Glossary Overview

Alpha Testing

Alpha testing is the first end-to-end testing of a product to ensure it is developed as per the requirements made for the business to functions correctly. Alpha testing is usually conducted by internal employees and performed in a lab/stage environment.

Android

Android is a mobile operating system designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

API (Application Programming Interface)

API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface, a software mediator that connects two applications and allows them to communicate with each other. APIs enable companies to give access to their applications’ data and functionality to external third-party developers, partners, and departments within the company.

ASO – (App Store Optimisation)

App store optimisation is used to increase the visibility of an app or game in an app store. The aim is to increase the organic download of apps. Apps need to maintain a high position and rankings in the app store for increased visibility.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses computers and computing devices to imitate the human-like capabilities (the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities) of machines and uses them to achieve specific goals.

Backend

In information technology, the backend belongs to any part of an application or software program that is not accessible to end-users. It is usually the database layer, where data is stored and from where data can be retrieved. Data can also be modified, deleted, added and updated by the authorised users.

Beta Testing

Beta testing is the final round of testing before an application goes live and is available to a broader audience. It is one of the final steps in your software development lifecycle (SDLC). It is also known as user testing or customer validation. The purpose of beta testing is to ensure that end-users are satisfied with the functioning and performance of the application before you make it live.

CMS – (Content Management System)

CMS (content management system) is a computer application that uses a database to manage all content, and it can also be used simultaneously while developing a website. A CMS is used to update, write, edit, modify content and/or your website structure.

Cross-Platform

Cross-platform software or application is designed to function in several computing devices and platforms.

 Deep Link

In Mobile Apps, deep links are links that direct users directly to an app instead of a website or a store. Used to send users exactly to specific in-app locations, they save users’ time and energy to locate a particular page on their own.

Flutter (Programming Language)

Created by Google, Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit used to develop cross-platform applications for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, Google Fuchsia, and the web from a single codebase.

Frontend

It contrasts with the backend; frontend refers to the user interface of an application or software. In short, the frontend is the presentation layer and is accessed by users to interact with the backend.

Hybrid App

Hybrid mobile apps are applications installed on a device, just like any other app. However, hybrid apps are installed in a native container that uses a mobile WebView object. When the app is used, this object displays web content with the help of web technologies (CSS, JavaScript, HTML, HTML5).

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application used to provide complete facilities to computer programmers for software development. It usually contains at least a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger.

iOS

iOS (earlier known as iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Incorporation solely for its hardware. It is used by many of the company’s mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Koltin (programming language)

Kotlin is an object-oriented open-source statically typed programming language used to support functional programming features while developing mobile apps on Android.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a part of artificial intelligence (AI) that makes systems automatically learn from experience without detailed programming. It is developed so that systems can learn from data, recognise patterns and make decisions with minimum human involvement.

MDM (Mobile Device Management)

Mobile device management is the management of mobile devices, like smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and even IoTs (Internet of Things). It is security software that allows IT departments to implement policies to protect, monitor, and manage mobile user devices.

Mobile Publisher

Mobile Publisher is a powerful tool to customise your app icon, your name, your colours, and your listing in Google Play and the Apple App Store. It is your version of the Salesforce mobile app or Experience Cloud sites.

Mobile Push Notification

A push notification is a message sent by an app like a text message. It appears on a user’s mobile device and is used by apps to notify and send alert messages to users.

Native App

A native app is downloaded directly onto the smartphone and can run, at times even with no internet connection, provided the nature of the application allows so. Application stores like – Google Play or Apple’s App Store are used to install Native apps.

React Native

React Native is a JavaScript-based open-source mobile app UI software framework developed by Facebook Incorporation. The purpose of React Native is to develop applications for Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, tvOS, Web, Windows and UWP using the React framework and native platform capabilities.

Session

A session is the amount of time users are actively engaged with an app in the foreground. It helps owners track their users’ interactions round the clock as they navigate an entire session with your app.

SDK – (Software Development Kit)

A software development kit, also known as a devkit, is a set of software development tools used for a specific platform. It includes everything for the complete development of applications like – building blocks, compiler, debugger and often a software framework or a pack of code libraries specific to an operating system (OS).

Swift (programming language)

Swift is a robust and intuitive programming language created by Apple Inc. and the open-source community to develop apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Design Terms –

Mockups

A mockup is a static design of an application featuring many of its final design elements but is not operative. A mockup includes some placeholder and is not flawless like a live page. Therefore, it is helpful to understand each component of a design properly before final implementation. 

Prototype

A prototype is an experimental process providing early samples, models, and ideas of a product built in a proper digital form from a paper release. The purpose is to test the concept or process. to evaluate a new design to enhance accuracy by system analysts and users. Prototypes help refine and validate designs so that you can release the right product.

UX Design

UX design is the process to create applications that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. This involves the design of the entire process to support user behaviour through usability, usefulness, and desirability to increase their engagement and interaction with a product for an ultimate user experience.

UI Design

User interface (UI) design refers to the aesthetic part of an application used by people to interact with it. These are buttons, icons, menu bars, typography, colours, and more.

Wireframing

A wireframe is a two-dimensional illustration or a screen blueprint of a visual guide that focuses explicitly on-page framework, layout, space allocation, functionalities, and expected user behaviours. It does not include any styling, colour, or graphics.

Software Development

API

API is Application Program Interface. It helps in creating communication links between computers and applications.

Application

Applications or apps are programs intended to perform functions.

Attribute

In computing, an attribute is a specification that defines a property of an object, element, or file in your website design/build.

Back End

Everything that happens behind the scene in digital technology keeps the front end of an application/website running, like – the coding, style, and plugins are part of the back end. Backend is not accessible to users; instead, it plays the role of running the show from backstage.

Browser

Browser is a program used by users to access the Web. Some of the known browsers are – Chrome, Firefox, Vivaldi, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, etc.

Bug

A bug is a failure or a flaw in the software program or application. For example, when a coding, program or application produces an incorrect or undesired result that differs from the expected result or response, it is denoted as a bug.

Cache

The temporary storage of specific hardware/software instructions for quicker processing or faster load times from regular website visitors.

CMS

CMS is a Content Management System. It is an application used to create, format, modify and maintain website or application content, usually designed for non-technical users for their ease of use—for example, WordPress.

Conversion

Every website, software, or application has a goal to make their audience do what they want them to do, like email signup, download, register, purchase, donate, interact, or submit information. This process of converting the audience to the customer is called a conversion.

Crawl

Search engines send bots or automated scripts to websites to gather information on pages that exist and do not exist to decide what content should be displayed and removed from search engines.

CRM

CRM is Customer Relationship Management. This software or application is used to collect, store, analyse, and maintain information about customers, donors, and prospects.

CSS

CSS is a Cascading Style Sheet. It is a code used to direct browsers on how to display a webpage for the end-user. It is also used to format fonts, colours, size, type and other visual elements of the entire website in one go.

CTA

CTA or Call to Action is a button on your website that makes your audience take an action that can trigger further steps, like – prompts used to donate, register for services, sign up for a newsletter, and more.

Domain

The address for a website that you see in the address bar of a browser used to open a website is that website’s domain.

Firewall

A firewall is a system used to protect a secure network from an insecure network.

Framework

Frameworks are programming platforms used in the development of websites or software. It may include predefined classes and functions that can be used to develop, manage hardware devices, and interact with system software.

Front End

The part of the website or application used by users to interact with your website.

FTP

FTP or File Transfer Protocol is a method used to exchange files from one system to another. The same method is used to upload websites to the Internet.

Meta Tag

Meta tags are small snippets of text that describe a web page’s content. They do not appear on the pages, but you can find them in the page’s source code. The purpose of meta tags is to tell search engines what a web page is about.

Plugin

Modules or application software with additional features that can be added (“plugged in”) to a system/application/website for extra functionality.

Redirects

Redirects help in forwarding one URL to another automatically. Usually, redirection is used when a new website or web page is developed, and the old website URL needs the same page on a new website (called 301 Redirects). This is done to guide search engines users to the new page from the old one, which may be removed soon once the search engines and users are aware of the new page.

Responsive Design

Responsive design can accommodate your website on all devices, whether smartphones, laptops, tablets or desktops. The content of the page automatically adjusts according to the size and shape of the device. Users can then open your website on the device of their choice at their convenience.

SAAS Platforms

Software As A Service is one of the essential cloud platforms used to share files and collaborate on projects through browsers. Google Drive and Dropbox are the two best examples of SAAS platforms.

Server

A server is a computer or system that provides a service to another computer and its user, known as the client. It is a program that provides resources, data, services, or programs to other computers over a network. It is used to store, share and access data.

Sitemap

The organised form of web pages of a website in hierarchical order is a sitemap.

Slider

Carousel is featured images/content rotating on the homepage of a site. It can highlight different photos, links, and content.

Widgets

Widgets are applications that allow websites to perform specific (additional) interactive functions.

Wireframe

Wireframes are like bare-bone structures, the first step towards building a website or application. It gives a basic idea about the foundation, layout, functionality and content placements before development starts. No fonts, colours, or images are used.

404

404 is an error message when the requested page is not found; usually, the requested link is either broken or dead (removed).

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

3rd Party Application

Software or application built by a 3rd party (outside company) and traded through a vendor.

Accounting Period

The duration in which all the financial transactions for an entity are done. It is usually 12 months, also called the financial year.

Accounts Payable

All dues that a company owes to its vendors.

Accounts Receivable

All outstanding balances and unpaid dues that your customers have to repay to your company.

B2B

When one company deals with another company for business, it is called Business-to-Business (B2B). The trade happens between buyer and seller.

B2C

When a company engages with customers directly for business, it is called Business-to-Consumer (B2C). Ecommerce websites are B2C platforms.

Bar Code

A font that converts text and numbers into lines is known as bar code. Only machines can read it using scanners. You can find it at the back of many products where the product price is mentioned.

Bottleneck

The bottleneck is when multiple actions are run for processing at the same time simultaneously, and due to overload in the machine/server/workstation, it causes a delay in the production process, or it can even hold the entire chain of processing.

Business Intelligence (BI)

Business intelligence (BI) is the procedure and technique that collects, stores, and analyses the data generated by a company’s activities. In a broader term, it also includes data mining, process analysis, performance benchmarking, and descriptive analytics.

Capacity Requirement Planning (CRP)

It is the calculation process of determining the production capacity needed to satisfy a business’s forecasted and actual demand.

Cloud

Cloud is a shared server that can be accessed over the web for private and public use. It uses a network of remote servers to host the applications.

Dashboard

Dashboards are readily available features in ERP and are user interfaces that integrate different units in one place. They display business information in easy-to-read and use format using graphics for faster decision making. In addition, they can be customised based on roles in a particular organisation, and access to the dashboard is given based on roles and responsibilities.

E-Commerce

An application that allows goods and services to be bought and sold online via the internet using e-commerce stores. Transaction of money too is done online.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Any data that is processed electronically for transactions between trading partners is EDI. It replaces paper mail, fax, email, electronic bills and invoices.

Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)

The electronic transfer of funds or money from one banking system to another is EFT.

Implementation

The process of installing and configuring ERP software is known as implementation. This process involves installing, configuring, testing, training and preparing an organisation for the change.

Integrated Software

Integrated software is when two or more software functions within an ERP application share data and combine functions. For example – order processing and inventory control, invoicing and accounts management, or recruitment and payroll.

Kaizen

It is a Japanese word that means “improvement”. It is about a continuous process to improve an application or software using analytical tools and methods.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is an approach designed to quality analyse a system or application to lower the number of defects and bugs. The purpose is to improve the quality of a product so that it performs without flaws when implemented.

Software License

The software license allows permission to multiple people to access the same shared software application. However, every user has to buy the license for the required period.

Software Upgrade

A software upgrade is the replacement of a software or application with a newer and more enhanced version.