Developers Dictionary

Developers, regardless of organization, often use a variety of terms to describe different concepts. Below is a list of definitions to help stakeholders better understand the language that Developers use.

I

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

IaaS, or Infrastructure as a Service, is a cloud computing service model that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. IaaS offers essential infrastructure components such as virtual machines, storage, networks, and operating systems on a pay-as-you-go basis. This allows businesses to rent computing resources as needed, avoiding the cost and complexity of purchasing and managing physical infrastructure.

IAM (Identity and Access Management)

IAM, or Identity and Access Management, is a framework of policies, processes, and technologies used to manage digital identities and control user access to critical information within an organization. IAM systems enable the right individuals to access the right resources at the right times for the right reasons. It includes tools for user authentication, authorization, and user lifecycle management.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

An IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, is a software suite that consolidates basic tools required for software development. An IDE typically includes a code editor, a compiler or interpreter, and a debugger, all accessible through a unified graphical user interface (GUI). IDEs facilitate the coding process, making it more efficient and less error-prone. Examples include Visual Studio, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA.

Independent Test Group

An Independent Test Group (ITG) is a team or organization separate from the development team that is responsible for testing software applications. The goal of an ITG is to provide unbiased testing to ensure the quality, functionality, and performance of the software. The independence helps in identifying defects and issues objectively without any conflict of interest.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable scripts or definition files, rather than through manual configuration processes. IaC allows for automation, version control, and consistency in setting up environments, making infrastructure management more efficient and less prone to errors. Common tools for IaC include Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, and Ansible.

Intermediate Code

Intermediate code is a low-level code representation of a computer program that sits between high-level source code and machine code. It is typically generated by a compiler as an intermediate step during the compilation process. Intermediate code is often platform-independent and can be optimized before being translated into machine-specific instructions. Examples include Java bytecode and Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL).

ISO

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes international standards across various industries. ISO standards ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability of products and services. Examples include ISO 9001 for quality management systems and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management systems

Iterative

In software development, an iterative process is one in which the project is developed through repeated cycles (iterations) and incremental improvements. Each iteration involves phases such as planning, design, implementation, testing, and evaluation. This approach allows for continuous feedback and refinement, enabling teams to adapt to changes and improve the product over time. Iterative development is often associated with agile methodologies.