IT Glossary
Key Terms To Know In The IT Industry

Asymmetric Multiprocessing

A computing architecture where each processor is assigned a specific task or tasks, allowing for more efficient processing by leveraging the strengths of different types of processors within the same system.

You will find this term commonly used in Computer Architecture, Parallel Computing

Asynchronous API

Asynchronous API refers to an API that does not require the calling code to block or wait for a response, but rather, uses callbacks, promises, or other mechanisms to notify when the response is available.

You will find this term commonly used in Web Development, Programming

Asynchronous Circuit

An Asynchronous Circuit is a type of electronic circuit that operates without a global clock, meaning that the operations within the circuit are completed upon the completion of the previous operations and not synchronized by a timing signal.

You will find this term commonly used in Electronics, Computer Engineering

Asynchronous JavaScript

Asynchronous JavaScript refers to the use of the async and await syntax in JavaScript, allowing for asynchronous, non-blocking operations that enable web applications to perform tasks like API calls without freezing the user interface.

You will find this term commonly used in Web Development

Asynchronous Job Processing

The execution of tasks or jobs in a non-blocking manner, allowing a system to initiate a task and then proceed with other tasks before the first task completes, often used to improve application performance and responsiveness.

You will find this term commonly used in Software Engineering, Performance Optimization

Asynchronous Learning

Asynchronous Learning refers to education, training, or learning that does not occur in the same place or at the same time, allowing participants to engage with learning materials at their own pace.

You will find this term commonly used in General IT, Education

Asynchronous Learning Networks

Online learning environments that allow participants to engage with educational content and activities at their own pace, without the need for real-time interaction.

You will find this term commonly used in E-Learning, Education Technology

Asynchronous Messaging

Asynchronous Messaging refers to a communication method where messages are sent between parties without requiring the sender and receiver to be simultaneously active, facilitating decoupled communication processes in distributed systems.

You will find this term commonly used in Networking, Software Development

Asynchronous Replication

A data replication method where changes at the primary site are replicated to the secondary site without waiting for confirmation that each change has been received, suitable for disaster recovery over long distances.

You will find this term commonly used in Data Management, Disaster Recovery

Asynchronous System

A system in which operations are executed without requiring synchronization in time, allowing processes to operate independently and proceed at their own pace.

You will find this term commonly used in Computer Science, Networking

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

ATM is a networking technology that organizes digital data into small, fixed-sized packets called cells and transmits them over a physical medium using digital signal technology, designed for high-speed broadband networks.

You will find this term commonly used in Networking, Telecommunicati

Asynchronous Video Interview

A recruiting tool that allows job candidates to record answers to interview questions at their convenience, without the need for real-time interaction with the interviewer, enabling flexible and scalable candidate screening.

You will find this term commonly used in Human Resources Technology, Recruitment

ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment)

ATA is an interface standard for connecting storage devices like hard drives and optical drives to a motherboard, known for its simplicity and reliability in data transfer.

You will find this term commonly used in Hardware, IT Infrastructure

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)

ATM is a networking technology that uses short, fixed-length packets called cells to transport data across networks, designed for high-performance multimedia networking.

You will find this term commonly used in Networking

Atomicity

In computing, atomicity refers to operations that are completed as a single unit of work, such that they are indivisible. This concept is crucial in database transactions and multi-threaded programming to ensure data integrity.

You will find this term commonly used in Database, Software Engineering

Attack Detection Algorithms

Attack Detection Algorithms are computational techniques used to identify patterns of malicious activity within networks or systems, aiming to promptly detect and mitigate potential security threats.

You will find this term commonly used in Security, Cybersecurity

Attack Pattern Recognition

The use of algorithms and machine learning to detect patterns in data that may indicate a cybersecurity threat or attack.

You will find this term commonly used in Cybersecurity, Data Analysis

Attack Signature

An Attack Signature is a pattern that identifies malicious or harmful behavior, such as a sequence of bytes in network traffic, or a series of commands known to be used by malware. It is used in intrusion detection systems to detect threats.

You will find this term commonly used in Security, Cybersecurity

Attack Surface Analysis

Attack Surface Analysis is the process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing the vulnerabilities in a system or network that are accessible to attackers, used to strengthen cybersecurity measures.

You will find this term commonly used in Security, Cybersecurity

Attack Surface Reduction

Strategies and techniques used to minimize the ways an attacker can exploit a system or network, often involving the removal of unnecessary services, restricting access, and segmenting networks.

You will find this term commonly used in Cybersecurity, IT Infrastructure

Attack Vector

An Attack Vector is a method or pathway used by a hacker to access or penetrate the defense of a computer or network system to deliver a payload or malicious outcome.

You will find this term commonly used in Security, Cybersecurity

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

ABAC is a method of access control that decides access rights based on attributes associated with users, resources, and the environment, allowing for more flexible and fine-grained access control policies compared to role-based access control (RBAC).

You will find this term commonly used in Security, Cybersecurity

Audio Codec

An Audio Codec is a device or software that encodes or decodes audio data from one format to another, facilitating the compression and decompression of digital audio data for storage, transmission, and playback.

You will find this term commonly used in Multimedia, IT Infrastructure

Audio Streaming Technology

Audio Streaming Technology enables the real-time transmission and playback of audio content over the internet, allowing users to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio programs without the need for downloading files beforehand.

You will find this term commonly used in Multimedia, Web Development

Audio-Visual Speech Recognition

A technology that combines audio and visual data processing to improve the accuracy of speech recognition systems, particularly in noisy environments.

You will find this term commonly used in AI, Machine Learning

Augmented Analytics

Augmented Analytics uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate data analysis processes, making it easier for end-users to gain insights without deep expertise in data science.

You will find this term commonly used in AI, Data Analysis

Augmented Coding

Augmented Coding uses AI and machine learning to assist developers in writing code, suggesting improvements and automating repetitive tasks, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing errors in the software development process.

You will find this term commonly used in Software Development, AI

Augmented Coding Tools

Software tools that leverage AI and machine learning to assist developers in writing code, suggesting improvements, and automating repetitive tasks, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing the potential for errors.

You will find this term commonly used in Software Development, AI

Augmented Data Discovery

Augmented Data Discovery uses machine learning and natural language processing to enhance data analysis processes, making it easier for end users to discover significant patterns and insights in their data without deep technical expertise.

You will find this term commonly used in AI, Data Analysis

Augmented Data Management

The use of AI and machine learning technologies to enhance data quality, metadata management, and data integration processes in an organization.

You will find this term commonly used in Data Management, AI

Augmented Intelligence

The enhancement of human decision-making through AI technologies, emphasizing the assistive role of AI, rather than replacing human intelligence with artificial intelligence.

You will find this term commonly used in AI, Human-Computer Interaction

Augmented Query Processing

Enhancements in database management systems that use AI and machine learning to optimize query execution, improve performance, and provide insights, by dynamically adapting to changing data patterns and workloads.

You will find this term commonly used in Data Management, AI

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, videos, or sounds, onto the physical world, enhancing real-world environments and offering interactive experiences.

You will find this term commonly used in AI, General IT

Augmented Virtuality

Augmented Virtuality (AV) is the integration of real-world objects into virtual environments, creating a more immersive experience by blending physical elements with digital simulation, often seen in mixed reality scenarios.

You will find this term commonly used in Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality

Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device, typically involving credentials like passwords, biometric data, or security tokens, crucial for ensuring secure access to systems and data.