Host Harbor tech glossary
Tech glossary
Navigating hosting and web development terms.
A/B Testing: A method to compare two webpage versions to determine which performs better. It’s a crucial tool for optimising website design and content.
Accessibility: The practice of ensuring that websites and digital content are usable by people with disabilities, making information and functionality available to all users.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs enable the integration of various services and functionalities into a single application.
Backend: The server side of a website or application where data is stored and processed. It’s responsible for server management, databases, and server-side scripting.
Bootstrap: A popular open-source frontend framework for web development that provides a consistent and responsive layout for designing websites and web applications.
Browser Compatibility: Ensuring a website functions correctly and appears consistently across various web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
CMS (Content Management System): A software platform that allows users to create, edit, and manage digital content, often used for websites and blogs.
Content Management System (CMS): A software platform that allows users to create, edit, and manage digital content, often used for websites and blogs.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of web pages, including aspects like layout, colours, and fonts.
Debugging: Identifying and fixing errors, or “bugs,” in software code to ensure proper functionality.
Domain Name: The unique address used to access a website on the Internet, such as “www.example.com.”
DNS (Domain Name System): A hierarchical system that translates user-friendly domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses, allowing browsers to locate web servers.
Encryption: The process of converting data into a code to secure it from unauthorised access. It’s essential for protecting sensitive information during data transmission.
Encryption Key: A code or password used to encrypt and decrypt data, ensuring data security and privacy during transmission.
Firewall: A network security device or software that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic to protect a system from unauthorised access or cyberattacks.
Frontend: The user-facing side of a website or application, responsible for the look, feel, and user interaction.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A standard network protocol that transfers files between a client and a server, often used for uploading website files to a hosting server.
Git: A distributed version control system that tracks and manages changes to source code, facilitating collaborative software development.
Graphic User Interface (GUI): A visual interface that allows users to interact with software and hardware, including elements like icons, buttons, and windows.
Hosting: The service of storing and serving website files on servers accessible via the Internet.
Hosting Plan: A service package offered by web hosting providers that specifies the resources, features, and pricing for website hosting.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A markup language for structuring web content, providing the basic framework for web pages.
HTTPS: HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, a secure version of HTTP that encrypts data transmitted between a user’s browser and a website.
Intranet: A private network within an organisation that allows members to share information, resources, and applications securely.
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network, enabling data communication.
JavaScript: A popular and versatile programming language for developing applications, including web-based and Android mobile apps.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight data-interchange format used to exchange data between a server and a web application, often used in APIs.
Keywords: Specific words or phrases essential for search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance a website’s visibility in search engine results.
LAN (Local Area Network): A network of interconnected computers within a limited geographic area, such as a home, office, or campus.
Load Balancing: Distributing network traffic across multiple servers to ensure optimal resource utilisation, reduce server overload, and enhance performance.
Load Time: The time it takes for a webpage to load in a user’s browser fully.
Metadata: Descriptive information about data or content, often used for categorization and organisation of information.
Mobile Optimization: Adapting websites or web applications to provide a seamless and responsive experience on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
MySQL: An open-source relational database management system used for storing website data.
Network: A collection of connected computers, devices, and servers that share resources and communicate.
Node.js: A JavaScript runtime environment that allows server-side scripting, enabling the development of scalable and efficient web applications.
Open Source: Software distributed with a licence, allowing users to view, modify, and redistribute its source code freely.
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor): A server-side scripting language used for web development to create dynamic web pages.
Plugin: Software components that add specific features or functionality to a website or web application.
Query: A request for specific information from a database or search engine, often used to retrieve data.
Query String: A URL portion that includes data or parameters used to retrieve specific information from a web server or database.
Responsive Design: Designing websites to provide an optimal viewing experience across various devices and screen sizes.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): The practice of optimising a website to improve its visibility on search engine results pages.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): A protocol that ensures secure data transmission between a user’s browser and a website.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): A communication protocol suite that enables data transmission between networks, including the Internet.
UI (User Interface): The graphical layout and elements of a website or application that users interact with.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address used to access a resource on the Internet, typically starting with “http://” or “https://”.
UX (User Experience): A user’s overall experience and satisfaction while interacting with a website or application.
Version Control: A system that tracks and manages changes to source code, making it easier for developers to collaborate and maintain code.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a public network, ensuring data privacy and security.
Web Hosting: A service that provides server space and resources for hosting websites online.
WordPress: A popular content management system (CMS) used for website creation and blogging, known for its flexibility and user-friendliness.
XML (Extensible Markup Language): A markup language for encoding documents in a human-readable and machine-readable format.
YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language): A human-readable data serialisation format often used in configuration files and data exchange between languages with different data structures.
ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan): A file compression format and archiving utility that reduces the size of files, making them easier to transfer or store.
Z-Index: In web development, the stacking order of elements, determining which elements appear before or behind others, is essential for layering and layout control.
