🧱IT: Platform (Definitions)

"A specific software implementation technology and/or specific hardware that constitutes the execution environment of a system." (Anneke Kleppe et al, "MDA Explained: The Model Driven Architecture™: Practice and Promise", 2003)

"In the automotive industry, a platform describes a technical basis on which to build models that appear outwardly different. In electronic development, a platform is understood as a hardware, software, or system construction kit that allows the easy creation of derivates via modification, parameterization, or derivation. All essential features, however, are preserved." (Lars Dittmann et al, "Automotive SPICE in Practice", 2008)

"The underlying foundations, technology frameworks, base architectures, and interfaces upon which products are built." (Steven Haines, "The Product Manager's Desk Reference", 2008)

"A combination of technology infrastructure products and components on which various application programs can be designed to run." (David Lyle & John G Schmidt, "Lean Integration", 2010)

"A type of computer hardware that is compatible with certain operating systems." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)

"A product, technology, or system that provides a foundation for a number of complementary products (or applications). In business, platforms that form an interface between two‐sided markets (comprising application suppliers and final users) occupy an especially important role in several technology‐based sectors." (Robert M Grant, "Contemporary Strategy Analysis" 10th Ed., 2018)

🧱IT: Asset (Definitions)

[process asset:] "Anything that the organization considers useful in attaining the goals of a process area." (Sandy Shrum et al, "CMMI: Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement", 2003)

[organizational process assets:] "Artifacts that relate to describing, implementing, and improving processes (e.g., policies, measurements, process descriptions, and process implementation support tools). The term process assets is used to indicate that these artifacts are developed or acquired to meet the business objectives of the organization, and they represent investments by the organization that are expected to provide current and future business value." (Sandy Shrum et al, "CMMI: Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement", 2003)

[process asset:] "Artifacts that relate to describing, implementing, and improving processes (e.g., policies, process descriptions, guidance, examples, aids, checklists, project closeout reports, metrics data, and training materials). The artifacts meet the organization’s business objectives, and represent investments expected to provide current and future business value." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

[organizational process assets:] "Any or all process-related assets, from any or all of the organizations involved in the project that are or can be used to influence the project's success. These process assets include formal and informal plans, policies, procedures, and guidelines. The process assets also include the organizations’ knowledge bases such as lessons learned and historical information." (Project Management Institute, "Practice Standard for Project Estimating", 2010)

[organizational process assets:] "Any or all process related assets, from any or all of the organizations involved in the project that are or can be used to influence the project's success. These process assets include formal and informal plans, policies, procedures, and guidelines. The process assets also include the organizations' knowledge bases such as lessons learned and historical information." (Cynthia Stackpole, "PMP Certification All-in-One For Dummies", 2011)

[IT assets:] "Tangible deliverables created during the course of an IT project that can be used in other similar projects. Examples include design, software code, or a testing scenario." (Janice M Roehl-Anderson, "IT Best Practices for Financial Managers", 2010)

[organizational process assets:] "Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization. " (Project Management Institute, "The Standard for Portfolio Management" 3rd Ed., 2012)

[organizational process assets:] "Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases that are specific to and used by the performing organization." (For Dummies, "PMP Certification All-in-One For Dummie", 2nd Ed., 2013)

[Software assets:] "software tools needed to manipulate the organization's information to accomplish the organization's mission." ( Manish Agrawal, "Information Security and IT Risk Management", 2014)

"Data contained in an information system; or a service provided by a system; or a system capability, such as processing power or communication bandwidth; or an item of system equipment (that is, a system component - hardware, firmware, software, or documentation); or a facility that houses system operations and equipment." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"Any item that has value to the organisation." (ISO/IEC 27000:2012)

🧱IT: Extranet (Definitions)

"A secure Internet site available only to a company’s internal staff and approved third-party partners. Extranets are flourishing in B2B environments where suppliers can have ready access to updated information from their business customers, and vice versa." (Evan Levy & Jill Dyché, "Customer Data Integration", 2006)

"Semi-public TCP/IP network used by several collaborating partners." (Martin J Eppler, "Managing Information Quality 2nd Ed.", 2006)

"Enterprise network using Web technologies for collaboration of internal users and selected external business partners." (Paulraj Ponniah, "Data Warehousing Fundamentals for IT Professionals", 2010)

"An internal network or intranet opened to selected business partners. Suppliers, distributors, and other authorized users can connect to a company’s network over the Internet or through private networks." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"Private, company-owned network that uses IP technology to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management 8th Ed", 2011)

"A network that is outside the control of the company. Extranets are usually connections to outside companies, service providers, customers, and business partners." (Mark Rhodes-Ousley, "Information Security: The Complete Reference" 2nd Ed., 2013)

"A special network set up by a business for its customers, staff, and business partners to access from outside the office network; may be used to share marketing assets and other non-sensitive items." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)

"An extension of the corporate intranet over the Internet so that vendors, business partners, customers, and others can have access to the intranet." (James R Kalyvas & Michael R Overly, "Big Data: A Businessand Legal Guide", 2015)

🧱IT: Configuration Management [CM] (Definitions)

 "A discipline applying technical and administrative direction and surveillance to: identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of a configuration item, control changes to those characteristics, record and report change processing and implementation status, and verify compliance with specified requirements. (IEEE 610, 1990)

"The process of identifying and defining the configuration items in a system, controlling the release and change of these items throughout the system life cycle, recording and reporting the status of configuration items and change requests, and verifying the completeness and correctness of configuration items." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"Process for the definition and management of configurations, allowing change control and change monitoring over a defined period. Configuration management allows access to individual configurations or configuration items (i.e., work products). Differences between individual configurations are readily identifiable. A configuration can be used to form a baseline; see also Baseline." (Lars Dittmann et al, "Automotive SPICE in Practice", 2008)

"A generic term that is often used to describe the whole of the activities concerned with the creation, maintenance, and control of databases and their environments." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"The management of configurations, normally involving holding configuration data in a database so that the data can be managed and changed where necessary." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"Managing the items produced by the project such as requirements documents, designs, and, of course, source code. This may include controlling changes to those items so that changes don’t happen willy-nilly." (Rod Stephens, "Beginning Software Engineering", 2015)

"The detailed recording, management, and updating of the details of an information system." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance, 2nd Ed", 2015)

"An operational process aimed at ensuring that systems and controls are configured correctly and are responsive to the current threat and operational environments." (Shon Harris & Fernando Maymi, "CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide" 8th Ed, 2018)

"The process of controlling modifications to a system’s hardware, software, and documentation, which provides sufficient assurance that the system is protected against the introduction of improper modification before, doing, and after system implementation." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"The process of managing versions of configuration items and their coherent consistent sets, in order to control their modification and release, and to ensure their consistency, completeness, and accuracy." (Bruce P Douglass, "Real-Time Agility: The Harmony/ESW Method for Real-Time and Embedded Systems Development", 2009)

"Process responsible for maintaining information about CIs required to deliver an IT service, including their relationships" (ITIL)

🧱IT: Quantum Computing (Definitions)

"an approach to computation based on properties of quantum mechanics, specifically those dealing with elementary units that may exist in multiple states simultaneously (in contrast with binary computers, whose basic elements always resolve to a 1 or 0)." (Judith S Hurwitz, "Cognitive Computing and Big Data Analytics", 2015)

"Quantum computing is a type of nonclassical computing that operates on the quantum state of subatomic particles. The particles represent information as elements denoted as quantum bits (qubits). A qubit can represent all possible values simultaneously (superposition) until read. Qubits can be linked with other qubits, a property known as entanglement. Quantum algorithms manipulate linked qubits in their undetermined, entangled state, a process that can address problems with vast combinatorial complexity" (Gartner)

"is the emerging field of computer sciences that aims to harness a radically different framework of information processing, called quantum mechanics. Much like classical computing, the field includes both the quantum version of information sciences, but also the physical development of systems that can take advantage of quantum information sciences." (Accenture)

"Quantum computing is a new approach to calculation that uses principles of fundamental physics to solve extremely complex problems very quickly." (McKinsey & Co, 2024)[link]

"Quantum computing is an area of computing focused on developing computer  technology based on the principles of quantum theory, which explains the behaviour of energy and material on the atomic and subatomic levels." (European Parliment)

"Quantum computing is an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers." (IBM) [link]

🧱IT: Quality of Service [QoS] (Definitions)

"The guaranteed performance of a network connection." (Tom Petrocelli, "Data Protection and Information Lifecycle Management", 2005)

"QoS (Quality of Service) is a metric for quantifying desired or delivered degree of service reliability, priority, and other measures of interest for its quality." (Bo Leuf, "The Semantic Web: Crafting infrastructure for agency", 2006)

"a criterion of performance of a service or element, such as the worst-case execution time for an operation." (Bruce P Douglass, "Real-Time Agility: The Harmony/ESW Method for Real-Time and Embedded Systems Development", 2009)

"The QoS describes the non-functional aspects of a service such as performance." (Martin Oberhofer et al, "The Art of Enterprise Information Architecture", 2010)

"QoS (Quality of Service) Networking technology that enables network administrators to manage bandwidth and give priority to desired types of application traffic as it traverses the network." (Mark Rhodes-Ousley, "Information Security: The Complete Reference" 2nd Ed., 2013)

"A negotiated contract between a user and a network provider that renders some degree of reliable capacity in the shared network." (Gartner)

"Quality of service (QoS) is the description or measurement of the overall performance of a service, especially in terms of the user’s experience. Typically it is used in reference to telephony or computer networks, or to online and cloud-hosted services." (Barracuda) [source]

"The measurable end-to-end performance properties of a network service, which can be guaranteed in advance by a Service Level Agreement between a user and a service provider, so as to satisfy specific customer application requirements. Note: These properties may include throughput (bandwidth), transit delay (latency), error rates, priority, security, packet loss, packet jitter, etc." (CNSSI 4009-2015)

🧱IT: Authentication (Definitions)

 "The process by which an entity proves to another entity that it is acting on behalf of a specific identity. The J2EE platform requires three types of authentication: basic, form-based, and mutual, and supports digest authentication." (Kim Haase et al, "The J2EE™ Tutorial", 2002)

"The process by which the identity of a user or process is verified." (Tom Petrocelli, "Data Protection and Information Lifecycle Management", 2005)

"A human or machine process that verifies that an individual, computer, or information object is who or what it purports to be." (J P Getty Trust, "Introduction to Metadata" 2nd Ed., 2008)

"A method of proving someone’s identity, especially if that someone is an authorized user of processes or resources." (Tomasz Ciszkowski & Zbigniew Kotulski, "Secure Routing with Reputation in MANET", 2008)

"Provides capabilities to authenticate users. These services may support multiple authentication mechanisms, such as user name/password, hardware token-based, biometric-based, and others." (Allen Dreibelbis et al, "Enterprise Master Data Management", 2008)

"(1) A legal evidentiary standard that, in the case of electronically stored information, ensures that the data and its associated metadata is accurate, complete, and has not been altered. Without authentication, data cannot be used as evidence. (2) A security function that defines the rules and responsibilities of individuals, applications, and devices for creating, reading, updating, and deleting data." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"The process by which the identity of a person or computer process is verified." (Judith Hurwitz et al, "Service Oriented Architecture For Dummies" 2nd Ed., 2009)

"A process designed to verify that an individual or a party are who they claim they are." (Alex Berson & Lawrence Dubov, "Master Data Management and Data Governance", 2010)

"The process of verifying the legitimate users of a resource. Often used synonymously with Identification and Authentication." (Mark S Merkow & Lakshmikanth Raghavan, "Secure and Resilient Software Development", 2010)

"(1) In data security, the process of verifying whether a person or software agent requesting a resource has the authority or permission to access that resource. (2) In data quality, the process of verifying data as complying with what the data represents." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"The process by which the identity of a person or computer process is verified." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"Verification of who a person or information resource claims to be that sufficiently convinces the authenticator that the identity claim is true. This is followed by an evaluation of whether that entity should be granted access to resources." (Mark Rhodes-Ousley, "Information Security: The Complete Reference" 2nd Ed., 2013)

"the process that a user goes through to prove that he or she is the owner of the identity that is being used." (Manish Agrawal, "Information Security and IT Risk Management", 2014)

"The process of establishing the validity of a person’s identity." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The process of providing additional credentials that match the user ID or user name." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The process of verifying the credentials of a particular user of a computer or software system" (Nell Dale & John Lewis, "Computer Science Illuminated" 6th Ed., 2015)

"Verification of the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in an information system." (James R Kalyvas & Michael R Overly, "Big Data: A Businessand Legal Guide", 2015)

"A process by which an entity proves its identity to another party (e.g., authentication required by a user to log in or log on)." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

"Verification of the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in an information system." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"Authentication is about validating the access request. When a user or a process tries to log into an application, system, or a database, it is important to verify its identity. One way to verify identity is through a username and password; a security token is another option. When the authentication takes place, all data exchange is typically encrypted to prevent theft during the authentication process." (Piethein Strengholt, "Data Management at Scale", 2020)

"A process that provides assurance of the source and integrity of information in communications sessions, messages, documents or stored data." (NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 4)

"A process that provides assurance of the source and integrity of information in communications sessions, messages, documents or stored data or that provides assurance of the identity of an entity interacting with a system." (NIST SP 800-57 Part 2 Rev.1)

"A process that establishes the origin of information, or determines an entity’s identity. In a general information security context: Verifying the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in an information system." (NIST SP 800-57 Part 2)

"A process that establishes the source of information, provides assurance of an entity’s identity or provides assurance of the integrity of communications sessions, messages, documents or stored data." (NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 3)

"An authentication service is a mechanism, analogous to the use of passwords on time-sharing systems, for the secure authentication of the identity of network clients by servers and vice versa, without presuming the operating system integrity of either (e.g., Kerberos)." (Gartner)

"A security measure designed to protect a communications system against acceptance of fraudulent transmission or simulation by establishing the validity of a transmission, message, originator, or a means of verifying an individual's eligibility to receive specific categories of information." (CNSSI 4009-2015)

"Authentication is the process of verifying the claimed identity of a session requestor." (NIST SP 800-13)

"Provides assurance of the authenticity and, therefore, the integrity of data." (NIST SP 800-67 Rev. 2)

"Security measures designed to establish the validity of a transmission, message, or originator, or a means of verifying an individual’s authorization to receive specific categories of information." (NIST SP 800-59)

"The corroboration that a person is the one claimed." (NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 1)

"The process of establishing confidence in the claimed identity of a user or system." (NISTIR 7682)

"The process of proving the claimed identity of an individual user, machine, software component or any other entity.  Typical authentication mechanisms include conventional password schemes, biometrics devices, cryptographic methods, and onetime passwords (usually implemented with token based cards.)" (NISTIR 5153)

"The process of verifying the authorization of a user, process, or device, usually as a prerequisite for granting access to resources in an IT system." (NIST SP 800-47)

"The process of verifying the integrity of data that has been stored, transmitted, or otherwise exposed to possible unauthorized access." (NISTIR 4734)

"Verifying the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in an information system." (FIPS 200)

"Verifying the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in a system." (NIST SP 800-12 Rev. 1)

"Verifying the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to a system’s resources." (NIST SP 1800-17c)

🧱IT: Virtual Machine [VM] (Definitions)

"An imaginary computer that runs compiled Java programs. Your computer or Web browser must emulate a virtual machine to run a Java applet or application." (Greg Perry, "Sams Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours" 2nd Ed., 2001)

"The combination of hardware and software (OS, DBMS, etc.) that provides the underlying environment that supports the operation of a software product." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"Everything under the control of a guest operating system that is managed by a Hypervisor." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"System that offers the expected functionality associated with a device, but is actually implemented on top of a lower level system. The typical example is the Java Virtual Machine, which specifies a mode of operation for a virtual processor that is subsequently emulated on a different processor architecture." (Max Domeika, "Software Development for Embedded Multi-core Systems", 2011)

"software that allows you to take a single physical device (e.g., one PC) and run multiple instances of operating systems on it." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"A computer operating system and associated storage and input/output resources that are completely provided by software. This is done by a hypervisor that allocates hardware resources by translating between the actual hardware and the software that attempts to access it. See also hypervisor." (Mark Rhodes-Ousley, "Information Security: The Complete Reference" 2nd Ed., 2013)

"Software programs that look and run like a physical computer." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance" 2nd Ed, 2015)

"The illusion created by a timesharing system that each user has a dedicated machine" (Nell Dale & John Lewis, "Computer Science Illuminated" 6th Ed., 2015)

"This term is ambiguous. (a) It sometimes refers to the combination of the system hardware resources and the low-level operating system (called a hypervisor) that is responsible for creating the illusion to operating systems running on it that they have exclusive use of the system. (b) A virtual machine can also refer to a guest operating system running on top of a hypervisor." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

"A virtual machine is a software representation of a computer." (Alex Thomas, "Natural Language Processing with Spark NLP", 2020)

"An IBM mainframe operating system that can host other IBM operating systems such as MVS or VSE, so that an application running under an operating system seems to have its own complete system of software and hardware resources." (Microfocus

"The software implementation of a physical computer that runs an operating system. Multiple virtual machines can run simultaneously on the same hardware. In Azure, virtual machines are available in a variety of sizes." (Microsoft, "Azure Glossary")

🧱IT: Virtual World (Definitions)

"A computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit virtual spaces and interact via avatars." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"A digital three-dimensional environment in which participants assume an avatar persona and explore and/or engage with the on-screen objects. Second Life is one early example of a virtual world." (Ruth C Clark & Richard E Mayer, "e-Learning and the Science of Instruction", 2011)

"A user-defined 3D world in which people can interact, play, and do business with the help of avatars." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"A digital three-dimensional environment in which participants assume an avatar persona and explore and/or engage with the on-screen objects. Second Life is one early example of a virtual world application." (Ruth C Clark & Richard E Mayer, "e-Learning and the Science of Instruction", 2016)

"An immersive, three-dimensional virtual space where one’s avatar interacts with a computer-simulated world. Some people only associate virtual worlds with games, but such environments can be used for decision support." (Ciara Heavin & Daniel J Power, "Decision Support, Analytics, and Business Intelligence 3rd Ed.", 2017)

🧱IT: Optimization (Definitions)

"A state in which all inputs, components, elements, and processes are working together to produce the most desirable, viable, and sustainable outcome possible given the current operating conditions. As referenced in this book, products and product lines should be optimized within the context of the portfolio of products so that the best combinations of product investments produce the most desirable, sustainable market, financial, and strategic outcomes." (Steven Haines, "The Product Manager's Desk Reference", 2008)

"the process of improving the performance of some element with respect to a set of optimization criteria." (Bruce P Douglass, "Real-Time Agility: The Harmony/ESW Method for Real-Time and Embedded Systems Development", 2009)

"Finding the best possible solution." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed., 2011)

"Optimization is the design and operation of a system or process to make it as good as possible in some defined sense, it is the action of making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource." (Hari K Kondaveeti et al, "Deep Learning Applications in Agriculture: The Role of Deep Learning in Smart Agriculture", 2021)

🧱IT: Cluster/Clustering (Definitions)

"Technology that enables you to create a hot spare. That is a server that is actually running and can take over immediately. This technology enables you to mirror an entire server to another computer." (Owen Williams, "MCSE TestPrep: SQL Server 6.5 Design and Implementation", 1998)

"The use of multiple computers to provide increased reliability, capacity, and management capabilities." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"Grouping data together on the same disk page to improve retrieval performance." (Jan L Harrington, "Relational Database Dessign: Clearly Explained" 2nd Ed., 2002)

"Any collection of distinct computers that are connected and used as a parallel computer, or to form a redundant system for higher availability. The computers in a cluster are not specialized to cluster computing and could, in principle, be used in isolation as standalone computers. In other words, the components making up the cluster, both the computers and the networks connecting them, are not custom-built for use in the cluster." (Beverly A Sanders, "Patterns for Parallel Programming", 2004)

"Connecting two or more computers in such a way that they behave like a single computer to an application or client. Clustering is used for parallel processing, load balancing, and fault tolerance." (Allan Hirt et al, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability", 2004)

[server cluster:] "The type of Windows Clustering that provides availability only. It is a collection of nodes that allow resources to be failed over to another node in the event of a problem. SQL Server 2000 failover clustering is installed and configured on top of a server cluster." (Allan Hirt et al, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability", 2004)

"A group of computers linked via a LAN and working together to form the equivalent of a single computer." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed., 2011)

[failover cluster:] "A group of servers that are in one location and that are networked together for the purpose of providing live backup in case one of the servers fails." (Microsoft, "SQL Server 2012 Glossary", 2012)

"A set of computers with distributed memory communicating over a high-speed interconnect. The individual computers are often called nodes." (Michael McCool et al, "Structured Parallel Programming", 2012)

"A group of servers connected by a network and configured in such a way that if the primary server fails, a secondary server takes over." (IBM, "Informix Servers 12.1", 2014)

"A cluster is a set of servers configured to function together. Servers sometimes have differentiated functions and sometimes they do not." (Dan Sullivan, "NoSQL for Mere Mortals®", 2015)

"A collection of complete systems that work together to provide a single, unified computing capability." (Sybase, "Open Server Server-Library/C Reference Manual", 2019)

[failover clustering:] "A network of two or more interconnected servers that redirects an overloaded or failed resource to maintain system availability." (Microsoft Technet)

🧱IT: Web 2.0 (Definitions)

"A phrase used loosely by the Web development community to refer to a perceived “second generation” of Web technologies and applications. Wikis, folksonomies, gaming, podcasting, blogging, and so on, are all considered Web 2.0 applications." (J P Getty Trust, "Introduction to Metadata" 2nd Ed., 2008)

"A trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to facilitate creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users." (Tilak Mitra et al, "SOA Governance", 2008)

"describes a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving web applications to users." (Gina C O'Connor & V K Narayanan, "Encyclopedia of Technology and Innovation Management", 2010)

"The name attributed to two-way Internet capability for users to both upload and download content." (Ruth C Clark & Richard E Mayer, "e-Learning and the Science of Instruction", 2011)

"The second generation of Internet-based services that let people collaborate and create information online in perceived new ways - such as social networking sites, wikis, and blogs." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"a second generation of Internet-based tools and applications that facilitate communication, collaboration, connectivity, sharing, etc." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed. , 2012)

"Web advancements between 2003 and 2010, where social networking activities and tools greatly improved. Also referred to as the Social Web." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The name attributed to two-way Internet capability for users to both upload and download content." (Ruth C Clark & Richard E Mayer, "e-Learning and the Science of Instruction", 2016)

"The evolution of the Web from a collection of hyperlinked content pages to a platform for human collaboration and system development and delivery." (Gartner)

"was a phrase first coined in 2004 to describe the second stage of the World Wide Web’s development. These developments include the evolution from static web pages to dynamic, interactive and user-generated content and the growth of social media. Examples of web 2.0 range from online banking to remote email access." (Accenture)

🧱IT: Service Level Agreement [SLA] (Definitions)

"A signed agreement of system service requirements between two parties (such as your company and an ASP or between your department and end users) that defines the guidelines, response times, actions, and so on, that will be adhered to for the life of the agreement." (Allan Hirt et al, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability", 2004)

"A contract with a service provider, be it an internal IT organization, application service provider, or outsourcer, that specifies discrete reliability and availability requirements for an outsourced system. An SLA might also include other requirements such as support of certain technology standards or data volumes. An outsourcer’s failure to adhere to the terms laid out in an SLA could result in financial penalties." (Evan Levy & Jill Dyché, "Customer Data Integration", 2006)

"A formal negotiated agreement between two parties. It is a contract that exists between customers and their service provider, or between service providers. It records the common understanding about services, priorities, responsibilities, guarantees, and so on, with the main purpose to agree on the level of service." (Tilak Mitra et al, "SOA Governance", 2008)

"An agreement between a customer and a product or service provider that defines conditions under which the provider will offer support or additional services to the customer, and what level of services will be offered under each of those conditions." (Steven Haines, "The Product Manager's Desk Reference", 2008)

"An agreement between a service provider and a service recipient that formally defines the levels of service that are to be provided." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"A formal negotiated agreement between two parties that usually records the common understanding about priorities, responsibilities, and warranties, with the main purpose of agreeing on the quality of the service. For example, an SLA may specify the levels of availability, serviceability, performance, operation, or other attributes of the service (such as billing and even penalties in the case of violations of the SLA)." (David Lyle & John G Schmidt, "Lean Integration", 2010)

"A written legal contract between a service provider and client wherein the service provider guarantees a minimum level of service." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed., 2011)

"A contracted guarantee of service delivery for a program, transaction, service, or workload." (Craig S Mullins, "Database Administration", 2012)

"The part of a contract between two parties that outlines the delivery of services within defined timeframes." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"A statement to customers or the user community about the service the IT department will provide. It can refer to a variety of metrics, such as performance, up-time, resolution time, and so on." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"An agreement between an IT service provider and a customer to provide a specific level of reliability for a service. It stipulates performance expectations such as minimum uptime and maximum downtime levels. Many SLAs include monetary penalties if the IT service provider does not provide the service as promised." (Darril Gibson, "Effective Help Desk Specialist Skills", 2014)

"The service or maintenance contract that states the explicit levels of support, response time windows or ranges, escalation procedures in the event of a persistent problem, and possible penalties for nonconformance in the event the vendor does not meet its contractual obligations." (Robert F Smallwood, "Information Governance: Concepts, Strategies, and Best Practices", 2014)

"A contract for formally defined services. Particular aspects of the service (scope, quality, responsibilities) are agreed between the service provider and the service user. A common feature of an SLA is a contracted delivery time of the service or performance." (Thomas C Wilson, "Value and Capital Management", 2015)

"A portion of a service contract that promises specific levels of service." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance" 2nd Ed, 2015)

"A contract between a service provider (either internal or external) and the end user that defines the level of service expected from the service provider." (Project Management Institute, "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)", 2017)

🧱IT: Component Object Model (Definitions)

"The programming model on which several SQL Server and database application programming interfaces (APIs), such as SQL-DMO, OLE DB, and ADO, are based." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"A group of conventions and specifications that let you create interactions between software components in a structured object-oriented way." (Craig F Smith & H Peter Alesso, "Thinking on the Web: Berners-Lee, Gödel and Turing", 2008)

"A binary standard that enables objects to interoperate in a networked environment regardless of the language in which they were developed or on which computers they reside. COM-based technologies include ActiveX Controls, Automation, and object linking and embedding (OLE). COM allows an object to expose its functionality to other components and to host applications. It defines both how the object exposes itself and how this exposure works across processes and across networks. COM also defines the object's life cycle." (Microsoft)

"A mechanism in Windows whereby an application can be registered with the operating system, thereby enabling other applications to call it. The application is given a numeric key, which is stored in the registry together with the application's location. A client calls the application by calling the key." (Microfocus)

"An object-based programming model designed to promote software interoperability; it allows two or more applications or components to easily cooperate with one another, even if they were written by different vendors, at different times, in different programming languages, or if they are running on different computers running different operating systems. OLE technology and ActiveX are both built on top of COM." (Microsoft Technet)

"An object-oriented programming model that defines how objects interact within a single process or between processes. In COM, clients have access to an object through interfaces implemented on the object." (Microsoft)

"Microsoft's architecture for creating objects with standard binary interfaces for the desktop." (Microfocus)

🧱IT: Legacy System (Definitions)

"A production system that was designed for technology assumptions that are no longer valid or expected to become invalid in the foreseeable future." (Atul Apte, "Java Connector Architecture: Building Custom Connectors and Adapters", 2002)

"Systems that have been inherited from languages, platforms, and techniques earlier than current technology." (Timothy J  Kloppenborg et al, "Project Leadership", 2003)

"A system in operational use that must be sustained. Sustainment is challenging for such systems due to obsolete technology, poor structure, outdated and incomplete documentation, and lack of people with the necessary knowledge and skills." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"An existing data creation, management, and reporting system in a company generally still in use." (Sharon Allen & Evan Terry, "Beginning Relational Data Modeling" 2nd Ed., 2005)

"A database or application using an out-of-date database engine or application tools. Some legacy systems can be as much as 30, or even 40 years old." (Gavin Powell, "Beginning Database Design", 2006)

"A mature system that serves ongoing needs. Legacy systems are often old, monolithic systems, built using older design approaches and older technologies." (Bruce MacIsaac & Per Kroll, "Agility and Discipline Made Easy: Practices from OpenUP and RUP", 2006)

"An information system that has been developed and modified over a period of time and has become outdated and difficult and costly to maintain but that holds important information and involves processes that are deeply ingrained in an organization. Legacy systems usually are eventually replaced by a new hardware and software configuration." (J P Getty Trust, "Introduction to Metadata" 2nd Ed., 2008)

"Old computer applications on disparate platforms, supported by outdated database systems that are still in use in many companies, as legacies from the past." (Paulraj Ponniah, "Data Warehousing Fundamentals for IT Professionals", 2010)

"Term used to describe the original financial system when implementing a new financial system." (Janice M Roehl-Anderson, "IT Best Practices for Financial Managers", 2010)

"An application implemented outside of, or from a prior version of, an organization’s application architecture. Usually an older application that may be slated for eventual replacement. Legacy systems are often frustrating because they are difficult to change, few people know exactly what they do and how they do it, and/or the technology on which they are dependent is becoming obsolete and unsupportable." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"Application that has been used for a long period of time and that has been inherited from languages, platforms, and techniques used in earlier technologies." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed., 2011)

"The older systems used to run the business of the corporation as it was defined 10 or 20 years ago" (Daniel Linstedt & W H Inmon, "Data Architecture: A Primer for the Data Scientist", 2014)

"A legacy system is a business solution that has a few common characteristics with current solutions in the market, such as being based on outdated technology or design, being incompatible or difficult and costly to integrate with current systems, and a potential inability of being purchased from vendors because it is unavailable and discontinued." (Microsoft Learning, "Migrate data and go live with Finance and Operations apps", 2020)

"An old system, technology or computer system that is not supported any more." (Analytics Insight)