Address
Generic term for a unique name or number identifying a computer or user on a network. Common usage includes: IP address, email address.
Browser
The software you use to navigate in the World Wide Web and view web pages.
CGI - Common Gateway Interface
Standard for web server scripting.
Click, double click, right click
These terms are actions involving the buttons on your mouse. To 'click' means to press and release the left mouse button.
To 'double click' means to quickly press and release the left mouse button twice.
To 'right click' refers to the same actions, this time involving the right mouse button. Hold your mouse steady and press and release the right mouse button.
Client
A piece of software that is used to request information from a server. Common examples include all web browsers (they request HTML documents from web servers).
Database
A set of related files that is created and managed by a database management system (DBMS). Database and file structures are always determined by the software.
A way of transmitting and receiving messages via local (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). Messages can be text or HTML formatted, and other documents may be 'attached' to an email message.
Folder
An organization unit on the computer. Like real-life folders, electronic folders are created to store documents, photographs, letters and other pieces of information. You can move folders, place them on the desktop of your computer, nest and discard them.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol
A tool to transfer files through the Internet from one computer to another. For example, it can be used to upload your website from where it was built to a website.
HTML - HyperText Markup Language
A standard method of marking up or tagging a document, so that it can be displayed on another computer with basic formatting and functions.
HTTP - HyperText Transfer Protocol
The client-server protocol upon which the World Wide Web is based. A protocol for moving hypertext files across the Internet. Requires an HTTP client program on one end and an HTTP server program on the other.
Icon
A small picture representing a file or software program on your computer.
Internet
A network of computers all over the world which communicate with each other using common protocols. Beginning as a military network called ARPANet in 1969, the Internet later expanded to include universities and now businesses, as well as individuals. It offers many services, such as email, chat, file transfer and the World Wide Web.
IP address - Internet Protocol Address
A unique address assigned to each computer on a TCP/IP network.
Example: 205.160.0.81.
Message
A piece of information sent via a computer network. For example, an email is a message.
Port
If all trains arriving at the same time at a large station had to use the same platform, there would be confusion, not to mention numerous collisions. A computer offering various services (a server) is confronted with the same problem regarding network traffic.
Program
A set of instructions and information for the computer.
Also known as software or computer program.
Protocol
The regulations that govern the transmission and reception of information across a data communications link. Language that computers use to communicate with each other. A set of standards that assures that different network products can work together. Any product using a given protocol should work with any other product using the same protocol.
Script
Similar to a DOS batch file. Writing a script allows you to automate complex sequences of instructions.
Survey
A survey is a questionnaire used to ask questions in order to collect information about a specific topic.
Server
A computer or a software package, that provides specific services to the client software running on other computers.
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
A suite of protocols used as the basis of all communication on the Internet. Originally it was only found on Unix systems, now TCP/IP is the most frequently used network protocol.
Upload
To copy a file from your computer to another computer, usually via the Internet. Software files are transferred using a technology called FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
URL - Uniform Resource Locator
A standard way to indicate the address of any resource in the Internet. The most common way to enter a URL is using a browser program such as Netscape, Internet Explorer or Opera.
Example: Generally a URL looks like this: http://www.disney.com/games.
WWW - World Wide Web
This has two meanings. The first, loosely used, refers to all resources that can be accessed using Gopher, Usenet, FTP, HTTP, Telnet and other tools. The second refers to the world of hypertext servers (HTTP servers) which are the servers that allow to mix text, graphics, sound files etc. together.