Basics
Domain
A domain is the name of a website, like google.com, that people use to access it easily. It works like a house name, making it easier to remember instead of using a long IP address. Behind the scenes, the system converts the domain into an IP so computers can communicate. A good domain also helps build credibility and branding for a website.
Hosting
Hosting is the place where all website files are stored, including images, code, and data. It’s like a storage space or land for your website. When someone visits your site, the system loads data from the hosting server. There are different types of hosting depending on performance and cost.
Server
A server is a computer that runs continuously to provide services to users. When someone visits a website, the server receives the request and sends back the necessary data. Servers are usually located in data centers for better reliability and performance.
Client
A client is the user’s device, such as a computer or smartphone, that accesses a website through a browser. It sends requests to the server and displays the returned results. This is the side that users directly interact with.
DNS (Domain Name System)
DNS works like the phonebook of the internet. It translates a domain name into an IP address that computers can understand. This process happens automatically whenever you visit a website, making internet usage much more convenient.
HTTP / HTTPS
HTTP is the protocol used to transfer data between the client and server. HTTPS is the secure version that encrypts the data. This helps protect sensitive information like passwords from being intercepted.
SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS is the technology used to encrypt data between users and websites. When a website uses SSL, you’ll see a padlock icon in the browser. It improves both security and user trust.
Frontend
HTML
HTML is the structure of a webpage, defining elements like headings, buttons, and images. It’s like the skeleton of a house that determines what goes where.
CSS
CSS is used to style and design the webpage, including colors, layouts, and fonts. It makes the website visually appealing and organized.
JavaScript
JavaScript adds interactivity to a website, such as handling clicks, animations, or dynamic content updates without reloading the page.
Responsive Design
Responsive design ensures that a website looks good on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. It automatically adjusts layout and size.
Framework
A framework is a tool that helps developers build applications faster by providing pre-built structures and components, such as React or Vue.
DOM (Document Object Model)
The DOM is a representation of HTML as objects that JavaScript can manipulate. It allows developers to dynamically update the content and structure of a webpage.
AJAX
AJAX is a technique that allows data to be loaded from the server without refreshing the page, making websites faster and smoother.
Backend
API (Application Programming Interface)
An API is a way for different systems to communicate with each other. For example, a mobile app can request data from a server using an API.
REST API
REST API is a popular design style for APIs that uses HTTP methods and is simple to use and widely adopted.
CRUD
CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete, which are the basic operations performed on data.
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying a user’s identity, such as logging in with a username and password.
Authorization
Authorization determines what a user is allowed to do after authentication, such as access permissions.
Session / Cookie
Sessions and cookies are used to store user data, such as login status, so the system can remember users.
Middleware
Middleware acts as a middle layer that processes requests before they reach the main application, such as checking authentication tokens.
Database
Database
A database is where data is stored, such as users, products, or articles.
SQL (Structured Query Language)
SQL is the language used to manage and query data in relational databases.
MySQL / PostgreSQL
These are popular relational database systems known for reliability and performance.
NoSQL
NoSQL databases store data in flexible formats, such as documents (e.g., MongoDB), making them suitable for unstructured data.
Query
A query is a command used to retrieve or manipulate data in a database.
Index
An index works like a table of contents, helping the database find data faster.
ORM (Object Relational Mapping)
ORM allows developers to interact with a database using objects instead of writing raw SQL queries.
DevOps
SSH
SSH is a secure way to access and control a server remotely via command line.
FTP / SFTP
FTP is used to transfer files between a computer and a server, while SFTP is the secure version.
Docker
Docker packages applications into containers so they can run consistently across different environments.
CI/CD
CI/CD automates the process of building, testing, and deploying code, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
Nginx / Apache
These are web server software used to handle incoming requests and serve web content.
Load Balancer
A load balancer distributes traffic across multiple servers to improve performance and prevent downtime.
Cron Job
A cron job schedules tasks to run automatically at specified times, such as sending daily emails.
Security
XSS (Cross-site scripting)
XSS is an attack where malicious scripts are injected into websites to steal user data.
SQL Injection
SQL Injection is an attack that manipulates database queries through user input vulnerabilities.
CSRF
CSRF tricks users into performing actions they did not intend, such as clicking a malicious link.
Hashing
Hashing transforms data (like passwords) into an unreadable format that cannot be reversed.
Firewall
A firewall filters incoming and outgoing traffic to block unauthorized access.
Rate Limit
Rate limiting restricts the number of requests to prevent abuse or attacks.
Performance
Cache
Cache stores temporary data to reduce loading time and improve performance.
CDN (Content Delivery Network)
A CDN distributes content across multiple servers worldwide, delivering it from the nearest location to the user.
Lazy Load
Lazy loading delays loading content until it is needed, such as loading images when scrolling.
Minify
Minification reduces file size by removing unnecessary characters from code.
Compression (Gzip/Brotli)
Compression reduces data size before sending it over the network, improving speed.
Tools
Git
Git is a version control system that tracks changes in code and allows collaboration.
GitHub / GitLab
These are platforms for hosting code repositories and collaborating with teams.
VS Code
VS Code is a popular code editor with many useful features and extensions.
Postman
Postman is a tool for testing APIs by sending requests and viewing responses.
Chrome DevTools
Chrome DevTools is a built-in browser tool for debugging and inspecting web pages.
SEO
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results like Google.
Meta Tag
Meta tags provide information about a webpage in the HTML <head> section.
Keyword
Keywords are the search terms that users type into search engines.
Backlink
A backlink is a link from another website pointing to your site, improving credibility.
Sitemap
A sitemap is a structured list of pages that helps search engines understand your website.
Hosting Control
cPanel / DirectAdmin
These are control panels used to manage hosting, such as domains, files, and emails.
Addon Domain
An addon domain allows multiple domains to be hosted within a single hosting account.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a subdivision of a domain, such as blog.example.com.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data transferred between the website and users.
Uptime
Uptime is the percentage of time a website is available online.
Backup
A backup is a copy of data stored for recovery in case of failure.