Glossary
Here we convert techno-babble into plain English. These are not rigorous definitions,
simply common
usage.
Browser
A browser is a program installed in your computer that displays web pages.
Popular browsers include Internet Explorer and Firefox.
You are using
CSS (Cascading Style Sheet)
A language used to describe the “look” i.e., style of your site, not the content.
Designer
A designer creates the “look” of the web pages; the stuff you see.
Developer
A developer creates the program(s) that determine how the web site behaves viz., protected pages, databases, email accounts, pop up windows, etc.
Favicon
A Favicon is a small icon that appears to the left of the web address (the URL) in the
browser's address field.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
HTML is the language used to create the content of a web page. To view the HTML code for this page right click and select “Source” or “View Source”.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a program that runs within your browser. It can make the page substantially easier to read or provide useful explanatory information. An example.
I am a JavaScript
pop up.
This is very useful for providing information without cluttering your screen when not needed.
MySQL
A program that provides database information to the site visitor.
PHP Script
A program that runs on the server. It is often used to provide information from a database.
Script or Scripting
A script is a program. Zealots might argue that they are not the same.
Search Engine
Google, Yahoo, and Bling are examples of search engines.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
A web page can and should be designed and developed so that search engines will properly index it and possibly raise the search rank.
Server
A computer that delivers web pages to your browser. The server for this site
is located in Florida.
Sitemap
A special file that is made available to search engines to improve search results.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The technical name for a web address.
User
A geeky synonym for site visitor.
XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language)
Essentially the same as HTML but with more rigid rules so the site will be more accessible to other programs and be better suited to future standards.
