5 Key Terms Every Web Designer Should Know
Terms Every Web Designer Should Know
- Database
- Tag
- Web Server
- HTTP
- WYSIWYG
There are many terms today’s web designer should know in doing their job effectively. From network terms to data security vocabulary and more, there is plenty to be aware of in this rapidly growing field. Here is a brief look at some of those important terms in web design work today.
Database
A database is simply a collection of certain kinds of select data. One may build and use a database to track purchases and personal finances. Another might use a database to hold data about order and shipment activities. Someone else might even use a database to hold recipe and cooking information. Essentially, a database can hold virtually any type of info designated to it.
In web design specifically, databases are incredibly helpful in a myriad of ways. They can be used to hold and check records being accessed by users. They can hold account information and financial figures. They can be even be used to sort and display images and videos. In fact, much of the information held on the internet is held within databases of some shape or form.
Tag
As its name may outwardly relay to some, a tag is essentially a type of digital label. When information or other materials must come with identifying labels, tags often do the job in the digital world. A tag can be attached to a body of text to identify it as a certain size or style. Tags can be used in attributing certain visual and audible media with other bits of information. They are even used to identify certain users and IP addresses within certain networks and operations.
Web Server
In short, a web server is any computer which provides, or servers, internet activity upon request. Requests are typically sent to these machines from client machines, where the end user operates, at which time the server machine processes and then acts upon the request. By surfing the web and visiting websites like Ebay, Google, Fox, or even the Social Security Administration, one’s personal, or client computer, is accessing info and basing all activity on the actions of the server computer through which the information comes.
HTTP
HTTP stands for hypertext transfer protocol. It is within this language of commands that communications actually take place between many computers on the internet. For example, the standard web address is prefaced with “http”. This is a command set from the client computer to the server computer in universally understood language. HTTP is necessary protocol in many of the happenings online and on closed networks alike.
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG stands for an ages-old term – “what you see is what you get”. In the annals of terminology for web designers, however, WYSIWYG has a specific denotation regarding text visibility from one platform or computer to the next. In certain situations, text may appear differently to some users. A WYSIWYG application therefore is one that allows the user to see text exactly how it would appear if printed out.
Conclusion
There is an abundance of terms today’s web designer must know. This number is not fixed either, as the field and its aligns continue to grow more and more rapidly as time goes on. In conclusion, for those wishing to learn more about web designer terms or just web design in general, the International Web Association is a foremost authority and resource with which to inquire further.
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