Glossary
A collection of terms and acronyms that are good to know.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
API | An API or Application Programming Interface contains a set of rules that allows your code to communicate with third party software or websites. |
argument | An argument is a value that is passed into a function. Also referred to as a parameter. |
array | An array is a type of value that contains a sequence of other values. |
asynchronous task queue | An asynchronous task queue is one where tasks are executed at a different time from when they are created, and possibly not in the same order they were created. |
backing service | A backing service is any service that an app consumes over the network as part of its normal operation. Examples include datastores, messaging/queuing systems, SMTP services for outbound email and caching systems. |
branch | A fork from the master branch that allows a developer to work on a specific area of the application without interfering with others. |
clickjacking | Clickjacking refers to when a malicious site tricks users to click on a concealed element of another site that they have loaded in a hidden frame or iframe. |
codebase | A codebase is any single repository or any set of repositories who share a root commit. |
console | A console is a tool that lets you interactively create create code and/or run commands. |
constant | A constant is a variable that never changes its value. |
CRUD | An acronym used when discussing database functions that stands for Create, Read, Update and Delete/Destroy. |
CSS | CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a language that web developers use to style the HTML content on a web page. It is used to modify colors, font types, font sizes, shadows, images, element positioning, and more. |
database | A database is a collection of data that is stored permanently and typically has an interface allowing user interaction. |
DRY | An acronym that stands for Don't Repeat Yourself and means to write simple, clean code in a way that you are not writing the same piece of code somewhere else. |
ECMA | The ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) is responsible for developing standards for several languages including COBOL, C# and others. JavaScript is officially named ECMAScript and its versions are often prefaces with "ES" (e.g., ES6 or ES2015). |
float | A float is a type of value that represents a number with fractional parts and no fixed number of digits before or after the decimal point. |
form | An HTML form is a group of one or more fields/widgets on a web page, which can be used to present information to the user or to collect information from users for submission to a server. (MDN-Django, 2017) |
framework | A standardized set of concepts, practices and criteria for addressing a common type of problem and can be used as a reference for settling new problems of a similar nature. A collection of modules that make development easier. |
function | A function defines a block of code that you can call many times. Functions only execute when you call them and return a value back to the code that called them. (Similar to 'subroutines' in other languages.) |
git | Git is an open source version control system that lets you store key changes to project and gives you the ability to revert to earlier versions if needed. |
GUI | A GUI or graphical user interface is what the user sees and interacts with when using the application. It is the "front end" of the application. |
HTTP | HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) is the way that web browsers communicate with web servers. |
HTML | HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to create web pages displayed in a web browser. It provides a logical way to structure content for web pages. |
IDE | An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software application that provides basic tools used for software development. Typical tools included are a code editor, a compiler, a debugger and a graphical user interface (GUI). |
IIS | IIS (Internet Information Services manager) is a manageable Web server built by Microsoft that is used on Windows servers and laptops. |
integer | An integer is a whole number with no fractional parts. |
immutable | Cannot be changed. |
iteration | A sequence of instructions which are repeated. To perform an action on each item in a list, you iterate over the list. |
lambda operator | The lambda operator or function is a way to create small anonymous functions or functions without a name. These functions are throw-away functions that are only needed where they have been created. |
loop | A loop is a piece of code that runs itself repeatedly. Also referred to as an iteration. |
markup language | A markup language is a computer language that defines the structure and presentation of raw text. Markup languages work by surrounding raw text with information the computer can interpret, "marking it up" for processing. |
method | A method is a function that is attached to an object. Methods are defined in a class and belong to that class. |
nested | When one object is contained within another it is said to be 'nested'. |
normalization | Normalization of data refers to the process of cleaning up the structure of the data in order to reduce redundancy and dependency of the data. |
ORM | ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) is a programming technique for converting queries written in code to SQL and tabular results into objects. |
OOP | OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) uses objects (data fields) and methods to simplify programming. It allows for a modular approach to developing applications. |
object | An object is a value that is created from a class. |
parameter | A parameters is a value that is passed to a function for processing. Parameters can be mandatory or optional. Can also be referred to as argument. |
pseudo code | Pseudo code is an informal general description of what a piece of code should do and is written in a regular speaking language. Once the code is written, the pseudo code can be turned into comments. |
repository | A repository or repo is a storage location for software packages. It can be located on your local machine or in a remote location like GitHub or GitLab. |
responsive design | Responsive design is an approach that refers to designing web pages that look good on a variety of devices and window / screen sizes. |
SASS | SASS (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) is a style preprocessor language that is compiled into CSS. |
script | A script is a file that contains a collection of command statements that are run together when the script is executed. |
semver | Refers to Semantic Versioning, a standard that dictates how version numbers are determined and what the meaning is behind the version number used. |
SEO | SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and is the process of making your web page more visible and easier to be found by Internet search engines. |
SMTP | SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a communication protocol for e-mail transmission. |
string | A string is a type of value that represents text. |
syntax | Syntax refers to the rules and patterns used by a particular programming language for writing commands and code. |
test-driven Development (TDD) | A development practice where the developer writes an automated test case that defines a desired improvement or new function, then produces the minimum amount of code needed to pass that test. |
template | A template is a text file defining the structure or layout of a file (such as an HTML page), with placeholders used to represent actual content. (MDN-Servers, 2016) |
two-factor authentication | Two-factor authentication (2FA or MFA) requires users to authenticate by combining two separate means of identification. |
user story | A description of how the application will work from the user's point of view. |
utf-8 | UTF-8 stands for Unicode Transformation Format 8 Bits and is the encoding text convention used by Python. |
variable | A variable is an object that stores a value for reuse throughout the application. |
working directory | Refers to the current directory in which you are currently working. |
XXS | XXS stands for Cross-Site Scripting and refers to attacks that occur when users enter malignant JavaScript that is then rendered into a template directly. |