We have compiled an IT glossary to try to help develop an understanding of widely used IT terms. The IT industry has terminology unique to it. You need to be familiar with the commonly used in the industry. These are some of the words you will encounter when working in the IT space.
Application
An application is a computer software package that performs a specific function for an end user or another application based on carefully designed features.
Application Programme Interface (API)
Beta testing
The stage where a new product is tested under actual usage conditions.
Click through agreement
An online agreement where users agree by clicking a button or checking a box that says “I agree”.
Cloud computing
The delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
Critical bug
A problem, error or difficulty experienced in a supported and maintained software that threatens a customer’s ability to generate revenue.
Enhancement
A minor change to software that:
- does not require extensive business requirements analysis, functional specification or wireframing; and
- has a total development time of not more than two business days.
Enterprise resource
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is software used by a company to manage key parts of operations, including accounting and resource management.
EULA
End-user license agreement. An agreement between a software developer or vendor and the end-user.
Hosting
The service of providing the computer equipment and software for a website on the internet and making it available to the public.
Internet service provider
A company that provides internet access to its customers.
Learning Management System (LMS)
A software that helps you to administer, document, track, report, automate, and deliver educational courses, training programs, materials or learning and development programs.
Maintenance
The process of modifying a software product after delivery to a customer to correct faults.
Non-critical bug
A problem, error or difficulty experienced in a supported and maintained software that does not threatens a customer’s ability to generate revenue.
Open source
A software whose source code is made freely available for possible modification and redistribution
SAP
SAP is German software company that develops enterprise software solutions.
Software as a Service
Software as a service is a cloud-based software delivery model, where a cloud provider develops and maintains cloud application software and makes it available on a pay-as-you-go basis. The cloud provider provides automatic software updates.
Software Support
A service of providing technical product help and advice to registered users.
Upgrade
A major change to the software results in new functions or features.
Other glossaries
Garner and the CSRC have provided a comprehensive IT glossary.