Software Development Terms in Ordinary English

Posted On: September 12, 2020

This glossary of Software Development Terms in Ordinary English is a work in progress. As I post this in September 2020, I have a list of over 130 words and phrases used by techies in daily conversations at work (with only about 1/3 defined). As I know there are plenty of people like me out there who interact with techies, but may not always get the technical language, I have decided to put together this dictionary of terms that are used in the industry so we can learn their language! This glossary may also help techies to talk about technical concepts to non-technics in more of a conversational English, or a non-industry English to help build context with their clients, stakeholders and others they interface with everyday.

This glossary not only includes technical or industry jargon many use in the software industry, but also includes vocabulary (buzzwords, corporate speak, etc.) used in professional, office settings that may or may be recognized outside of the software or IT realm as well.

The purpose of this glossary is to try to define the technical terms in English that can be understood by anyone. If you have ideas to help me fill in the blanks for the words not yet defined or to update the definitions of words already defined, contact us through our contact page to share your insights. If your business website/blog has definitions we can use here, we are happy to quote your resource and link back (we also hope for a link back to this post or another post on this blog).

Let’s get started!

Meanings of Terms Software Developers Use

💻 General Tech Terms

- Bug /Bug fix: A temporary or permanent solution to correct a problem in the software application
- Cloud Computing: Using the internet to store files or run programs instead of keeping them on your own computer.
- Cloud Enabled: Software that was originally built for traditional servers but later moved to the cloud. It still depends on older systems but now uses cloud features.
- Cloud Native: Software that is built and runs entirely in the cloud. It doesn’t need traditional servers and is designed for flexibility and scale.
- Database: A place where information is stored in an organized way so it can be found and used easily.
- Hardware: The physical parts of a computer, like the keyboard, screen, or hard drive.
- iOS: The operating system used on Apple mobile devices like iPhones and iPads. It helps apps run and controls how the device works.
- Operating System (OS): The main software that runs your computer or phone. It helps other programs work. Examples: Windows, macOS, Android.
- Server: A powerful computer that stores files or runs software for other computers to use.
- Software: A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. Apps, games, and websites are all types of software.

🧠 Software Development Basics

- Algorithm: A step-by-step plan to solve a problem.
- Application: Software that helps users do specific tasks.
- Bug: A mistake in the code that causes problems.
- Code / Coding: Writing instructions for a computer.
- Code Refactoring: Cleaning up messy code without changing what it does.
- Conditional Statement (If/Else): A way to tell the computer to make decisions.
- Debugging: Finding and fixing bugs.
- Feature: A specific tool or function in a software program.
- Function: A small piece of code that does one job.
- Functional Specification: A document that describes what the software should do and how users will interact with it.
- Loop: A way to repeat actions in code.
- Module: A smaller part of a software program that does one job.
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): A way of organizing code using “objects.”
- Programming Language: A set of rules used to write code.
- Requirement: A clear description of what the software must do.
- Specification: A detailed list of rules and features for the software.
- System: A group of software and hardware parts that work together.
- Task: A small piece of work that needs to be done.
- Technical Debt: Extra work caused by quick fixes or shortcuts in code.
- Variable: A container that holds information that can change.

🧪 Testing & Quality

- Continuous Deployment (CD): Automatically sending updated code to users after testing.
- Continuous Integration (CI): Automatically combining new code into a shared project.
- End-to-End Testing (E2E): Testing the whole software from start to finish.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Making sure the software is reliable and easy to use.
- Regression Testing: Testing old features after new changes.
- Test Case: A specific situation used to check if the software works.
- Testing: Checking if the software works before sharing it.
- Unit Test: A small test that checks one part of the code.

🔄 Process & Workflow

- Agile: A way of working that breaks big projects into small tasks.
- Backlog: A list of tasks or ideas to do later.
- CI/CD Pipeline: A set of steps that builds, tests, and delivers software updates.
- Commit: Saving changes to the code.
- Deployment: Sending finished software to users.
- DevOps: Developers and IT teams working together to release software faster.
- Environment: A setup where software runs—like testing or live use.
- Integration: Connecting different software parts so they work together.
- Iteration: One cycle of planning, building, and reviewing software.
- Kanban: A visual way to manage tasks using cards and columns.
- Lean Development: Building only what users really need.
- Merge: Combining changes from different versions of code.
- Milestone: A big goal or checkpoint in a project.
- Migration: Moving software, data, or systems from one place to another.
- Observability: Tools that help teams understand what’s happening inside software systems.
- Production Environment: The live version of the software that real users can access.
- Release: A version of the software shared with users.
- Repository (Repo): A place where code is stored and shared.
- Scrum: A type of Agile with frequent team check-ins.
- Sprint: A short time period to finish specific tasks.
- Staging Environment: A private version of the software that mimics the live product for testing.
- Stand-up Meeting: A quick daily meeting to share updates.
- Version Control: A system that tracks changes to code.
- Workflow: The step-by-step way tasks are done.

👥 Roles & Collaboration

- Business Analyst: Studies what users need and helps guide the team.
- Client: The person or company who asks for the software.
- Creative Interface: The artistic layout of a digital product—colors, fonts, icons, and design elements.
- Cross-Functional Team: A group with different skills working together.
- Data Scientist: Studies large amounts of data to find patterns.
- Developer / Programmer: Writes code to build software.
- Product Manager: Decides what the software should do.
- Prompt Engineer: Designs smart questions or instructions for AI tools.
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE): Keeps software systems fast and reliable.
- Software Engineer: Builds and designs how software works.
- Stakeholder: Anyone who cares about the project’s success.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME): A person who knows a lot about a specific topic.
- Team Lead: Guides the development team and keeps the project on track.
- UI Designer: Designs how the software looks.
- User: The person who uses the software.
- User Story: A short sentence that describes what a user wants to do.
- UX Designer: Makes sure the software is easy and enjoyable to use.

🌐 Web & Mobile

- API: A tool that lets different software programs talk to each other.
- Backend: The part of the software that works behind the scenes.
- CSS: A language used to style websites—colors, fonts, layout.
- Framework: A set of tools that helps developers build software faster.
- Frontend: The part of the software users see and interact with.
- Full Stack Developer: Works on both the frontend and backend.
- Jamstack: A modern way to build websites using JavaScript, APIs, and pre-built markup.
- Progressive Web App (PWA): A website that works like an app.
- Responsive Design: Websites that look good on phones, tablets, and computers.
- Single Page Application (SPA): A website that loads once and updates content without refreshing.

🔐 Security & Access

- Authentication: Checking if someone is who they say they are.
- Authorization: Giving someone permission to do something.
- Encryption: Hiding information so only the right people can read it.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Logging in with more than one method—like a password and a code.
- Zero Trust: A security approach that assumes no one is automatically trusted.

🤖 AI & Emerging Tech

- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Software that mimics human thinking.
- Generative AI: AI that creates new content—like images, writing, or music.
- GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer): A type of AI that understands and creates human-like text.
- Large Language Model (LLM): A powerful AI that can understand and generate text.
- Machine Learning (ML): A type of AI that learns from data.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI that helps computers understand human language.
- Prompt: A question or instruction you give to an AI tool.
- Token: A small piece of text used by AI to understand and generate language.

🧭 Corporate Jargon & Strategy

- Alignment: Making sure everyone agrees on goals and priorities.
- Bandwidth: How much time or energy someone has for new work.
- Buy-in: Getting support from

Original post date, 2020, Updated, 2024, 2025 with the help of CoPilot