As a part of our continued commitment to providing the best iPhone Development resources to app developers we have listed down these common terms which iPhone app developers shouldn’t dare to forget. The following list of iPhone related terms/jargons will help iPhone developers have a reference in case he/she forgets what a particular application development jargon means.
iPhone Dev Center
A place where registered Apple developers get access to iPhone development library filled with videos, pdfs, articles, latest SDK kits and latest announcements.
iPhone SDK / iOS SDK
iOS SDK is a Software Development Kit developed by Apple Inc. and released to help app developers develop native applications for iOS.
iOS
iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system formerly known as iPhone OS. iOS 4.3 is the latest version of the software.
Objective-C
The Objective-C language is a simple computer language designed to enable sophisticated object-oriented programming.
App Store
App Store is a place where developers showcase their applications and iPhone users download applications every day.
Cocoa
Cocoa is one of Apple Inc.’s native object-oriented API for the Mac OS X operating system and iOS devices like iPhone and iPad.
App Store
App Store is a place where developers showcase their applications and iPhone user download applications every day.
WWDC Conference
Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a Apple’s platform where in the latest innovations in iOS and Mac OS X technologies are showcased. The conference is often used to launch the latest products.
Protocols
A protocol is a set of instructions used to declare a functionality which is used by many objects or classes.
Debugging
Debugging is a method of reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware, to make an application functional.
Public Key Cryptography
Public-key cryptography refers to a set of methods for transforming a written message into a form that can be read only by the intended iPhone user.
iPhone Simulator
iPhone Simulator is application which entails all the characteristics or behaviors of an actual iPhone.
Non Disclosure Agreement
A NDA is a legal and binding document which ensures your app development client that his or her idea and intellectual property is protected.
OpenGL ES
OpenGL ES is a royalty-free, cross-platform API for full-function 2D and 3D graphics on any embedded system like phones, appliances and desktops.
EULA
A software license agreement is a contract between the “licensor” and purchaser of the right to use software.
Interface Builder
Interface Builder is one of the many tools in Xcode which allows Cocoa and Carbon developers to create interfaces for applications using a graphical user interface.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service is a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G and 3G cellular communication systems global system for mobile communications.
DFU
Device Firmware Update mode bypasses the current OS installed and allows you to upgrade or downgrade your OS.
Standard developer account
It is a account which every developer must have if she has to be certified as a app developer according to Apple. The developer account will give you access to a SDK kit, resources and announcements.
Enterprise developer account
Enterprise developer account is owned by companies which has in house developers who take up applicatiod development for various clients.
User Interface (UI)
User Interface is a space where in a iPhone user and the iPhone as a device interact.
Unique Device Identifier
UDID is expanded as “Unique Device Identifier”. It is a serial number specific for any iDevice. UDID is used to document the existence of your device and to track it.
UI widgets
User Interface widget is an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays an information arrangement changeable by the user.
UI Kit framework
The UIKit framework provides the classes needed to construct and manage an application’s user interface for iOS. It provides an application object, event handling, drawing model, windows, views, and controls specifically designed for a touch screen interface.
XIB files
XIB is a file extension. Files with such extensions are Interface Builder User Interface Resource file.
Entitlements
Entitlements is a Code signing file (Entitlements.plist) where the code is signed by the creator/owner of the code.
Debugger
A debugger or debugging tool is a computer program that is used to test and debug other programs.
cocos2d framework
cocos2d for iPhone is a framework for building 2D games, demos, and other graphical/interactive applications.
Cocoa Touch
Cocoa Touch is an API for building apps which run on iDevices.
Tethering
Tethering is a method to share the Internet connection of an mobile hotspot(Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) and can typically service several devices.
Application Programming Interface
An API is a set of functions, procedures, methods or classes used by computer programs to request services from the operating system, software libraries or any other service providers running on the computer.
Jailbreak
Jailbreaking is a process that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to run any code on their devices, as opposed to only that code authorized by Apple.
Bootloader
The bootloader performs an integrity check on data and prevent unsigned, non-apple code from being loaded when the iDevice is first powered on.
Accelerometer
An 3-axis element used in making creative and highly engaging games.
Bricking
To seize all functionality of an iPhone or iPod Touch to the point which is nothing but a piece of brick.
Baseband
The Operating system for the modem part of an iPhone is called the Baseband.
Enhanced Data for Global Evolution
EDGE is a data system which provides nearly 135 kbps of speed which is three times faster speeds than normal GPRS system.
3G / 4G
It is the mobile phone generaiton standards fulfilling specifications given by the by the International Telecommunication Union.
Cydia
Cydia is an app for iOS that allows a user to find and download software packages for a jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Unlock
Unlocking is a process in which one can gain root access to the device so that you can install third-party software or to modify firmware in a way to make the iPhone run on other cellular networks.
Springboard
SpringBoard is iOS home screen manager where the app takes up multiple tasks like launching and bootstrapping applications and setting up the default settings for a device.
iAd
iAd is a mobile advertising network started by Apple to open up a revenue channel for iPhone and iPad app developers.
GameCenter
A social gaming community where in multiple players can play a game at a time.
Mobile Web App
A mobile web app is the mobile version of a web application.
Push Notifications
Apple push notification service uses push technology through a constantly-open IP connection to forward notifications from the servers of third party applications to iDevices in the form of badges, sounds or custom text alerts.
Drop down a note in the comments below if you believe we have missed out on any. We will update the app development glossary there after.
