IT Glossary

The API-first approach refers to a strategy in software development where an application programming interface (API) is created before any code is written. An API, of course, is a type of software that lets an application obtain data from another. It allows various applications to communicate with one another.

Almost all the applications we use in our daily lives employ APIs. And so, it only makes sense to conceptualize, design, and test an API before writing the software code, instead of the other way around.

An application gateway is a program that serves as a firewall proxy. It runs between computers in a network to tighten security. It is responsible for filtering incoming traffic that contains network application data.

To illustrate, think of a program that wants to connect with another. Before it can establish a connection, it must first connect to an application gateway, which then accesses the desired system on its behalf. That way, the computer on the receiving end is protected from possible malicious attacks.

So, what is an application gateway in simple terms? It provides an additional layer of protection against unwanted network traffic. It is also sometimes known as an “application-level gateway” or “application proxy.”

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a piece of software that acts like a messenger between two applications. If you are using one application but require information from another one, the API will go fetch it for you. You can also think of it as an intermediary that enables two computer applications to interact with each other and enable a particular function.

When you use an application on your smartphone to send a text message, it’s the API that tells a server what you want to do. The server then performs the action and sends back the data to your phone, which is then able to proceed and send the text message.

Backend development is that area of web development that focuses on how a website or web application works. It is what happens behind the scenes, the same way that a restaurant’s chef and his/her staff handles all orders without the customers sitting at their tables seeing them. Instead of cooking food, though, backend developers write codes that enable web browsers to communicate with databases and servers.

The primary role of a backend developer is to ensure that end-users get the data or services they requested without a glitch and on time. As such, backend development requires a comprehensive set of programming skills and knowledge.

A backend system refers to any structure or setup that runs and supports corporate back-office applications. Backend systems could take the form of servers, mainframes, and other systems that offer data services. Simply put, they are computers and devices that end-users don’t see since they work in the background. Nevertheless, a backend system plays a critical role in any organization’s operation.

When you think about a backend system doing several things in the background, you might think of a chaotic scene in a fast-food chain’s kitchen. Someone is in charge of preparing the drinks while another operates the fry station. Instead of several pieces of equipment, though, a backend system could include a single computer only.

Separating the frontend from the backend makes everything simpler. After all, you seldom see a waitress prepare the meals that he/she serves.

A cloud enabler is a technology or manufacturer that serves as an organization’s backbone for all of its cloud computing products and services. It is a broad term for technology vendors and solutions that let a company build, deploy, integrate, and deliver cloud computing solutions.
Cloud enablers are information technology (IT) firms that create hardware, software, storage devices, networking equipment, and other related cloud environment components. An example would be an organization that manufactures virtualization hypervisors that enable virtual machines (VMs).

Cloud portability is the ability to move an application or data from one cloud service provider to another without the need to rewrite or restructure them. For cloud data portability, the information can be moved to another service provider without reentering it. On the other hand, cloud application portability also refers to transferring an application from an enterprise’s premises to a cloud provider’s.

Codeless programming is alternatively known as “no-code software development” or “low-code software development.” It basically allows practically anyone (even those with no programming or development background) to create their own applications using templates and modules on graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Simply put, “codeless” in “codeless programming” translates to “no coding.”

A cold site is an office or a data center that does not have any server installed. It has power, cooling, and space available if an organization’s main work site or datacenter suffers a major outage. But since it is empty, a cold site will need engineering and information technology (IT) personnel to migrate all the necessary servers and equipment to it and make them operational. As such, a cold site is the least expensive cost-recovery option for any business.

Think of a cold site as a generator. When the power goes out in a building with a generator, the building administrator just needs to switch to generator power to restore electricity for the tenants’ use.

Concurrent computing is the process where a single or multiple systems do several calculations simultaneously or within overlapping time frames. The idea is to run various threads or instruction sets based on a given schedule. As such, the program should run independently of the parent or main process. Systems or components can work together without one or all waiting for the other tasks to be completed.

Imagine a car assembly line. Each system is programmed to manufacture a car part. Let’s say there are 10 different parts and a device for each piece. But there are 11 machines running simultaneously; the eleventh assembles the car. All 11 machines can work at the same time. Every time any of 10 parts assemblers are done, it can pass on the completed car part to the eleventh device. The last machine can then just wait for all 10 systems to finish and thus achieve its task as well.

Contiguous memory allocation is a way to allocate adjacent parts of memory to a process or file that needs it. Since all of the available partitions of the memory space are in the same place, the unused sections are not distributed randomly.

Think of contiguous memory allocation as a means of forming a group where you don’t get to choose who you will work with. Instead of having the option to work with office mates from different floors in your office, for example, you end up with the people you’re on the same floor with.

An embedded system refers to a combination of hardware and software or a fully functional computing system that performs a specific task within a larger system. Its capabilities can be programmable or customizable or fixed. An embedded system can be seen within industrial machines or robots, consumer electronics, agricultural and process industry devices, vehicles, medical equipment, cameras, household appliances, airplanes, vending machines, toys, and mobile devices.

In a car, an embedded system can be the airbag system that performs a specific function—deploy the airbags during a collision. The car is the big system that contains the embedded airbag system, along with many others.

Erasure coding is a means to protect data. In it, data is broken into fragments, expanded, encoded with redundant information, and stored in different locations or storage media. And so, if a storage media fails or data is corrupted, the data can be reconstructed from parts stored in other storage media. 

Think of any movie where the main character is framed for a crime and obtains evidence to exonerate himself. When he distributes different parts of the evidence and keeps these in other locations as insurance (e.g., a page of a document in a storage box per bank), he’s employing a form of erasure coding.

A field programmable gate array, more popularly referred to as “FGPA,” is a semiconductor device that uses a matrix of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) and is connected via programmable interconnects. A CLB is simply a single set of interconnected programmable logic devices. A programmable interconnect, meanwhile, is the device that connects all the elements of a programmable logic device, such as an FGPA, together.

A floating-point unit (FPU) is that part of a computer’s processing unit that allows it to perform floating-point calculations. Floating-point numbers contain fractions or decimal points, such as 8.565 and 0.0158, and operations that include them are called “floating-point calculations.” These calculations could range from simple ones, such as addition and multiplication, to complicated processes, such as trigonometric and exponential calculations.

Computers in the early 1990s used to have a separate FPU to handle these types of calculations. However, starting with the Motorola 68000 and Intel Pentium series, computer manufacturers made FPUs a part of the microprocessor chip. Today, FPUs have become a standard addition to the central processing unit (CPU).

Fog computing is a type of network architecture (i.e., how the systems are connected within a network and to the Internet) that links cloud computing (storage of data and programs over the Internet) to the Internet of Things (IoT). It allows data transmitted between IoT devices and cloud services to be processed faster because it brings them closer to one another. At the same time, it also determines which information is stored in the cloud and local hosts (i.e., the computers or servers within a network).

Fog computing puts resources like applications and data strategically in the network edge or closer to the cloud. As such, it limits bandwidth use, lowers latency, and promotes optimal network performance as the data does not have to be transferred or moved long distances to reach its intended destination.

Frontend development refers to that area of web development that focuses on what the users see on their end. It involves transforming the code built by backend developers into a graphical interface, making sure that the data is presented in an easy-to-read and -understand format.

Without frontend development, all you would see on a website or web application are undecipherable codes (unless you’re a developer, too, of course). But because of frontend developers, people with no coding background can easily understand and use web applications and websites. Everything you see when you visit Google Apps, Canva, Facebook, and other web applications are products of backend and frontend developers work together.

A golden image is a preconfigured template for various virtual machines (VMs) (e.g., virtual servers, desktops, or disk drives) used in network virtualization. Some organizations also consider it a master image that users can copy multiple times. A golden image makes it easier for IT managers to develop a consistent environment for all users.

Grid computing refers to a group of networked computers that work together to achieve a common goal. It allows users to split tasks across different machines, reducing the processing time and increasing efficiency. Grid computing is what enables normal system setups to function like supercomputers. In a sense, the process allows any network to perform a high volume of functions, including analyzing substantial datasets and weather modeling.

Grid computing works by executing specialized software on computers included in the network. The software serves as a system manager responsible for coordinating and assigning various tasks and subtasks to different machines.

Unlike other high-performing computing systems, grid computers have a node dedicated to an application or task. A node is a server or group of servers that manages and monitors the resources in a network.

Hot standby is a means to ensure a company’s critical business systems continue to work uninterrupted even if one or more of their hardware components fail. Also known as “hot spare” or “warm spare,” the method lets your hot standby-equipped server push on with tasks even if its hard drive ceased to work. There would be no system downtime and thus no business operation interruption.

Hot standby, therefore, is a failsafe. It ensures business continuity despite hardware-related problems. Think of it as your car’s handbrake. If your brake pedal fails, you can still make it stop with your handbrake.

Humanware is the method of adding a human facet into the development of computer programs. The main goal of developing humanware is to make hardware and software as functional as possible. 

A computer system is made up of three major components—hardware, software, and humanware. While software and hardware make up an actual computer, humanware is necessary for enhancing user experience (UX) by making improvements in the system’s user interface (UI). Humanware is the combination of hardware and software elements that make human interaction with a device as good as possible. Often, developing humanware begins by defining who the computer’s potential users are, what they are interested in, and what they need before designing the infrastructure.

You can think of hardware as cooking utensils in a kitchen. Software, meanwhile, can pertain to a recipe. The humanware component in this scenario is the chef. All the utensils and recipes in the world will be useless if you do not have a chef to bring food to life.

Much like the comparison, a computer cannot work with just hardware and software. It needs humanware to serve its intended purpose.

The term “industrial control system,” or “ICS” for short, refers to a collection of various types of control systems and associated instruments that operates and automates industrial processes. It includes all related devices, systems, networks, and controls.

Each ICS has a different function depending on the industry it’s used in. In general, ICSs are built to manage electronic tasks efficiently. Today, ICS devices and protocols are used in nearly every industrial sector and critical infrastructure, such as the manufacturing, transportation, energy, and water treatment industries.

A legacy system refers to an old process, piece of technology, system, or application that has become outdated and yet remains in use. Examples include factory equipment that run on MS-DOS or office computers that still use Windows 2000 and servers that continue to run Windows 2003 Server.

In general, it is not advisable to use legacy systems as these are no longer supported by their respective vendors. As such, they no longer receive critical patches, especially for cybersecurity. In case they get attacked, retrieving data or even the mere act of rebooting them may be impossible.

A lights out data center is simply a set of servers that is physically isolated from an organization’s headquarters. Its primary purpose? It prevents unauthorized human access and limits the effects of environmental changes (e.g., energy fluctuations, blackouts, etc.) on a company’s productivity.

Interestingly, the term “lights out data center” has to do with blackouts caused by lightning strikes.

A markup language is a computer language for clarifying the contents of a document. It was designed to process, define, and present computer text in a form that humans can read. It specifies the code used to format text, including the style and layout the programmer wants the document to appear. It uses tags to define these elements.

You can think of using markup language like a teacher grading student exams. The teacher “marks” mistakes, so students know why they were given a particular score.

Mean time to recovery (MTTR) refers to the average time it takes a system to recover fully from failure. When this amount of time has passed, the device should be fully operational again. It includes the entire outage time and time spent in-between testing, repair, restoration, and resolution. The MTTR of every system varies.

Imagine a person who hurt his ankle. In his case, MTTR starts from when he broke his ankle to the time it heals fully, and he can walk again without feeling any pain.

Micro segmentation refers to a network security technique. It allows security architects to divide a data center into distinct security segments logically. It can go as far as the individual workload level. That way, they can define specific security controls and provide services for each component.

Think of it as an office building’s lobby security personnel. While each office may have its own security measures (including guards), the lobby security already limits who can go into the building, thereby decreasing any office’s chances of intrusion.

Middleware refers to a type of software that connects different programs and databases to ensure that they can communicate, manage data, and work together seamlessly. It is a program that allows an operating system (OS) to communicate with the various applications that run on it like a bridge.

You can compare a middleware to a translator that helps different individuals who speak various languages to communicate with and understand one another.

Network virtualization refers to consolidating hardware and software functionality into a single network controlled via one virtual machine (VM). The VM simulates traditional hardware, albeit only limited to forwarding packets that contain instructions the virtual network carries out.

Network virtualization can either be implemented externally or internally. External virtualization involves combining a host of local networks or parts of them into a single host to improve efficiency. Internal virtualization, meanwhile, uses software containers (software units that house code and related programs) to provide network-like functionality through a single server.

To answer the question “What is network virtualization?” therefore. We can say it gives administrators the capability to run a network even if it is disconnected from the hardware.

An operating environment is the place where users run application software or programs. It is not necessarily a full operating system (OS) but it does act like a middleware, that is, the software that makes the OS work with a specific application.

Initially, operating environments helped an OS improve and extend its capabilities to more than just providing a reliable user interface (UI).

Orchestration is the practice of automatically configuring, coordinating, and managing applications, computer systems, and services. It primarily helps IT teams manage complicated workflows and perform tasks with ease.

Orchestration often requires identifying and understanding the many processes involved in accomplishing tasks and tracking the steps involved across various environments. These include mobile devices, applications, and databases.

In sum, orchestration refers to automating a series of tasks to work together seamlessly.

Paravirtualization is a computer hardware virtualization technique that allows virtual machines (VMs) to have an interface similar to that of the underlying or host hardware. This technique aims to improve the VM’s performance by modifying the guest operating system (OS).

With paravirtualization, the guest OS is modified, so it knows that it is running in a virtualized environment on top of a hypervisor (the hardware running the VM) and not on the physical hardware.

Pervasive computing is a software engineering concept that espouses the use of computerized technology anytime and anywhere. Also known as “ubiquitous computing,” the idea is that computing can be done using any device and format wherever the user may be.

Pervasive computing can exist in several forms, stemming from the use of laptops to household appliances. Some of the technologies that make it possible are microprocessors, mobile codes, sensors, and the Internet.

In short, pervasive computing happens every time people use digital devices to connect to technological platforms.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) refers to an industrial computer control system that monitors input devices’ state. It then makes decisions on a custom program to control the state of output devices.

Nearly any production line, machine function, or process can use a PLC. But, probably its most significant benefit is its ability to change and replicate an operation or a process while collecting and communicating vital information.

A PLC is also modular, which means you can mix and match various input and output devices to best suit your needs.

Rapid application development (RAD) is an app development model where functions are built in a parallel manner. That is done in a way that each section appears like a subproject. The subprojects are then gathered and joined into a model, also known as a “prototype.” In-between the processes, it is easier for application developers to make, adjust, or even change elements of the model quickly.

Besides, RAD accords more priority to the rapid release and review of prototypes. Also, rapid application development puts more emphasis on the use of software together with user feedback mechanisms over requirement recording and strict planning.

Other interesting terms…

• What is Backend Development?
• What is Production Environment?

Reliability engineering is a subfield of systems engineering that focuses on making devices carry out intended tasks without fail. The built-in failsafe mechanisms make the systems “reliable” given certain conditions over a specified period.

Reliability engineering involves predicting, preventing, and managing potential uncertainties and failures. As such, reliability engineers have to go through a stringent process of reliability testing for their creations.

Reliability engineering is often applied when a customer buys a product. There is an unwritten acceptance that the product will fail after some time. The manufacturer ensures the product’s reliability with a warranty. So if, for instance, the product bought continually fails before the warranty expires, the manufacturer needs to rethink its reliability engineering process to prevent future failures.

Scrum project management is an agile project management approach. The agile project management approach is, of course, one where projects are completed in small sections. In the process, insights gained from analyzing the results of a preceding step are used to determine the next step.

Scrum project management is typically employed in software development. Leadership is taken on by a point person or the scrum master whose main task is to ensure project completion within an allotted time frame.

In scrum project management, each task should be completed within a short and fast cycle called a “sprint.” You can think of scrum project management as a hurdle race that team members aim to finish within a specified time frame.

Seat management is the process of managing an entire set of workstations, including all related hardware and software, in one network. The method also refers to having a single service provider manage all of a company’s information technology (IT) requirements. In such a case, organizations pay on a per-seat basis where each seat represents one terminal or workstation.

Seat management involves installing, operating, and maintaining an organization’s hardware and software to ensure improved overall performance.

Shadow IT refers to all software and hardware that departments in an organization use without the consent and knowledge of its IT department. Also known as “embedded IT,” “fake IT,” “stealth IT,” “rouge IT,” “feral IT,” or “client IT,” it is meant to improve employee productivity but could put a network at risk of cyberthreats.

Shadow IT usage has grown over the past few years due to the spread of cloud computing.

A single pane of glass is an IT management console. It brings data or interfaces from several different sources to let you view them on a single dashboard. This approach helps you get a better perspective on which information is valuable. That way, you can present it to employees or colleagues so they can act on it quickly.

Like a vast window that lets you see as much of the view outside as possible, a single pane of glass in IT gives you a bird’s eye view of possibly all the data you can get from your systems and applications in one go.

An SFP or a small form-factor pluggable is a small metal hardware that you plug into a device to allow it to communicate with another device. It acts as a transceiver (a transmitter and receiver), which enables data transmission between two devices that are as far as 6–7 feet away from each other.

As a transceiver, an SFP is like a telephone that transmits and receives data at the same time—you don’t need other equipment to do those processes separately. However, SFPs are mostly used in computer networks to allow the flow of high-speed Internet connection. And since it works with copper and fiber optics, an SFP is compatible with a variety of connection options.

Soft computing is a collection of artificial intelligence (AI) computing techniques that gives devices human-like problem-solving capabilities. It includes the basics of neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms.

The soft computing theory and techniques were introduced in the 1980s. And the term was coined by Lofti A. Zadeh, a mathematician, computer scientist, electrical engineer, AI researcher, and professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Software delivery is the process of deploying an application to the market.

Proper software delivery follows various steps performed by different contributing groups to ensure all goes well.

Software delivery typically involves business and product owners who must deliver a written program based on a client’s specifications. All of the application’s features are described in great detail. After programming is done, the software should undergo several quality assurance tests to ensure it meets the specifications. All these are done before the completed program is produced.

A software protection dongle is a device used to protect content from unauthorized access. It is a hardware key that comes with protection mechanisms, such as the user’s own product key. When attached to a computer or an electronic appliance, it decodes sensitive content or unlocks software functionalities.

Software protection dongles are usually attached to a personal computer (PC) through parallel ports. On Macs, that translates to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) port.

Software protection dongles provide security by making computers inaccessible or inoperable when they are not plugged in. In some cases, protected software can operate without the dongle but only in restricted mode.

A supercomputer is commonly used in high-performance systems because it can operate at the fastest possible rate. It comprises thousands of connected processors to accommodate users’ heavy computational needs.

A supercomputer is used in most scientific studies and engineering applications since these industries often work with high volumes of data and high-speed computational activities. It is an integral part of computation science, including weather forecasting, quantum mechanics, climate research, molecular modeling, and brain simulation projects.

A terminal node controller is a piece of equipment amateur radio operators use to send and receive data on their computers through radio frequency. Radio operators that utilize a terminal node controller can only participate in Amateur X.25 (AX.25) packet radio networks. AX.25 is a communication protocol specifically designed for amateur radio operators that helps with efficient data transfer.

Think of a terminal node controller as a modem someone uses to connect to the Internet. It acts as a translator between your computer or phone and Internet cables. The difference is that a terminal node controller facilitates communication through an assigned radio frequency, not over the Internet.

A traceability matrix is a document that aims to establish the relationship between two documents that usually comes in tabular form. It usually consists of many-to-many relationship comparisons, which means that multiple records in one document are related to various data points in another document. In other words, there is no exclusivity in the relationship between records in each document.

A traceability matrix is commonly used in software development and testing to ensure that client requirements are met. For this reason, the document is also referred to as the “Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).”

A transaction processing system helps users process data transactions within a database system that tracks transaction programs. It maintains balance and control of a particular organization’s process of purchasing goods and services. It is responsible for coordinating the inventory and distribution of products, managing transactions from payment accounts, and processing sales and payrolls. As such, it is highly beneficial when monitoring online transactions, as it allows for a momentary delay between when a product is purchased to when it was sold.

An example of a transaction processing system at work is when a customer buys a concert ticket. While the customer fills out his/her payment details, the system holds the ticket for him/her so no other customers can buy it. In short, the system is critical in ensuring that each ticket will not have two different owners.

A virtual server refers to a network server located in an offsite data center. As such, it can be shared by several users, all of whom have varying levels of control over the server. Using it allows copying resources onto virtual machines (VMs) within a user’s premises. Virtual machines are, of course, computers that mimic dedicated hardware or software.

Virtualization is often done to gain access to higher-capacity servers’ processing capabilities at lower costs than maintaining and running an internal data center. A virtual server can increase an organization’s server capacity by over 80% as well.

A virtual private network (VPN) concentrator is a type of networking device. It lets you create secure VPN connections and deliver messages between VPN nodes. As such, it is essentially a router but is built specifically for creating and managing VPN communication infrastructures.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in VPN use among businesses. But not all organizations have the same number of users. And while a VPN router may be suitable for small businesses, it may not be able to handle the needs of large enterprises. That’s where a VPN concentrator comes in handy. 

The Wiegand interface is a wiring standard used to connect a card swiping device to an access control system. As such, you can see it in a typical point-of-sale (PoS) device found in a store, restaurant, hotel, or any establishment that accepts card payments.

The Wiegand interface takes its roots from the popularity gained by the Wiegand effect card readers in the 1980s. The Wiegand effect is a nonlinear magnetic effect named after John R. Wiegand. It is produced in specially heated and hardened wires called “Wiegand wires.”

Wirth’s Law is a well-known saying in computer programming that states, “Software is getting slower more rapidly than hardware becomes faster.” That creates a problem as the software slows down despite the hardware’s improved processing power.

The law is attributed to Niklaus Emil Wirth, who expressed it in a 1995 paper titled “A Plea for Lean Software.” Wirth was a Swiss computer scientist considered as one of the pioneers of computer science. He helped design major programming languages, including Pascal and Oberon. According to Wirth, the major reason behind the slowdown of software is their complexity.