Software Development Glossary

20 Terms used in the software development course. terms

In this glossary, you will learn 3 terms often used in software development.

algorithm

noun

A finite, step-by-step sequence of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a computational problem.

Example: The team implemented a binary search algorithm to quickly locate records in the sorted database.

fr: algorithme

API (Application Programming Interface)

noun

A set of protocols, routines, and tools that defines how different software applications or components interact and exchange data.

Example: The payment processing system communicates with the banking server via a secure REST API.

fr: API / interface de programmation d'application

asynchronous

adjective

Operating independently of the primary program flow, allowing tasks to execute in the background without blocking subsequent instructions.

Example: Using asynchronous file reads ensures the user interface remains responsive while large files load.

fr: asynchrone

backend

noun

The server-side layer of a software application responsible for data processing, database management, authentication, and core application logic.

Example: The backend handles incoming authentication requests and processes database queries.

fr: arrière-plan

compiler

noun

A computer program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or bytecode that a computer can execute.

Example: The compiler reported two syntax errors before generating the executable file.

fr: compilateur

database

noun

An organized collection of structured data or information stored electronically in a computer system and managed by software.

Example: User profile details and order histories are retrieved directly from a relational database.

fr: base de données

debug

verb

To identify, trace, analyze, and remove bugs, defects, or unexpected behaviors from computer hardware or software.

Example: She set breakpoints in the integrated development environment to debug the memory leak.

fr: déboguer

dependency

noun

An external software module, library, or package that a computer program requires in order to compile, execute, or operate correctly.

Example: The project manager ran a package audit to verify that every dependency was up to date and secure.

fr: dépendance

deployment

noun

The process of assembling, testing, and delivering completed software builds into an operational production environment for users.

Example: The automated deployment script pushes new releases to the production cloud cluster every Tuesday.

fr: déploiement

framework

noun

A pre-written, reusable software platform that provides generic functionality and structure to simplify and standardize application development.

Example: They chose a modern web framework to structure the routing and component hierarchy of the site.

fr: cadre d'applications

frontend

noun

The client-side part of a software system with which end users interact directly, including visual layouts, interfaces, and styling.

Example: The developer updated the frontend with responsive buttons and a simplified navigation bar.

fr: interface utilisateur

polymorphism

noun

The provision of a single interface to entities of different types, or the ability of different classes to respond to the same message or method call in their own way.

Example: By using polymorphism, the graphics program calls a single draw method to render circles, squares, and triangles without custom conditional logic.

fr: polymorphisme

programming language

noun

A formal, engineered system of text and symbols used by humans to write instructions that a computer can process and execute.

Example: The popularity of the Java programming language has caused the development of some Java specific OpenGL libraries.

fr: langage de programmation

refactoring

noun

The process of restructuring and cleaning existing computer code without changing its external behavior or core functionality.

Example: Refactoring the legacy codebase simplified the functions and improved overall maintainability.

fr: réusinage

repository

noun

A central digital storage location where code, assets, documentation, and version history for a software project are preserved.

Example: Before starting work on the new feature, the engineer cloned the repository to their local machine.

fr: dépôt

software

noun

A set of digital instructions, data, or programs that tell a computer or device what to do and how to function.

Example: Apple is well-known for its innovation, reliable and integrated software and hardware.

fr: logiciel

syntax

noun

The set of formal rules defining the structure, punctuation, and combination of symbols that form correctly structured code in a language.

Example: A missing closing parenthesis caused a fatal syntax error during compilation.

fr: syntaxe

unit testing

noun

A software testing method where individual components or isolated units of source code are validated to ensure they function as intended.

Example: Writing comprehensive unit tests helped the team catch arithmetic errors early in development.

fr: test unitaire

variable

noun

A storage location paired with a symbolic name that holds a value which your program can change or read while it runs.

Example: The variable named numPoints has a value of 4.

fr: variable

version control

noun

A software system that records and manages changes to files and source code over time, allowing developers to track revisions and collaborate.

Example: Using version control allowed the developers to revert breaking changes without losing their previous commits.

fr: gestion de versions