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Glossary

Our glossary provides you with definitions of frequently used GUI terms. Select a letter from above to view a list of words starting with that letter.

Glossary: A

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Absolute URL

Web Technology

The location of a web page independent of any other web page, e.g., http://www.classicsys.com/page.html.

Abstract Window Toolkit

Computer Technology

The class library that provides the standard API for building Java GUIs.

Accelerator

GUI Design

A modifier (Alt, Ctrl, or Shift) plus another key. In Microsoft Word, the accelerator Ctrl + C copies from the application to the clipboard. Also called a "shortcut key".

Access key

GUI Design

See "mnemonic".

Access number

Telecommunications

A telephone number dialed to access an online service or Internet service provider.

Accessibility

Accessibility

The extent to which an application can be used by a variety of people, especially those with disabilities.

Action control

GUI Design

A control that performs an action in the user interface such as a menu (drop-down or context) or a button (command button or toolbar button).

ADN

Telecommunications

Stands for "advanced digital network". A 56-Kps leased line.

ADSL

Telecommunications

Stands for "asymmetric digital subscriber line". A transmission technology that sends voice and high-speed data over a pair of POTS wires. A much higher data rate is employed downstream than upstream.

Aesthetic control

GUI Design

A control that only affects the appearance of the user interface, such as a text label, group box, or picture box.

Ajax

Web Technology

Acronym: Asynchronous JavaScript + CSS + DOM + XMLHttpRequest". The technologies involve: Javascript and DHTML, to let applications respond to events such as mouseclicks; DOM, to let applications manipulate the display; XMLHttpRequest, to let the browser and the server communicate without having to refresh the page.

Alarm circuits

Telecommunications

Smaller-diameter, dry wire originally intended for low-speed, local area data services like burglar alarms and fire alarms. Some service providers offer DSL, which is less costly than local-loop wiring, but limits reach and throughput.

Alert box

GUI Design

A dialog box used in an application to convey a message, issue a warning, or ask for information from the user. Also called a "message box".

Anchor

HTML

Defines the start and/or destination of a hyperlink. An anchor is used to connect to other HTML pages and other places within the same page.

Anonymous FTP

Web Technology

A method of file transfer that allows an unregistered user to log into an ftp server and access files. When you log into an anonymous ftp site, you're prompted for a login name and password. You enter the word anonymous as your login name and enter your e-mail address as a password.

Applet

Computer Technology

A small application or set of related sub-tasks provided with a GUI environment, e.g., the card file in Microsoft Windows. A Java applet is a Java program that can be included in a web page, much like an image. When you use a Java-compatible browser to view a page that contains a Java applet, the applet's code is transferred to your system and executed by your browser.

Application

Computer Technology

A software program or group of web files that allows the user to perform a task.

Application window

GUI Design

The primary window in an application. An application window has a title bar, control menu, maximize and minimize buttons, and a menu bar. Optional components include a toolbar, status bar, and message bar. Also called a "parent window" or "primary window".

Apply

GUI Design

To effect changes or pending transactions made in a secondary window, typically without closing that window.

Archie

Web Technology

Directory service for locating information on the Internet. Used to locate files on anonymous ftp archive sites, online directories, and resource listings.

ARPANet

Web Technology

Stands for "Advanced Research Projects Agency Network". The precursor to the Internet. Developed in the late 60s and early 70s by the US Department of Defense as an experiment in wide-area networking that would survive a nuclear war.

ASCII

Computer Technology

Stands for "American standard code for information interchange". A standard seven-bit code created to achieve compatibility between various types of data processing equipment. ASCII is the common code for microcomputer equipment.

ASCII art

Computer Technology

Text characters and symbols that are combined to create an image. ASCII art includes emoticons like :) and charts like the example below.

ASP

Web Technology

Stands for "active server pages", an NT-proprietary web scripting system.

Assistive technology

Accessibility

Hardware or software that helps people with disabilities use a computer. Examples include text only browsers, screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech synthesizers, voice input tools, alternative keyboards, and alternative pointing devices.

Asymmetrical

Telecommunications

Services that transmit traffic at different rates in different directions. Typically, downstream communications are faster than upstream communications.

ATM

Telecommunications

Stands for "asynchronous transfer mode". A high bandwidth, low delay switching and multiplexing technique.

Attenuation

Telecommunications

The dissipation of a signal's power as it travels over a wire.

Attribute

HTML

A setting or parameter for an HTML tag that affects the way the tag is rendered.

Web Technology

A UNIX sound file format. Mac and PC browsers usually are able to play this format also.

Auditory description

Accessibility

An auditory equivalent of the key visual elements of a presentation that is sychronized with the audio track. Includes information about actions, body language, graphics, and scene changes.

Auditory equivalent

Accessibility

An equivalent for a visual element such as an auditory description of a visual presentation or a sound alternative to written text.

Authentication

Web Technology

A common operation performed by an application that allows a user to log in. Typically, this is built into the web server as part of the HTTP protocol and administered through the web server.

Authoring

HTML

The process of creating web pages.

Authoring tool

HTML

A tool that helps design or write web-based documents. They include HTML editors, document converters, and tools that generate web content from databases.

Auto-exit

GUI Design

A text box in which the input focus automatically tabs to the next control as soon as the last character is entered.

AVI

Computer Technology

The file format used by Video for Windows, one of the video technologies used on personal computers (others include MPEG and QuickTime). In AVI files, picture and sound elements are stored in alternate interleaved chunks.

AWT

Computer Technology

See "Abstract Window Toolkit".

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