Digital & Tech Glossary
Web development, UX/UI design, and emerging technology terms
A
A/B Testing Platform
Software that enables running experiments to test different versions of digital experiences.
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Technology that enables machines to simulate human intelligence and learning.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols enabling different software applications to communicate and share data.
Accessibility (A11y)
Designing digital products usable by people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.
Accordion
A UI component that expands and collapses to show or hide content sections.
Agile
An iterative approach to software development emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and frequent delivery.
B
Backend
The server-side code and infrastructure that powers a website or application.
Behavioral Analytics
Analysis of user interaction patterns and behaviors to identify usability issues and optimization opportunities.
Breadcrumb
A secondary navigation showing the user's location within a website hierarchy.
C
CDN (Content Delivery Network)
A geographically distributed network of servers that delivers web content to users from nearby locations.
CMS (Content Management System)
Software that helps users create, manage, and modify digital content.
Cache
Temporary storage that speeds up data retrieval by keeping frequently accessed data closer to users.
Call to Action (CTA)
A button or link designed to prompt users to take a specific action.
Cloud Computing
Delivery of computing services over the internet, including storage, processing, and applications.
Component Library
A collection of reusable UI components with standardized code and design patterns for consistent product development.
Container Queries
CSS feature allowing elements to adapt their styling based on their container's dimensions rather than viewport size.
Containerization
Packaging software with all its dependencies into isolated, portable units called containers.
Conversion Funnel
The series of steps users take from first interaction to completing a desired action.
D
DNS (Domain Name System)
The internet's system for translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses.
Dark Mode
A display setting using light-colored text and elements on dark backgrounds.
Dark Pattern
Deceptive design practices that manipulate users into unintended actions.
Design Operations (DesignOps)
Systematic approach to optimizing design team processes, tools, and collaboration for increased efficiency and consistency.
Design System
A collection of reusable components and guidelines for consistent product design.
Design System Governance
Framework and processes for maintaining consistency, evolution, and adoption of design systems across organizations.
Design Tokens
Standardized design variables storing visual properties like colors, typography, and spacing for consistent cross-platform application.
DevOps
A methodology combining software development and IT operations to enable faster, more reliable releases.
Dropdown
A UI element that reveals a list of options when activated, typically by clicking.
E
F
G
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
European privacy law governing how organizations collect and process personal data.
Git
A distributed version control system for tracking changes in source code.
GraphQL
Query language and runtime for APIs that allows clients to request specific data structures in single network calls.
H
HTTP/HTTPS
The protocols for transferring data between web browsers and servers.
Hamburger Menu
A button icon with three horizontal lines that reveals hidden navigation when clicked.
Headless CMS
A content management system that delivers content via API without a built-in frontend.
Heat Map
A visualization showing where users click, scroll, and focus attention on a webpage.
Hover State
The visual change that occurs when a user moves their cursor over an interactive element.
Hydration
Process where client-side JavaScript adds interactivity to server-rendered HTML, enabling dynamic functionality.
I
J
L
M
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
A product version with enough features to gather validated learning from early users.
Machine Learning
A subset of AI that enables systems to learn and improve from experience.
Micro-Interactions
Small, functional animations or responses that provide feedback during user interactions, enhancing usability and engagement.
Microservices
An architectural approach where applications are built as independent, loosely coupled services.
Mobile-First Design
A design approach that prioritizes mobile experience before expanding to larger screens.
Modal
A dialog box that appears over the main content and requires user interaction before continuing.
P
Page Load Time
The time required for a webpage to fully display in a user's browser.
Progressive Enhancement
Development strategy building core functionality first, then adding advanced features that gracefully degrade if unsupported.
Progressive Web App (PWA)
A web application using modern technologies to deliver app-like experiences through browsers.
Q
R
S
SSL Certificate
A digital certificate that authenticates a website's identity and enables encrypted connections.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
Software delivered via the internet on a subscription basis, eliminating the need for local installation.
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
Technique where web pages are generated on the server before being sent to browsers, improving initial load times and SEO performance.
Skeleton Loading
Placeholder animation technique showing content structure while data loads, improving perceived performance and user experience.
Static Site Generation (SSG)
Build process that pre-generates all website pages as static HTML files for optimal performance and simplified hosting.
U
V
W
Web Vitals
Google's performance metrics measuring real user experience through loading, interactivity, and visual stability indicators.
Web3
A vision for a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology.
WebAssembly (WASM)
Binary instruction format enabling near-native performance for web applications by running compiled code from various programming languages.
Wireframe
A basic visual guide showing the layout and functionality of a webpage.
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