HTML

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the markup language used to create web pages. HTML creates the structure of the page by "marking" specific items as headers, paragraphs, lists, etc. It also denotes images, form input boxes and other objects that appear on a page. HTML uses a series of tags and attributes placed within greater and lesser than signs. For example <b>text</b> will bold the word "text".

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, work with HTML to create a web page. Whereas HTML is responsible for controling the structure of the page, CSS controls the presentation. CSS allows the designer to designate font size, color, column structure, background colors and more. CSS also allows for the creation of different versions of the same page. Separate stylesheets can be created for small devices like cell phones or PDAs or to make a print appropriate page.

Domain Name

Domain names are used to identify a web site on the internet, for instance Zapfire.com. Domain names are registered with a Domain Name Registry service such as Network Solutions or GoDaddy. The registery provides the information that connects the name to the server where the web site resides. Therefore the web server's address will be requested when registering a Domain Name. Domain Name registration is a subscription service and will have to be renewed. The time of renawal will vary with the package purchased from the registrar. It is important that a company control it's Domain Name and is listed as the owner in the registry so that they recieved expiration notifications and can control where the site is hosted, etc.

IP Address

IP addresses are numbers assigned to various computer devices that allow other computer devices to recognize them. They are structured as a 4 sets of numbers separated by dots. For instance 192.0.0.1. Every web sever has a unique IP address on the web which other servers, computers and routers use to find them.

Web Hosting

Hosting companies possess computer servers that are connected to the internet (usually through a large broadband connection like a T-1) that are designed specifically to serve web pages. It is on these servers that the actual files that create a web page reside. This server has specific software that allows users to connect to the it and access the files they need to view a web site including HTML pages, CSS pages, databases and scripts. Hosting service is generally sold on a monthly basis.

A Web Hosting company should not be confused with an ISP (Internet Service Provider). ISPs provide a connection from a users computer to the internet.

Content Management System

A Content Management System or CMS allows a website owner to make updates to a website via their internet browser. Generally the CMS incorporates a series of forms that control the contents in various areas of the site. CMS tools can allow the user to update product in a catalog, photos in a photo album, text in a blog and much more. Access to a CMS will require a login for security purposes.

Internet Service Provider

Internet Service Providers, referred to as ISPs, provide a connection to the internet for computers in homes and businesses. ISPs provide either dial-up services or broadband. Dial-up requires a connection to a telephone line while broadband can use a cable connection instead. Broadband is a "larger" connection and therefore faster connection which allows more data to travel over the connection at a time.

SSL Certificate

A SSL, or secure socket layer, Certificate often referred to as a Secure Certificate is required to process secure transactions such credit card processing or collecting sensitive personal information. Secure certficates are purchased yearly through a security company that will validate both the website encryption and the validity or authenticity of the owner (company) of the certificate. SSL is being replaced by TLS or Transport Layer Security, but is basically the same service.

PHP, Ruby on Rails, .NET, Java

PHP, Ruby on Rails, .NET, Java are all programming languages used to create interactive and dynamic web sites. These lanugages are often used to connect the website to a database which stores information sent from the website (say when a form is filled out) and will display information from the database. These languages are often used to create CMS and eCommerce websites. Which program language to used is determined by a number of factors such as hosting service, features needed, and CMS system chosen. .NET (dot net) is a Microsoft specific language and requires a web server that run Microsoft's IIS web software. PHP and Ruby are open source languages usually run on an open-source (open source software requires no purchase or licensing fees) server software called Apache. Java is a high-end language originally created by Sun Microsystems. (Java should not be confused with Javascript).

Javascript

Javascript is a scripting language used to created interactive and dynamic websites. Some of Javascript's basic functions would include creating mouse-overs, pop-up windows or insuring that all required fields in a form are completed.

eCommerce or Shopping Cart

A Shopping Cart provides website visitors a way to purchase items online. The shopping cart will allow the site owner to add and edit product, accept credit cards, set shipping options and view and process orders. Shopping carts also often include customer registration that stores the customers information suching as shipping address and even buying hsitory. Amazon.com is a high-end example of a shopping cart.