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General Definitions​

This page explains acronyms and general computer terms used in this documentation.

Client/Server​

Client/server describes the relationship between two computer programs in which one program, the client, makes a service request from another program, the server, which fulfills the request. Although the client/server idea can be used by programs within a single computer, it is a more important idea in a network.

FTP​

File Transfer Protocol. A commonly used protocol for exchanging files over any network that supports the TCP/IP protocol (such as the Internet or an intranet).

GUI​

Graphical User Interface. An interface that has pictures as well as words on the screen. With windows, icons, menus and the mouse, a graphical user interface is easier to learn and work with.

HTTP​

HyperText Transfer Protocol. The protocol most often used to transfer information from web servers to browsers, which is why web addresses begin with http:// (or https:// for the secure version).

ISP​

Internet Service Provider. An organization that offers users access to the Internet and related services.

PHP​

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. An open-source scripting language, often used for web development.

SMTP​

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The standard protocol for sending e-mail across the Internet.

Socket​

One endpoint of a two-way communication link between two programs running on the network. A socket is bound to a port number so that the TCP layer can identify the application that data is destined to be sent to.

SQL​

Structured Query Language. A standard language used to create, modify, retrieve and manipulate data in relational database management systems.

TCP​

Transmission Control Protocol. A transport layer protocol (L4) that is one of the core protocols of the Internet protocol suite.

Thread​

A part of a program that can run independently of other parts. Operating systems that support multithreading let programs run their threads concurrently.

VB​

Visual Basic. A programming language from Microsoft.

WAV​

WAV (or WAVE), short for Waveform audio format, is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing audio on PCs.

WMI​

Windows Management Instrumentation. In Microsoft Windows operating systems, a set of extensions to the Windows Driver Model that gives programs and scripts access to information about the computer and its operating system, and a way to manage them.