The Non-Tech’s Guide To Essential Mobile & Web Development Terms

From Software Slang to Simple English

Hey there non-tech friend!

Does your developer use weird words when talking to you?

Too shy to ask them what the heck they’re yapping about?

This glossary acts as a quick reference for anyone new to app development while linking to in-depth articles for those who want to explore topics further. 

Use the sidebar to jump to relevant sections–or read the whole thing from start to finish if you’re an absolute savage!

1. App Development Lifecycle

The App Development Lifecycle covers everything from coming up with an idea to launching and maintaining an app. Knowing these stages helps you plan and manage your app project effectively.

• MVP (Minimum Viable Product) – The most basic version of an app with only essential features, built to test ideas and get user feedback early.
• MLP (Minimum Lovable Product) – A step up from an MVP, to not only function but delight users.
• Product Roadmap – A strategic plan that outlines the app’s future updates and new features.
• User Stories – Simple descriptions of what users need from an app, written from their point of view.
• Wireframing – Basic sketches that show the layout and flow of an app before development begins.
• Prototyping – An interactive model of the app that lets users test the experience before it’s fully built.
• Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) – Automating coding and updates to speed up development and reduce errors.
• Technical Debt – Extra work created when developers take shortcuts to speed up development.
• SDK (Software Development Kit) – A set of tools that developers use to build apps for a specific platform (like iOS or Android).
• App Store Guidelines – Rules set by Apple and Google that apps must follow to be published on their stores.

2. App Development Approaches

There are different ways to build an app, each with pros and cons depending on your goals, budget, and audience.

• Native App Development – Creating an app specifically for one platform (iOS or Android) using platform-specific coding languages.
• Hybrid App Development – A mix of native and web technologies, allowing one app to work on both iOS and Android.
• No-Code Development – Using drag-and-drop tools to build an app without coding.
• Low-Code Development – A mix of coding and pre-built components to speed up development.
• Microservices Architecture – Structuring an app as a collection of small, independent services for better scalability.
• Progressive Web App (PWA) – A web-based app that mimics mobile behavior when accessed by a phone.

3. App Monetization & Revenue Models

The different business models used by apps to make money.

• Freemium Model – A free app with optional paid features.
• Subscription Model – Users pay a recurring fee to access premium features.
• In-App Purchases (IAPs) – Buying digital items inside an app.
• Ad-Based Monetization – Generating revenue through in-app advertisements.
• Affiliate Marketing – Earning commissions by promoting other companies’ products in the app.
• White-Labeling – Selling a ready-made app to other businesses for their branding.
• Sponsored Content – Charging brands to feature their content in the app.
• Paywall – Restricting content behind a paid subscription.
• Transaction Fees – Earning money by taking a percentage of in-app transactions (e.g., marketplace apps).

4. App Security & Maintenance

Keeping an app secure and running smoothly requires continuous updates and protection against threats.

• Data Encryption – Converting user data into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication & Authorization – Verifying users and controlling their access to app features.
• Penetration Testing – Simulating cyberattacks to identify security vulnerabilities.
• OAuth & OpenID – Secure login methods that let users sign in with existing accounts (like Google or Facebook).

5. Legal Data Compliance Requirements

Apps must follow these data protection laws to ensure user privacy and avoid penalties.

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – A European law giving users control over their personal data.
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) – A U.S. law allowing California residents to see and delete their personal data.
• PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act) – A Malaysian law regulating how businesses handle personal data.
• LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados) – Brazil’s data protection law, similar to GDPR, giving users rights over their personal data.
• PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) – Canada’s federal privacy law regulating how businesses collect, use, and disclose personal data.
• POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) – South Africa’s data protection law ensuring lawful processing of personal data.
• APPI (Act on the Protection of Personal Information) – Japan’s privacy law governing how businesses handle personal information.
• Data Protection Act 2018 – The UK’s implementation of GDPR, ensuring data protection principles are upheld post-Brexit.
• China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) – China’s strict data privacy law regulating how companies collect, store, and transfer personal data, including restrictions on data leaving China.
• India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) – India’s newly enacted privacy law that governs personal data processing and user rights.
• Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 – Governs the collection, use, and handling of personal information by businesses and government agencies.
• South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) – One of the strictest data privacy laws, focusing on user consent and data minimization.

6. App Testing & Debugging

Before launching an app, it goes through rigorous scrutiny with app testing tools to ensure it works.

• Debugging – Finding and fixing errors in the app’s code.
• A/B Testing – Testing two versions of a feature to see which performs better.
• Usability Testing – Getting real users to test the app and provide feedback.
• Automated Testing – Running tests automatically to check for issues in the app.
• Regression Testing – Making sure new updates don’t break existing features.
• Load Testing – Testing how well an app handles heavy traffic.

7. Technology Stack

The technology stack includes all the tools and frameworks used to build and run an app.

• Frontend Development – The visible part of the app that users interact with.
• Backend Development – The behind-the-scenes logic and databases that power the app.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) – Connections that let different apps or services communicate.
• Cloud Computing – Storing and running app data on remote servers instead of physical hardware.
• Serverless Architecture – A cloud-based setup where developers don’t have to manage servers.
• Database Management – Storing and organizing app data efficiently.
• Headless CMS – A content management system that delivers content via APIs for more flexibility.
• GraphQL – A query language and runtime for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need.
• REST APIs – An architectural style for designing networked applications to do operations.

8. Agile & Development Methodologies

Different teams follow different methods to manage and speed up the app development process.

• Agile Development – A flexible, step-by-step approach to building apps.
• Scrum Framework – A structured Agile method using short development cycles called sprints.
• Waterfall Model – A traditional, step-by-step approach where each phase is completed before moving to the next.
• Kanban – A workflow method focused on continuous progress and efficiency.
• Lean Development – A strategy focused on cutting waste and maximizing value.
• Extreme Programming (XP) – A method that emphasizes rapid feedback and frequent updates.
• DevOps – Combining development and operations teams to speed up app releases.

9. Mobile Web vs. Mobile Apps

Not all mobile experiences require an app. Some businesses use websites or hybrid approaches instead.

• Mobile Website – A regular website that works well on mobile devices.
• Web Application – A dynamic website that functions like an app.
• Responsive Design – Ensuring a website adjusts smoothly to different screen sizes.
• WebAssembly (WASM) – A technology that allows complex apps to run in web browsers with high performance.

10. App Scaling & Growth Strategies

Growing an app requires smart marketing and user retention strategies.

• App Growth Hacking – Unconventional marketing techniques to attract more users.
• App Gamification – Adding game-like features to increase engagement.
• Viral Loops – Encouraging users to invite friends through incentives.
• App Store Optimization (ASO) – Improving an app’s ranking in app stores to attract more downloads.
• Dark Patterns – Controversial UX tricks used to influence user behavior (not recommended, but good to know).
• Retention Rate & Churn Rate – Metrics that track how many users stay or leave an app over time.

You are now a certified NERD! 🤓

The tech world is always evolving, and if there’s anything else you’d like to learn or if you need further clarification on, feel free to reach out. 

We’d love to expand this list with the information you need!

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