# Glossary Welcome to the **Game Launcher Cloud Glossary**! This page contains definitions of all key terms, concepts, and features used throughout the platform. {% hint style="info" %} **Quick Navigation**: Use the table of contents on the right to jump to any letter, or use `Ctrl+F` (Windows) / `Cmd+F` (Mac) to search for specific terms. {% endhint %} *** ## A | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Addon Service** | Additional paid features or services that can be added to a subscription plan, such as extra storage, additional team seats, or premium support. | | **Angular** | The modern TypeScript-based web framework used to build the Game Launcher Cloud frontend. Provides reactive programming, component-based architecture, and signals for state management. | | **API** | Application Programming Interface - A set of protocols and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. Game Launcher Cloud provides a RESTful API for programmatic access. | | **Application** | A game or software project registered in Game Launcher Cloud. Each application can have multiple builds across different environments (Development, Staging, Production). | | **Analytics** | Data tracking and reporting features that provide insights into launcher downloads, user engagement, news views, and player behavior. | | **Authentication** | The process of verifying user identity. Game Launcher Cloud supports email/password authentication and Google OAuth. | | **Auto-Update** | Feature that automatically checks for and downloads new game versions when a launcher is opened, ensuring players always have the latest content. | *** ## B | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Backend** | The server-side infrastructure built with .NET that handles data processing, API requests, authentication, and business logic for Game Launcher Cloud. | | **Build** | A compiled and packaged version of your game or application. Builds are uploaded to Game Launcher Cloud and associated with specific environments and versions. | | **Build Number** | A unique identifier assigned to each build version. Typically follows semantic versioning (e.g., 1.0.0, 1.2.5). | | **Build Pipeline** | An automated process that handles build compression, validation, distribution to CDN, and deployment across environments. | *** ## C | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Calendar Event** | Visual representation of time-based events in the dashboard calendar, including build releases, news publications, scheduled maintenance, and promotional events. | | **CDN** | Content Delivery Network - A distributed network of servers that delivers content to users based on their geographic location. Game Launcher Cloud uses Cloudflare R2 for global distribution. | | **CLI** | Command Line Interface - Text-based tools that allow developers to interact with Game Launcher Cloud through terminal commands for automation and scripting. | | **Cloudflare R2** | Object storage service used by Game Launcher Cloud for storing and distributing game builds, launcher files, and media assets globally. | | **Collaborator** | A team member invited to work on a workspace or project with specific permissions and role assignments. | | **Compression** | The process of reducing file sizes to optimize download speeds and storage. Game Launcher Cloud automatically compresses builds during upload. | | **Custom Domain** | The ability to use your own domain name (e.g., launcher.yourgame.com) instead of the default Game Launcher Cloud URLs. | *** ## D | Term | Definition | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Dashboard** | The main administrative interface where users manage applications, launchers, builds, news, and settings. | | **Deployment** | The process of making a build available to end users through a launcher. Can be done across different environments (Development, Staging, Production). | | **Development Environment** | A testing environment where developers can test new builds before releasing them to staging or production. | | **Download Manager** | Component within launchers that handles file downloads, progress tracking, pause/resume functionality, and integrity verification. | *** ## E | Term | Definition | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Endpoint** | A specific URL path in the API where clients can access a particular resource or function (e.g., `/api/applications`, `/api/launchers`). | | **Environment** | A deployment stage for your application. Game Launcher Cloud supports three environments: Development (testing), Staging (pre-production), and Production (live). | | **Event** | A time-based occurrence tracked in the platform such as build releases, news publications, scheduled maintenance, or promotional campaigns. Events can be displayed in calendar views and linked to specific entities. | | **Event Status** | The lifecycle state of an event: Draft (being created), Scheduled (planned for future), Published (currently active), Completed (finished), or Cancelled (not happening). | *** ## F | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Feature Flag** | A configuration toggle that enables or disables specific platform features, allowing controlled rollout and A/B testing. | | **Frontend** | The client-side user interface built with Angular that users interact with. Includes the web dashboard and launcher interfaces. | | **File Integrity** | Verification process that ensures downloaded files are complete and uncorrupted using checksums and hash validation. | *** ## G | Term | Definition | | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Game Build** | See **Build** - A packaged version of your game ready for distribution. | | **Google OAuth** | Authentication method that allows users to sign in using their existing Google accounts, eliminating the need for separate credentials. | *** ## H | Term | Definition | | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Hash** | A unique fingerprint generated from file contents used to verify file integrity and detect changes. Common algorithms include MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256. | | **Hotfix** | A quick patch or update deployed to fix critical bugs or issues in production without going through the full release cycle. | | **HTTP Status Code** | Standardized numerical codes returned by the API indicating the result of a request (e.g., 200 = Success, 404 = Not Found, 500 = Server Error). | *** ## I | Term | Definition | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **i18n** | Internationalization - The process of designing software to support multiple languages and regions. Game Launcher Cloud uses ngx-translate for i18n support. | | **Integration** | Connection between Game Launcher Cloud and external services like Discord, Slack, or webhooks for notifications and automation. | *** ## J | Term | Definition | | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **JWT** | JSON Web Token - A secure method of transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. Used for authentication and authorization in Game Launcher Cloud's API. | *** ## L | Term | Definition | | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Launcher** | A desktop application that players use to download, update, and launch your game. Can be a Single Launcher (one game) or Multi-Launcher (multiple games). | | **Launcher Appearance** | Customization options for your launcher including branding, colors, logos, backgrounds, and UI themes. | | **Launcher Build** | A compiled version of the launcher application itself (separate from game builds), distributed to end users. | | **Linked Entity** | A reference connection between an event and other platform entities like apps, launchers, news posts, or builds. | | **Load Balancing** | Distribution of network traffic across multiple servers to ensure reliability and performance. | | **Localization** | Adapting software to specific languages, regions, and cultural conventions (see **i18n**). | *** ## M | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Multi-Launcher** | A launcher that can host and manage multiple games or applications in a single interface, useful for game studios with multiple titles. | | **Manifest** | A configuration file that describes the contents, versions, and metadata of a build or launcher. | | **Metadata** | Additional information about files, builds, or resources including version numbers, descriptions, tags, and timestamps. | *** ## N | Term | Definition | | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **News** | Announcements, updates, patch notes, or promotional content pushed directly to launchers to engage players. | | **News Analytics** | Tracking data for news posts including views, clicks, engagement rates, and conversion metrics. | | **Notification** | Alert or message sent to users about events like build completions, updates available, or news published. | | **Notification Preferences** | User settings that control which types of notifications they receive and through which channels (email, in-app, etc.). | *** ## O | Term | Definition | | ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **OAuth** | Open Authorization - An open standard for access delegation, allowing users to grant applications access to their information without sharing passwords. | | **Object Storage** | Cloud storage architecture for unstructured data (files, images, videos). Game Launcher Cloud uses Cloudflare R2 for object storage. | *** ## P | Term | Definition | | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Patch** | An update that modifies existing game files rather than replacing everything. More efficient than full downloads for small changes. | | **Permissions** | Access control settings that determine what actions users or team members can perform within the platform. | | **Plan** | A subscription tier that defines the limits, features, and pricing for using Game Launcher Cloud (Free, Starter, Pro, Enterprise). | | **Production Environment** | The live environment where stable, tested builds are deployed and made available to all players. | | **Progressive Download** | Download technique that allows games to start playing before the entire download is complete. | *** ## R | Term | Definition | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Referral Program** | System that rewards users for inviting others to the platform, often with credits or discounts. | | **REST API** | Representational State Transfer API - An architectural style for designing networked applications using HTTP requests to access and manipulate data. | | **Release Notes** | Documentation that accompanies a new build or update, describing changes, new features, bug fixes, and known issues. | | **Rollback** | The process of reverting to a previous build version if issues are discovered in a newer release. | | **Role** | A set of permissions assigned to users defining what they can access and modify (e.g., Admin, Developer, Viewer). | *** ## S | Term | Definition | | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Seat** | A license for a team member to access and collaborate on a workspace, with quantity limits based on subscription plan. | | **Semantic Versioning** | A versioning scheme using three numbers (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH) where each number indicates different types of changes (e.g., 2.1.3). | | **Session** | An authenticated user's active connection to the platform, tracked for security and used for session management. | | **Single Launcher** | A launcher dedicated to a single game or application, ideal for indie developers or single-title studios. | | **Staging Environment** | A pre-production environment that closely mimics production, used for final testing before public release. | | **Storage** | Cloud space allocated for storing builds, assets, and files. Plans include different storage limits. | | **Subscription** | A paid plan that provides access to platform features with specific limits and pricing (Monthly or Yearly billing). | | **System Config** | Global platform configuration settings that control feature availability, authentication methods, and build management options. | *** ## T | Term | Definition | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Team Collaboration** | Features enabling multiple users to work together on projects, including role assignments, permissions, and shared access. | | **Token** | A secure credential used for API authentication. Can be temporary (JWT) or long-lived (API key). | | **Torrent** | Peer-to-peer file distribution protocol that can reduce server load by allowing users to share downloads with each other. | | **Translation** | Converted text strings for different languages, managed through JSON files in the i18n system. | | **TypeScript** | Strongly-typed programming language that extends JavaScript, used throughout Game Launcher Cloud for type safety and better developer experience. | *** ## U | Term | Definition | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **UI** | User Interface - The visual elements and controls through which users interact with the platform or launchers. | | **Upload** | The process of transferring game builds or assets from your local machine to Game Launcher Cloud's servers. | | **User Management** | Administrative features for handling user accounts, authentication, permissions, and team organization. | | **User Preferences** | Customizable settings for individual users including language, theme, notification preferences, and UI layout options. | | **User Profile** | Personal account information including avatar, display name, email, security settings, and subscription details. | *** ## V | Term | Definition | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Validation** | Process of checking form inputs, data, and file integrity to ensure correctness and security. | | **Version Control** | System for tracking and managing different versions of builds, allowing rollbacks and historical comparisons. | | **Versioning** | The practice of assigning unique identifiers to different iterations of software or builds (see **Semantic Versioning**). | *** ## W | Term | Definition | | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Webhook** | Automated HTTP callbacks triggered by specific events (e.g., build completed, news published) that can notify external services. | | **Whitelist** | A security feature that restricts access to specific approved users, IP addresses, or domains. | | **Workspace** | A logical grouping of applications, launchers, and resources belonging to a user or organization. | *** ## Related Resources
📚 API ReferenceComplete REST API documentationhttps://github.com/GameLauncherCloud/GameLauncherCloud-Gitbook/blob/main/docs/API-Reference.md
🏗️ ArchitectureTechnical overview of the platformhttps://github.com/GameLauncherCloud/GameLauncherCloud-Gitbook/blob/main/docs/Architecture.md
🚀 Getting StartedQuick start guide for new usershttps://github.com/GameLauncherCloud/GameLauncherCloud-Gitbook/blob/main/docs/broken-reference/README.md
*** {% hint style="success" %} **Missing a Term?** If you encounter a term not listed here, please let us know at or in our Discord community! {% endhint %}