Software Development Vocabulary

Restructure existing code without changing its external behavior

“We need to refactor this legacy codebase to improve maintainability.”

Origin: From Latin `re-` (again) + `facere` (to make); coined in software engineering in the 1990s

Marked as obsolete and scheduled for removal

“This API endpoint is deprecated and will be removed in the next version.”

Origin: From Latin `deprecari` (to pray against, to seek to avert by prayer), from `de-` (away) + `precari` (to pray)

Able to handle increased load or growth efficiently

“The architecture must be scalable to support millions of users.”

Origin: From Latin `scala` (ladder, staircase), from `scandere` (to climb)

Producing the same result regardless of how many times it's executed

“All our API endpoints should be idempotent to handle retries safely.”

Origin: From Latin `idem` (same) + `potens` (powerful, able), literally `having the same power`

Hiding complex implementation details behind a simpler interface

“Good abstraction allows developers to work without understanding every detail.”

Origin: From Latin `abstrahere` (to drag away), from `abs-` (away) + `trahere` (to draw)

Standardized code that must be included with little modification

“The framework reduces boilerplate so you can focus on business logic.”

Origin: From 19th century printing industry; steel plates used to print standard text resembled boiler plating

Implied cost of future rework caused by choosing quick solutions

“We've accumulated significant technical debt that's slowing down development.”

Origin: Modern English compound; `technical` from Greek `tekhnikos` (of art/skill) + `debt` from Latin `debitum` (thing owed)

A bug that causes a feature that worked before to stop working

“The new release introduced a regression in the payment flow.”

Origin: From Latin `regredi` (to go back), from `re-` (back) + `gradi` (to step, walk)

The delay before a transfer of data begins

“We reduced latency by deploying servers closer to our users.”

Origin: From Latin `latens` (lying hidden, present participle of `latere` meaning to lie hidden)

The amount of data processed in a given time period

“The new database configuration doubled our throughput.”

Origin: Modern English compound from `through` + `put`; industrial term from early 20th century

Not occurring at the same time; non-blocking operations

“Asynchronous processing prevents the UI from freezing during long operations.”

Origin: From Greek `a-` (not) + `syn` (together) + `chronos` (time)

Software that acts as a bridge between different applications

“The authentication middleware validates tokens before requests reach the API.”

Origin: Modern English compound from `middle` (Old English `middel`) + `ware` (Old English `waru` meaning goods)

A single-tiered software application with all components unified

“We're breaking down the monolithic application into microservices.”

Origin: From Greek `monos` (single) + `lithos` (stone)

Unable to be changed after creation

“Using immutable data structures prevents accidental state mutations.”

Origin: From Latin `immutabilis`, from `im-` (not) + `mutabilis` (changeable), from `mutare` (to change)

The ability of objects to take many forms

“Polymorphism allows us to write flexible, reusable code.”

Origin: From Greek `poly` (many) + `morphe` (form)

Bundling data with methods that operate on that data

“Encapsulation protects internal state from external interference.”

Origin: From Latin `capsula` (small box), diminutive of `capsa` (box)

A design pattern restricting instantiation to one object

“The database connection pool is implemented as a singleton.”

Origin: From `single` (Latin `singulus` meaning one) + English suffix `-ton`

Supplying dependencies to an object rather than creating them internally

“Dependency injection makes our code more testable and modular.”

Origin: Modern English compound; `dependency` from Latin `dependere` (to hang from) + `injection` from Latin `inicere` (to throw in)

Frequently merging code changes into a shared repository

“Continuous integration catches bugs early in the development cycle.”

Origin: Modern English compound; `continuous` from Latin `continuus` (uninterrupted) + `integration` from Latin `integrare` (to make whole)

The process of releasing software to a production environment

“The deployment pipeline automates testing and release processes.”

Origin: From French `déployer` (to unfold, display), from Latin `dis-` (apart) + `plicare` (to fold)

The ability of different parts or units of a program to be executed out-of-order

“Concurrency improves performance on multi-core processors.”

Origin: From Latin `concurrere` (to run together), from `con-` (together) + `currere` (to run)

A set of practices that combines software development and IT operations

“DevOps practices have shortened our development cycle.”

Origin: Modern portmanteau from `development` + `operations`, coined in 2009