Internet applications

This glossary contains definitions related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce and cloud computing.

.NET Framework - .NET Framework is a managed execution environment for Windows that allows software developers to create a software application in one programming language and be assured the app can work with code written in other languages.
2D barcode (two-dimensional barcode) - A 2D (two-dimensional) barcode is a graphical image that stores information horizontally as one-dimensional barcodes do, as well as vertically.
404 error - 404 is a status code that tells a web user that a requested page is not available.
access log - An access log is a list of all requests for individual files -- such as Hypertext Markup Language files, their embedded graphic images and other associated files that get transmitted -- that people or bots have made from a website.
Adobe Flash - Adobe Flash is a software platform used to create rich digital content containing animation, graphic effects, streaming video and other interactive elements to deliver engaging user experiences over many platforms, including desktops and mobile devices.
Adobe Flash Player - Adobe Flash Player is software used to stream and view video, audio, multimedia and Rich Internet Applications on a computer or supported mobile device.
AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) - AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a technique aimed at creating better and faster interactive web apps by combining several programming tools including JavaScript, dynamic HTML (DHTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
Alphabet, Inc. - Alphabet, Inc.
Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) is a web-based service that allows businesses to run application programs in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) public cloud.
Amazon Lightsail - Amazon Lightsail is an Amazon cloud service that offers bundles of cloud compute power and memory for new or less experienced cloud users.
Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) - Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) is a scalable, high-speed, web-based cloud storage service.
Android Factory Reset - Android Factory Reset is a feature that erases all device settings, user data, third-party applications, and associated application data from an Android device’s internal flash storage to return the device to the condition it was in when shipped from the factory.
Android Open Source Project (AOSP) - The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is the repository of source code and the foundation which maintains it that is responsible for the core of the Android operating system.
Android Oreo - Android 8.0 Oreo is the eighth major update to the Android operating system that contains new features and enhancements for application developers.
Android OS - Android OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system that primarily runs on smartphones and tablets.
anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - Anonymous File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a method for allowing users to access public files from a remote server or archive site without requiring them to identify themselves to the server or site.
Apache ZooKeeper - Apache ZooKeeper is an open source file application program interface (API) that allows distributed processes in large systems to synchronize with each other so that all clients making requests receive consistent data.
API gateway (application programming interface gateway) - An API gateway is a software pattern that sits in front of an application programming interface (API) or group of microservices to facilitate requests and delivery of data and services.
API management - API management is the process by which an organization creates, oversees and controls application programming interfaces (APIs) in a secure, scalable environment.
Apigee - Apigee, pronounced App-ih-gee, is an API gateway management tool offered by Google to exchange data across cloud services and applications.
APK file (Android Package Kit file format) - An APK file (Android Package Kit file format) is the file format for applications used on the Android operating system (OS).
app - 'App' is an abbreviated form of the word 'application.
application sandboxing - Application sandboxing, also called application containerization, is an approach to software development and management and mobile application management (MAM) that limits the environments in which certain code can execute.
application streaming - Application streaming is an on-demand software delivery model that takes advantage of the fact that most applications require only a small fraction of their total program code to run.
Army Knowledge Online (AKO) - Army Knowledge Online (AKO) is the United States Army intranet.
at sign (address sign or @) - On the Internet, @ (pronounced "at" or "at sign" or "address sign") is the symbol in an e-mail address that separates the name of the user from the user's Internet address, as in this hypothetical e-mail address example: msmuffet@tuffet.
augmented reality (AR) - Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with the user's environment in real time.
automatic vehicle locator (AVL) - An automatic vehicle locator (AVL) is a device that makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to enable a business or agency to remotely track the location of its vehicle fleet by using the Internet.
AWS certification - AWS certification is a level of Amazon Web Services cloud expertise that an IT professional obtains after passing one or more exams the public cloud provider offers.
AWS Management Console - The AWS Management Console is a web-based application that lets users access the broad range of services included in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform.
B2B (business-to-business) - B2B (business-to-business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C).
Baidu - Baidu (百度) is a Chinese technology company.
bluesnarfing - Bluesnarfing is a hacking technique in which a hacker accesses a wireless device through a Bluetooth connection.
bot - A bot -- short for robot and also called an internet bot -- is a computer program that operates as an agent for a user or other program or to simulate a human activity.
browser extension - A browser extension is a small application that adds a capacity or functionality to a browser.
bulletin board system (BBS) - A bulletin board system (BBS) is a computer or an application dedicated to the sharing or exchange of messages or other files on a network.
buzz marketing - Buzz marketing is a viral marketing technique focused on maximizing the word-of-mouth potential of a campaign or product.
CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) - A CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response system designed to differentiate humans from robotic computer programs.
captive portal - A captive portal is a webpage that the user of a public-access network is required to view and interact with before they can access the network.
challenge-response authentication - In computer security, challenge-response authentication is a set of protocols used to protect digital assets and services from unauthorized users, programs or activities.
channel partner portal - A channel partner portal is a web-based application that provides a vendor's established partners (usually distributors, resellers, service providers or other strategic partners) with access to deal registration, marketing resources, pricing and sales information for products and services, as well as technical details and support that are unavailable to other end users.
chat room - A chat room is an online platform that enables users to communicate with each other in real time.
chatting - While the term chatting or chitchat refers in general to communication between two or more parties that can occur in person, in today's modern age, it can also occur over the internet via Short Message Service (SMS) text message and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) or, for example, through tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
churn rate - Churn rate is a measure of the number of customers or employees who leave a company during a given period.
Citrix StoreFront - Citrix StoreFront is an enterprise application store that provides an interface for users to access Citrix Virtual Apps -- formerly XenApp apps -- and Citrix Virtual Desktops -- formerly XenDesktop -- remotely.
cloud access security broker (CASB) - A cloud access security broker (CASB) is a software tool or service that sits between an organization's on-premises infrastructure and a cloud provider's infrastructure.
cloud application performance management (cloud APM) - Cloud application performance management (cloud APM) is the process of monitoring resources that support software application performance in public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
cloud architect - A cloud architect is an IT professional who is responsible for overseeing a company's cloud computing strategy.
cloud computing - Cloud computing is a general term for the delivery of hosted computing services and IT resources over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) - The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) is an open source software foundation that promotes the adoption of cloud-native computing.
cloud provisioning - Cloud provisioning is the allocation of a cloud provider's resources and services to a customer.
cloud-native application - A cloud-native application is a program that is designed for a cloud computing architecture.
content delivery (content distribution, content distribution delivery, or content caching) - On the Internet, content delivery (sometimes called content distribution, content distribution delivery, or content caching) is the service of copying the pages of a Web site to geographically dispersed servers and, when a page is requested, dynamically identifying and serving page content from the closest server to the user, enabling faster delivery.
content filtering - Content filtering is a process involving the use of software or hardware to screen and/or restrict access to objectionable email, webpages, executables and other suspicious items.
content management system (CMS) - A content management system (CMS) is a software application or set of related programs that help create and manage digital content.
content personalization - Content personalization is a branding and marketing strategy in which webpages, email and other forms of content are tailored to match the characteristics, preferences or behaviors of individual users.
contextual marketing - Contextual marketing is an online marketing strategy model in which people are served with targeted advertising based on their search terms or their recent browsing behavior.
corportal (corporate portal) - Corportals, short for corporate portals, are sometimes referred to as enterprise information portals and are used by corporations to build their internal web presence by leveraging a company's information resources.
customer self-service (CSS) - Customer self-service is a type of electronic support (e-support) that allows end users to access information and perform routine tasks without requiring the assistance of a human.
customer service and support - Customer service is the support that organizations offer to customers before and after purchasing a product or service.
customer-managed relationship (CMR) - A customer-managed relationship (CMR) is a relationship in which a business uses a methodology, software, apps and perhaps internet capability to encourage the customer to control access to information and ordering.
cyberbullying - Cyberbullying is a type of bullying in which one or more individuals use digital technologies to intentionally and repeatedly cause harm to another person.
device-agnostic (device agnosticism) - Device agnosticism, or device-agnostic, is the capacity of a computing component to work with various systems without requiring any particular adaptations.
digital cash (e-cash) - Digital cash is a system of purchasing cash credits, storing the credits in your computer or digital wallet, and then spending them when making electronic purchases over the internet or in person on a mobile device at the point of sale.
digital library - A digital library is a collection of digital objects, such as books, magazines, audio recordings, video recordings and other documents that are accessible electronically.
direct email marketing - Direct email marketing is a format for email-based campaigns in which standalone advertisements are sent to a targeted list of recipients.
disposable email - What is a disposable email?Disposable email is a service that allows a registered user to receive email at a temporary address that expires after a certain time period elapses.
distribution list - In email applications, a distribution list is a list of email addresses that can be mass mailed via automation without having to add members individually.
doomscrolling - Doomscrolling, sometimes also called doomsurfing, refers to constantly checking disturbing or upsetting news articles or videos online, often via social media.
Drupal - Drupal is a free, open source content management system (CMS) to build and maintain websites, online directories, e-commerce stores, intranets and other types of digital content.
DuckDuckGo - DuckDuckGo is an independent company that offers products geared toward internet privacy.
e-procurement (supplier exchange) - Electronic procurement, also known as e-procurement or supplier exchange, is the process of requisitioning, ordering and purchasing goods and services online.
e-ticket (electronic ticket) - An e-ticket (electronic ticket) is a paperless electronic document used for ticketing purposes, such as airfare or concert admission.
email - Email (electronic mail) is the exchange of computer-stored messages from one user to one or more recipients via the internet.
email archiving - Email archiving is a systematic approach to saving and protecting the data contained in emails to enable fast retrieval.
email signature - An email signature -- or signature block or signature file -- is the short text that appears at the end of an email message to provide more information about the sender.
email spam - Email spam, also known as junk email, refers to unsolicited email messages, usually sent in bulk to a large list of recipients.
email spoofing - Email spoofing is a form of cyber attack in which a hacker sends an email that has been manipulated to seem as if it originated from a trusted source.
encoding and decoding - Encoding and decoding are used in many forms of communications, including computing, data communications, programming, digital electronics and human communications.
EOM (end of message) - EOM means 'end of message,' a phrase used in written communications -- typically email messages, instant messages or text -- to indicate a complete message that doesn't require a response.
ERP (enterprise resource planning) - ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is software designed to manage and integrate the functions of core business processes like finance, HR, supply chain and inventory management in a single system.
event handler - In programming, an event handler is a callback routine that operates asynchronously once an event takes place.
event-driven architecture (EDA) - An event-driven architecture (EDA) is a framework that orchestrates behavior around the production, detection and consumption of events as well as the responses they evoke.
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) - The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) is a protocol for wireless networks that expands the authentication methods used by the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), a protocol often used when connecting a computer to the internet.
extension - An extension typically refers to a file name extension.
Facebook - Facebook is a social networking website that was founded in February 2004 by Harvard University students Chris Hughes, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg.
file extension (file format) - In computing, a file extension is a suffix added to the name of a file to indicate the file's layout, in terms of how the data within the file is organized.
file synchronization (file sync) - File synchronization (file sync) is a method of keeping files that are stored in several different physical locations up to date.
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) - Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), formerly called Google Cloud Messaging (GCM), is a free cloud service from Google that allows app developers to send notifications and messages to users across a variety of platforms, including Android, iOS and web applications.
Firefox - Firefox is a free, open source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation in 2004.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol for transmitting files between computers over TCP/IP connections.
fuzzy search - A fuzzy search is a technique that uses search algorithms to find strings that match patterns approximately.
gaming - Gaming is playing an electronic video game, which is often done on a dedicated gaming console, PC or smartphone.
Gmail - Gmail (pronounced Gee-mail) is a free web-based email service that provides users with 15 GB of storage for messages and the ability to search for specific messages.
Google Advertising ID - Google Advertising ID is a piece of universally unique identifier code that allows mobile applications running on Android devices to identify users and gather data for the purposes of building profiles.
Google Analytics - Google Analytics is a free web analytics service that provides statistics and analytical tools for search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing purposes.
Google Android 4.4 KitKat - Android 4.4 KitKat is a version of Google's operating system (OS) for smartphones and tablets.
Google App Engine - Google App Engine (GAE) is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) product that enables web app developers and enterprises to build, deploy and host scalable, high-performance applications in Google's fully managed cloud environment without having to worry about infrastructure provisioning or management.
Google Assistant - Google Assistant is Google’s voice assistant AI for Android devices.
Google BigQuery - Google BigQuery is a cloud-based big data analytics web service for processing very large read-only data sets.