A database system developed by Microsoft. Part of Microsoft Office Professional. Mostly used on low traffic web sites running on the Windows platform.
ActiveMovie
A web technology for streaming movies from a web server to a web client. Developed by Microsoft.
ActiveX
A programming interface (API) that allows web browsers to download and execute Windows programs. (See also Plug-In)
Address
See Web Address.
AdSense
Web advertising system provided by Google.
AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)
The “art” of using JavaScript and XML to create interactive web applications. With Ajax, web applications can exchange data with a web server in the background (asynchronously) and update parts of a web page without reloading the page. Learn more about AJAX in the AJAX tutorial by w3 Schools
A special type of DSL line where the upload speed is different from the download speed.
Agent
See Search Agent / Search Engine
Amaya
An open sthece web browser editor from W3C, used to push leading-edge ideas in browser design.
Animation
A set of pictures simulating movement when played in series.
Anti-Virus Program
A computer program made to discover and destroy all types of computer viruses.
Apache
An open sthece web server. Mostly for Unix, Linux and Solaris platforms.
Applet
See web applet.
Archie
A computer program to locate files on public FTP servers.
API (Application Programming Interface)
An interface for letting a program communicate with another program. In web terms: An interface for letting web browsers or web servers communicate with other programs. (See also Active-X and Plug-In)
ARPAnet
The experimental network tested in the 1970’s which started the development of the Internet.
Authentication
In web terms: the method used to verify the identity of a user, program or computer on the web.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
An XML format for storing information about ASF files. Developed by Microsoft for Windows Media.
AVI (Audio Video Interleave)
File format for video files. Video compression technology developed by Microsoft.
Banner Ad
A (most often graphic) advertisement placed on a web page, which acts as a hyperlink to an advertiser’s web site. See examples
Bandwidth
A measure for the speed (amount of data) you can send through an Internet connection. The more bandwidth, the faster the connection.
Baud
The number of symbols per second sent over a channel.
BBS (Bulletin Board System)
A web based public system for sharing discussions, files, and announcements.
Binary Data
Data in machine readable form.
Bit (Binary Digit)
The smallest unit of data stored in a computer. A bit can have the value of 0 or 1. A computer uses 8 bits to store one text character.
Blog (Web Log)
A type of website (most often maintained by an individual) with a log of comments (most often personal) comments, meanings, descriptions of events, etc.
Blogger
A person maintaining or writing content to a web log (blog).
Blogging
Writing or adding content to a web log (blog).
BMP (Bitmap)
A format for storing images.
Bookmark
In web terms: A link to a particular web site, stored (bookmarked) by a web user for future use and easy access.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of web site visitors who view only one web page before they leave (bounce out).
Browse
Term to describe a user’s movement across the web, moving from page to page via hyperlinks, using a web browser. (See Web Browser).
BPS (Bits Per Second)
Term to describe the transmission speed for data over the web.
Browser
See Web Browser.
Byte (Binary Term)
A computer storage unit containing 8 bits. Each byte can store one text character.
C
An advanced programming language used for programming advanced computer applications.
C++ (C Plus Plus)
The same as C with added object-oriented functions.
C# (C Sharp)
A Microsoft version of C++ with added Java-like functions.
Case Sensitive
A term used to describe if it is of importance to use upper or lower case letters.
Cache
In web terms: A web browser or web server feature which stores copies of web pages on a computer’s hard disk.
Chat
An on-line text-based communication between Internet users.
Chrome
A free, open-source web browser developed by Google. It was released in 2008, and is one of the most popular browsers today.
CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
A set of rules that describes how a CGI program communicates with a web server.
CGI Bin
The folder (or directory) on a web server that stores CGI programs.
CGI Program
A small program that handles input and output from a web server. Often CGI programs are used for handling forms input or database queries.
Cinepac
A codec for computer video.
Client
See Web Client.
Client/Server
In web terms: The communication and separation of workload between a web client and a web server.
Click
In web terms: A mouse click on a hyperlink element (such as text or picture) on a web page which creates an event such as taking a visitor to another web page or another part of the same page.
Clickthrough Rate
The number of times visitors click on a hyperlink (or advertisement) on a page, as a percentage of the number of times the page has been displayed.
Cloud Computing
Storing applications and data on the internet (instead of on the user’s computer).
Codec (Compressor / Decompressor)
Common term for the technology used for compressing and decompressing data.
A method of reducing the size (compress) of web documents or graphics for faster delivery via the web.
Computer Virus
A computer program that can harm a computer by displaying messages, deleting files, or even destroying the computer’s operating system.
Content Management System (CMS)
A computer program that allows publishing, editing and modifying content on a web site as well as maintenance from a central page. It provides procedures to manage workflow in a collaborative environment. These procedures can be manual steps or dynamic. Common open-source CMS’s are DotNetNuke, WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla, but there are hundreds of others.
Cookie
Information from a web server, stored on ythe computer by ythe web browser. The purpose of a cookie is to provide information about ythe visit to the website for use by the server during a later visit.
ColdFusion
Web development software for most platforms (Linux, Unix, Solaris and Windows).
A general disk based computer operating system (see OS). Originally developed by Microsoft for IBM personal computers. Often used as a shorthand for MS-DOS.
Download
To transfer a file from a remote computer to a local computer. In web terms: to transfer a file from a web server to a web client. (see also Upload).
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
An Internet connection over regular telephone lines, but much faster. Speed may vary from 128 kilobit per second, up to 9 megabit per second.
An IP address that changes each time you connect to the Internet. (See DHCP and Static IP).
E-mail (Electronic Mail)
Messages sent from one person to another via the Internet.
E-mail Address
The address used for sending e-mails to a person or an organization. Typical format is username@hostname.
E-mail Server
A web server dedicated to the task of serving e-mail.
Encryption
To convert data from its original form to a form that can only be read by someone that can reverse the encryption. The purpose of encryption is to prevent unauthorized reading of the data.
Error
See Web Server Error.
Ethernet
A type of local area network (see LAN).
Firefox
Firefox is a web browser from Mozilla. It was released in 2004 and is one of the most popular browsers today.
Firewall
Software that acts as a security filter that can restrict types of network communication. Most often used between an individual computer (or a LAN) and the Internet.
Flash
A vector-based multimedia format developed by Adobe for use on the web.
Form
See HTML Form.
Forum
In web terms: The same as Newsgroup.
Frame
In web terms: A part of the browser screen displaying a particular content. Frames are often used to display content from different web pages.
FrontPage
Web development software for the Windows platform. Developed by Microsoft.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
One of the most common methods for sending files between two computers.
FTP Server
A web server you can logon to, and download files from (or upload files to). Anonymous FTP is a method for downloading files from an FTP server without using a logon account.
Gateway
A computer program for transferring (and reformatting) data between incompatible applications or networks.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
A compressed format for storing images developed by CompuServe. One of the most common image formats on the Internet. Allows for simple animations with multiple frames. Renders text very sharp and file size for simple solid colored backgrounds is very low.
GB
Same as Gigabyte. 10GB is ten gigabytes.
Gigabyte
1024 megabytes. Commonly rounded down to one billion bytes.
Graphics
In web terms graphics describe pictures (opposite to text).
Graphic Monitor
A display monitor that can display graphics.
Graphic Printer
A printer that can print graphics.
Graphical Banner
See Banner Ad.
Helper application
In web terms: A program helping the browser to display, view, or work with files that the browser cannot handle itself. (See Plug-In).
Hits
The number of times a web object (page or picture) has been viewed or downloaded. (See also Page Hits).
Home Page
The top-level (main) page of a web site. The default page displayed when you visit a web site.
Host
See Web Host.
Hosting
See Web Hosting.
Hotlink
See Hyperlink.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
HTML is the language of the web. HTML is a set of tags that are used to define the content, layout and the formatting of the web document. Web browsers use the HTML tags to define how to display the text. Learn more about HTML in the HTML tutorial by w3 Schools
A software program for editing HTML pages. With an HTML editor you can add elements like lists, tables, layout, font size, and colors to a HTML document like using a word processor. An HTML editor will display the page being edited exactly the same way it will be displayed on the web (See WYSIWYG).
The standard set of rules for sending text files across the Internet. It requires an HTTP client program at one end, and an HTTP server program at the other end.
HTTP Client
A computer program that requests a service from a web server.
HTTP Server
A computer program providing services from a web server.
HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure)
Same as HTTP but provides secure Internet communication using SSL. (see also SSL)
Hyperlink
A pointer to another document. Most often a pointer to another web page. A hyperlink is a synonym for a hotlink or a link, and sometimes called a hypertext connection to another document or web page.
Hypermedia
An extension to hypertext to include graphics and audio.
Hypertext
Hypertext is text that is cross-linked to other documents in such a way that the reader can read related documents by clicking on a highlighted word or symbol. (see also hyperlink)
IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau)
Comprised of more than 600 leading media and technology companies that are responsible for selling 86% of online advertising in the United States. Working with its member companies, the IAB evaluates and recommends standards and practices and fields critical research on interactive advertising. Learn more at www.iab.net.
IE (Internet Explorer)
See Internet Explorer.
IIS (Internet Information Server)
A web server for Windows operating systems. Developed by Microsoft.
The organization that promotes the JPG and JPEG graphic formats for storing compressed images.
JPEG / JPG
Graphic formats for storing compressed images. Works best for photographs or images with smooth gradients.
JScript
Microsoft’s version of JavaScript.
JSP (Java Server Pages)
A Java based technology allowing the insertion of server executable scripts in web pages. Mostly used on Linux, Unix and Solaris platforms.
K
Same as kilobyte 10K is ten kilobytes..
KB
Same as kilobyte 10KB is ten kilobytes..
Keyword
In web terms: A word used by a search engine to search for relevant web information.In database terms: A word (or index) used to identify a database record.
Kilobyte
1024 bytes. Often called 1K, and rounded down to 1000 bytes.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A network between computers in a local area (like inside a building), usually connected via local cables. See also WAN.
Link
The same as a hyperlink.
Linux
Open sthece computer operating system based on Unix. Mostly used on servers and web servers.
Mail
In web terms: the same as e-mail.
Mail Server
See e-mail server.
MB
Same as Megabyte. 10MB is ten megabytes.
Megabyte
1024 kilobytes. Commonly rounded down to one million bytes.
Meta Data
Data that describes other data. (See also Meta Tags).
Meta Search
The method of searching for meta data in documents.
The default web browser for the Apple iPhone and iPad.
Modem
Hardware equipment to connect a computer to a telephone network Typically used to connect to the Internet via a telephone line.
Mosaic
The first commonly available web browser. Mosaic was released in 1993 and started the popularity of the web.
MOV
A codec for computer video developed by Apple. Common file extension for QuickTime multimedia files.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3)
An audio compression format specially designed for easy download over the Internet.
MP3 File
An file containing audio compressed with MP3. Most often a music track.
MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group)
An ISO standard codec for computer audio and video.
MPG
Common file extension for MPEG files.
MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)
A general disk based computer operating system (See OS). Originally developed by Microsoft for IBM computers, then developed by Microsoft as a basis for the first versions of Windows.
Multimedia
In web terms: A presentation combining text with pictures, video, or sound.
MySQL
Free open source database software often used on the web.
NetBEUI (Net Bios Extended User Interface)
An enhanced version of NetBIOS.
NetBIOS (Network Basic Input Output System)
An application programming interface (API) with functions for local-area networks (LAN). Used by DOS and Windows.
A method used to check the communication between two computers. A “ping” is sent to a remote computer to see if it responds.
Platform
In web terms: The computer’s operating system like Windows, Linux, or OS X.
Plug-In
An application built into another application. In web terms: A program built in (or added) to a web browser to handle a special type of data like e-mail, sound, or movie files. (See also ActiveX)
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
A format for encoding a picture pixel by pixel and sending it over the web. A W3C recommendation for replacing GIF.
A number that identifies a computer IO (input/output) channel. In web terms: A number that identifies the I/O channel used by an Internet application (A web server normally uses port 80).
Protocol
See Communication Protocol.
PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
A communication protocol used for direct connection between two computers.
Proxy Server
An Internet server dedicated to improve Internet performance.
A hardware (or software) system that directs (routes) data transfer to different computers in a network.
Safari
Safari is the default web browser for Mac desktop systems and is designed by Apple. Safari is known for its sleek design.
Schema
See XML Schema.
Script
A collection of statements written in a Scripting Language.
Scripting Language
In web terms: A simple programming language that can be executed by a web browser or a web server. See JavaScript and VBScript.
Scripting
Writing a script.
Search Agent
Same as Search Engine.
Search Engine
Computer program used to search and catalog (index) the millions of pages of available information on the web. Common search engines are Google and AltaVista.
Semantic Web
A web of data with a meaning in the sense that computer programs can know enough about the data to process it.
Server
See Web Server.
Server Errors
See Web Server Errors.
Shareware
Software that you can try free of charge, and pay a fee to continue to use legally.
Shockwave
A format (technology) developed by Adobe for embedding multimedia content in web pages.
SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language)
An international standard for markup languages. The basis for HTML and XML.
A database system from Microsoft. Mostly used on high traffic web sites running on the Windows platform.
SSI (Server Side Include)
A type of HTML comment inserted into a web page to instruct the web server to generate dynamic content. The most common use is to include standard header or footer for the page.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
Software to secure and protect web site communication using encrypted transmission of data.
Static IP (address)
An IP address that is the same each time connect to the Internet. (See also Dynamic IP).
Streaming
A method of sending audio and video files over the Internet in such a way that the user can view the file while it is being transferred.
Streaming Format
The format used for files being streamed over the Internet. (See Windows Media, Real Video and QuickTime).
In web terms: Notifications or commands written into a web document. (See HTML Tags)
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
See TCP/IP.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
A collection of Internet communication protocols between two computers. The TCP protocol is responsible for an error free connection between two computers, while the IP protocol is responsible for the data packets sent over the network. Learn more about TCP/IP in the TCP/IP tutorial by w3 Schools
TCP/IP Address
See IP Address.
TCP/IP Packet
A “packet” of data sent over a TCP/IP network. (data sent over the Internet is broken down into small “packets” from 40 to 32000 bytes long).
Trojan Horse
Computer program hidden in another computer program with the purpose of destroying software or collecting information about the use of the computer.
UDDI (Universal Description Discovery and Integration)
Computer operating system, developed by Bell Laboratories. Mostly used for servers and web servers.
UNZIP
To uncompress a ZIPPED file. See ZIP.
Upload
To transfer a file from a local computer to a remote computer. In web terms: to transfer a file from a web client to a web server. (see also Download).
URL (Uniform Resthece Locator)
A web address. The standard way to address web documents (pages) on the Internet (like: https://www.bobitstudios.com/)
USENET
A world wide news system accessible over the Internet. (See Newsgroups)
Software components and applications running on web servers. The server provides these services to other computers, browsers or individuals, using standard communication protocols.
Web Site
A collection of related web pages belonging to a company or an individual.
Web Spider
A computer program that searches the Internet for web pages. Common web spiders are the one used by search engines like Google to index the web. Web spiders are also called web robots or wanderers.
Web Wanderer
See Web Spider.
Wildcard
A character used to substitute any character(s). Most often used as an asterisk (*) in search tools.
Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 95/98, Windows XP
An older standard for information services on wireless terminals like digital mobile phones, inherited from HTML, but based on XML, and much stricter than HTML.
WML Script
Scripting language (programming language) for WML.
Worm
A computer virus that can make copies of itself and spread to other computers over the Internet.
A global network of computers using the internet to exchange web documents. (See also Internet)
WWW Server
The same as a Web Server
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
In Web terms: To display a web page being edited exactly the same way it will be displayed on the web.
XForms
An alternative version of HTML Forms, based on XML and XHTML. Differs from HTML forms by separating data definition and data display. Providing richer and more device independent user input.
A compressing format for computer files. Commonly used for compressing files before downloading over the Internet. ZIP files can be compressed (ZIPPED) and decompressed (UNZIPPED) using a computer program like WINZIP.