams work on the same tasks at the same time.
- mobile application development - Mobile application development is the set of processes and procedures involved in writing software for small, wireless computing devices.
- mobile application development platform (MADP) - A mobile application development platform (MADP) is a type of software that allows a business to rapidly build, test and perhaps deploy mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.
- mobile browser - A mobile browser is one that is optimized for the small display screen and limited resources of a handheld computing device such as a smart phone.
- mobile deep linking - Mobile deep linking makes it easier for people to access resources on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices because it decreases the number of actions they have to take to get to their target destination.
- mobile experience - Mobile experience, or mobile user experience (UX), is the practice of fostering a certain user perception before, during and after the interaction with a mobile product or offering.
- mobile platform as a service (MPaaS) - Mobile Platform as a Service (mPaaS) is the paid provision of an Interactive Development Environment (IDE) for the creation of mobile apps.
- mobile UI (mobile user interface) - A mobile UI is the user interface on a mobile device, usually including a touch screen display and all the other elements of the device that allow the user to interact with it.
- mock object - In object-oriented programming, a mock object is a simulated object that mimics the behavior of the smallest testable parts of an application in controlled ways.
- model-based testing - Model-based testing (MBT) requires a test team to create a second, lightweight implementation of a software build- typically only the business logic - called the model.
- model-driven development (MDD) - Model-driven development (MDD) is a format to write and implement software quickly, effectively and at minimum cost.
- modeling and simulation (M&S) - Modeling and simulation (M&S) is the use of a physical or logical representation of a given system to generate data and help determine decisions or make predictions about the system.
- monolithic - Monolithic, in information technology, means either very large or composed all in one piece, depending on the particular context.
- monolithic architecture - A monolithic architecture is the traditional unified model for the design of a software program.
- Moral Machine - The Moral Machine is a platform developed at MIT to gather human perspective on the moral decisions made by artificial intelligence (AI).
- multi-tenancy - Multi-tenancy is an architecture in which a single instance of a software application serves multiple customers.
- mutation testing - Mutation testing, also known as code mutation testing, is a form of white box testing where testers will change specific components of an application's source code to ensure a software test suite will be able to detect the changes.
- native app - A native application is a software program that is developed for use on a particular platform or device.
- Netflix Spinnaker - Netflix Spinnaker is an open source, multi-cloud continuous delivery application that can be used to release software updates rapidly and efficiently.
- niche app - A niche app is a specialized application, typically designed with social networking built in and optimized for mobile devices.
- no-code - No-code is a software development approach that requires few, if any, programming skills to quickly build an application.
- NoOps - NoOps (no operations) is the concept that an IT environment can become so automated and abstracted from the underlying infrastructure that there is no need for a dedicated team to manage software in-house.
- not invented here (NIH) syndrome - Not invented here (NIH) syndrome is the name of the tendency for management to resist change by overlooking processes or solutions discovered outside of the company.
- NUnit - NUnit is an evolving, open source framework designed for writing and running tests in Microsoft .
- object-relational mapping (ORM) - Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a mechanism that makes it possible to address, access and manipulate objects without having to consider how those objects relate to their data sources.
- offline first - Offline first is an approach to software development in which developers build an application’s core features to function with or without an internet connection.
- offshore software testing - Offshore software testing is a software development model where an organization outsources the software testing process to a service partner team located in a different country with a different time zone.
- open API (public API) - Review this definition to learn about open APIs, also known as a public APIs, including their associated benefits, industry use cases and unique attributes.
- open core model (open core software) - The open core model is a business strategy where a company offers a “core” version of a product with limited features as free and open source (FOSS) software at the same time an add-on commercial version is released as proprietary software.
- Open Document Format (ODF) - The Open Document Format (ODF) is an XML-based open source file format for saving and exchanging text, spreadsheets, charts, and presentations.
- Open Network Automation Platform - The Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) is a networking project that provides a digital environment for the orchestration and automation of complex network services.
- Open Source Hardening Project - The Open Source Hardening Project is an initiative of the United States Department of Homeland Security, created to improve the security of open source code.
- out-of-band patch - An out-of-band patch is a patch released at some time other than the normal release time.
- part-of-speech tagger (PoS tagger) - A part of speech (PoS) tagger is a software tool that labels words as one of several categories to identify the word's function in a given language.
- Pascal case - Pascal case is a naming convention in which developers start each new word in a variable with an uppercase letter.
- pastebin - A pastebin is a Web application that allows users to upload and share text online.