IT Abbreviations
From API to YAML — expand acronyms, say them correctly, use them in context, and know when to spell them out. 4 exercise sets.
Beginner Abbreviations
Expand the Abbreviation
Match 12 common IT abbreviations to their full forms: API, SSH, ORM, CDN, TLS, and more.
Beginner Abbreviations
Correct Pronunciation
Know how to say SQL ("sequel"), NGINX ("engine-x"), GIF, IPv6, and other tricky abbreviations aloud.
Intermediate Abbreviations
Usage in Context
Choose the correct abbreviation for the context: REST vs. RPC, CI vs. CD, SLA vs. SLO vs. SLI, and more.
Intermediate Abbreviations
When to Expand
Decide when to write the full form vs. the abbreviation in documentation, code comments, and presentations.
Abbreviation Quick Reference
First use in a document
- "Application Programming Interface (API)" — spell out on first occurrence, abbreviate thereafter
- "Transport Layer Security (TLS) …the TLS certificate…" — parenthetical pattern
Pronunciation traps
- SQL → "sequel" (not "S-Q-L" in most teams)
- NGINX → "engine-x"
- GIF → "jiff" or "gif" — both accepted; know your team
- char → "car" (British) or "care" (American) — common pair
Commonly confused pairs
- CI/CD: Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery (or Deployment)
- SLA / SLO / SLI: Agreement / Objective / Indicator
- REST / RPC: Representational State Transfer / Remote Procedure Call
- DNS / DHCP: Name resolution / IP address assignment