GLOSSARY

| Applet | ASP | Cache | CGI |Client | Client-side program |  Cookie | Download | E-commerce | Encryption | FAQs | FTP | Firewall | HTML | HTTP | ISP | Java | JavaScript | JPEG | Online  Service | Pixel | PICT | Resolution | RGB | Search engine | SSL | Server | TIFF | URL | Upload | Webserver

Look here for definitions of common terms and acronyms used in web commerce, digital imaging, color management, and more. 

Applet 
A client-side program written in Java or JavaScript that downloads and executes on the end user's computer rather than executing on the server. 

ASP
Active Server Pages. Active Server Pages is an open, compile-free application environment in which you can combine HTML, scripts, and reusable ActiveX server components to create dynamic and powerful web-based business solutions. Active Server Pages enables server-side scripting for IIS with native support for both VBScript and JScript.

Cache 
To store on a computer user's hard disk a local copy of a web page accessed via the internet. The web browser compares the cached copy of the page to the original, and if there have been no changes, the browser and server programs will use the cached copy rather than reloading the page onto the client, saving processing and download time. Also refers to a website's database generating static copies of frequently requested dynamic pages, reducing processing time. 

Return to top ^

CGI 
Common Gateway Interface. A server-side communication standard supported by all web servers for accessing external programs. Examples of CGI programs are gateways to databases and scripts that process and return HTML commands to the server. Since HTML allows only one-way communication from the server, which is read by the web browser or client, CGI permits communication and interaction from the client to the server for two-way, dynamic web pages. 

Client 
Computer hardware or software used by an end user on a computer network or the internet to query a remote server. A web browser is an example of client software. Also called a local computer. 

Return to top ^

Client-side program 
A computer program that is downloaded from a server and executed or run using the end user's computer hardware. Java and JavaScript are examples of client-side programs. 

Cookie 
A unique string of letters and numbers that the web server stores in a file on your hard drive. This method is used by web designers to track visitors to a website so the visitors do not have to enter the same information every time they go to a new page or revisit a site. For example, web designers use cookies to keep track of purchases a visitor wants to make while shopping through a web catalog. Cookies may work through a single visit to a website, such as when tracking a shopping trip, or may be set to work through multiple sessions when a visitor returns to the site. 

Return to top ^

Download
Transfer a file from a remote computer to your computer

Ecommerce 
Electric commerce: the conducting of business communication and transactions over networks and through computers. Specifically, ecommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services, and the transfer of funds, through digital communications.

Encryption
A method of encoding messages to provide privacy for email, discussion group postings, and other communications as they move over intranets or the internet. 

Return to top ^

FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions. 

FTP
File Transfer Protocol. A standard that allows users to transfer files from one computer to another using a modem and telephone lines.

Firewall 
Computer hardware and/or software that limits access to a computer over a network or from an outside source. Used to prevent computer hackers from getting into a company's computer systems.

HTML 
Hypertext Markup Language. A language used to create web pages and other documents that can contain text, graphics, and connections called hyperlinks. 

Return to top ^

HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The set of standards that allows computer users to access the internet or the World Wide Web. HTTP:// is the command that tells the browser that the document found at this address is HTTP-compatible, and to display it in HTTP format. 

ISP 
Internet Service Provider. A company or organization that lets users connect to the internet by dialing into its computers using a modem. ISPs typically charge a fee and provide in return the dial-up telephone number, an email address, and some technical assistance (usually via email), but no online content. 

Java 
A computer language developed by Sun Microsystems that can be read by many different computer platforms without the need for programmers to laboriously port the program to each platform. Java programs are automatically downloaded and executed on the client side by the web browser. 

Return to top ^

JavaScript 
A computer language developed by Netscape that is a subset of the Java programming language but is easier for nonprogrammers to write. JavaScript programs are run in the web browser on the client side rather than on the server. 

JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group. This group established a standard method for compressing and decompressing digitized photos or images. 

Online Service 
A company that allows computer users to connect to the Internet by dialing into its computers using a modem. Similar to ISPs, these services also offer features and online content available only to members. 

Return to top ^

Pixel
A single dot on a computer display or in a digital image. 

PICT 
A standard file format for exchanging graphics or image information. 

Resolution
The number of ppi in an image, or the number of dpi used by an output device. 

RGB 
Red, green and blue, the additive primaries. RGB is the basic additive color model used for color video display, as on a computer monitor. 

Search Engine
A web-based program that allows users to search and retrieve specific information online. The search engine may search the full text of web documents or a list of keywords, or use librarians who review web documents and index them manually for retrieval. 

Return to top ^

SSL 
Secure Sockets Layer. Used by most commerce servers on the World Wide Web, this high-level security protocol protects the confidentiality and security of data while it is being transmitted through the internet. Based on RSA Data Security's public-key cryptography, SSL is an open protocol that has been submitted to several industry groups as the industry security standard. Denoted by the letters HTTPS in the URL. 

Server
Computer hardware and software that is attached to a network and which automatically stores, processes and transmits data or information that is generally accessed by many people using client programs. A standard language is used to define this client-server interaction. 

TIFF 
Tagged Image File Format. TIFF is a file format for exchanging bitmapped and grayscale images among applications. 

Return to top ^

URL 
Universal Resource Locator. Pronounced as either "U-R-L" or "Earl." The standardized addressing or naming system used for locating websites over the internet. Also known as an internet address or web address. 

Upload
To send a copy of a file from one computer to another using a modem. 

Web server
Computer hardware where web pages are stored and accessed by others using web client software, or the computer software that allows the user to access the web pages. See also server.