Industry terminology
This page offers terminology guidelines for Dynatrace content developers. While these terms aren't specific to Dynatrace, they appear frequently in Dynatrace content. This is neither a dictionary or a glossary but rather a guide to correct usage.
affect, effect
Most commonly, "affect" is a verb and means to influence or cause change. "Effect" is a noun and is the result of a change.
✅ This might affect performance.
✅ The change affects everyone.
✅ This might have an effect on performance.
✅ The effects of the changes were dramatic.
after
Use "after" in place of "once."
✅ After you install the software, you can adjust the settings.
❌ Once you install the software, you can adjust the settings.
agent
As a general rule, avoid the word "agent" in place of "OneAgent."
✅ OneAgent
✅ OneAgent for Mobile
❌ PHP agent, JavaScript agent, Mainframe Agent, OS agent
Also see RUM JavaScript.
AIOps
Abbreviation of "AI Operations"
✅ AIOps
✅ artificial intelligence
✅ artificial intelligence for IT operations
❌ AI Ops
alert, alerting
An alert is a signal condition within a scope that requires timely action from a notified user or an automation.
✅ Create an alert.
✅ Create a ready-made alert.
❌ Create an out-of-the-box alert.
✅ Edit the alert.
❌ Edit the alert rules.
✅ Alerts trigger notifications when defined metric thresholds are breached.
❌ Alerts trigger "alerts" when defined metric thresholds are breached.
✅ Edit the alert to control when notifications are triggered and sent via Slack.
❌ Edit the "notification" to control when "alerts" are sent via Slack.
although
Use "although" in place of "while" as a conjunction to denote "in spite of the fact that."
✅ Although many observability tools are available, only Dynatrace leverages hypermodal AI.
❌ While many monitoring tools are available, only Dynatrace leverages AI.
✅ Although proper planning takes time, it's worth the effort.
❌ While proper planning takes time, it's worth the effort.
Also see while.
and
Avoid using an ampersand (&) in place of "and" except where necessary due to space limitations or when specifically needed as a design element.
✅ Support and services
❌ Support & services
❌ Support and/or services
app, application
- As a general guideline, use "app" when referring to a mobile app or a small application that runs on a platform.
- Use "app" to refer to Dynatrace Apps or third-party apps developed for the latest Dynatrace. Avoid adding the word "app" following the mention of an app name. Wherever possible, only use the app name.
- Use "application" when referring to web, mobile, or custom applications monitored by Dynatrace Real User Monitoring.
Application Performance Management (APM)
✅ Application Performance Management
❌ Application Performance Monitoring
autodiscovery
❌ auto-discovery
backend
✅ backend (noun)
✅ back-end (adjective)
❌ back end
backward compatible
✅ This release is backward compatible with previous releases.
✅ This is a backward-compatible release.
❌ backwards compatible
because
Use "because" when modifying a verb; use "due to" when modifying a noun.
✅ The monitor failed because the credentials were invalid.
✅ Monitor failure was due to invalid credentials.
Use "because" in place of "since" or "as" to denote causality.
✅ The data was lost because the settings are incorrect.
✅ The errors are due to recent system changes.
❌ The data was lost as the settings are incorrect.
❌ Performance has not improved since there are other issues that need to be addressed.
behavior
❌ behaviour
BizDevOps
blacklist
This word is forbidden in all cases.
-
Suggested replacement
✅ blocklist
-
Other options
✅ exclusions
✅ exclude list
✅ denylist
✅ reject list