What is a Website?

Communicating by the World Wide Web

HOME PAGE

BASIC COMPONENTS

CONCLUSION

TERMINOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT

Website Terminology

Terminology

This is a list of terminologies and definitions that I came across performing the steps as
described in this project..

Backbone - A high-speed line or series of connections that forms a major pathway

within a network.

Bandwidth - How much data that can be sent through a network connection (usually
Internet). A 56k Dial-Up Modem can send about 57,000 bits in one second. Modern DSL
connections are capable of transfers of 100Mbits (100,000,000 bps)

Blog - Short for web-log. An web-based journal.

Browser - Special software designed to read web pages. Often referred to as a Web
Browser. Popular browsers include Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox,
Netscape's Navigator and Opera. Most browsers are offered for free.

Client - A piece of software designed to contact and obtain data from a Web Server. An
Email Client or Browser Client are examples.
Client-Side - Any requirement or procedure that relies upon and executes on the users
computer. This basically means the hardware/software set-up being used by a visitor to
a website. See: Server-Side.

Computer - A computer is an electronic machine that is able to calculate, store, retrieve

and process data. Computers can be found in cell phones and alarm clocks. The most
common computer is the Desktop PC and Laptop PC.

Cookie - A small file sent by a Web Server (usually through a website) to a Web
Browser which is saved on the users computer. This file can then be referenced when
the user revisits the same Web Sever (website).

CSS - Cascading Style Sheets. A standard for formatting the appearance of webpages,
etc. In relation to 'Web Standards' and 'Semantics', it is used to separate 'meaning' from
'presentation'. Used alongside HTML, XML, XHTML, etc.

DHTML - Dynamic HyperText Markup Language. The unofficial name given to

webpages that combine HTML, JavaScript, and CSS technologies.

DNS - Domain Name System. The system that translates Internet domain names into IP
numbers.

Domain Name - The unique name that identifies an Internet based website. Example:
www.yourdomain.com

Domain Registrar Company that enables customers to register domain names and
hosting services.

Firewall - Hardware and software systems designed to create a security barrier

between networks. These can be configured to allow decisions to be made on what can
and can not be accessed. Used to detect and block illegal access attempts.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol. Common method for transferring files between computers
via the Internet.

Homepage - The default entry page to a website. If a user only inputs a Domain Name
in a Browser, the Browser will begin downloading the Homepage. The most common
way to indicate which page is to be your Homepage, is to name it; index.htm.
Host - A computer that stores and serves web pages over the Web. Most people rent
web space for their website from specialist 'Hosting' providers.

HTML - Hyper Text Mark-Up Language. Standard Mark-Up coding language for creating
web pages. It is the source code that the computer reads to create the page. See:
HTTP

HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. Standard protocol for addressing Hyper Text web
pages on the web. See: HTML

Internet - A world wide grid of inter-linked (networked) computers.

Intranet - A closed network of inter-linked computers. Often using the same

technologies as the Internet. Used by organisations for sharing internal information.

IP Address or Number - Internet Protocol. Every computer that accesses the Internet
must have a unique identifying number. IP numbers can be assigned temporarily only
whilst a computer is 'on-line'. Each active Domain Name will have a IP number assigned
to it.

ISP - Internet Service Provider. Companies that provide a means for their users to
access the Internet.

Java - Sophisticated programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Used

often on the Web because, unlike other languages (C++), it is not system or platform
dependent. (i.e. Windows, Linux, Mac, Unix).

JavaScript - Scripting language often used on webpages. Not to be confused with

Java.

Keywords - Meta Tag used in HTML. Used to identify/describe the purpose of a web
page. Search Engines use this information when indexing. Sometimes used as a
general term to describe words you wish to target as part of SEO.

LAN - Local Area Network. Usually a small group of inter- connected computers.

Linux - Computer operating system. An open source system developed to run on

desktop PC's, servers, etc.
 M

Meta Tags - Tags used in HTML that are not displayed in the resulting webpage. Used
to identify/describe the purpose of a webpage. Search Engines can use this information
when indexing.

MySQL - Open-Source sever-side database technology, often used in conjunction with

PHP.

N
Network - Two or more computers connected together that can share information, data,
software, etc.

Open Source - Any kind of computer software, program, application, script, etc, who's
source code can be legally viewed and modified. Software that is often developed by a
community. Open Source software is usually free to use.

PHP - Popular Open-Source 'middleware' scripting/programming language used to build

'web applications'. Often used as the 'application' layer between sever-side database
technologies and the client-side Web Browser.

Search Engine - A web based database used to find websites. Work on the basis of a
websites relevance to a search phrase.

SEO - Search Engine Optimisation. A technique for making a website Search Engine
'friendly'.

Server - Generally, a computer that stores and provides access to websites. Web pages
are said to be 'served' to a client application, i.e. a Web Browser.

SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Common protocol used to send email from
server to server via the Internet.

SQL - Structured Query Language. A language for sending queries to databases.

SSL - Secure Socket Layer. Protocol to enable encrypted communications across the
Internet
 U

Unix - Operating System often used on Server computers.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator. At its simplest, URL can be seen to be synonymous
with a 'web address'.

Web host -the computer that has the ability to display the website on the World Wide
Web so that everyone can see it worldwide. The web host is a computer, just like you
have at home, except that all it does is display websites on the World Wide Web. Web
hosting is the service that provides you with the ability to display your website.

Web page- a document, typically written in HTML, which is almost always accessible
via HTTP, a protocol that transfers information from the Web server to display in the
user's Web browser.

Web Server- a computer that is only used to display websites and webpages.

Website - a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is
hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone
or a LAN.

World Wide Web (www) - An international protocol (http:) used as a common means to
communicate via the Internet.
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