A reference for terminology used across product development. Organized alphabetically.
A
A/B Testing — Method comparing user feedback across variants of web/app pages.
Agile Software Development — Iterative, flexible approach splitting work into small parts with focus on business value delivery.
Android — Popular mobile OS developed by Google (latest: Android 11).
API — Application programming interface enabling communication between software components.
.apk — Android Package file format for installing mobile apps.
APNs — Apple Push Notification service for sending notifications from App Store apps.
App Store — Digital distribution platforms for apps; also Apple's iOS/iPadOS platform.
Apple Pay — Apple's NFC-powered payment system for apps and goods.
AR — Augmented Reality providing interactive experiences with virtual enhancements.
ASO — App Store Optimization enhancing app listing elements for organic traffic.
B
BaaS — Back end-as-a-Service cloud model providing pre-written software.
Back End — Server-side app/website components handling storage, authentication, databases.
Badges — Indicators showing unread notifications on app icons.
Beacons — BLE hardware devices transmitting data to nearby smartphones.
Best Practice — Methods proven to produce desired outcomes.
Beta — Software testing phase where intended audience tries the product.
Big Data — Combined data analyzing user behavior, creating insights and predictions.
BLE — Bluetooth Low Energy variant conserving power for IoT development.
Branding — Distinctive company features including logos, colors, positioning, sounds.
Build — Functional program version not yet released.
C
CAN Bus — Controller Area Network enabling microcontroller communication in vehicles.
Case Study — Documented product development exploration showing company processes.
Chatbot — Software simulating conversations through text or voice.
CI/CD — Continuous Integration/Delivery practices automating building, testing, deployment.
CMS — Content Management System managing digital content delivery.
Core Data — Apple framework describing data entities and relationships.
Cross-platform App Development — Creating compatible iOS/Android apps without separate code.
CTA — Call to Action describing next user steps in imperative mood.
Customer Journey Map — Visual representation of customer interaction steps.
Customer Segmentation — Dividing customers into groups by shared characteristics.
CX — Customer Experience resulting from company-user interactions.
D
DevOps — Methodologies promoting collaboration between development and IT operations.
Database — Organized data collection in accessible, manageable format.
Debugging — Identifying and solving software/hardware problems.
Decryption — Converting encrypted data into readable form.
Deep Linking — Using URIs for easier mobile app element access.
Deliverable — Product/service delivered after development completion.
Deployment — Getting software/hardware running properly in environment.
Device ID — Number identifying smartphones or tablets.
Display Advertising — Banner-based advertising for site/app visitors.
Django — Python-based open-source web framework for database-driven websites.
E
Edge Computing — Distributed architecture processing data near its source.
Embedded System — Hardware/software combination performing specific functions.
Encryption — Data encoding process, typically for security.
EV — Electrical vehicles using electric motors instead of combustion engines.
Expedited App Review — App Store option for urgent fixes.
Extension — Software module customizing web browsers with features.
Extranet — Private network securing business information exchange.
F
FDD — Feature Driven Development, customer-centric methodology for large teams.
Feature Creep — Tendency for product requirements expanding beyond original scope.
Feature Request — Also called requirements/scope creep during development.
Featured Apps — Apps highlighted on store main pages.
Framework — Layered structure defining programs/functions and relations.
Freemium — Business model offering basic features free, charging for advanced.
Front End — Client-side app/website components including UI features.
Full-stack Development — Development of both back end and front end.
G
Gamification — Game design-inspired activities increasing engagement.
Gap Analysis — Comparing current performance with desired results.
GCM (now FCM) — Firebase Cloud Messaging for Android/iOS/web push notifications.
Geofencing — Software triggering actions when users enter/exit areas.
Gestures — User movements like swipes/taps interacting with apps.
Google Pay — Google's NFC-powered payment system.
Google Play Store — Google's Android digital distribution platform.
GPS — Global Positioning System using satellite-based radionavigation.
GUI — Graphical User Interface with interactive visual components.
H
Haptics — Kinesthetic communication enhancing app interaction.
HIG — Human Interface Guidelines providing design recommendations.
Hotfix — Small update addressing specific software problems.
Hybrid App Development — Combining native and HTML5 development merits.
I
IaaS — Infrastructure as Service providing cloud computing resources.
IAP — In-app Purchase, digital products bought within apps.
IDE — Integrated Development Environment for software writing/testing.
IDFA — Identifier for Advertisers, Apple's device identifier tracking users.
In-app Messages — Mobile messages engaging active app users.
Infotainment — Car system providing internet, navigation, music, entertainment.
iOS — Apple's popular mobile OS (latest: iOS 14).
IoT — Internet of Things, interconnected devices/machines exchanging data.
IoV — Internet of Vehicles using connected car data for communication.
.ipa — iOS App Store Package file format for app installation.
Iteration — Single development cycle section typically lasting 1-2 weeks.
J
Jailbreaking — Removing manufacturer/carrier device restrictions.
Java — Object-oriented language heavily used in Android development.
JavaScript — Programming language implementing front end logic/interactivity.
JSON — JavaScript Object Notation, text-based format for data structures.
K
K-line — Low-speed diagnostic network in vehicles/robots.
Kanban — Visual work tracking system using cards.
Kotlin — Modern object-oriented language preferred for Android apps.
KPIs — Key Performance Indicators measuring company progress.
Kurento — WebRTC server and APIs for streaming mobile/web apps.
L
Landing Page — Standalone product-describing webpage with CTA.
Laravel — Open-source PHP framework following MVC architecture.
Latency — Delay between input and desired outcome.
LBS — Location-based Services relying on geolocation.
Lean Software Development — Maximizing efficiency, focusing on value.
Legacy App — Outdated apps lacking OS/browser compatibility.
Library — Collection of reusable precompiled routines.
LiDAR — Laser-based distance measurement for self-driving cars/AR.
Localization — Adapting products to languages/cultures.
Low-code Development Platform — Creating apps with reduced hand-coded programming.
M
Material Design — Google's design guideline set.
Microcontroller — Integrated circuit controlling singular functions.
Microprocessor — Computer processor combining controlling functions.
Mobile Analytics — Tools tracking app usage metrics.
Mobility — Public/private transportation of passengers/goods.
Mockup — Product design demonstration showing colors, layouts, fonts.
Monetization — Revenue generation through app/website features.
MQTT — Messaging protocol distributing telemetry data.
MVP — Minimum Viable Product including only vital features.
MVT — Minimum Viable Team achieving desired outcomes.
N
Native App Development — Creating platform-specific apps.
Native Web AR — Browser-based augmented reality.
Navigation — User movement guidance through app interfaces.
NDA — Non-disclosure Agreement protecting confidential information.
NFC — Near-field Communication enabling short-range device data exchange.
No-code Development Platform — Creating apps through graphical configuration.
Notification Centre — Aggregated app notification display system.
O
OAuth — Open Authorization framework providing secure delegated access.
OBD — On-board Diagnostics enabling vehicle self-diagnosis.
Objective-C — C superset providing object-oriented capabilities.
OCR — Optical Character Recognition identifying text.
Open Source Software — Software with freely available source code.
OpenGL — API defining 2D/3D images.
OS — Operating System managing device/computer software.
OTA Update — Over-the-air wireless software updates.
Out of the box — Features working immediately upon access.
Outsourcing — Hiring third parties for services.
P
Personas — Fictional characters representing user types.
PHP — Open-source script language for back end development.
Pivot — Changing product functionality/positioning/strategy.
PoC — Proof of Concept determining idea feasibility.
PoS — Point of Sale enabling physical/digital purchases.
Pooling — Receiving device location data via geolocation.
PostgreSQL — Open-source database management system.
Product backlog — Prioritized feature list for future delivery.
Product vision — Clear statement describing long-term product direction.
Proprietary Software — Technology exclusively owned by companies.
Push Notifications — Messages sent via APNs/FCM to mobile devices.
PWA — Progressive Web App behaving like mobile apps.
Python — Open-source language for various purposes.
Q
QA — Quality Assurance examining product functionality.
QR Code — Quick Response barcode accessing information.
Quick Look (AR) — ARKit feature launching 3D model viewers.
R
Ranking — App store position in categories/search results.
React — Open-source JavaScript library for UI creation.
React Native — JavaScript framework creating iOS/Android apps.
Reality Composer — Apple tool for AR 3D model work.
RealityKit — Framework integrating virtual objects in AR.
Redux — Open-source JavaScript library managing app state.
Refactoring — Refining code structure without changing functionality.
RFID — Radio Frequency Identification tags identifying objects.
RFP — Request for Proposal document for estimates.
RWD — Responsive Web Design adapting to various screen sizes.
S
SaaS — Software as Service distributing web apps.
Scene Viewer — ARCore viewer for 3D models/AR on Android.
Scrum — Sprint-based Agile framework with short iterations.
SDK — Software Development Kit providing development tools.
Source Code — Fundamental program part created with editors/IDEs.
SOW — Statement of Work describing project activities/timelines.
Splash Screen — Page displayed during app loading.
SSO — Single Sign On enabling multi-app access.
Subscription — Recurring payment model renewing product access.
Swift — Apple's programming language for Apple ecosystem devices.
T
TDD — Test Driven Development interweaving testing, programming, refactoring.
Technical Debt — Results from choosing quicker solutions.
Technology Fusion — Technology transformation through knowledge combination.
Technology Stack — Tools needed implementing product ideas.
TestFlight — Apple's beta iOS/iPadOS app distribution platform.
Third Party — Entities involved in two-party interactions.
Time to Market — Duration between project start and market introduction.
Touch ID — Apple fingerprint recognition feature.
tree.js — JavaScript library embedding 3D objects on websites.
Typescript — Microsoft language addressing JavaScript shortcomings.
U
UDID — User Device Identifier, 40-character Apple device string.
UI — User Interface means of program interaction.
UI Kit — Graphic file set for product UI creation.
Update — Replacing previous product versions with newer ones.
Usability — Product capability producing user-desired outcomes.
Use Case — System functionality descriptions from user perspective.
User Flow — Physical product usage process through UI.
User Stories — App feature descriptions.
UX — User Experience describing user emotions/attitudes.
UWB — Ultra-wideband wireless protocol with high measurement accuracy.
V
Value Stream Mapping — Visualization recording product delivery steps.
Velocity — Story units available for next Agile iteration.
Vendor — Goods/services seller.
Version — Release build identifier with significant/minor changes.
Version Control — Product version tracking/management practice.
Virtual Machine — Operating system emulation functioning separately.
Voice Search — Search method using voice recognition.
VPN — Virtual Private Network creating encrypted connections.
W
WatchOS and Wear OS — Smartwatch operating systems connected to phones.
Waterfall — Linear software development with seven non-overlapping steps.
Wearable — Physically worn electronic devices.
Web Analytics — Tools tracking website usage metrics.
Web App — Web server program accessed via browsers.
WebRTC — Open-source project supporting peer-to-peer audio/video exchange.
Webview — Rendering web pages within apps.
Wireframe — Early-stage designs demonstrating app/website structure.
WMS — Warehouse Management System controlling logistics/manufacturing.
Workaround — Methods achieving outcomes when conventional ways fail.
X
XCode — Apple's iOS SDK interactive development environment.
xHE-AAC — Audio codec/compression format for adaptive streaming.
XML — Extensible Markup Language encoding documents.
XP — Extreme Programming prioritizing business results.