As a non-technical founder, it can be daunting to be in a meeting with your tech team and not understand the technical terms being used. The technical world can seem like a foreign language, but it's important to have a basic understanding of the terminology used by your team. This is where we come in. In this article, we want to break down some of the most common technical terms used in software development and explain them in plain English using a house-building analogy.
Let’s jump right in.
Architecture is like a blueprint for a house, and just like builders use blueprints to construct a house, developers use architecture to plan and design the software.
A codebase is like the materials used to build a house. Developers use codebases to create the software that powers your application.
Debugging is finding and fixing mistakes, just like builders fixing a crooked wall or leaky roof.
Deployment is moving into your new house, just like when the software is ready to go live on the internet for users to access.
Frameworks are pre-made house kits that come with some pieces already built. Developers use frameworks to help them build code faster by providing some pre-built code that they can use.
Infrastructure is like the foundation and structure of a house, and it's what supports your app or website.
Integration is like putting all the pieces of a house together, like the walls, roof, and foundation. Programmers integrate different parts of the code together to make the app or website work as a whole.
Maintenance is like cleaning and fixing up your house after you've been living in it for a while. Programmers maintain their code by updating it, fixing bugs, and keeping it secure.
Optimization is like making your house more energy-efficient, and programmers optimize their code to make it run faster and use fewer resources.
Performance is how well your house functions. Programmers want their code to perform well, meaning it runs quickly and smoothly.
A repository is like a library of all the different versions of your house plans. Programmers use repositories to keep track of different versions of their code over time.
Scalability is building a house that can expand or contract depending on how many people need to live in it. Programmers build code that can handle lots of users or traffic by making it scalable.
Security is locking the doors and windows of your house to keep people from breaking in. Programmers build security features into their code to keep it safe from hackers and other threats.
Testing is like checking to make sure everything in your house works before you move in. Programmers test their code to make sure it works as expected before deploying it.
Version control is keeping track of all the different drafts of your house plans. Programmers use version control to keep track of different versions of their code and make sure they're all in sync.
Workflow is like the order and process of building a house, and programmers have workflows for building and testing code, just like builders have workflows for building a house.
Automation is like having a robot do some of the work of building your house for you. Programmers use automation to make some parts of coding faster and more efficient.
The back-end is like the foundation and structure of your house that you can't see, but that supports everything. The back-end of a website or app is the code that runs behind the scenes to make everything work.
DevOps is like having a team of builders and designers working together to build your house. In tech, DevOps is the team that handles everything from coding to deployment.
Finally, the front-end is like the visible parts of your house, like the walls and the windows. The front-end of a website or app is the part that users see and interact with, like the design, layout, and user interface.
Understanding these technical terms will help you communicate better with your team and contribute to the success of your project. It's essential to ask questions and seek clarification when you don't understand something. Technical jargon can create a barrier to progress for the entire team, and it's crucial to break down those barriers.
Remember, building software takes a team of professionals with different areas of expertise working together. As a non-technical founder, it's your responsibility to understand the basics of the technical terms used by your team. Having a basic understanding of these terms will help you communicate more effectively with your team, make informed decisions, and contribute to the success of your project.
In conclusion, by using the house-building analogy, we hope we've demystified some of the most commonly used technical terms in software development. It's time to stop feeling left out of tech discussions and start speaking the same language as your tech team. Use this article as a reference guide and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Together, you and your team can build something great!