abruf

Abruf is a German noun formed from the verb abrufen, meaning to retrieve, fetch, recall, or call up. In everyday language it can refer to the act of retrieving something from storage or memory. In technical and business contexts, Abruf has several specialized uses.

In data processing and information technology, the term denotes the request and transfer of data from a system to a user or another system. A data Abruf occurs when an application queries a database, data warehouse, or API, often via HTTP or SQL. Common considerations include latency, reliability, access control, and caching. In API design the operation corresponds to a get operation, with mechanisms like pagination or streaming to manage large results.

In procurement and supply chain management, Abruf denotes a call-off against a framework or master contract. A customer issues an Abrufauftrag to specify quantity and delivery date, and the supplier fulfills it under contract terms. This use emphasizes pull ordering rather than a single upfront purchase.

In media and entertainment, Abruf is used for on-demand access to content, as in Videoabruf or Abrufdienst. Users retrieve and play content when desired, rather than at a scheduled time.

Etymology: from abrufen, with Ruf meaning a call or invocation. The exact sense depends on context, but all uses relate to requesting and obtaining information or goods from a source.