Rating and Ranking The Internet's Top Web Hosts
Web Hosting Glossary / Terms

404 Error

A 404 error or a 'Not Found' error message is displayed when the web browser is unable to find the requested web page or CGI script. Webmasters should replace the 404 error message with text that directs users to the relevant operational web page.

ASCII

ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is a 7-bit code standard representing characters, numbers, symbols and control characters to enable smooth data communication between all types of computer.

Backup

A backup is a precautionary measure where computer files are copied or saved onto another medium, e.g. magnetic tape, in case the original fails, is damaged, accidentally deleted or destroyed.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate. It measures the amount of data that can be transferred from one device to another and is usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

ColdFusion

ColdFusion is an application development Macromedia product that allows you to build websites with integrated databases, thereby generating dynamic and customized web content.

Cookies

Cookies are small files stored on users' hard drives which record their preferences, details and track their activities on a given website. Cookies enable businesses to identify users and generate customized web pages.

Domain name

A domain name is a unique alphanumeric website address that has a corresponding numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address. For example, www.examplewebsite.com is a domain name.

Domain Registrar

A domain registrar is an organization accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell Internet domain names. ICANN manages general top level domains (gTLDs) such as .com, .net and .org domains but not country code top-level domains such as .co.uk.

Download

Download refers to the copying or transferring of files from one computer or server to another. For example, you may want to download a manual from a website onto your own computer.

FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a method of transferring files between computers across the Internet.

HTTP Referer

HTTP Referer tells the website page you visit which web page referred you to that page. Some websites will prevent users from linking directly to their pages because they check that the http referrer is a page from their web server.

Internet

The Internet, also known as the Net, is a worldwide telecommunications network connecting millions of personal, business and government computers. It enables the user at one computer to get information from other computers, if they have permission to do so.

Intranet

An Intranet is a private network within an organization that utilizes the same technology as the Internet. It enables an organization's employees, partners and other authorized personnel to share its resources privately without public access.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a scripting language originally created by Netscape that embeds programming codes into HTML web pages to create interactive websites with dynamic content.

JSP

JSP stands for Java Server Page. It is a server-side technology created by Sun that separates the web page design elements from the HTML code. This improves HTML functionality enabling the website to generate dynamic content.

Meta Tags

Meta tags are special HTML tags which describe the content of that web page. Search engines use the keywords and description provided in the Meta tag to index a page so that a user searching for that kind of information can locate that page.

MySQL

MySQL is commonly used for web applications because it is free, fast and reliable. It is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL).

Page Views

A Page View is a web page that has been viewed by one person. Online advertisers commonly decide which websites to publish their adverts based on the number of page views a website receives.

Parked domain

A parked domain name is another domain name that is 'parked' on your existing main domain name. So, if you want your users to view the same website content whether they go to www.domain1.com or www.domain2.com, then you park www.domain2.com.

PHP

PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a popular open-source, server-side, cross-platform scripting language used to create dynamic websites and web-based software applications.

Reseller

A reseller is a person or business authorized to sell another person's or company's goods and/or services.

Script

This is a programming term that describes a set of commands that can be carried out by computer program without user involvement.

Server Side Programming

Server side programming refers to code or software or scripts executed by the web server when the website user makes a request.

Session

A session is the period of time a user interacts with an application. Web site traffic is quantified by the number of user sessions a website gets. The website administrator will set a specific timeframe for a user session and if the user revisits the website within that period, then it will only count as a single session.

Shopping cart

A shopping cart is a type of software used on ecommerce websites to facilitate online ordering and purchasing of multiple goods and services.

Site statistics

Site statistics is an in-depth report on the performance of your website. The report may include details such as number of visitors, pages visited, bandwidth used and search engine referrals.

SMTP

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is a key Internet protocol used to transfer email messages between servers.

SQL Server

The SQL Server is a Microsoft database server that accesses applications using Structured Query Language (SQL).

SSL

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is a common Internet protocol that encrypts data so that it can be sent securely over the Internet. Website addresses that have an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:

Tape Backup

Tape backup refers to taking a copy of files from the normal storage device onto a tape cartridge device. This can be done as a precautionary measure or for archiving. The process can be done manually or automatically, if you have suitable software.

Telnet

Telnet is a standard Internet protocol that allows users with the appropriate permission, e.g. username and password, to access and interact with remote systems as though they were physically present.

TLD

TLD stands for Top Level Domain. This refers to the ending portion of a domain name. For example the TLD in www.web.com is .com.

Transfer

A transfer describes the process of renewing your domain name registration with a different registrar to the one used previously. During the transfer process, you retain your ownership of the domain name; all that changes is the registrar on record.

Unique Visitors

Unique visitors refer to the number of persons who visit a website during a given time period, for example a week. If the same people visit more than once in that time period, then their visits only count once.

Unmetered bandwidth

Unmetered bandwidth means there is no limitation on the amount of traffic visiting your website. This does not mean unlimited bandwidth because the maximum data transfer permitted is limited by the plan you have signed up for.

Upload

In the context of the Internet, upload refers to the transfer of files from a computer to a web server or another computer.

URI

URI stands for Uniform Resource Indicator. It is a unique identifier of a resource on the Internet. Most of the time, this will be the URL, i.e. the website address, e.g. http://www.web.com.

URL

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locater. This is the website address, e.g. http://www.web.com.

Visits

The number of visits is a measure of website traffic and refers to an individual's activity over a given time period on a website.

Web server

A web server is a computer hooked up to the Internet which hosts websites. The web server software sends out web content when requested by a web browser client, e.g. Internet Explorer.

Whois

Whois is a central database and tool that allows users to obtain information on domain name registrations. Users can also use it to check if the domain name they want is available or not.
© 2005-2010 HostColumn.com. No parts of this site may be reproduced without proper authorization.
All listings are provided as is, but as hosting companies change their offerings, the data above might not be entirely correct. Please recheck every web host for their latest deals and promotions.