BROWSER

A program used to view different types of internet resources.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface)

A set of rules that describe how a Web Server communicates with another piece of software on the same machine, and how the other piece of software (the "CGI program") talks to the web server.

Usually a CGI program is a small program that takes data from a web server and does something with it, like putting the content of a form into an e-mail message, or turning the data into a database query.

A CGI program is often indicated by the term "cgi-bin" in a URL, although this is not always true.

cgi-bin

The most common name of a directory on a web server in which CGI programs are stored. The "bin" part of "cgi-bin" stands for "binary". In real life, most programs found in cgi-bin directories are text files - scripts that are executed by binaries located elsewhere on the same machine.

DOMAIN NAME

The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain Names always have 2 or more parts, separated by dots. The part on the left is the most specific, and the part on the right is the most general. This will appear in the location bar as a "URL".

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

The method of transferring files between two internet sites. FTP is a special way to login to another Internet site for the purposes of retrieving and/or sending files.

GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)

The most common format for image files, especially suitable for images containing large areas of the same colour. GIF format files of simple images are often smaller than the same file would be if stored in JPEG format, but GIF format does not store photographic images as well as JPEG.

HIT

The number of "hits" a web page may receive is the number of times it is visited.

HOME PAGE

Has several meanings; the start-up page for your internet connection or server or a personal (or business) web site.

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)

The coding language used to create Hypertext documents for use on the World Wide Web. HTML files are meant to be viewed using a World Wide Web Client Program, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer.

HTML TAG

The term used to describe the actual codes which can be placed around blocks of text and /or pictures which describes the form that a site will take.

See also HTML codes

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

The protocol for moving hypertext files across the Internet. Requires a HTTP client program on one end, and an HTTP server program on the other end. HTTP is the most important protocol used in the World Wide Web (WWW).

Hypertext

Generally, any text that contains links to other documents - words or phrases in the document that can be chosen by a reader and which cause another document to be retrieved and displayed.

JAVA

Java is a network-oriented programming language that is specifically designed for writing programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the Internet and immediately run without fear of viruses or other harm to your computer or files. Using small Java programs (called "Applets"), Web pages can include functions such as animations, calculators, and other fancy tricks.

JAVA APPLET

A small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page. Applets differ from Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain resources on the local computer, such as files and serial devices (modems, printers, etc.). They cannot communicate with most other computers across a network.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPEG is most commonly mentioned as a format for image files. JPEG format is preferred to the GIF format for photographic images as opposed to simple artwork.

PLUG IN

A (usually small) piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software. Common examples are plug-ins for the Netscape® browser and web server.

SERVER

A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on other computers. The term can refer to a particular piece of software, such as a WWW server, or to the machine on which the software is running. Many servers offer web space to their clients, this can be used to create your own web site, usually making use of FTP.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The standard way to give the address of any resource on the Internet that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this:

http://www.geocities.com

WWW (World Wide Web)

Frequently used (incorrectly) when referring to "The Internet", WWW has two major meanings - First, loosely used: the whole collection of resources that can be accessed using FTP, HTTP and some other tools. Second, the universe of hypertext servers (HTTP servers) which are the servers that allow text, graphics, sound files, etc. to be mixed together.