DICTIONARY

Definitions for terminology and jargon used in website design and development, graphic design and printing

CSS

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a stylesheet language that controls the visual appearance and layout of HTML documents. It plays a key role in modern web design because it makes websites visually appealing and user-friendly. In addition, it is one of the three core technologies of the web, alongside HTML and JavaScript. The World Wide… … Read More
Database

A database is an organised collection of structured information or data stored electronically on a computer system called a server. It helps users store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently. As a result, databases play a crucial role in modern computing systems. They can range from small, simple systems to large, complex platforms that handle vast… … Read More
Denial of Service (DoS)

A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is a cyber attack that disrupts a website, server, or network by overwhelming it with excessive traffic. The goal of a DoS attack is to make a service slow, unstable, or completely unavailable to legitimate users. Instead of stealing data, attackers focus on causing downtime, which can damage a… … Read More
Deprecated Software

Deprecated software refers to software that developers or maintainers no longer recommend. Although it may still function, they discourage its continued use. In most cases, a newer version or alternative offers better performance, security, compatibility, or features. When developers label software as deprecated, they usually stop active development or plan to end it soon. As… … Read More
Domain Name

A domain name is a unique and easy-to-remember address for a website, our website address for example, is tamay.co.za. The name maps to an IP address that allows users to reach the website by entering words instead of a numerical IP address. An IP address is a string of numbers that allows computers to communicate… … Read More
Dot Gain

Dot gain is a common printing issue that causes printed images, colours, and text to appear darker than expected. It happens when halftone dots increase in size during the pre-press or printing process. Because the dots become larger, more ink covers the paper surface, resulting in darker tones and reduced detail in the final printed… … Read More
DPI

DPI stands for “dots per inch” and measures how many ink dots a printer places within one inch (2.54 cm) of a printed image. This value directly affects print quality. A higher DPI produces sharper, cleaner, and more detailed prints, while a lower DPI often results in blurry or pixelated images. Many people confuse DPI… … Read More
E-Commerce

E-commerce is the process of buying and selling goods or services over the internet. This form of electronic commerce allows businesses to reach customers online through websites, online stores, or mobile apps. Customers can browse products, compare prices, add items to a shopping cart, and complete secure payments using digital devices such as computers, tablets,… … Read More
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP, short for File Transfer Protocol, is a standard method used to transfer files between computers and servers over a network or the internet. In website development and hosting, FTP is commonly used to upload, download, edit, move, and manage website files stored on a web hosting server. Website owners, developers, and designers rely on… … Read More
Hosting

Web hosting is a service that allows you to publish your website on the internet. A web hosting provider gives you space on a server where your website files are stored. These files can include text, images, videos, databases, and website code. Without web hosting, your website would not be accessible online. When someone types… … Read More
HTML

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It is the standard language used to create and structure webpages on the internet. Every website uses HTML in some way, making it one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web alongside CSS and JavaScript. HTML works by using tags and elements to organise content on a… … Read More
HTTP

HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It is the language used by the internet to display websites. HTTP is basically a set of rules that determine how information is is transferred between web servers and client browsers. The main purpose of HTTP is to establish a connection with the server and send HTML pages… … Read More