Definitions

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"A" record

Short for address record, an A record is a DNS (Domain Name System) database entry used to map a domain or host name to an IP address. Typically, you might ask a network administrator to change an A record when you move a web site from one computer or Internet hosting service to another.

An access log is a file or group of files containing a list of each of the file names (a web page, for example) accessed on a server. Generally, most servers will log the IP address, date, time, the file being requested, the browser, the operating system and version, and the referring page.

ActiveX®

A technique fostered and promoted by Microsoft for the development of applets in Internet/intranet applications. It is a Microsoft-specific solution for providing interactivity, animation and multimedia capabilities on Microsoft Browsers. It used to be called OLE 2.0.

Ajax

Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. Ajax is a web development environment that provides for interactivity on a web page that doesn't require constant communications with a web server. An example is the way Google maps work-you can easily and quickly move maps around on the page without waiting for the server to send updated information.

API

Application Programming Interface, a set of services and programming commands that defines how one application works with another application or service. For example, there are APIs defined for Amazon.com that provide a way to build your own bookstore. APIs are available for Google Maps that allow application developers to build, for example, route planners for joggers.

Applet

A miniature program usually created with the Java language and used in an Internet or intranet browser-based application. An applet is stored on the server and downloaded to the client when needed. Applets allow very sophisticated functions to be created within a browser page without having to distribute the applet software to the client until it is actually required.

ASP.NET

A set of web application development technologies from Microsoft. The first version was released in early 2002. Simplexity typically uses the C# programming language to develop in the ASP.NET environment.

Asynchronous/
synchronous

Asynchronous refers to systems that do not use a common timing clock between them. For example, when you type words into a word processing program, you are putting them there asynchronously since they are completed at unpredictable intervals of time. When you send a file of those words over a synchronous computer network (as most high speed networks are), the letters that make up the words arrive in a predictable timeframe because they are clocked by the communications network— that clocking makes the network synchronous.

Availability

The percentage of time a computer component such as a web server or application is available for productive use by its audience. Availability is applied to hardware, software, and networks and is usually presented as a percentage of a pre-defined number of hours, and called a service level. The fact is though, that to most people, availability is either 100% or zero—it is either working or not. Availability service levels are, however, useful for negotiating contracts and advertising maintenance windows.

Bandwidth

A term used to define the carrying capacity of a physical connection (generally wire, fiber, or air) within a network. In effect, the amount of information that can be sent on a circuit over a given period of time. Bandwidth is a word that describes circuit capacity. This is usually expressed in Kbps (thousand bits per second) or Mbps (million bits per second).

Binary

A word describing a two state system—on or off, for example. It is often used to describe a system of numbers and arithmetic based on the value 2. The binary number system allows a computer to store information and perform calculations using a series of on and off switches. As a contrast, our daily number system and arithmetic is based on the decimal value 10. An on/off light switch is a binary device because it has only two states.

Bit

Binary digit, the smallest piece of information that can be stored in a computer or transmitted on a system. Represented by a 0 or a 1 in the binary number system; on or off in a digital system.

Browser

A desktop application used to view web pages on intranets, the Web or other file storage area that supports (at least) the http protocol.

Business Analysis

A process for ensuring project stakeholders all agree on what a software project will accomplish for whom.

C programming
language

A programming language first developed by Bell Labs in the early 1970's, and now enhanced by evolution to C+, C++ and Microsoft's C#. It is faster and less cumbersome than previous computer programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN and can run on most computer platforms and operating systems.

Certificates,
PKI,
certificate
authority

Sometimes called digital Ids, public-key certificates or digital passports. They are an authentication scheme defined in ITU standard X.509. A private key certificate will positively identify a user to anyone who needs proof of his or her identity, somewhat like an employee badge providing entrance to a restricted access building. For example, a vendor could use a certificate to authenticate a customer who is placing an order over the Internet. the certificate could replace the signature on a signed purchase order. Security certificates contain information about who it belongs to, who it was issued by, a unique serial number or other unique identification, valid dates, and an encrypted "fingerprint" that can be used to verify the contents. PKI, or public key infrastructure, defines one way to get certificates implemented. A certificate authority is a trusted source who has the authority to issue certificates.

CGI

An acronym for Common Gateway Interface, one common or accepted standard way for web pages to access information on a network. For your next cocktail party: "You know, CGI is an API for Internet object access." CGI is used with HTML to allow a web page to access or post information from and to a database. For example, a CGI script could place current stock quotes retrieved from a stock market database into an HTML page.

Client/server

Usually, a network of computers in which one computer, a client, requests and receives services or information from another computer, a server. While these need not be separate physical computers, they usually are.

Cryptography

A science that includes security-related technologies for encryption, authentication, and authorization. In other words, a set of capabilities is provided that allows you to determine who is asking for information, (authentication), a guarantee that they have a right to the information, (authorization), and then scrambles the information in such a way that they are the only ones who can unscramble it, (encryption). For example, a bank with an online system for customers needs to prove you are who you say you are, determine what accounts you can access, and scramble the account numbers and balances so no one else can intercept your information. Also see nonrepudiation.

Custom Web Development

The engineering and development of web and intranet applications that interface to external resources such as databases, legacy systems, sophisticated authentication schemes, and third party data feeds. Custom web application providers are more software engineer than designer, more interaction developer than HTML coder. Custom web developers work more on web software products than on web sites.

Database

A collection of data, usually managed by a database management package or system (DBMS), that is organized for a specific purpose so that clients and applications can retrieve, search, and update it easily. For most needs a database is a much more useful and powerful method of storing data than a simple or flat file. A word processor stores documents as 'flat files' - that is what you see on your local 'C' drive. Conversely, a database stores customer records so you search, sort, and retrieve information about each customer or document in many possible ways. Also see SQL.

DNR

Domain Name Resolution. A domain name is a human readable version of an IP address within an Internet or intranet system. For example, Simplexity uses the domain name (or hostname) simplexity.net so that you do not need to remember a numeric IP address like 111.121.131.411. A DNR will read simplexity.net and translate it to 111.121.131.411 for a computer to use or the reverse for a human to use.

DNS

Domain Naming System. A function that, using DNR, maps IP addresses to easily-remembered names like simplexity.net.

Encryption

A way to transform information such as account numbers and dollar amounts into an unreadable form to help ensure privacy from untrusted viewers. Both the sender and the receiver must have keys that will allow the information to be encrypted or decrypted as need be.

Ethernet

A LAN (local area network) technology for transmitting information over wires or optical fiber at bandwidths up to 10Mbps. Fast Ethernet is a technology that transmits information at 100Mbps. Pretty much all desktop and laptop computers can use Ethernet to communicate with other computers.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions. There are several thousand sites on the Internet that contain a list of most frequently asked questions, and their answers, about a given topic. Sounds like a great idea, and it would be if people would only keep them current and relevant. Typically, FAQ sections of web sites are created because the architecture of the sites wasn't carefully planned so that logical places existed for all information types.

Firewall

Hardware and software designed and positioned to create a logical wall that will keep the 'bad guys' out of networks or individual computing devices, while allowing the 'good guys' to get there safely. This is a very sophisticated gate-keeping system that uses cryptography and other techniques to allow trusted people in and out of your network while stopping those you don't know from getting access.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol is a standard way to transfer files between computers. It is the most common way that web developers publish information to the web and to intranets. Anonymous FTP is a way for you to transfer files without having a user ID and password.

HTML

Hypertext markup language, a protocol for the presentation of information in a web environment. A language and API that is used to create pages of content for a web browser to translate.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol, a communications protocol used within an Internet and web browser to ensure accurate and standard delivery of information from a web browser to a web server and back.

Hypertext

The fourth dimension the web provides, a way to link from one web object to another.

Image Map

Information Architecture

Interaction Design

Intranet

A logical and physical networking infrastructure for content development, application development, and information delivery within an organization, based on the tools and capabilities of the Internet.

IP

Internet Protocol, a communication function that is usually teamed with TCP (transport control protocol) to provide a messaging protocol and addressing scheme for a network. IP usually refers to the typical Internet addressing scheme of four octets of address in the format 111.111.111.111. IP Version 4 is generally what is used today, although the industry is moving toward IP version 6, providing significantly more available addresses and management features.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. A company that sells access to the Internet. They have the communications equipment and computer hardware connected to the appropriate bandwidth for access to the Internet. An ISP is required for companies and for individuals wanting access to the Internet.

Java

A multi-platform, object-oriented programming language that provides a way to push information from distributed web applications to Java-capable web browsers. Java allows the developer to create mini-applications called applets that perform a single function. Applets are downloaded from the server to the client when they are needed and executed on the client. Developed by Sun Microsystems in the early 90s for a completely different purpose, Java was quickly seen to be a significant development for the Internet. Is it still?? Only time will tell.

Key

A feature of the encryption process that provides the unique component of the encryption algorithm/calculation. In secure or encrypted communications there are public keys and private keys. They securely encrypt and decrypt information on computer networks by performing a pre-determined calculation at both ends of the communications channel. Since the key is known only to the sender and receiver, no one else can 'unlock' the data and see its contents.

MIME

Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions, an extension to the SMTP mail protocol and API that allows for the transmission of attachments such as word processing, audio, video and graphics files along with a standard e-mail message.

Nonrepudiation

Proof of origin, delivery, submission, and transport of data. Provides protection against a party involved in a transaction or communication that later falsely denies that the transaction or communication occurred.

Open Source

A movement where software developers make their code available to anyone for ongoing collaborative development. Linux may be the best example-it is free for anyone to use, and is modified by a huge army of volunteer developers.

Open System

An information system that is portable, interoperable, and based on international standards that allow it to function interactively with other operating environments.

Peer- to- peer

This term comes from the TCP/IP networking world, and it defined the ability of IP computers to 'talk' with one another without having to first get permission from some master computer on the network. It is now used more frequently to describe how computers on the Internet share files. Napster, in particular, made this term popular. Some people abbreviate it as P2P.

Perl

A practical, general purpose programming language that is commonly used for writing CGI scripts within an HTML page. Many of the forms you see on the web use Perl to take the information entered on the form, and place it into an Email message, for example. It is free, and available for most operating system environments.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol. A standard protocol used by an ISP to provide an individual customer with access to the Internet gateway the ISP provides. Commonly used when you configure access into your ISP.

Privacy

The ability of an individual or group to keep their lives and personal affairs out of public view, or to manage the availabilty of information about themselves and their families.

Protocol

A set of rules or conventions that ensures sending and receiving systems speak the same language so that productive communications can happen. A human systems analogy for a communications protocol is the verbal language we speak like French or English.

RDBMS

A Relational Database Management System. A software product that stores data in predetermined format and makes it available through the use of Structured Query Language (SQL).

Resolution

A measurement of the granularity with which a picture can be seen. The higher the resolution, the finer the detail that can be discerned. Web pages are generally designed to be optimal on one particular screen resolution, ranging between 640 X 480 to 1280 X 1024 pixels. A pixel is one of the little dots that you can see if you look really close at your computer screen.

Response time

The time between a client requesting a service and the server having responded. The best measurement is from the time a transaction is started (via a click or the enter key) to the time relevant information is available for use by the requester.

RFC

Request For Comment, a process used within the Internet community to post and receive comments on any proposed standard or change in an existing standard. Use a search engine and search for Request For Comment or RFC so that you can review several to see how the features of the Internet are developed and maintained.

RTF

Rich Text Format is a file format that lets you send and receive text files between different word processors in different operating systems. For example, you can create a file using Microsoft Word, save it as an RTF file (foo.rtf), and send it to someone who uses another word processing program and they will be able to open the file and read it.

Security

A generic term that encompasses authentication, authorization, non-repudiation and encryption.

Server

A hardware or software component of a network that responds to requests from a client.

Session

A single logical connection between computer systems on which productive communications takes place.

SGML, XML

Standard Generalized Markup Language, similar, but more complex and broader than HTML. HTML is generally considered to be a subset of SGML. XML is an evolving standard set of languages that will allow SGML to be used on the web. XML is a flexible way to create common information formats and share both the format and the data on the web, intranets, and elsewhere. For example, musicians might agree on a standard or common way to describe a sheet of music and what its notations mean.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, an open standards-based communication protocol for providing electronic mail services over an Internet or intranet.

Social Networking

As it refers to computer networking, you can call it Web 2.0, if you like. It describes the phenomenen defined by Web sites such as MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, and classmates.com. It is the ability to find, contact, and communicate with people that have common interests and passions.

SQL

Structured Query Language - A standard language for requesting information from a database such as those provided by Oracle and Microsoft, among others.

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer, a communication protocol using public keys for encryption and message integrity. Activated when available on the Internet by typing "https://". Also shown on the browser by a locked locks or solid keys on your brwoser.

Telnet

A command-level program used to communicate from one computer to another. To use telnet, you need a login ID and password to the site you telnet to. Telnet is typically used by system administrators to view file systems and launch operating system-level applications.

T-1

A T-1 digital circuit is a standard telephone company leased line that carries 1.544Mbps of traffic or bandwidth. T-3 28 T-1s strapped together by the telephone company to provide 45Mbps of bandwidth or traffic.

TCP

Transport Control Protocol, a communication protocol for getting information to and from clients and servers. Delivery over TCP is guaranteed to get to the receiver if the receiver is available.

Transaction

An activity or request. Orders, purchases, changes, additions, and deletions are typical business transactions conducted over the web.

Usability

How well a web application works for its intended audience. Simplexity conducts discounted usability studies for the applications we develop.

User experience

The holistic experience of spending time using your Web applicaiton. This experience is a composite of the creative, interaction design , labeling, and content. In general, visitors will tell other people about the experience as a whole rather than detailing the elements.

User interface (UI)

A combination of elements which enable people to interact with computers. On the web, these elements include your browser’s built-in menus and buttons, as well as the links, buttons, form elements, and layout of the web page itself. At Simplexity, we consider the performance and availability of your application to be a part of the UI, too. The process of creating, testing, and implementing UI is called interaction design.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, the location of a web page accessible via a web browser. An URL is of the form http://www.simplexity.net
where "http://" indicates hypertext transfer protocol and "simplexity.net"
is the domain name of the site requested.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network is a network in which users are connected using the Internet, but the data sent across the Internet is encrypted, so the network is "virtually" private. Sometimes called a" tunnel". It is a common way to get telecommuters into company intranets, for example. There are a few different vendors of VPN software, and if you have to run the software from more than one of these companies, life can be quite difficult.

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