Word choice

This section offers conventions around general English usage and the terms that are not covered in the Glossary. Additionally, use the IBM Terminology as a reference.

The following table lists the preferred word or phrase choice.

Preferred word choice

Word

Do not use

and so on

etc.

back end (noun)

backend, back-end

In general, avoid. Use a more specific term, such as server, operating system, or network.

back-end (adj)

backend, back end

cancel

abort

complete

done, finish

command line (noun)

command-line

command-line (adj)

command line

compute node

Compute node

data store

datastore

delete

destroy

to do something

in order to do something

Ethernet

ethernet

example

i.e, e.g.

host name

hostname, Hostname

lifecycle

life cycle

login (noun)

logon, log-in

log in (verb)

login

OpenStack

openstack, Openstack

plug-in

plugin

run, issue, start, enter

Avoid using “execute” unless it is the most appropriate term in the context.

select

check

setup (noun)

set up, set-up

set up (verb)

setup

an SQL

a SQL

such as

like

verify

be sure

X-as-a-Service

X as a Service