Glossary

AI & Automation Glossary

Plain-English definitions for the APIs, protocols, and automation patterns that power enterprise AI workflows.

API Design

REST API

REST API (Representational State Transfer) is the most widely adopted standard for building web service interfaces. Learn how REST APIs work, when to use them, and how they power enterprise integrations.

GraphQL

GraphQL is a query language for APIs and a runtime for executing those queries. Unlike REST, clients specify exactly what data they need. Learn how GraphQL works, its trade-offs versus REST, and where it fits in enterprise integrations.

API Infrastructure

API Gateway

An API gateway is a managed service that sits between clients and backend services, handling authentication, routing, rate limiting, and observability for all API traffic. Learn how API gateways work and why they are essential in microservices and enterprise architectures.

Architecture

Event-Driven Architecture

Event-Driven Architecture (EDA) is a design pattern where services communicate by producing and consuming events rather than making direct calls. Learn how EDA works, its benefits over request-response, and how it powers scalable enterprise integrations.

Automation

Workflow Automation

Workflow automation is the use of software to execute business processes automatically — from simple if-this-then-that rules to complex AI-driven multi-step orchestrations. Learn how workflow automation works, its types, and how agentic AI is changing the field.

Data Contracts

JSON Schema

JSON Schema is a vocabulary for annotating and validating JSON documents. Learn how JSON Schema works, why it matters for API design and data pipelines, and how it powers tool definitions in LLM function calling.

Data Integration

ETL

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) is the foundational process for moving data between systems: pull it from the source, reshape it, and write it to the destination. Learn how ETL works, how it differs from ELT, and how modern data pipelines use it.

CDC

Change Data Capture (CDC) captures every row-level change in a database — insert, update, delete — in real time using the transaction log. Learn how CDC works, how it differs from polling, and where it powers streaming data pipelines.

Event Integration

Webhook

A webhook is an HTTP callback that pushes data from one system to another the moment an event occurs — no polling required. Learn how webhooks work, how to secure them, and where they fit in enterprise automation.

Identity & Auth

OAuth 2.0

OAuth 2.0 is the industry-standard protocol for delegated authorization — letting apps access resources on behalf of a user without sharing passwords. Learn how OAuth 2.0 flows work and where it applies in enterprise integrations.