Glossary

Simplified definitions of key tech terms.

This glossary lists the main keywords used in The Tech Guide. The definitions will be added as the chapters are written.

Internet, Web, and Networks

IP Address: A unique identifier assigned to each device connected via the Internet Protocol (IP) to enable it to send or receive data.
MAC Address: A unique identifier assigned to each network hardware, such as a network card.
Cloud Computing: The use of computing resources (servers, storage, databases, networks, software) via the Internet, allowing for dynamic and flexible scaling based on needs.
Content Delivery Network (CDN): A distributed network of servers that accelerates the delivery of content to users.
Web Client: Software, such as a browser, that requests information from a web server.
Domain Name System (DNS): A system that translates domain names into IP addresses understandable by computers, facilitating Internet navigation.
Ethernet: A protocol used to connect devices via cables.
Web Hosting: The service that allows website files to be stored and made accessible on the Internet.
HTTP: The protocol used to transfer data over the web.
Internet: A global network of interconnected networks enabling the exchange of information and access to online services.
IP (Internet Protocol): A protocol governing the format of data sent over the Internet or a local network. Each device connected to a network using IP is identified by a unique IP address.
Domain Name: An easy-to-remember address used to access websites, such as "the-tech.guide".
Protocol: A set of rules that determine how data is exchanged over a network.
Registrar: A company authorized to register and manage domain names.
Web Server: A computer that stores websites and sends pages to users on request.
Top-Level Domain (TLD): The final part of a domain name, such as .com, .org, etc.
URL: The complete address used to access resources on the Internet, such as web pages.
Web: A collection of interconnected pages and resources accessible via the Internet, typically viewed using web browsers.

Languages and Development World

API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and protocols allowing different applications to communicate with each other.
Back-end: The part of a website that manages data and logic, invisible to the user.
Loop: An instruction that repeats a series of actions until a condition is met.
Cache: A temporary storage space to speed up access to frequently used data.
Cache Warmup: The process of preloading data into the cache to improve performance.
Commit: Recording a series of changes in a version control system, such as Git.
Condition: An instruction that allows code to execute only if a certain situation is true.
Content Management System (CMS): A system used to create and manage digital content on a website.
Cookie and Third-Party Cookie: Small files stored by the browser to remember user preferences and sessions. Third-party cookies are used by sites other than the one being visited.
Cryptography: The practice of securing communication by transforming information to prevent unauthorized access.
Domain Driven Design: A software design approach that focuses on the business needs and rules.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Software that provides comprehensive tools for software development, including a code editor, debugger, and build tools.
Runtime Environment: The environment in which a program is executed, including the hardware, operating system, and necessary software services. Runtime environments include specific environments such as test environments, pre-production environments, production environments, or UAT.
Test Environment: An environment where applications are tested, manually and/or automatically, to verify their proper functioning before being deployed in the pre-production environment.
Pre-Production Environment: An environment that closely mirrors the production environment to test applications under real-world conditions before final deployment.
Production Environment: The environment in which an application is executed and used by end users. This is where applications must operate reliably and efficiently.
UAT (User Acceptance Testing) Environment: An environment where end users test the application to ensure it meets their needs and specifications before deployment to production.
Framework: A supporting structure in which software is developed to provide a reusable foundation.
Front-end: The visible and interactive part of a website that the user sees and interacts with.
Git: A version control system for tracking changes in source code.
Github / Gitlab: Online platforms for hosting and collaborating on projects using Git.
HTML: The standard markup language used to create web pages.
JavaScript: A programming language primarily used to add interactivity to websites (front-end). Historically used on the client side, it is now also dominant on the server side thanks to Node.js.
C Language: A general-purpose programming language used in many types of software.
Command Line: A text interface used to interact with the operating system or software by entering commands.
Linux: An open-source operating system inspired by Unix, widely used for servers and embedded systems.
Node.js: A runtime environment for JavaScript that allows developing server-side applications.
PHP: A programming language primarily used for server-side web development.
Responsive Design: Web design that automatically adapts to the user's screen size, ensuring an optimal experience on all devices.
Code Review: The process of reviewing source code by other developers to ensure its quality.
SaaS (Software as a Service): A software distribution model where applications are hosted by a service provider and accessed via the Internet.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Practices aimed at improving a website's ranking in search engine results.
Web Session: A way to store user data during their visit to a website.
Shell: A program that interprets commands entered by the user, often used via a terminal.
Terminal: A tool that allows users to interact with the system via the command line and the shell.
TypeScript: A superset of JavaScript that adds static types, making it easier to manage and develop complex projects.
Type: The classification of data in programming languages, such as numbers or strings.
Variable: A named storage space for a value in a computer program.

Databases

Relational Databases: Databases that organize data into tables related to each other, often manipulated with SQL.
Big Data: Large volumes of data that can be analyzed to reveal patterns, trends, and associations.
NoSQL: A category of database management systems that do not rely on the traditional SQL model.
Database Management System (DBMS): Software that allows the creation, management, and querying of databases while ensuring security, maintenance, and user management.
SQL: A language used to manage and manipulate data in relational databases.
Table: A data storage structure in a database, organized into rows and columns, with each column being a field.
Field: A column in a table in a database, containing a specific type of data.

Miscellaneous

Data Analysis: The process of collecting and evaluating data to extract useful information.
Phishing: A fraudulent technique aimed at obtaining sensitive information by pretending to be a trusted entity.
Machine Learning: A branch of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn and improve automatically from experience.
OAuth: An authorization protocol that allows limited access to user resources without disclosing their credentials.
Customer Journey: The path a user takes when interacting with a website or application, from their first visit to completing an action (purchase, registration, etc.).
GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation, a European law designed to protect users' personal data.