resources
glossary
(glos'a-ri) n., a dictionary of technical words for a given work.
Use our glossary to help better understand some of the words used when discussing the various aspects of web development that are not necessarily part of one's common vocabulary.
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absolute path
The path relative to the root directory, or the top level directory. Also known as the full path, the absolute path is a path that contains the root directory and all other sub directories required to get into the directory you're currently in or wish to get to. Below is a basic example of a generic path and an absolute path.
Absolute path: /home/users/dirname/public_html/images
Non absolute path (relative path): public_html/images
access log
A plain text file used by the web server that records web files accessed by specific IP addresses. This information may be contained in a combined log, or common log, with other types of server information.
adwords
Google's pay-per-click program.
algorithm
An algorithm is a sequential series of logical steps that generally solves a problem, all computer programs can be viewed as algorithms.
alt-text
The alt attribute is used to assign reference text to an image on a web page. The content of the alt attribute is shown as a tool tip when a viewer places their mouse over the image.
The alt attribute is used to increase the textual richness of a web site. The more accurate textual information a web site contains, the easier it is for search engines to properly index the content.
Another use for alt-text is to increase the accessibility of a site to visually impaired users, by allowing speech browsers to describe the site to them.
authenticated username
A unique visitor logged by username and password instead of by IP address.
authentication
The process of identifying a user to determine what level of access they have on a given web page, web site or server. Authentication requires a user to enter a username and password.
average frequency
The average number of times a unique visitor has come to a web site.
backlink
A link from one site pointing to another. Backlinks are an important part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and they are best when the actual citation (backlink) is relevant to the content of your site.
bandwidth
The amount of data transferred on a web site or server within a specific amount of time, measured in kilobytes. Analyzing bandwidth shows website traffic .
bounce rate
The percentage of visitors coming to a page and leaving without clicking through any other elements, such as links or images, on that page.
browser
A browser is a software application that provides users with a way to view and interact with information on the Internet. Technically, a web browser is a client program that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to make requests to Internet web servers on behalf of the user.
browser compatibility
This is a concern (or should be) for web developers as there are many different Internet browsers and versions available to users. Developers need to test site look and functionality across many different browsers.
byte
8 bits, or a single character, 10 bytes is a typical single word (e.g. a Kilobyte, 1000 bytes, is one typed page)
bytes received
All bytes transferred to a client's browser.
bytes sent
The total bytes transferred by a web server.
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