3 letter months
CPU stands for the Central Processing Unit. It is the processing chip that serves as the "brains" of a device that interprets (or processes) the digital instructions provided by applications.
CPU
Similar in a way to the scripts used by Hollywood stars, a script in programming terms is a line by line set of instructions for a computer program to follow. These are often used for automation or for generating dynamic page content.
Scripts
Latency is the measure of time between entering an input and the returned output. The higher the latency, the longer it takes. This is an important factor for web applications and interfaces where a noticeable delay may impact user satisfaction.
Latency
this refers to the practice of capitalizing the first letter of each compound word in a programming variable to improve readability. For example, “StretchLength” and “FixedHeight.”
Camel Case
An API is a software go-between that brings information from one application to another. It allows applications to communicate with one another while preserving some security measures for each end point. For example, an API can be used to securely transfer data stored by your web browser to a mobile app.
API (Application Programming Interface)
Bit is an abbreviation for “binary digit,” the smallest piece of information used by a computer. Each bit is either a 1 or a 0, which are the binary digits that make up computer language. Bits are literally the foundation upon which computer science is built. In modern computing, information is stored and processed at a scale that is orders of magnitude larger than individual bits. See the conversion rate below to better contextualize the size of a bit:
BIT
This refers to data or information that’s been organized and “cleaned” in order to make it easier to search, manipulate and interface well with software applications. Structured data often is used for categories like names, addresses and credit card information but can be used for any quantifiable data category.
Structured data
Big data is a quick way to refer to the massive amounts of data collected by organizations on a day-to-day basis. Data at this scale can be tapped into for a variety of purposes like trend analyses, forecasting, process automation and more.
Big data
Code refers to the string of commands or directions used by different programming languages in order to create, edit or manage computer programs or applications. Code is used by computers to determine which action should be taken, define parameters and more.
code
An integrated development environment is a software tool where developers can write code and run their programs. Many provide useful features like syntax highlighting, debugging tools, version control and more.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
Random Access Memory is the hardware component used to store data that is actively being used by a processor. When needed, information flows to Random Access Memory storage from long-term secondary storage—typically a hard drive.
RAM
this refers to the rules that dictate the structure of a language. Programming languages, like all languages, need structure for the reader—whether a computer or a human—to make sense of the information. While some elements of this may carry over from language to language, most programming languages have unique and specific syntax rules that must be followed.
syntax
A function in programming with binary choices, like “Yes or No” and “True or False.” This serves as a basic building block of programming logic.
Boolean
The process of taking code that’s written in a high-level language (like C++) by human developers and translating it into machine-readable code.
Compiling
HTML is a standard markup language used for creating web pages and applications. It defines the structure and layout of content on a webpage, using tags and attributes to format and organize text, images, links, and other elements. HTML is the backbone of web development and is complemented by CSS and JavaScript.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
stands for Read-Only Memory. This is memory that can only be read from and is not electronically modifiable after being manufactured. Computers use this to store critical foundational information like start-up processes and software instructions.
ROM
this refers to the long-term data storage options found in a device. This includes hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). When you save a file to your computer, it is sent to secondary storage.
Secondary storage
At a basic level, these are simply specific procedures used to solve computational problems. As computing power and data capabilities have grown more sophisticated, so have the algorithms and the problems they intend to solve. For example, a shipping company may turn to an this to help determine the optimal route for delivery drivers.
algorithms
Conditional statements, another fundamental piece of programming instructions, set the terms for when a program moves forward. This is often expressed in an “If, then” format. If all conditions expressed are met and true, only then will the computer move on to do the next step.
Conditional statements
HTTP is the protocol used for transmitting hypertext over the internet. It defines the rules and conventions for how web browsers and servers communicate and exchange data. HTTP facilitates the retrieval of web pages, sending data from client to server, and other interactions on the World Wide Web.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
a programming error that causes unexpected glitches or problems for a program’s end user. Debugging is the process of identifying, documenting and fixing the issues caused by bugs.
BUG
A *system whose malfunction, either directly or indirectly, has the potential to lead to *safety being compromised. ...
safety-related system
this is a network security device or software that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a private internal network and external networks, filtering and blocking potentially malicious or unauthorized access attempts. Firewalls protect networks from security threats and unauthorized access.
FIREWALL
Cloud storage is an alternative to storing data on a computer’s physical storage. Information stored “on the cloud” is kept on remote servers that can be accessed anywhere via the Internet. For more on how that works, check out A Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Computing.
Cloud storage
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a systematic process for developing software applications. It encompasses various phases, including requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. SDLC provides a structured approach to software development, ensuring quality, efficiency, and adherence to project requirements.
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)