Systemterms

Systemterms is a centralized glossary of terms used to describe computer systems, software, networks, and related operations. It provides a standardized vocabulary to reduce ambiguity in documentation, incident reports, and cross-functional communication among developers, operators, and stakeholders. The aim is clear, precise terminology that remains stable over time.

Scope typically covers hardware components, software concepts, network terms, storage, security, data handling, performance metrics, and architectural constructs. Each entry includes the term, a concise definition, category or tag, synonyms or acronyms, usage notes, an example, and links to related terms or cross-references.

Governance is usually performed by a glossary steward or a governance committee within an organization. Terms are versioned and managed through a change-control process. New terms or changes undergo review, justification, and approval to avoid duplication and ensure alignment with existing standards and policies.

Usage spans product documentation, user guides, runbooks, incident reports, onboarding materials, and training programs. A well-maintained systemterms glossary improves onboarding, accelerates collaboration, and supports automated documentation and search across systems. Examples of common terms include CPU, latency, throughput, daemon, API, endpoint, container, virtual machine, and microservice.

Systemterms may align with external standards or industry glossaries such as ITIL, ISO/IEC 27000, or NIST guides. Organizations may publish their glossary publicly or restrict it to internal use, with licensing and attribution defined in governance documents.