Survive those tricky tech talks and

weekly WIPS with this simple guide.

Introduction

Thank you for downloading Code Institute’s

Bluffer’s Guide to Talking Tech.

If you feel lost when it comes to technology, this guide will

help you understand.

Want to know the difference between the IoT & APIs? Or

HTML and CSS?

No Problem! We believe that the days of technical

flummoxing should be over.

This guide will teach you how to key into tech terminology
without taking a deep dive.

* Depending on where you work, you may need a lot

more than this to survive.
Table of
Contents IT’S VERY SHORT, REALLY [10 Mins, Tops!]

The Basics The Buzz Words

Coding 05 CMS 11
Coder 06 API 12
Front End 07 IoT 13
Back End 08 Blockchain 14
Open Source 09 Big Data 15
Cloud 16

The Languages The Business End

HTML 18 Start up 24
CSS 19 As A Service 25
JavaScript 20 Diversity 26
Python 21 Tech Fusion 27
SQL 22 Bootcamp 28
 The Basics
Before we start exploring deep into the coding jungle,
it’s probably best to familiarise yourself with the
essential terms.

Let’s get started!

4
 Coding
Modern Hieroglyphics

Code is a precise set of instructions, written for a computer to

understand.

Pretty much every electrical device has lines of code running

through it.

Phones, cars and apps all have code in them because without
code – they’re just shells.

Like humans, computers understand many different languages.

Each language has its own particular uses but we’ll get into that
later.

Importantly, each language has its own set of advocates – the

coders.

Top Tip
Say Hello!
Search “Hello World!” and try create one with
HTML. It’s nearly every developer’s first step!

5
 Coders
Smart People

Coder is a handy umbrella term for someone who – you

guessed it – writes code!

Like us, coders specialise in certain languages and eagerly

defend them.

That said, it’s one of the few professions that is frequently

referred to as a community.

Developers, programmers and software engineers – coding

has so many roles!

They’re determined, detail oriented and awful surly if you

don’t know what you want.

But they can perform modern day wizardry when working

with people who get them.

Top Tip
Never Ask A Coder About C++
It will be a very long conversation that neither
of you really understand.

6
 Front End
Website Makeup

Front end development is client-facing coding, the pretty

side of code.

As a user, you usually only see a website’s front end.

This is why a lot of front end developers are also graphic

designers and vice-versa.

Front end coders work closely with their back end

counterparts to create great front end.

Libraries like jQuery & Angular.js add animation and

dynamism to static pages.

These libraries are based on JavaScript, which we’ll tell you

a bit about later.

Top Tip
Graphic designer with front end skills?
You’re essentially gold dust, enhance your skills
and start applying for jobs.

7
 Back End
Front End
Right Website
Click, Inspect Element
Makeup

Back end development involves creating the cogs and gears

of a website.

This generally consists of a web server, application back-end

and a database.

They communicate through ‘server’ side languages that are

used to build an app.

Popular “server” side languages include Python, Ruby, and

PHP.

Front end information is manipulated by back end database

languages like MySQL.

This takes the form of website information like catalogues,

movie and music libraries etc.

Top Tip
Approach with caution!
Tinkering with the back end without coding skills
can leave a site functionless.

8
 Open Source
Help With Homework

Open source typically refers to free, open access code that can
be reused and modified.

Open source code can easily be shared on social collaboration

networks like GitHub.

Many programming languages like Java & Python are open

source too.

Open source allows businesses to utilise quality software at a

far cheaper price.

It also allows fledgling developers to see completed

codebases and learn by doing.

One of the most popular open source software is a CMS you

probably use — Wordpress!

Top Tip
Learn how to navigate GitHub (avoid Git…)
You’ll get great developer insight and see full
codebases.

9
The Buzz Words
Technology has rapidly advanced our ability to create
jargon and some people are understandably a little lost.
Don’t worry, they’re not nearly as complicated as you
think!

10
 Content Management System

A CMS allows you to easily create a website and share

content without the need for coding.

This enables you to control content on their website, with little

tech training.

Further control and enhancements are possible from a huge

range of plug ins (add ons).

You can also have multiple users, easily adjust permissions

and schedule new content.

Flat web-design trends make it very easy to build beautiful

websites using CMS.

The most popular CMS is open-source Wordpress,

accounting for 25% of all websites.

Top Tip
Try using a little HTML and CSS with your CMS.
It can vastly improve your user’s website
experience.

11
 API
Application
Programming Interface

An API delivers instructions to a piece of software and

returns the info you need.

Any app that uses external map software, receives the data
it needs using an API.

A popular API is Google Maps, used for everything from

house hunts to Pokemon Go hunts.

Software can communicate without APIs, it’s just a little bit

more difficult.

AirBnb (in)famously harnessed CraigsList’s users without

an API to grow rapidly.

Companies like Uber are built almost entirely from software

communicating via APIs.

Top Tip
APIs make simple internet usage like log-ins a
breeze.
How irritating would reentering credentials be...
every time?

12
 IoT
IoT
The
TheInternet ofThings
Internet of Things

The IoT grants everyday objects internet and network

connectivity.

Things like using your phone to communicate with your home

appliances (fridge, dryer etc).

Devices like Amazon Alexa allow you to control your Smart

Home using only your voice.

Now, city infrastructure is being redesigned with data-driven

technology in mind.

Smart Cities use the IoT for waste management, traffic control
and so much more.

While the IoT enables amazing innovations, a lot of it

is so useless. Smart toilet?! Come on!

Top Tip
The IoT can create easy backdoor-access to your
network.
Try connect your smart home devices on a special
“IoT Network,” to be safe!

13
 Big Data
Data, Only Bigger

Big data basically means monstrous amounts of data!

Basic 3V’s of Big Data: Volume (Amount), Variety (Types) &

Velocity (Process Speed)

It’s so buzz-wordy because the sheer mass requires non-

standard methods of analysis.

Data comes in two forms; structured (standard) and

unstructured (everything else).

Data can come from everywhere. Photos, videos, audio and

social media and spreadsheets.

This is why coding languages like SQL and Python are used to
enhance processing speeds.

Top Tip
Processing big data is impossible without coding.
Imagine trawling through millions of contactless
payment transactions.

14
 Blockchain
Economics Neue

Blockchain is about as complicated as this guide will get.

Seriously, buckle up.

Blockchain is a kind of ‘digital ledger’ that enables public

virtual-currency transactions.

Peer-to-peer transaction approval allows digital financiers to

cut out banking middlemen.

The most well known example of blockchain tech is the

enigmatic Bitcoin.

More and more businesses are accepting Bitcoin, with some

exclusively accepting it.

The revolutionary currency (we think?) has been referred to

as ‘the new economy’.

Top Tip
Cryptocurrency value fluctuates wildly.
You’re gonna need a lot more than this guide to
start digibanking.

15
 The Cloud
Where You Store Stuff

Cloud is a vague term for storing and accessing data and programs
over the Internet.

Using the Cloud allows businesses to quickly scale without investing

in local hardware.

Cloud services are broken into 3 sections: Infrastructure, Platform, &

Software as a Service.

Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are huge players in Cloud Computing

(obviously).

The Cloud has forced companies like IBM and Cisco to shift from
hardware to software.

Virtually stored data allows for innovations from the Internet of

Things & APIs.

Top Tip
Caveat Emptor! Use the Cloud Safely
There is a risk of malicious private data leaks from
unsecured cloud accounts.

16
 The Languages
Like us, computers understand many different
languages. In this section we’ll explore their
specific uses, differences and more.

17
 HTML
Hyper Text Markup Language

Invented in 1989, HTML is a markup language used for

structuring web pages.
Notice I didn’t call it coding? Well, it’s technically not a
programming language.
Markup instructs a page how it should treat words and
other kinds of content (e.g. images).

HTML and CSS are often used in tandem to create a more

immersive web experience.
Now in it’s fifth iteration (HTML5), it’s one of the most tried
and trusted languages around.
If you’ve styled a MySpace page using tags like <br>, <b>
or <a> – you’ve used HTML.

Top Tip
Don’t admit to having used MySpace
You’ll reveal your old age, very, very quickly.

18
 3 3
CSS
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets

3 3

CSS is a styling language that gives a page a set of styling

rules.

Font size, height and width as well as positioning are

examples of what CSS can alter.

You can quickly edit a website by changing one CSS rule.

Simply choose elements with a selector and update their

value.

Want all of your headings to be red? Select the element

(h1) and change the color value.

Wanna try for yourself? Check out our free

HTML & CSS tutorial guide.

Top Tip

3 CSS3 opened the door to loads of cool new

features.
Check out these web animations and advanced
selectors ...if you can follow...

19
JS
JS
JavaScript
JS Make it Dance!
JS

JavaScript is a programming language used for dynamic

website interactivity.

Before JavaScript web pages were static and often quite

boring.

Javascript is better seen in action – check out these

CreativeBloq.

JavaScript support is also built into every modern browser

(Firefox, Chrome, IE)

Actually, it’s in literally everything: video games, mobile

apps, web applications.

JavaScript has a lot of derivative libraries like Angular.js and

jQuery .

Top Tip
JavaScript is definitely NOT the same as Java.
People often make this mistake and it never
works out well.

20
 Python
Named After Monty Python

Python is our favourite programming language due to its

gentle learning curve!

It is a dynamically typed language, which means it error-

checks while you code.

Statically typed languages like C or Java are not as

accommodating.

Python suits startups very well due its broadness, support

and quick scalability.

Your favourite apps like Youtube, Instagram, Spotify and

Reddit are written in Python.

Python consistently appears in top language lists with

great community support!

Top Tip
Python is brilliant coding language for beginners.
Want a better understanding of Python? Give us a call!
You can learn quite quickly.

21
 SQL
Structured Query Language

SQL is the #1 language for relational database

management.
It’s used to store, manipulate and query data from a
database.
SQL mainly consists of English statements and is quite
easy to read / understand.

SQL allows for incredible bulk data processing.

Most web-content is stored in a database, which super-
powers SQL.
There are also many open-source SQL database systems
such as MySQL, SQLite available.

Top Tip
SQL can be enhance pretty much any job!
If you have a lot of customer data,
you will benefit from knowing SQL.

22
The Business End
We are in the age of the Startup! Amazingly, there are
hundreds of businesses born every hour. With this
growth comes a tonne of tech industry-terms and we’re
here to help.

23
 Startups
Quick Business, Quick!

Those working in a startup will tell you they’re a new

business solving a problem.

This isn’t completely true. Really they’re a sparsely

resourced, fledgling business.

They are often aligned to a need i.e. everything as a service.

Startups usually seek out venture capitalists (investors) for

quick scaling.

Startups are romantic but the dark side is roughly 30% of

all VC-backed startups fail.

AirBnB, SnapChat, DropBox and more came from

auspicious startup beginnings.

Top Tip
Befriend a developer and start a business.
Or learn to code yourself, think of what you can
create!

24
 (Everything)
SQLAs A Service
Cloud Enabled
Structured QueryServices
Language

SalesForce, HubSpot, and Slack are all cloud-based “as a

service” (aas) businesses.

This model involves installing software infrastructure across

a network.

As a service pricing is consumption based like utility bills

with varying plans.

This allows businesses of all shapes and sizes to tailor

these services to their needs.

As your customer-base grows, you can seamlessly

upgrade your subscription plan.

Even abstract concepts like happiness are apparently on

the table for aaS.

Top Tip
If you’re working in an office, you’re probably
using aaS software.
Ask different departments what software they
use and how – it’ll help your role.

25
 Diversity
Silicon Valley’s Biggest Issue

There are calls for more diversity and inclusion in the tech
industry.
Despite public efforts to change, even companies like
Google have made little progress.
Amazon boasts the highest gender diversity at 37% female
tech staff in 2016.

LGBTQ and minority groups are also chronically

underrepresented in the tech world.
Organisations like GirlsWhoCode & Catalyst Fund promote
awareness of these groups.
Their amazing work is ‘catalysing’ a long overdue cultural
shift in the tech industry.

Top Tip
Listen & Learn!
Engage in the diversity conversation, leave
preconceptions at the door.

26
 Tech Fusion
Augmented Tradition

Technology has permeated and enhanced almost every

industry.

Whether you run a bakery, farm or a dressmaker – chances

are you use technology.

It allows businesses to give their customers unique

experiences with their products.

Even the oldest institutions like universities and hospitals

have evolved.

The speed at which we learn and what we can achieve has

accelerated.

Smart cars, smart learning, smart dresses – everything is

the same, only smarter.

Top Tip
Take stock of the technology used in your
business.
You’ll get a better idea of your company’s goals
and how they achieve them.

27
 Bootcamp Learning
Like College, Only Faster

A relatively new, quick project based learning method.

Can be completed full time in class or online as an

alternative or top up to university.

This produces career-ready software developers in as little

as 12-weeks.

Bootcamps usually start with Python, Ruby and

frameworks like Django and Rails.

Created to bridge the tech skills gap, they’ve produced over

18k developers in the US.

We teach a full stack course and a beginner course, if

you’re interested – get in touch.

Top Tip
Choose a learning style that suits you!
Online; bootcamp, and university – learning is
the most important key to success.

28
Congratulations for
successfully completing
The Bluffer’s Guide to Talking Tech!

With bytesize knowledge in this tome you should be able to;

– Keep up in technical team meetings.

– Be more aware of the tech you use every day.
– Start learning to code with a bit of knowledge.

Find this guide helpful but you’re still craving more?

We’ll teach you how to get the most out of developers.

Sign up for our Diploma in Coding Fundamentals.

Didn’t learn anything?

Well done! You’re probably ready to get serious.

Dive into our Diploma in Fullstack Software Development.

Code Institute, the fastest way to learn how to code.

Get in Touch!

[email protected]

+353 1 539 7973