Glossary

Technical terms relating to software development and IT explained in an understandable way in our in-house glossary.

Operating systems

Ant Design
A brief explanation of Ant Design in our glossary
Design
ant-design

Ant Design is an open source code for enterprise-level UI design languages and a React UI library. It is in version 4.16.7 as of July 2021 and is under constant development. The design system contains many components that can also be used separately from Ant Design.

The components include general, layout, navigation, data entry, data display, feedback and others.

Ant Design and twigbit

At twigbit, we can help you with various design issues. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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Windows
A brief explanation of Windows in our glossary
Operating systems
windows

Windows is the operating system first released by Microsoft in 1985. Originally conceived as a graphical extension of MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System), it is now the most widely used operating system in the world with a market share of more than 90%. The latest version of Windows is Windows 10, released in July 2015, and its successor Windows 11 was announced in June 2021.

A big competitor to Windows is macOS from apple and also Linux operating systems such as Ubuntu or Mint.

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macOS
A brief explanation of macOS in our glossary
Operating systems
macos

macOS is apple's computer operating system, first released in 2001. The system was developed specifically for apple's Mac devices. macOS is the second most widely used operating system after Microsoft Windows.

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Linux
A brief explanation of Linux in our glossary
Operating systems
linux

Linux is a free operating system based on Unix that was first made publicly available in 1991. The source code of Linux is freely accessible, which makes it a so-called free operating system. Linux exists in different variants, such as Ubuntu or Mint.

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Web design
A brief explanation of web design in our glossary
Web
webdesign

Web design refers to the creation of a website, whereby there are many other components in addition to the graphic design. The user experience, the user interface, search engine optimisation and content creation are also parts of web design, i.e. the creative part. At the beginning, a web designer develops a mockup, which shows how the future website will look like and to see if the idea can be implemented well. If the client wishes, adjustments can also be made here.

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Operating system
A brief explanation of the operating system in our glossary
Operating systems
betriebssystem

An operating system provides the user interface for all programmes that run on the computer or mobile device. It is the interface between hardware and software. Examples of operating systems are Windows from Microsoft, macOS from apple and Linux. iOS and Android are also the operating systems that run mobile devices.

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Figma
A brief explanation of Figma in our glossary
Design
figma

Figma is a web tool that allows several people to develop user interfaces together. It started gaining popularity right after its launch because Figma supported all major operating systems. Over time, Figma became an absolute favourite in the design community due to its stable development and increase in functionality.

Features like collaboration and real-time data storage save a lot of time when using Figma. Since every employee has the same access to work, everyone can always be on the same page. So a designer, a developer and a product manager can all be working on the same task at the same time.

At Twigbit, we try to get the most out of Figma. Working with components is the basis for fast and high-quality design iterations. Thanks to components, we can change repetitive elements of the screen with a single click. This feature is especially useful when working on large projects with hundreds of screens and thousands of the same interface elements.

Components are perfect for the icons. Change the colour in one and all the other icons get the same changes.

Another important feature of Figma is the possibility to work with vector files. Instead of using additional applications like Adobe Illustrator, Figma allows you to create and edit vector illustrations and objects. This not only saves time, but also allows programmers to make small creative adjustments quickly and successfully.

All illustrations on the Twigbit website were created in Figma

But there is more that makes Figma special - external plugins. Plugins are independent applications that add additional functions to the tool. They are created by users and made publicly available in the Figma Store. They number in the hundreds and they make Figma an extraordinarily versatile design application - animation, photo retouching, exporting files of different formats, communication and prototyping - Figma's application scenarios are countless.

We call this plugin FigShop (or PhotoGma, we're still divided on that one ;)

For all the reasons above, Figma is the number one tool for designers around the world. Freelancers and sole traders, startups and big companies like Github and Airbnb use it every day.

Webflow
A brief explanation of Webflow in our glossary
Design
webflow

Webflow is a tool with which websites can be built. It is a mixture of a homepage construction kit and a content management system (CMS). On a Photoshop-like user interface, the page can be created by drag and drop, while Webflow converts the design into code in the backend. Since Webflow is more complex than other website building kits, a basic understanding of web design is required.

Webflow and twigbit

At twigbit, we use Webflow in the design of our website and also in our work with customers. So if you need support, we will be happy to advise you.

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Firebase
A brief explanation of Firebase in our glossary
Software and app
firebase

Firebase is a development platform of the Google Cloud Platform for developing and hosting mobile and web apps. In addition to Android and iOS, web apps, Java, C++ and Unity are also supported. Using Firebase eliminates a lot of work in the backend, as it is hosted in the Google Cloud Platform and can thus be scaled without effort. Firebase is therefore a so-called "Backend as a Service" platform.

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Node.js
A short explanation of Node.js in our glossary
Frameworks
node

Node.js is an event-based runtime environment for the development of server-side scripts, network tools and web apps, among other things. The framework, which is mainly used for web server programming, is based on Google Chrome's V8 engine for executing JavaScript codes. V8 compiles JavaScript directly into native machine code, so-called Just-In-Time compilation. By making JavaScript available for server-side programming as well, Node.js aims to unify web development.

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Next.js
A brief explanation of Next.js in our glossary
Frameworks
next

Next.js is a framework for server-side rendered React applications from Vercel, which is used by Netflix, Hulu and Tiktok, among others. The open source framework is used to create websites and web applications. It helps the developer to create Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server Site Rendering (SSR) of a website.

One of the core competencies of Next.js is that it supports website models with multiple pages. In addition, development with Next.js is low code and zero configuration to simplify the work for frontend developers.

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Gatsby JS
A brief explanation of Gatsby in our glossary
Web
gatsby

Gatsby is a free, open source static site generator based on React that helps develop static websites and apps. Furthermore, Gatsby is supported by GraphQL.

A static site generator does not require a database, as it delivers all content that has already been statically rendered in advance to simple web servers. To minimise some of the disadvantages of static site generators, Gatsby combines this idea with modern techniques from web development.

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Android
A brief explanation of Android in our glossary
Operating systems
android

Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). The OHA is an association of over 30 hardware, software and telecommunications companies, such as HTC, Samsung and Intel.

Unlike Apple's iOS, Android is an open system. This means that Android can be used by device manufacturers without having to pay licence fees to Google. As a result, Android is pre-installed on over 80% of all new mobile devices. These include devices from Samsung, Sony, HTC, Motorola, LG and many more.

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iOS
A brief explanation of iOS in our glossary
Operating systems
ios

iOS is Apple's mobile operating system, which unlike Android is not an open operating system. This means that iOS only runs on Apple devices. The computer operating system Mac OS X is considered the basis for iOS.

The operating system was first introduced for the iPhone in January 2007. At that time, it was introduced as "macOS that runs on the iPhone". Until 2010, the operating system was still called "iPhone OS", but since it was no longer installed only on the iPhone, apple had to modify the name.

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Kotlin
A brief explanation of Kotlin in our glossary
Programming languages
kotlin

Kotlin is a statically typed high-level programming language that is particularly popular with Android developers. Version 1.0 of the language was released in February 2016, although it first appeared in 2011. Since 2017, Kotlin has been an official programming language supported by Android. The relatively young language achieved this through its lean character and because it does not produce NullPointerExceptions as often.

The language can be translated for the Java Virtual Machine in the form of bytecode. A high compilation speed and as little code as possible were the most important goals during development. So that Kotlin can also be used for web development, the language is translated into JavaScript. The language can be used for server-side applications as well as for other platforms such as Windows, macOS or even iOS. For the other platforms, Kotlin/Native, which is still under development, is used.

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Tailwind CSS
A brief explanation of Tailwind in our glossary
Frameworks
tailwind

Definition

Tailwind is a utility-first CSS framework that provides utility classes to its users. By using these classes, users can quickly and easily create their own unique designs. For designing web pages, Tailwind contains the basics, such as colours, sizes, margins, positioning, etc. Components have to be created by users themselves. This sets it apart from other CSS frameworks such as Bootstrap and Bulma, which offer pre-built UI components. Components can be styled inline in Tailwind, which is why it is no longer necessary to create a separate CSS file.

Advantages of Tailwind

Tailwind has some advantages, for example it is super customisable. There is a standard configuration that can easily be overwritten with a tailwind.config.js file. With this file, everything can be customised very easily. With the configuration file, there is also a design system with which all important values can be configured in advance.

The auxiliary classes provided by Tailwind save you having to name classes, which makes the work easier. In addition, the work is made easier by the fact that the framework provides almost everything that is needed. This consistency ensures that one can familiarise oneself with new Tailwind projects without major problems.

Tailwind and twigbit

At twigbit, we help you develop software and apps. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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Redux
A brief explanation of Redux in our glossary
Software and app
redux

Redux is a JavaScript library for frontend development to manage state information in a web app. On the official site, Redux is described as a "predictable state container for JavaScript applications".

Redux helps structure complex GUIs by managing the state of an entire application in a single immutable state tree. Together with the React or Angular libraries, Redux is often used to create GUIs.

There are some core concepts in development with Redux:

  • Store: The store that provides the application status. The view is rendered again each time the status is updated.
  • Action: Send information from the application to the Store. The only source of information for the Store, with the status only changing in response to an action.
  • Reducer: Uses the information of an action to actually update the status of the web app.

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Google Cloud
A brief explanation of the Google Cloud in our glossary
Service
google-cloud

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers over 90 different IT services and is one of the largest cloud providers in the world. The services offered by the GCP include hosting services for computing, storage and application development. Google itself uses the GCP for end-user products such as Google Search and YouTube.

The GCP offers a range of products, such as:

  • Cloud storage: scalable object storage
  • Google Kubernetes Engine: secured and managed service for running container-based applications.
  • Anthos: Modernisation and creation of apps
  • Compute Engine: Computing service to create and run Virtual Machines
  • Recommendations AI: personalised product recommendations via machine learning

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Amazon Web Services (AWS)
A brief explanation of AWS in our glossary
Service
amazon-web-services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform from Amazon and is the world's most comprehensive and widely used cloud platform. AWS is used by large customers such as Netflix, Reddit or Dropbox to store countless data.

To ensure the stability of the system and to minimise the impact of downtime, AWS is divided into regions with different data centres that act as central hubs. These are in North America (USA region: East and West), South America (Sao Paulo region, Brazil), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EU region: Ireland, Frankfurt) and Asia-Pacific (Asia-Pacific region and China).

AWS offers a whole range of services, such as:

  • Cloud servers, such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud 2
  • Storage via the Amazon Simple Storage Service (AWS S3)
  • Amazon Cloud Drive: Upload and access music, videos, documents and photos via devices connected to the internet.
  • CloudFront: global exchange of content and own DNS server

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Kubernetes
A brief explanation of Kubernetes in our glossary
Software and app
kubernetes

Kubernetes (also "K8s" or "K-Eights") is an open source software for deploying, managing and scaling containers and supports container engines like Docker. It eliminates many related manual processes. It facilitates both declarative configuration and automation and is used to create, deliver and scale container-based apps faster.

One of the main advantages of Kubernetes is that services in containers can be automatically distributed intelligently across the entire Kubernetes cluster and can thus use the available resources.

In addition, Kubernetes has several other functions. For example, it can be seen as a microservices platform or a portable cloud platform.

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Docker
A brief explanation of Docker in our glossary
Software and app
docker

Docker enables the container virtualisation of applications by storing them and their dependencies in images that can be moved between systems. In a Docker container, the packaged application can be executed using a special engine.

The goal of containers is the ability to run multiple processes and apps separately. This allows for better use of infrastructure and maintenance of security, which is a consequence of working with separate systems.

The focus of Docker Containers compared to a virtual machine is to isolate running applications, with Docker allocating certain operating system and hardware resources to each container. This means that a Docker container only contains information that is actually needed.

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Vercel
A brief explanation of Vercel in our glossary
Web
vercel

Vercel is a software to simplify the deployment process in web development. It is also a tool for creating better user interfaces. Vercel is used by companies such as AirBnb, Uber, GitHub, Nike and Ticketmaster.

Vercel enables front-end developers to create powerful websites and applications that are ready to use and scale automatically, without any configuration.

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Web browser
A brief explanation on the subject of web browsers
Web
webbrowser

Web browsers are programmes that are used to display web pages on the Internet. The first web browser called "WorldWideWeb" was created in 1989 and was developed for scientific purposes.

In addition to normal HTML pages, web browsers can also open and display other documents, images or PDFs. Web browsers are essential for the use of web apps.

The most popular and well-known web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari and Opera. There is a wide range of add-ons, especially for Chrome and Firefox, with various functions to make surfing easier. It is also possible to personalise your browser with different designs.

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PHP
A brief explanation of PHP in our glossary
Programming languages
php

PHP (recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) is an open source scripting language especially suited for web development that can be embedded in HTML. PHP can be used to design websites dynamically and is processed on the server side.

PHP was developed exclusively for web server programming and therefore contains only the components necessary for this.

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CSS
A brief explanation of CSS in our glossary
Programming languages
css

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a design and formatting language used to design web pages and is, along with HTML, the most important standard in web design.

The CSS is either integrated in separate CSS documents or applied directly in the HTML documents. The former has the advantage that content and presentation are separated and thus the source code remains clear.

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JavaScript
A brief explanation of JavaScript in our glossary
Programming languages
javascript

JavaScript is a scripting language developed by Netscape for the display and execution of dynamic HTML in web browsers. As a rule, JavaScript is used in web development, whereby the processing is mostly done on the client side directly by the web browser. Nowadays, JavaScript is implemented in all common web browsers.

Dynamic functions, such as opening and displaying dialogue windows or opening a linked page in a new pop-up window, can be realised using JavaScript.

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HTML
A short explanation of HTML in our glossary
Programming languages
html

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a text-based markup language with which the contents of a website can be structured with so-called "tags".

The text of a website is written, structured and formatted in an HTML file. A simple website usually consists of several interlinked HTML documents. Content management systems such as WordPress or Typo3 are used today so that HTML files no longer have to be written by the user.

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Frontend
A brief explanation of frontend in our glossary
Terms
frontend

Frontend refers to the parts of a software that are seen by the client. Front-end developers therefore concentrate on client-side programming and the implementation of the layout of the app, software or website. Generally, the description language HTML, the stylesheet language CSS and the programming language JavaScript are used for this purpose.

Frontend developers work as an interface between backend and web design. They technically implement the design of applications according to certain specifications. In some companies, frontend developers also take over the tasks of web designers and, depending on the size, also those of backend developers.

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App development
A brief explanation of app development in our glossary
Software and app
app-entwicklung

App development takes place in several phases and combines everything from planning, conception and programming to the maintenance of mobile apps and other applications.

The first thing you need is an idea. This can come about in different ways: You can have a spontaneous idea or, as in most cases, it comes from brainstorming. Various questions should be clarified, such as: What content should the app contain? Who is the target group? What is the app to be used for?

In addition, it must be clarified what kind of app it is. There are three types:

  • The hybrid app: This is a kind of better web app or a customised browser that is used by many social media services such as Facebook and Twitter and various shopping platforms.
  • The Native App: An app optimised for the respective operating system that does not require an internet connection.
  • The Web App: A software that works on the browser, usually independent of the operating system.

The next step is to conceptualise the user experience and the user interface. The main question here is how the app should be structured. This is followed by the visual design of the app.

At the end is the programming. Depending on the type of app, it is then developed with the appropriate development tools.

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Framework
A brief explanation of the framework in our glossary
Frameworks
framework

Frameworks are programming frameworks, a framework that facilitates the development of software, websites, mobile apps or similar. A framework is basically a pre-programming, in which various functions and elements are already included. This simplifies the use of recurring tasks and saves a lot of time.

The simplification of work that frameworks bring with them is one of their greatest advantages. They are also easy to adapt and thus save a lot of time. In addition, their structure helps to avoid syntax errors.

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Kanban
A brief explanation of Kanban in our glossary
Work
kanban

The Kanban method, which is particularly good for routine work, uses a so-called Kanban board to visualise the workflow, which is divided into three basic sections with the titles Requested, In Progress and Completed. The number of subdivisions can be adjusted as needed. The work process can thus be displayed in even more detail.

The second focus of the Kanban method is to limit the work in progress. This involves reducing the amount of parallel tasks. Establishing a smooth flow of work is the basic idea when introducing a Kanban system.

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Scrum
A brief explanation of Scrum in our glossary
Work
scrum

Scrum is a process model of agile software development, with the main focus on self-organisation and self-motivation. It is a framework for the development, delivery and maintenance of complex products. The software is developed in sprints, events with a length of one month or shorter. This makes it easier to react to changes.

First, a product owner creates a backlog of requirements. The Scrum team implements these requirements independently during a sprint. The results are then reviewed by the Scrum Team and its stakeholders and adapted for the next Sprint. This happens in Sprint Planning, where a Sprint Backlog is created. A so-called Scrum Master ensures that the sprints take place according to the rules.

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Mobile app
A brief explanation of the mobile app in our glossary
Software and app
mobile-app

A mobile app is application software developed specifically for mobile devices or mobile operating systems that can work either as a platform-independent cross-platform, hybrid and web app or as a native app that only works on one system.

Mobile apps can either be free or purchased for a certain price in various app stores. The use of apps ranges from messengers and social media to applications for image or video editing.

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Web development
A brief explanation of web development in our glossary
Web
webentwicklung
Definition and basics

Web development is the creation of websites and applications for the internet. The task of a web developer is not only to plan the design and architecture, but also to take care of the further development, maintenance, subsequent improvement and creation of extensions for already existing websites or web apps.

Usually, web developers carry out requirements analysis. In addition, internationalisation and localisation processes need to be carried out if the corporate website has a global focus.

Three layers

  • Frontend development refers to client-side programming, i.e. what is seen by the client
  • Backend development refers to the development of the systems running in the background
  • Database technology: A database contains all the files and content needed for a website to work successfully.
Web programming

There are various options for programming websites. If you don't have any programming skills, you can use various homepage construction kits such as wix, jimdo or webnode.

If you have a basic prior knowledge of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP, you can programme the application yourself with the greatest possible freedom.

HTML

The Hypertext Markup Language can be usedtodefine the basic structure of a website. It can be used to develop elements such as text sections or hyperlinks through so-called tags. It is used in web development for the semantic rough structuring of digital content.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS for short) are used by web developers to define the appearance of a file formatted in HTML.

JavaScript

JavaScript is used to integrate dynamic content, such as input fields or animations, into a website. It is used as an extension of the basic framework of HTML and CSS.

PHP

PHP is a scripting language that is interpreted on the server side. The web server transmits the file to a PHP interpreter, which generates the requested website and returns it to the web server. From there, the interpreter output is sent to the browser.

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Hybrid App
A brief explanation of the Hybrid App in our glossary
Software and app
hybrid-app

A hybrid app is a mixture of various features of native and web apps. A hybrid app, just like a native app, is usually downloaded from an app store, installed and launched from the mobile device.

In terms of structure, this is already different from the native app and actually only calls up a browser where the web app runs. This is adapted so that the frame and the menu are suppressed. In order for hybrid apps to be able to access the hardware of the smartphone, it is important that the app is stored on the device and not, like web apps, loaded from a web server.

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Native App
A brief explanation of the topic Native App in our glossary
Software and app
native-app

A native app is an application adapted to a specific operating system that usually interacts with the hardware. For example, a native app can access data and RAM, the GPS or the camera function of the end device.

It is downloaded via the respective app store of the operating system and since they are permanently stored on the end device, no internet connection is usually necessary after installation.

Especially for more complex or computationally intensive apps, native apps are a sensible choice due to their optimisation for a specific operating system.

If a company wants to offer its application for different operating systems, it must also be developed for these at the same time, which entails high development costs. It is therefore advisable to develop either a web app or a hybrid app, if possible.

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Web App
A short explanation of the web app in the official twigbit glossary.
Software and app
web-app

Explanation of terms

A web app is application software that is usually based on HTML, JavaScript and CSS and can be accessed in the browser of various end devices via the Internet, which is why no prior installation or download is necessary.

Differences Web App/Native App

While Native Apps are programmed and installed specifically for a target platform (app development is one of the services we offer at twigbit), Web Apps work on all operating systems and devices that have an up-to-date web browser. Native apps are installed via the respective app store, while web apps do not require installation. Web apps open directly in the browser and adapt to the end device, which is why they can be published without an approval process. The access to web apps via all compatible browsers ensures the essential difference that they require a continuous internet connection.

Native apps are developed specifically for the operating system on which they are to run. If they are to run on several systems, a separate app must be programmed for each operating system. Therefore, there is a significantly higher effort in the development of these than with web apps.

Due to the wide range of browsers, it is not always possible to optimise web apps for everyone. It is therefore advisable to use a native app if the application is complex.

Web apps have an advantage over native apps in that they can close security gaps. While native apps require a download of a new version to close a security gap, a security upgrade can be easily implemented in the software of the web app.

Examples and difference to the "normal" website

Many Google services such as Google Maps, Gmail or the search engine belong to the category of web apps.

Other examples include various internet offers from Amazon and Ebay.

Web apps usually offer the user interactive elements to be able to use the service provided. Normal websites, on the other hand, are mostly informative.

Web App and twigbit

At twigbit, we can help you with app and software development. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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eID - Electronic Identification
A brief explanation of Electronic Identification in our glossary
Terms
elektronische-identifizierung

Electronic identification refers to the use of personal identification data in electronic form and is the new and secure way of customer onboarding.

The eID is a cost-effective solution because it does not require a reader or a third person for identification. For these very reasons, the eID is a quick and intuitive process.

From the electronic signature to the electronic certificate, there are many different types of electronic identification.

Electronic identification and twigbit

At twigbit, we can help you develop electronic identification options. So if you need support, we are happy to help.

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Software development
A brief explanation of software development in our glossary
Software and app
softwareentwicklung
Introduction

Software development is the production or development of applications for the computer and the Internet.

In addition to programming, software development includes all processes related to the creation and design of new systems.

The software development industry is growing rapidly, as shown by some of the different types.

  1. Backend Development
  2. Software Tools Development
  3. API Development
  4. Embedded Systems Development
  5. Security Software Development
  6. Cloud computing
  7. Mobile Development
  8. Web Development
  9. Applications Development
  10. Data Sciences

The main task of software developers is to create the foundations for operational systems on which computer programmers work.

They do this by designing, writing and testing code for new systems and software. Software developers also confirm the performance of existing projects by running diagnostic programmes and quality assurance tests on them.

Phases

The development process consists of six basic phases.

  1. Phase: Requirements analysis

The requirements for the project are defined by project managers and stakeholders, e.g. who is the future user and how will the application be operated. Then the feasibility of the requirements is checked.

  1. Phase: Design planning

Here, decisions are made about the software requirements, the appearance and the time frame for the development of the software. In addition, the engineers create a data model. Initial mock-ups are created according to the previously defined requirements.

  1. Phase: Implementation/Coding

Programming begins here based on the system design document received. The code is written based on the system design specification document. Basically, this is the most time-consuming phase of the software development cycle.

  1. Phase: Test

During the development process, the software is tested in order to find problems during the build and to be able to fix them directly.

In addition to user tests, unit tests, system tests, acceptance tests and integration tests are also carried out.

  1. Phase: Publication

When all bugs have been found and the software runs reliably, it is published and made available to the end user.

  1. Phase: Maintenance

In this phase, the problems that arise during use by the customers are solved.

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Website
A short explanation on the subject of websites in our glossary
Web
website

The website is the complete appearance of a company or person on the Internet, which can be reached under an individual web address. As a rule, it is accessed via the operator's homepage.

This is normally created with HTML. Today, it generally consists of numerous HTML files.

The name is derived from the English words web (from World Wide Web) and site ("place", "place", "place").

Website and twigbit

At twigbit, we help you develop your new website. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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UX - User Experience
A brief explanation of user experience in our glossary
Design
ux

User experience refers to all aspects of the user's experience when coming into contact with a service, a product or a website and is related to the design of websites or apps. The user experience includes all subjective impressions and feelings, which depend on the expectations of the user. The user experience can be very different for different users. It depends on factors such as age and internet experience.

The user experience is in proportion to the user interface, as a cluttered UI can confuse or frustrate the user. However, the UI is not the only factor that determines the UX.

Components

  • Accessibility: optimisation of loading times, adaptation of the website to different end devices
  • Usability: Efficiency and simplicity of use, can be measured by usability tests.
  • Visual: UI Design, The Aesthetics of the Final Product
  • Information architecture: intuitive structure and organisation of information, navigation on the website

UX and twigbit

At twigbit, we can help you design your user experience. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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UI - User Interface
A brief explanation of user interface in our glossary
Design
ui

The user interface is the visual appearance of a website or application. In app design, it is the appearance of the app. It is the place where a human interacts with a machine or a working device.

In the case of software, this often refers to the GUI (graphical user interface). This is the graphical user interface of an application, which is responsible for the operability of application software on a computer.

Certain functions of the software can be executed with a click or a keystroke. The programme works in the background and draws information from databases and inputs. The result is returned in graphical form.

The aim is not to overload the user with unnecessary information and thus to make the use of the software as uncomplicated as possible.

The user interface determines the user experience, because a programme with a confusing graphical interface, no matter how powerful it is, will be judged negatively by the user, as it confuses and frustrates the user.

The user interface must therefore be designed to be as comprehensible as possible.

UI and twigbit

At twigbit we can help you with the design of your user interface. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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Prototyping
A brief explanation of prototyping in our glossary
Work
prototyping

Prototyping refers to the development of a sample or prototype in software development and leads quickly to initial results. Early feedback makes it possible to quickly identify and rectify problems and change requests.

Through prototyping, among other things, costs and required resources can be better estimated and the visual design and associated interaction patterns can be tested. In addition, quality assurance can be involved at an early stage.

Species

  • Exploratory prototyping: determination of requirements, assessment of specific problem solutions, functionality; iterative and rapid generation of prototypes
  • Evolutionary prototyping: continuous expansion of the application until product maturity, use of feedback from users
  • Experimental prototyping: extensive problem analysis and system specification, prototype is created on feasibility of basic function and discarded after completion of analysis
  • Horizontal: fully mapped specific level of the overall system
  • Vertical: special area of the software, shows interactions with other components of the system

Prototyping and twigbit

At twigbit we use prototyping as part of our design process. If you need support with this, we are happy to help.

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Online Shop
A brief explanation of online shops in our glossary
Terms
online-shop

An online shop is a website that transfers the physical shop to a digital platform or website and offers and sells goods and services online.

They can exist as an addition to real existing shops or as a stand-alone shop.

Online shops have various advantages over physical shops. Customers can shop conveniently from anywhere with an internet connection and are not bound to opening hours.

Online shop and twigbit

At twigbit, we help you bring your online shop to life. So if you need support, we're happy to help.

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DevOps
A brief explanation of DevOps in our glossary
Terms
devops

The term DevOps is a modern framework of software development and is composed of development and IT operations. By coordinating and collaborating roles such as development, security, quality engineering and IT operations, better and more reliable products can be delivered. It also aims to deliver products with consistent stability and high quality.

DevOps is often used in conjunction with agile software development and brings a number of benefits, as classic annoyances such as late customer change requests and unrealistic deadlines are to be avoided and all areas involved in the delivery cycle of a product work together.

  • Greater flexibility and faster adaptation to the market and competition
  • Shorter release cycles: simplifies planning and risk management
  • Reliability of systems and maintenance of stability
  • Faster recognition and direct solution of problems
  • Continuous flow of information: accelerates innovation and adaptability to the market is ensured

DevOps impacts the application lifecycle through the planning, development, deployment and operations phases. The phases are interdependent and each role is involved in each phase to a certain extent.

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Backend
A brief explanation of backend in our glossary
Terms
backend

The part of the IT system that deals with data processing in the background is the backend, although in the IT industry it usually refers to the client server.

In a software or application, the administrative part is almost always called the backend, for example the software for maintaining the content of a website, database servers or file access systems.

Backend development is thus the development and maintenance of these systems that run in the background. Backend developers develop interfaces for the frontend developers, which they can use for the app or the presentation of a website.

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User Centered Design
A brief explanation of User Centered Design in our glossary
Design
user-centered-design

User-centred design focuses on users and their needs at every stage of the design process to enable an optimal user experience. Users are involved in the design process through a variety of research and design techniques to create highly usable and accessible products for them. A mixture of investigative (such as surveys and interviews) and generative (such as brainstorming) methods are used to develop an understanding of user needs. In close exchange with the later customer, the product thus emerges in an iterative process.

The term User Centered Design is often used synonymously with the term Human Centered Design, although they only have linguistic differences. The term "user" refers to a specific target group, while "human" is used to describe other stakeholders in addition to the user.

The 4 phases of UCD

Phase 1: Understanding the context of use

Phase 2: Specification of the usage requirements

Phase 3: Developing design solutions

Phase 4: Evaluating design solutions

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React JS
A short explanation on the topic of React JS
Web
react

React JS is a JavaScript library used in web development to create interactive elements on websites. On GitHub it is the most popular JavaScript framework, but it describes itself as a JavaScript library.

JavaScript is a scripting language used to create and control dynamic web content, such as animated graphics or interactive forms.

JavaScript libraries are collections of pre-built JavaScript code that can be used for common JS tasks, allowing you to bypass the time-consuming (and unnecessary) process of manual coding.

React JS is used exclusively for "client side" programming and the design of interfaces that are as performant as possible.

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Flutter
A brief explanation of flutter in our glossary
Frameworks
flutter

Flutter first appeared as an open source project in late 2018 and simplifies Google's app development process. Flutter is a framework for developing cross-platform apps using the Dart programming language. Primarily, Flutter is used for iOS and Android app development. Apps can also be developed for macOS, Windows, Linux and Google Fuchsia.

For apps developed with Flutter, programmers do not have to pay attention to the specifics of the different systems, as they can be developed with only one codebase.

Fast execution speed and short development times are the primary focus of Flutter.

Structure

Flutter itself uses the Dart Virtual Machine (Dart VM), as well as the graphics library Skia. The Flutter programme was written in C++.

Dart

Like JavaScript, the programming language Dart developed by Google runs directly as a web app in the browser and is therefore intended to become a modern successor to the classic web scripting language.

While Flutter programmes are translated to JavaScript with the transcompiler Dart2js and thus run directly in modern web browsers, they can be executed directly on a server.

Widget

Object-oriented programming is consistently implemented right down to the user interface.

The interface of a Flutter programme essentially consists of widgets. These can be nested within each other. Each displayed text or button is a widget with different properties that can be changed. These can influence each other and react to external status changes with built-in functions. Furthermore, these can be extended with additional functions as desired.

Advantages

The Dart programming language has many similarities to other languages in basic development mechanics. Development with Flutter is greatly accelerated because it was developed together with Dart by Google and the two thus build on each other, which speeds up development enormously.

Other advantages are that Flutter and Dart are open source and Flutter is free to use.

Extensive documentation and community support are also provided.

The fact that only one code base has to be developed for all important operating systems is also an advantage of Flutter, as are the prefabricated UI elements, which are fixed components of the software.

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Miro
A brief explanation of Miro in our glossary
Work
miro

Miro is a digital whiteboard that enables easy online collaboration. By sharing the so-called Miro Board, information can be presented and mind maps created, among other things. Miro offers various tools for this, such as text areas, Post-Its and comments. Normally, Miro is an infinitely large white surface, but various templates are also offered.

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Programming languages