NIU Department of Mathematical Sciences

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Dictionary of Web-related Terms

browser

A program which can display HTML documents in an easily readable form, and can follow hyperlinks contained in them. Netscape, Mosaic, Internet Explorer are the most popular ones. [in case you are wondering, most of this was written around 1995]

CGI

Common Gateway Interface; one of the ways in which Web server can communicate with other programs (CGI scripts) on the computer on which it runs. Used to generate dynamic, real-time Web pages as opposed to the static and often outdated content. Improperly programmed CGIs can give a skilled hacker immediate control of the Web server.

(Web) client

Essentially the same as "browser". A program used to access Web servers.

ego surfing

Using search engines to find references to one's own name. See "search engines", "surfing".

HTML

HyperText Markup Language; the "language" and "tags" used to produce Web documents with codes such as <br> (line break) and <h1>...</h1> (large heading). HTML commands are often called HTML "tags". Click here to see a comprehensive list.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol; the Internet method of communication, or "protocol", used to transfer data between Web servers and clients.

Java

A high-level language developed by Sun Microsystems. Special programs ("applets") written in it can be used on Web pages. A Java-capable browser downloads an applet and executes it on the Web surfer's machine. Quite safe and useful, but slower than a Yugo on a gentle incline.

JavaScript

(Not to be confused with Java, they have little to do in common. Also known as JScript in Microsoftese.) A way for the Web server to tell your browser what to do. This is mainly used to spiff up the Web pages with annoying special effects and animations. Given the zillions of bugs in most of its implementations, this is the favorite way for hackers and viruses to mess up your computer.

link

Also known as "hyperlink" or "weblink"; a reference to some material (specified using a URL) which allows the browser to jump back and forth between related documents and objects. When a user clicks on a link, the browser follows it and displays the referenced object. This is where the "non-linear" nature of Web material comes from.

link rot

The phenomenon that occurs a week or so after you publish your meticulously prepared, large collection of links to other places: half of them don't work anymore. See the link under HTML above.

robots

See "search engines".

search engines

Programs collecting, indexing and cross-referencing material from Web servers, which allow keyword or topical searches of that material. Here is a small collection.

surfing the Web

Following hyperlinks without a preconceived notion of where they might lead. Increasingly synonymous with simply "accessing the Web".

URL

Universal Resource Locator; a standard "Web address". It consists of three main components: access method, server address, document name. For example, http://www.math.niu.edu/help/ denotes a directory "help" on the server "www.math.niu.edu" accessed with the HTTP protocol (normal Web method), and ftp://ftp.x.org/ means the top level of the FTP server "ftp.x.org".

WWW, W³

World Wide Web; a collection of servers accessible via Internet protocols such as HTTP, FTP, etc. Increasingly synonymous with the "Internet". Standards maintained and developed by the WWW Consortium.

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