Lingo Library - Set 1

Lingo Library Set 1 links to Lingo Library Set 2. There are two sets of definitions because in describing these terms we frequently had to reference other terms in the library. As you are reading one definition in Set 1, you can link to others in Set 2 and see them simultaneously on the same screen. Enjoy and let us know of any that would be helpful to add to our Lingo Library.

bps (bits per second) - a bit is the smallest unit of information that is transferred on the network so this refers to the rate at which information flows from computer to computer
CGI (common gateway interface) - cgi scripts are programs written to facilitate communication between a web site and the server that hosts the pages. For example, if we create a web site that has a web form for visitors to submit information, we will use a cgi script to process the information submitted by a visitor and have the server send it to us by email.
database - a file or files that act as a storage center for information or "data". The database is set up to allow data to be drawn from it in an organized way. For example, if you were a salesman, you might want to create a database of email addresses for potential clients and then draw from this collection of addresses using an application.
domain - Just as your mailing address, phone number, and social security number are specific identifiers for you, a domain provides you with a specific identifier on the Internet. This is why you must register a domain because the process is carefully monitored so that each domain is only owned and used by one individual or company. Domains do come with 3 letter extensions such as .com, .net , .org, .gov, .edu, etc. If you started a company called "Smith's Construction Company" than you might be interested in acquiring the domain "smithconstruction.com".
download - when you receive information from another computer
FTP (file transfer protocol) - provides the instructions for moving files from one computer to another over the Internet. For instance, if I make changes to one of my web pages on my home computer, I then need to transfer that file to the server so that visitors who access my site on the WWW will see the updated version. I use an FTP application to send the file to the server or host machine.
gif (graphic interchange format) - one of the two common formats for images displayed on web pages. These are limited to 256 colors and are typically used for images that are not photographs.
HTML (hypertext markup language) - this is the "code" or programming language that is read and understood by a web browser. When you develop a web page, this is the set of instructions to tell the browser what to display and how to display it to visitors on the WWW. HTML controls most of what a visitor sees when they come to your web site.
http (hypertext transfer protocol) - this is the set of rules that control how web pages are accessed, downloaded, and viewed on the Internet.
Internet - a world-wide network of computers that allows information to be transferred to and from computers that are linked to this network.
Intranet - a network of computers that is linked within an organization. A large company might have hundreds of computers linked together in a building to form a communication network within the company. These computers would probably also be linked to the larger global network (or Internet).
IP (Internet Protocol) address - an identifier for a computer or device on the Internet. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. The format of an IP address is a numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 could be the IP address for http://www.smithconstruction.com. All domains on the WWW are really located by this numeric code that is normally "behind the scenes".
ISDN (integrated services digital network) - a high speed digital phone line that allows a relatively fast flow rate of information
ISP (internet service provider) - companies that offer access to the main backbones of the Internet network. Earthlink, AOL, Time Warner and others allow us to connect to the internet and communicate with other computers using phone lines, cable lines, satellite links, etc.
JavaScript - scripts are little programs that can used to add interactivity to a web site. They provide special instructions that make the browser do special things. A common example is when you are on a web page and your mouse cursor passes over an image and the image changes into a different image. This "rollover" effect is possible because of instructions written in a JavaScript.
jpg (joint photographic experts group) - one of the two common formats for images displayed on web pages. JPEG images can have millions of colors and are typically used for photographs and complex images.
modem - a device that allows computers to exchange information through telephone or cable lines
MySQL (SQL = structured query language) - a database management system. It is very fast and enables us to efficiently store, search, sort, and retrieve data from your database. A MySQL server controls access to your data and allows multiple users to work with it simultaneously and ensures that only authorized users can obtain access.
network - when two or more computers are linked (normally by cable) to allow data to be transferred between them.
packet - when you send and receive information from the Internet, the information is broken down into smaller pieces, called packets. Each packet travels independently and may take a different path to reach its destination. When the packets arrive at the destination, they are reassembled.
Perl - a programming language that is commonly used to write CGI scripts. We use a file written in Perl to process the web forms on the web sites we create
php (php hypertext preprocessor) - an open source scripting language designed specifically for the web. We use it to allow interaction between the client, their web site, the server, and the database
router - a device that regulates traffic on the Internet and chooses the most efficient path for each information packet
search engine - refers to a software application written to catalog the vast resources of the WWW and help users find the information that interests them
server - computers that are set up to share files/information to networks (either intranets or the Internet). This allows visitors to retrieve/download files from the machine. When you design a web site on your home machine, you can view it but the problem is that no one else can access your files. You need to move your files to a machine that will "host" your pages and "serve" them to others on the WWW.
TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) - this is a language computers on the Internet use to communicate with each other. TCP/IP divides information into packets and sends the packet through the network. When information arrives at its intended destination, TCP/IP ensures that all the packets arrived safely.
upload - when you send information to another computer
URL (uniform resource locator) - a URL is your Internet address. Using the previous example in domains, your URL would be "http://www.smithconstruction.com". These addresses are registered on the Internet and "route" or guide internet users to the correct computers to get the information they are looking for. Every URL is truly registered and known on the Internet as a string of numbers called an IP address.
web browser - this is a software application that retrieves, reads, and displays web pages. The most commonly used browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator/Communicator.
web form - these are used to gather information from visitors to a web site. If you have ever purchased anything "on-line" then you certainly would remember typing all your information into boxes and selecting information from drop-down menus. This is an example of a web form. When you clicked the "submit" button, this information was sent to the server and processed so that the business would receive this information.
WWW (World Wide Web) - this refers to part of the Internet. The "Web" consists of a vast collection of documents stored on computers around the world.

Some of these terms are discussed in more detail in our FAQ section.