Understanding Common Terms and Definitions

AD (Active Directory): A directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.

AD Credentials: The authentication and authorization information stored in Active Directory (AD), including a user's name and password. AD verifies them during the authentication process.

API (Application Programming Interface): A software intermediary that allows two applications to "talk" to each other. For example, when using your iPhone to check the weather, you are using an API.
APK (Android Package): The package file format used by Android for distribution and installation of mobile apps.
Application Pool: A group of one or more worker processes, configured with common settings that serve requests to one or more applications that are assigned to that application pool.
Azure (Microsoft Azure): A cloud-computing service for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
Boolean Expression: An expression that is true or false.
Callback URL: A URL that an external service uses to send a response back to your application after an action has occurred.

Client ID: Uniquely identifies an application registered in Azure AD.

Client Secret: A confidential key used by an application to authenticate itself with Azure AD.

CSV (comma-separated values): A text file that has a specific format which allows data to be saved in a table structured format.
Data Mapping: The process of connecting a data field from one source to a data field in another source.

Data Warehouse: A a system used for reporting and data analysis, and is considered a core component of business intelligence. They store current and historical data in one single place.

Database: A structured set of data held in a computer that is organized for rapid search and retrieval.
Deep Linking: Use of a hyperlink that links to a specific, searchable piece of web content on a website, rather than the website's home page.

Dirty Read (SQL): Occurs when one transaction is permitted to read data that is being modified by another transaction which is running concurrently but which has not yet committed itself.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library): A library that contains code and data that can be used by more than one program at the same time.
Dynamic Token: A type of authentication credential that changes with each use or after a certain period of time. Dynamic tokens provide an additional layer of security because they are valid for only a short period of time mitigating the risk of credential theft or interception.

Endpoint: A specific URL where clients can access with resources or services provided by a server.

Entra ID: A cloud-based identity and access management solution. Microsoft renamed Azure Active Directory (AD) to Microsoft Entra ID.

EULA (End-User License Agreement): Legally binding contract between the software provider and the software buyer.
GET: Retrieves data from a server or database.

Group Name:  In Azure AD, a container for organizing users, which makes it easier to manage access levels and permissions.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Used for communication between web browsers and web servers.

HTTP Request: A message that is sent by a client (such as a web browser) to a server, typically to request access to a specific resource or to perform a specific action. 
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): Secure version of HTTP used to send data between a web browser and a website.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): Used to exchange data between a server and a web application via HTTP requests, such as sending data from a web form to a server or receiving data from an API.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): An authentication method in which a computer user is granted access only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence. 
OAuth (Open Authorization): An authorization framework that allows secure API authorization in a simple and standard method from mobile, web and desktop applications.

ODATA (Open Data Protocol): A standardized protocol for creating data APIs over the web. It provides a standard way to expose and consume data over HTTP.

Office365 Email: A cloud-based email solution provided by Microsoft.

PATCH: Partially updates existing data, such as a record in a database.

POST: Creates or submits new data to a server or database.

QR Code: A machine-readable code that consists of black and white squares that store URLS for reading by a smartphone's camera.
Redirect URI (Reply URL): The location where the Microsoft Entra authentication server sends the user once they have successfully authorized and been granted an access token.

Relational Database: A database structured to recognize relations amount stored items of information.

Report Band: An area on a report page used to define how to render report controls that belong to it.
REST (Representational State Transfer): An architectural style for providing standards between computer systems on the web, making it easier for systems to communicate with each other.

SaaS (Software as a Service): A software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted, also known as subscribeware.
SendGrid: A cloud-based SMTP service to send and manage emails.

Single Sign-On (SSO): An authentication scheme that allow a user to use one set of login credentials to access multiple applications.

SLA (service-level agreement): A commitment between a service provider and a client.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Communication protocol for transmitting email over a network.

Static Table: Cells and content are defined up front. Content displayed will not be changed.
Static Token: A type of authentication credential that remains constant. Static tokens are used when convenience and simplicity are prioritized over security. Static tokens can pose security risks.

Stored Procedure: A set of SQL statements with an assigned name, which are stored in a database. Once defined, the stored procedure can be called to execute the SQL statements it contains.

Tenant ID: The global unique identifier (GUID) for your Azure AD tenant, typically represents an organization.

Transport Layer Security (TLS): An industry version of the standard designed to help protect the privacy of information communicated over the Internet.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a web page.

VARCHAR: Data type that represents character string values of variable length.