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developer Glossary
Explore clear, concise definitions for developer terms. Each entry is written for fast comprehension and quick reference.
Featured developer Terms
Start with the most referenced concepts
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software.
API Rate Limit
A restriction on the number of API calls a user or client can make within a specified time frame.
Base64
A binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation.
CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery)
A set of operating principles and practices that enable application development teams to deliver code changes more frequently and reliably.
CMYK Color Model
A subtractive color model, used in color printing.
CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing)
A mechanism that allows restricted resources on a web page to be requested from another domain outside the domain from which the first resource was served.
CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery)
A set of operating principles and practices that enable application development teams to deliver code changes more frequently and reliably.
CMYK Color Model
A subtractive color model, used in color printing.
CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing)
A mechanism that allows restricted resources on a web page to be requested from another domain outside the domain from which the first resource was served.
Cron
A software utility in Unix-like computer operating systems that is a time-based job scheduler.
CSS Box Model
A box that wraps around every HTML element.
CSS Box Shadow
A CSS property that adds shadow effects around an element's frame.
CSS Gradient
A CSS image made of a progressive transition between two or more colors.
Hash Function
A function that converts an input (or "message") into a fixed-size string of bytes. The output is typically unique to each unique input.
Hex Code (Color)
A way of specifying colors using hexadecimal values.
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
A cylindrical-coordinate representation of points in an RGB color model.
HTML Entities
A piece of text ("string") that begins with an ampersand (&) and ends with a semicolon (;) used to display reserved characters in HTML.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
The foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web.
JPEG
A commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images.
JSON
JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a standard text-based format for representing structured data based on JavaScript object syntax.
JWT (JSON Web Token)
An open standard (RFC 7519) that defines a compact and self-contained way for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object.
OAuth (Open Authorization)
An open standard for access delegation, commonly used as a way for Internet users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites but without giving them the passwords.
Open Graph Protocol
A protocol that allows any web page to become a rich object in a social graph.
Open Source
Software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified.
Regular Expression (Regex)
A sequence of characters that specifies a search pattern in text.
REM (Root EM)
A relative unit of length in CSS.
REST (Representational State Transfer)
An architectural style for an application program interface (API) that uses HTTP requests to access and use data.
RGB Color Model
An additive color model in which Red, Green, and Blue light are added together to reproduce a broad array of colors.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
The process of improving the quality and quantity of website traffic to a website or a web page from search engines.
SQL (Structured Query Language)
A domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system.
SSH (Secure Shell)
A cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network.
SSL/TLS
Protocols for establishing authenticated and encrypted links between networked computers.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
An XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics.