With new technologies being developed daily, the specialized vocabulary used to describe common web-related words are helpful to know. This glossary of web terminology provides definitions for common web and Internet words. Those who are relatively unfamiliar with the industry can use these basic terms and descriptions to make understanding web jargon a little easier.
Bandwidth – The difference between a high and low frequency used to transmit information over an electromagnetic “band” of energy.
Browser – Software application developed for retrieving, reading, and sending information and resources over the World Wide Web.
Client – System or application that utilizes remote service, known as a server, via network systems.
Cookie – Small form of stored text saved by the web browser that consists of one or more name-value pairs that hold bits of information.
Database – Collection of data that is stored electronically and arranged for speed of retrieval.
Directory – Database or repository of data that is optimized for reading, often in alphabetical order or in some type of classification.
Domain Name – Identification label in a string of letters and numbers that are used by computers as an Internet address.
Form – Method of entering information or details into a web page.
Forum – Online discussion site or “message board” used to share user-generated content or as a place for user discussion.
Frames – Application that divides a web users screen into two separate sections to be scrolled independently.
Framework – Used to accomplish tasks within a project by obtaining reusable components to avoid starting from scratch.
Ftp – File transfer protocol used to transfer files and information between two separate computers or networks.
Gif – Graphics interchange format or bitmap image format used for pictures that are transmitted over the web pixel by pixel.
Gigabyte – Unit of information that is equal to 1,000 megabytes used for measuring a computer’s memory capacity.
Html – Hypertext markup language used as the predominate language for creating websites, including “tags” to encode text, graphics, sound, and other types of files.
Http – Hypertext transfer protocol used to transfer hypertext information and requests between browsers and servers.
Hyperlinks – Reference to a website or document that a reader can follow by clicking and activating the reference point.
IP Address – Internet protocol address assigned to devices within a computer network for communication between nodes.
Java – Programming language designed to solve a variety of problems in programming practice.
Jpeg – Named after the Joint Photographic Experts Group and used as a simple method of photograph compression.
Kilobyte – Unit of information equal to 1,000 bytes and used as a form of computer storage.
Mail Server – Message transfer agent used to send mail messages electronically from one computer to another.
Megabyte – Unit of information equal to 1,000 kilobytes used for computer memory and storage.
Metatag – Elements used to provide metadata about a specific web page and identify its content.
Newsgroup – Group of individuals who post messages about a single subject on a computer network from different locations.
PHP – Hypertext preprocessor used a general scripting language to build complex applications.
Plugin – Type of software component which interacts with a host application, such as a web browser, to provide a specific function.
Ruby – General purpose programming language that consists of a simple syntax that is easy to read and write.
Search Engine – Information retrieval system developed for users to search and retrieve information from a database.
Social Media – Web services or user-created works of video, text, audio, or multi-media that is shared and published on a social environment, such as a blog.
Spam – Abuse of electronic messaging by sending unsolicited bulk messages to users.
Streaming – Method of technology that plays digital media in real time as it arrives to the recipients end.
URL – Uniform resource locator used as an address for any web page on the World Wide Web.
Web Server – Software program used to deliver content, usually web pages, using HTTP over the web.
XML – Set of rules used for encoding documents or creating documents electronically.