Glossary of Web Design & Development Terms
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- API (Application Programming Interface)
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A set of protocols and tools for building software applications. APIs allow different systems to communicate with each other, enabling features like accessing data or integrating third-party services on websites.
- AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)
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A technique used in web development to update parts of a webpage without reloading the entire page. It allows for smoother, faster user interactions by making requests to the server in the background.
- A/B Testing
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A method used to compare two versions of a webpage to determine which one performs better in terms of user engagement, conversion rates, or other metrics. It's commonly used to optimize website designs and content.
- Bootstrap
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A popular front-end framework developed by Twitter that allows developers to quickly design responsive and mobile-first websites. It includes pre-styled components like buttons, grids, and forms, reducing development time.
- Back-end
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The server-side of web development, responsible for handling data, authentication, and communication between the database and the front-end interface. Technologies like PHP, Python, and Node.js are commonly used in back-end development.
- Browser
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Software applications like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari that allow users to access and interact with websites. Browsers interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display web pages.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
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A stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML. CSS controls the layout, colors, fonts, and overall visual appearance of a website.
- CMS (Content Management System)
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A platform that allows users to create, manage, and modify content on a website without needing to code. Popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.
- CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
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The four basic operations of a database management system. These operations are fundamental for managing and interacting with data on websites, particularly for user accounts, product listings, or content management.
- Domain
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The unique address of a website on the internet, typically ending in extensions like .com, .org, or .net. A domain serves as the entry point for users to access your site, like "www.example.com."
- DNS (Domain Name System)
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A system that translates domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses, allowing browsers to locate and connect to web servers. It's like a phonebook for the internet.
- Deployment
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The process of making a web application or website available to the public by transferring it to a live server. This often includes configuring the server, uploading files, and setting up databases.
- E-commerce
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The process of buying and selling goods or services over the internet. E-commerce websites allow businesses to set up online stores, handle transactions, and interact with customers online.
- Encryption
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The process of converting data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access. It's essential for securing sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data on websites.
- Extension
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A small software program that adds functionality to a web browser. Extensions can modify the appearance of websites, add features to a page, or help with web development tasks.
- Frontend
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The part of web development that deals with everything the user interacts with directly on a website. This includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which handle the layout, design, and interactive elements of a webpage.
- Framework
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A pre-built collection of code, libraries, and tools that provides a structure for building web applications more efficiently. Examples include React, Angular, and Laravel. Frameworks streamline development by providing reusable components and common functions.
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
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A method of transferring files between computers over a network, often used to upload files from a local machine to a web server. FTP is commonly used to manage website files.
- Git
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A version control system that tracks changes in source code during software development. Git allows multiple developers to collaborate on the same project by keeping a history of changes and helping resolve conflicts when code is updated.
- GraphQL
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A query language for APIs that allows clients to request specific data from a server in a flexible and efficient way. It gives developers more control over the data they fetch compared to traditional REST APIs.
- Google Analytics
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A web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google Analytics provides valuable insights into how users interact with a site, helping businesses optimize content and improve user experience.
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
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The standard markup language for creating web pages. HTML structures content on a webpage using tags and elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and links.
- HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
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A secure version of HTTP that encrypts data transferred between a user's browser and a website. HTTPS is essential for protecting sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers from being intercepted.
- Host
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A server where a website's files and data are stored, making them accessible to users on the internet. Hosting providers offer different types of hosting services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
- IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)
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A unique string of numbers assigned to devices on a network. An IP address identifies a device and allows it to communicate with other devices over the internet. It's essential for routing traffic to websites.
- Integration
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The process of connecting different systems or technologies to work together as one. In web development, this could mean integrating third-party services like payment gateways, social media, or APIs into a website.
- ID (Identifier)
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A unique attribute used in HTML and CSS to identify an element on a webpage. IDs allow developers to target specific elements for styling or scripting.
- JavaScript
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A programming language used to create dynamic and interactive content on websites. JavaScript can modify HTML and CSS on the fly, allowing developers to add interactivity such as animations, form validation, and interactive maps.
- JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
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A lightweight data interchange format used to store and transmit data between a server and a client. It's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate.
- JQuery
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A fast and feature-rich JavaScript library designed to simplify HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, and animation. It's particularly useful for cross-browser compatibility and enhancing JavaScript functionality.
- Keyword
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A specific word or phrase that users type into search engines to find relevant content. Keywords are essential in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help websites rank higher in search results.
- Kerning
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The spacing between characters in typography. Adjusting kerning improves the readability and appearance of text, which is crucial for web design and branding.
- KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
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A measurable value that indicates how well a website, business, or marketing strategy is achieving its objectives. Common web-related KPIs include page views, bounce rate, and conversion rates.
- Landing Page
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A standalone webpage designed for a specific marketing campaign, often used for lead generation or conversions. It typically includes a call-to-action (CTA) and minimal distractions to guide users toward a goal.
- Lazy Loading
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A performance optimization technique where images and content load only when they are needed (e.g., when they enter the user's viewport). This speeds up page load times and improves user experience.
- Link Building
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The process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to improve a site's search engine ranking. High-quality backlinks from reputable sources enhance SEO performance.
- Metadata
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Information that describes data within a webpage, including meta descriptions, title tags, and alt text. Search engines use metadata to understand page content and display relevant search results.
- Minification
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A performance optimization technique where images and content load only when they are needed (e.g., when they enter the user's viewport). This speeds up page load times and improves user experience.
- Mockup
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A static representation of a website or app design that helps visualize layout, colors, typography, and UI elements before development begins.
- Navigation Bar (Navbar)
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A menu typically found at the top of a website that allows users to easily access different sections or pages. Good navigation improves user experience and site usability.
- Noindex
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A directive used in SEO to tell search engines not to index a particular webpage. This is useful for preventing duplicate content or keeping certain pages private.
- Nginx
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A high-performance web server and reverse proxy used to serve websites efficiently. It is known for handling large amounts of traffic and improving load speeds.
- Open Graph
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A protocol used by social media platforms (like Facebook) to control how a website's content appears when shared. It includes meta tags for title, description, and image previews.
- Optimization
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The process of improving a website's performance, speed, and user experience. This can include SEO, mobile responsiveness, and reducing page load times.
- OAuth (Open Authorization)
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A secure authentication protocol that allows users to log into websites using credentials from services like Google or Facebook without sharing their passwords.
- Page Speed
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The amount of time it takes for a webpage to fully load. Faster page speeds improve user experience and SEO rankings.
- PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)
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A widely used server-side scripting language designed for web development. It is commonly used for creating dynamic websites and works well with databases like MySQL.
- Pixel
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The smallest unit of a digital image or screen display. In web design, pixel dimensions affect layout, resolution, and responsiveness.
- Query
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A request made to a database to retrieve or manipulate data. In web development, SQL queries are commonly used to interact with databases.
- Quality Assurance (QA)
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The process of testing a website or application to identify and fix bugs, errors, or usability issues before launch.
- Quirks Mode
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A rendering mode in web browsers that emulates older, non-standard behavior for legacy websites that don't follow modern web standards.
- Responsive Design
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A web design approach that ensures websites adjust to different screen sizes and devices, providing a seamless experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Redirect
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A method used to send users and search engines from one URL to another. Common types include 301 (permanent) and 302 (temporary) redirects.
- Repository (Repo)
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A storage location for code, files, and project versions, often used with GitHub or GitLab to manage software development projects.
- SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
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A security protocol that encrypts data between a user's browser and a website, ensuring safe transactions. Websites with SSL have "https://" in their URLs.
- Schema Markup
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A form of structured data added to webpages to help search engines better understand the content and display rich snippets (e.g., star ratings, product details) in search results.
- Sitemap
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A file that provides a list of all the pages on a website, helping search engines index content efficiently. XML sitemaps are commonly used for SEO.
- Typography
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The art and technique of arranging text on a webpage to make it visually appealing and readable. It involves choosing fonts, sizes, spacing, and alignment.
- Tracking Code
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A small piece of JavaScript added to a website to track visitor activity. Commonly used in tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.
- Tooltip
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A small pop-up box that appears when a user hovers over an element, providing additional information without cluttering the page.
- UI (User Interface)
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The visual and interactive components of a website or app that users engage with, such as buttons, menus, and forms.
- UX (User Experience)
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The overall experience a user has when interacting with a website, app, or product. Good UX focuses on usability, accessibility, and efficiency.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
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The web address of a page or resource on the internet (e.g., https://www.example.com).
- Viewport
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The visible area of a webpage on a user's screen. Web designers use viewport settings to ensure mobile-friendly layouts.
- Version Control
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A system (like Git) that tracks changes to code over time, allowing developers to collaborate and revert to previous versions if needed.
- Vector Graphics
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Images created with mathematical equations instead of pixels, allowing them to scale without losing quality (e.g., SVG files).
- Wireframe
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A basic layout or blueprint of a website, showing structure and functionality without detailed design elements.
- Web Accessibility
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Designing websites to be usable by people with disabilities, following standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
- WebP
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A modern image format that provides better compression than JPEG and PNG, improving website load speeds.
- XML (Extensible Markup Language)
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A structured format used to store and transport data, often used in sitemaps and API responses.
- XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
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A security vulnerability where attackers inject malicious scripts into a website to steal data or compromise user sessions.
- XP (Experience Points)
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A gamification technique used in websites and apps to engage users and encourage interactions.
- YAML (Yet Another Markup Language)
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A lightweight data format often used in configuration files and APIs.
- Yield (Ruby on Rails)
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A command in Ruby on Rails that renders content inside layouts dynamically.
- YouTube SEO
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Optimizing video content to rank higher in YouTube and Google search results.
- Z-Index
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A CSS property that controls the stacking order of elements, determining which one appears in front of others.
- Zero Downtime Deployment
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A deployment strategy that updates a website without taking it offline.
- ZIP Compression
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The process of compressing multiple files into a single ZIP file, often used for transferring website files.