Linux Foundation CKAD glossary of pods, services, and deployment terms, traps, and decision cues.
Use this glossary when Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) terms start to blur together. The goal is practical recognition, not encyclopedia coverage.
| Term | Exam meaning |
|---|---|
| kubectl context | The cluster, user, and namespace target for kubectl commands. |
| Manifest | YAML or JSON definition of Kubernetes desired state. |
| Selector | Label query used by services, controllers, and policies to target objects. |
| PVC | PersistentVolumeClaim requesting storage for a workload. |
| Taint and toleration | Scheduling mechanism that repels pods unless they tolerate a node taint. |
| Rollout | Deployment update process for changing application versions. |
| Pair | How to separate them |
|---|---|
| Resource creation and editing vs Troubleshooting flow | Ask which layer the scenario is testing, then match the answer to that layer only. |
| Control vs evidence | A control changes behavior; evidence proves behavior or supports investigation. |
| Managed service vs custom build | Managed services win for lower operational effort unless the requirement needs unsupported customization. |
| Prevention vs detection | Prevention blocks or reduces a bad event; detection finds or reports that it happened. |
| Concept knowledge vs task readiness | Concept knowledge explains the right action; task readiness means you can perform and verify it under time pressure. |
Do not memorize terms in isolation. For each term, write one scenario where it is the best answer, one scenario where it is a distractor, and one signal that proves it worked.