Understanding Technology Terminologies

Software Development Approaches:

• Off-the-shelf: This refers to software that is pre-built and ready to be purchased and used without any customization or development efforts.
• Bespoke: A bespoke software solution is custom-built from scratch to meet the specific requirements of a client or organization.
• Custom: Similar to bespoke, custom software is developed specifically for a particular use case or organization, rather than being a generic, off-the-shelf solution.
• Ready: This term is not commonly used in the context of software development approaches.
• No-code/low-code: These approaches allow users to develop software applications without (no-code) or with minimal (low-code) traditional coding. They often involve visual programming interfaces and drag-and-drop tools.
• Traditional/programming/IT outsourcing/development/in-house development/programming team/programmers/software developers/solution developers: These terms refer to the conventional approach of building software applications through coding and programming by dedicated software developers, either as an in-house team or through outsourcing to external vendors or contractors.

App Stores and App Distribution:

• Apple Store: This is Apple’s official app store for distributing apps for iOS devices (iPhones and iPads). App developers submit their apps to the Apple Store for review and approval before they can be made available for download by users.
• App submission: This refers to the process of submitting an app to an app store (like the Apple Store or Google Play Store) for review and potential distribution.
• Approval/rejection: App stores have guidelines and policies that apps must adhere to. After submission, an app goes through a review process, and it can be either approved for distribution or rejected if it violates any of the app store’s rules or guidelines.
• Play Store: This is Google’s official app store for distributing apps for Android devices. Similar to the Apple Store, developers submit their apps to the Play Store for review and potential distribution.

App Types:

• Native Apps: These are apps that are developed specifically for a particular mobile platform (iOS or Android) using the platform’s native programming language and development tools.
• Hybrid Apps: These are apps that are built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) but are then wrapped in a native container, allowing them to be distributed like native apps.
• Mobile App: An app designed and developed to run on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
• Web App: An application that is accessed and used through a web browser, typically running on a remote server.

Cloud and Delivery Models:

• Cloud (AWS, etc.): Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services (storage, databases, servers, software, etc.) over the internet. AWS (Amazon Web Services) is one of the leading cloud service providers.
• SAAS (Software as a Service): A software delivery model where applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over the internet, typically on a subscription basis.

Product/Service Differentiation:

• Product: A tangible good or software application that is sold to customers.
• Service: An intangible offering, such as consulting, support, or maintenance, that is provided to customers.
• Platform versus Solution or Product: A platform is a foundational technology or infrastructure on which other applications or services can be built. A solution or product is a specific application or offering designed to solve a particular problem or meet a specific need.

Cloud Infrastructure and Security:

• Cloud Storage: Storage services provided by cloud providers, allowing users to store and access data remotely over the internet.
• VMs (Virtual Machines): Software-based virtualized environments that emulate physical computer systems, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine.
• SSL Certificates: Digital certificates that enable secure connections between web browsers and websites, allowing for encrypted data transmission.
• HTTPS: A secure communication protocol that combines HTTP (the protocol for transferring data over the web) with encryption using SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security).
• Encryption/Decryption (Cryptography): The process of converting data into a coded format (encryption) to protect it from unauthorized access and then converting it back to its original form (decryption) for authorized users.
• Data Security: Measures and practices to protect data from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction.
• DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): A physical or logical subnet that separates an organization’s internal network from the internet, providing an additional layer of security.
• Firewall: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules.
• SOC2 Compliance: A set of auditing standards and requirements developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for service organizations to ensure the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.

Data Management:

• System of Records: A repository or system that serves as the authoritative source for a particular type of data within an organization.
• SQL Database: A relational database management system (RDBMS) that stores and manages data in a structured format using the Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Relational Data: Data that is organized and structured in a way that relates different pieces of information to one another, typically through the use of tables with rows and columns.

Integration and Connectivity:

• API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other.
• Integration: The process of combining or linking different systems, applications, or data sources to work together seamlessly.
• REST API: A type of API that follows the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST), a software architectural style that defines a set of constraints for creating web services.
• Spreadsheet: A software application like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets that allows users to organize, analyze, and store data in a tabular format.
• NFC (Near-Field Communication), Bluetooth, WiFi, Mobile Data, GPRS, 4G/5G: Various wireless communication technologies and protocols used for data transfer and connectivity between devices and networks.

Enterprise Security and Management:

• EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management): A suite of tools and services that enable organizations to manage and secure mobile devices, applications, and data within their corporate environment.
• Security Audit/Audit Trail: A security audit involves reviewing and evaluating an organization’s security controls and practices, while an audit trail refers to a chronological record of system activities and events that can be used for security monitoring and incident investigation.
• SSO (Single Sign-On): A authentication mechanism that allows users to access multiple applications or systems with a single set of login credentials.
• Active Directory: A directory service developed by Microsoft that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and management of user accounts, computers, and other resources within a network or domain.

General Software Terminology:

• App/Tools/Software/System/Program/Application: These terms are often used interchangeably to refer to a set of instructions or code designed to perform a specific task or function on a computer or other electronic device.

System Characteristics:

• Scalability: The ability of a system or application to handle and adapt to increasing workloads or demands by adding or removing resources as needed.
• Availability: The degree to which a system or application is accessible and operational when required for use.
• Robust platform: A robust platform is a reliable, stable, and fault-tolerant system or infrastructure that can withstand various types of failures or disruptions while continuing to operate effectively.