These definitions provide a comprehensive understanding of each term and its relevance in the context of the web.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of protocols, tools, and definitions that allows different software applications to communicate with each other.
Back-end: The server-side of a website or application, where data processing, storage, and management occur.
Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given period.
Blog: A website or web page regularly updated with new content, often in the form of articles or posts.
Bookmark: A saved link to a specific web page, allowing users to easily revisit it later.
Cache: Temporary storage used to store frequently accessed data, reducing the need to fetch it from the original source.
CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart): A security feature used to distinguish between human users and automated bots by presenting a challenge that is easy for humans to solve but difficult for bots.
CDN (Content Delivery Network): A network of servers distributed geographically to deliver web content more efficiently by reducing latency and improving website performance.
Client-side: Refers to processes or actions that occur on the user's device, typically within a web browser.
CMS (Content Management System): Software used to create, manage, and modify digital content on a website without requiring technical expertise.
Cookie: A small piece of data stored on a user's device by a website, used to track user activity, preferences, and authentication information.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used to define the presentation and layout of web pages, including fonts, colours, and spacing.
Database: A structured collection of data stored electronically, typically organised in tables for easy retrieval and management.
Debugger: A tool used by developers to identify and fix errors or bugs in software code.
Domain: A unique name that identifies a website on the internet, often used in URLs.
DNS (Domain Name System): A decentralised naming system that translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites using human-readable names.
E-commerce: The buying and selling of goods or services over the internet, often conducted through online stores or marketplaces.
Encryption: The process of encoding information in such a way that only authorised parties can access it, providing security and privacy.
Favicon: A small icon displayed in the browser's address bar or tab to represent a website.
Firewall: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a server on a computer network.
Front-end: The client-facing part of a website or application, where user interaction and presentation occur.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): A bitmap image format commonly used for animated images on the web.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): A visual interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices or software using graphical elements such as icons and buttons.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard markup language used to create and structure web pages and web applications.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): An application protocol used for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML, over the internet.
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): An extension of HTTP that provides secure communication over a computer network, typically using SSL/TLS encryption.
Hyperlink: A reference to data that the user can follow by clicking or tapping, typically leading to another web page or resource.
IP address (Internet Protocol address): A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
JavaScript: A programming language commonly used to create interactive and dynamic elements on web pages.
JPG/JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A commonly used image file format that uses lossy compression to reduce file size.
Landing page: A web page designed specifically to encourage visitors to take a particular action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Metadata: Data that provides information about other data, such as the title, author, and keywords of a web page.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions): A standard that extends the format of email messages and allows for the attachment of multimedia files.
Modem: A device that enables computers to transmit data over communication lines, typically used to connect to the internet.
MySQL: An open-source relational database management system commonly used in web development.
Network: A collection of computers, servers, and other devices connected to each other for the purpose of sharing resources and information.
OAuth (Open Authorisation): An open standard for access delegation that allows users to grant third-party websites or applications access to their resources without sharing their credentials.
Online forum: A web-based discussion platform where users can post messages, ask questions, and interact with each other on specific topics.
Open source: Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
PageRank: An algorithm used by Google Search to rank web pages in search engine results based on their importance and relevance.
PDF (Portable Document Format): A file format used to present documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems.
PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor): A server-side scripting language commonly used for web development to create dynamic web pages and applications.
Plugin: A software component that adds specific features or functionality to a larger software application, typically a web browser or content management system.
Pop-up: A secondary browser window that appears over the main window, often used to display advertisements or notifications.
Portal: A website that serves as a gateway to a variety of resources and services, often organised around a specific topic or community.
Protocol: A set of rules and conventions governing the exchange of data between devices or systems.
QR code (Quick Response code): A type of barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone camera, typically used to encode URLs or other information for quick access.
RSS (Really Simple Syndication): A web feed format used to publish frequently updated content, such as blog posts or news headlines, in a standardised format.
Scalability: The ability of a system or software application to handle increasing workloads or accommodate growing numbers of users without compromising performance or reliability.
Script: A sequence of instructions or commands executed by a computer program to perform a specific task.
Search engine: A web-based tool that allows users to search for information on the internet by entering keywords or phrases.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): The process of improving the visibility of a website or web page in search engine results to increase organic traffic.
Server: A computer or device that provides resources, services, or data to other computers or devices over a network.
Session: A period of interaction between a user and a website or application, typically beginning when the user logs in and ending when they log out or close the browser.
Sitemap: A file or page that lists the URLs and other metadata for all pages on a website, used by search engines to crawl and index the site.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): A standard protocol used for sending and receiving email messages over the internet.
Social media: Websites and applications that allow users to create and share content, connect with others, and participate in online communities.
Software: Programs and applications used to perform specific tasks or functions on a computer or other electronic device.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): A cryptographic protocol used to secure communication over a computer network, commonly used to protect sensitive data transmitted over the internet.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): A suite of communication protocols used to connect devices on the internet and facilitate the transmission of data.
Template: A pre-designed layout or format used as a starting point for creating documents, web pages, or other content.
Text editor: A software application used to create and edit plain text files, often used by developers to write code.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): A reference to the location of a resource on the internet, typically consisting of a protocol (e.g., HTTP), domain name, and path.
User agent: Software acting on behalf of a user, such as a web browser or search engine crawler.
Username: A unique identifier used to authenticate a user's identity and grant access to restricted resources or services.
UX (User Experience): The overall experience and satisfaction a user derives from interacting with a website, application, or product.
Vector graphics: Images defined by mathematical equations rather than individual pixels, allowing for scalability and resolution independence.
Version control: The management of changes to documents, code, or other files over time, often facilitated by version control systems such as Git.
Video streaming: The continuous delivery of video content over the internet, allowing users to watch videos in real-time without downloading the entire file.
Virtual reality: A computer-generated simulation of an environment that allows users to interact with and experience a virtual world.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A secure network connection that allows users to access resources or services over a public network while maintaining privacy and security.
Web browser: A software application used to access and view websites on the internet.
Web hosting: A service that allows individuals or organisations to store and publish websites on the internet.
Web server: A computer or software application that delivers web content to clients over the internet using the HTTP protocol.
Webinar: A seminar or workshop conducted over the internet, typically involving live video presentations and interactive discussions.
Website: A collection of web pages and related content accessible via the internet and typically hosted on a single domain.
WebSocket: A communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection, often used for real-time web applications.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): A wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other over short distances.
Wiki: A collaborative website that allows users to contribute, modify, and organize content collectively.
Wireframe: A visual representation of the layout and structure of a web page or application, typically used during the early stages of design.
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get): An editing interface that allows users to view and edit content in a format that closely resembles the final output.
XML (Extensible Markup Language): A markup language used to encode documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.
XSS (Cross-Site Scripting): A type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language): A human-readable data serialization format used for configuration files and data exchange.
API endpoint: A specific URL that represents an entry point for accessing a web API.
Web analytics: The measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of web data to understand and optimise web usage.
Web application: A software application that runs on a web server and is accessed through a web browser.
Web design: The process of creating the visual appearance and layout of a website, typically involving graphic design and user interface design.
Web development: The process of building and maintaining websites and web applications, typically involving programming, markup, and scripting.
Webmaster: A person responsible for maintaining and managing a website, including content updates, technical support, and performance optimisation.
WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication): A set of protocols and APIs that enable real-time communication between web browsers without the need for additional plugins or software.
Websocket: A communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection, often used for real-time web applications.
Widget: A small, reusable component or application that provides specific functionality and can be embedded within a web page or application.
Wiki: A collaborative website that allows users to contribute, modify, and organise content collectively.
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get): An editing interface that allows users to view and edit content in a format that closely resembles the final output.
XML (Extensible Markup Language): A markup language used to encode documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language): A human-readable data serialisation format used for configuration files and data exchange.
API endpoint: A specific URL that represents an entry point for accessing a web API.
Web analytics: The measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of web data to understand and optimise web usage.
