Speak Like a Geek: The Complete Archive

address

Usually refers to an Internet machine name; for example, www.machine.com.

absolute address

A URL that includes the full Internet address of the machine on which the HTML file resides; for example, http://www.machine.com/~username/index.html.

alert

Pop-up window that displays a message to the user. The user must click the "OK" button to proceed.

anchor

A location within an HTML document that is invisibly "marked" with HTML tags. Links can point to this anchor, and take the user to specific locations within one HTML document.

applet

Another name for a Java miniprogram. Applets are the Java elements that are run through Java-enabled browsers. In JavaScript, these are called "scripts" rather than applets.

arithmetic operator

Any of the following symbols: * (multiply), +, -, / (divide), % (modulus), ++ (increment), -- (decrement), or - (negation). Arithmetic operators are used with variables or numeric values in an expression, to yield a mathematical result.

array

An object with a list of properties. In an array, the properties are named in numerical sequence, as in: arrayname[0], arrayname[1], and so on.

assign

Refer a value to a variable name.

assignment

The act of referring a value to a variable name; for example, purchases = 10.

assignment

operator

One of the following symbols: =, +=, -=, *=, /=, or %=. All but = will perform the indicated arithmetic on the current variable value and its assigned value.

assignment

statement

The whole syntactical construction of assignment: purchases+=(mugs*orders);

attribute

An HTML structure that sets a particular parameter value for a given HTML tag.

binary

Numerical representation in base-2; for example, 10001100. This is the "alphabet" that the computer ultimately understands.

Boolean

An element of logic: true, false, and (&&), or (||).

browser

A program that allows you to navigate the World Wide Web. Browsers can be either text-based or graphical. Some examples of browsers are Netscape Navigator, HotJava, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

bug

An error in a computer program. See debugging.

C

A common programming language, which JavaScript is partially based on.

C++

An object-oriented programming language, the closest relative to JavaScript.

call

The act of telling JavaScript to execute a function.

case-insensitive

In a case-insensitive language or operating system, the computer makes no distinction between lower-and uppercase letters, considering them equivalent. Thus, "cat" is the same word as "Cat."

case-sensitive

In a case-sensitive language or operating system, the computer distinguishes between lower- and uppercase letters, considering them different characters. Thus, "cat" is a different word from "Cat."

CGI

Common Gateway Interface, the programming interface that allows Web servers to perform special functions. CGI programs are commonly written in Perl and can perform such tasks as complex database searches, custom Web page construction, or secure Web access control. CGI is regarded as complex, and JavaScript is a simpler alternative for performing similar programming feats.

clause

A portion of a full JavaScript statement. For example, within the if...else statement, either just the if portion or just the else portion is a clause.

command

Any "word" that tells the computer to do something.

comment-out

Insert proper comment symbols into code, telling JavaScript not to attempt to execute the words that follow.

comments

Author-entered descriptions in program code meant for human programmers to read, not JavaScript interpretation.

comparison

operator

One of the following symbols: ==, <, >, <=, > =, or !=. Returns true if the comparison is valid, otherwise, it returns false.

compiler

A program that converts a collection of programming language statements from "near-human-readable" form (which is what the programmer writes) to "computer-readable" form so that the computer can run them.

compressed files

Computer files that have been reduced in size by a compression program. Compression programs are available for all computer systems. For instance, PKZIP is used on DOS machines, WinZip is used with Windows, tar and compress are used with UNIX, and StuffIt is used on Macintosh computers.

concatenate

Combine any number of strings into one longer string. For example, "my" + "dog" + "loves" + "me" yields "my dog loves me".

conditional statement

A JavaScript statement that directs program flow based on the validity or invalidity of a comparison. Examples include if...else and while.

constant

A variable that is assigned a value that is never meant to change.

cyberspace

The "area" or space in which computer users travel when "navigating" or surfing around on a network or the Internet.

debug

The irritating act of attempting to track down errors or design flaws in a program.

debugger

A program designed to help track down bugs in other programs. See bug.

decompress

To convert compressed, unreadable data into uncompressed, readable data.

define

In JavaScript, to describe the name, parameters, and statements of a function.

definition

In JavaScript, the name, parameters, and statements that make up a function.

document object

The JavaScript object that contains properties and methods relevant to the HTML document. These include colors, anchors, links, and form elements.

download

The process of transferring information from one computer to another. You download a file from another computer to yours. The reverse process (transferring a file from your computer to another) is called uploading.

element

A screen element is any widget on the computer screen. A form element is one portion of an HTML form, such as a text box, a checkbox, a radio button, a submit button, or a selection box.

e-mail

Slang for electronic mail, this is the system that lets people send and receive messages with their computers.

embed

Simply means to insert into a text file. JavaScript programs are "embedded" into an HTML file.

empty string

A string variable that contains no value. You can create an empty string with the assignment stringname="".

error

An illegal statement in the JavaScript program that JavaScript cannot understand.

error handler

A programming statement that changes program flow in case an error is encountered.

evaluate

The act of performing the specified calculation or comparison. JavaScript "evaluates" expressions, such as arithmetic operators or comparisons.

event

When a user performs some action that JavaScript recognizes, such as a mouse click in a certain location.

event handler

A JavaScript structure that responds to (handles) a particular event or response by the user of the browser. Event handlers are identified by special HTML attributes.

event watching

When JavaScript keeps an "eye out" for an event to happen. Defining an event handler for an event tells JavaScript to event watch.

execute

To perform the actions specified in the program code.

explicit code

Rather than calling a function, writing out the code to execute the function directly. Used in relation to defining an event handler.

expression

Virtually any "phrase" of JavaScript code, such as an assignment, arithmetic, comparisons, and so on.

eZine

An "electronic magazine."

false

The value returned from a comparison operation, if the comparison is invalid.

FAQ

Shorthand for Frequently Asked Questions, a FAQ is a document that contains a collection of the most commonly asked questions (and their answers) on a particular subject.

focus

When a user clicks on a form element and it becomes "active" for interaction, it is said to "have the focus."

form

Any number of user-interactive features in a Web page, including text entry boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, selection boxes, and any other buttons.

frame

A subwindow within the browser window.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A protocol that defines how files are transferred from one computer to another. Also, the name of a program that uses this protocol to move files between computers. Sometimes, you'll find ftp

used as a verb: "Ftp to ftp.netscape.com _".

function

A collection of JavaScript statements that perform a particular operation. Also called a method.

function call

When JavaScript is told to execute a named and defined function. Occurs in the form functionname(parameters).

Gamelan

The premier Web site of Java applets and Java/JavaScript-related information and links: http://www.gamelan.com.

Gopher

A hierarchical information-retrieval protocol popular on the Internet before the Web (which uses the http protocol).

hash mark

The symbol #. In a URL, the hash mark is used to specify an anchor to start user at; for example, http://www.machine.com/~userid/index.html#anchorname.

helper application

An independent program used to process files that the Web browser does not know how to process.

history list

The list of URLs that have been visited during the current Web browsing session.

hostname

The Internet address (or "name") of a machine that holds a particular HTML document; for example, www.machine.com.

HotJava

The browser developed by Sun Microsystems that runs Java applets. HotJava itself is written in Java. HotJava does not yet support JavaScript programs.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language, the formatting language supported by the World Wide Web. Web documents are written using various HTML tags, which control how the information in the document is presented through the browser.

http

HyperText Transfer Protocol, the protocol used by the World Wide Web to transfer HTML documents.

hypertext

A system in which documents contain links that, when clicked, allow readers to move between areas of the document or between documents, following subjects of interest in a variety of different paths. The World Wide Web is a hypertext system.

image map

A Web page graphic that the user can click on and be directed to various places depending where in the image he clicked.

increment

To increase the value of a variable, usually by 1.

index number

The number referring to one of the properties in an object. Alternate terminology would refer to a list element of an array (both are the same in JavaScript).

initialize

To assign a starting value to a variable. Often this is 0, but it doesn't have to be.

input

When a user enters data requested by the program; also the name of an HTML tag <INPUT> that defines a form element.

instance

A particular object created from an object definition. An object definition defines the skeleton structure of an object, whereas an instance refers to an actual object based on that skeleton.

instantiate

The act of creating an instance of an object. Done by assigning an object definition (a function) to a new variable, using the new keyword: instanceobject = new Objectdefn();

internet

Spelled with a lowercase i, the term refers to computer networks that are connected together (or interconnected).

Internet

Spelled with a capital I, the term refers to the collective of interconnected networks that are globally accessible.

Internet provider

Another term for service provider. The company that gets you connected to the Internet.

interpreter

A program that translates computer language statements into computer-readable form and executes them at the same time (at "run time"). This is in contrast to a compiler, which interprets and converts the statements into computer-readable form and then saves the result into a separate file, which can be executed later.

iterate

To repeatedly move through a program loop.

iteration

One sweep through a program loop.

Java

A programming language that extends the Web to handle the distribution of interactive content: video, audio, multimedia, and so on. Java programs are called applets and run from within a Java-enabled browser, such as HotJava or Netscape Navigator 2.0.

JavaScript

An English-like scripting language that supports much of Java's capabilities but doesn't require extended programming knowledge.

JDK

The Java Developer's Kit, created by Sun Microsystems to assist Java programmers in creating Java applets.

.js extension

If you are including a file of JavaScript code via the SRC= attribute of the <SCRIPT> tag, then this file's name must contain the extension .js.

keyword

Any one word that JavaScript recognizes as having meaning to it, such as if, then, var, new, and so on.

link

Text or an image in a Web page that, if clicked, will bring the user to another Web page, or another location within the current Web page (an anchor).

literal

An actual numeric value or string value; for example, "5" or "cats". String literals must be enclosed in single- or double-quotation marks.

LiveScript

The scripting language developed by Netscape that was the predecessor to JavaScript.

load

To retrieve an HTML file and display it in the Web browser.

loading

Retrieving data into Web browser, either from the local hard drive or from across the Internet.

logging off

The opposite of logging on, where the computer service is informed that you want to terminate the connection. The process usually involves typing a command such as exit, logout, logoff, or bye.

logging on

Slang for the process of connecting to a central computer network or service from a local computer (sometimes referred to as logging in). The process usually involves entering a username and password, ensuring that only authorized individuals can use the computer service.

logical operator

Any of the following: && (AND), || (OR), ! (NOT). Used in conditional expressions; returns true or false.

login

The procedure of logging on.

loop

A section of program code that is executed over and over in repetition, until some condition changes.

loop counter

A variable that changes through each iteration of the loop, in correlation with how many times the loop has been executed. The loop counter is often used in the condition that continues or ceases the loop.

Lycos

A popular Web search engine, which locates information anywhere on the World Wide Web: http://www.lycos.com.

MB

The abbreviation for megabyte, roughly one million bytes.

megabyte

A measure of the quantity of data, disk space, or computer memory (RAM). One million bytes.

method

A function that is a property of a JavaScript object.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

A new-ish Web browser from Microsoft, intended to compete directly with Netscape Navigator. Does not support Java or JavaScript at this writing, but will.

module

A miniprogram, essentially equivalent to a function.

modulo

The % operator.

modulus

The result of the modulo (%) operator, which returns the remainder of a division operation. Thus, 10%3 results in 1.

multimedia

Any computer program that uses one or more of the following: text, graphics, sound, and video.

nest(ed)

When a statement is used as part of another statement. For example, were the if clause of a statement another if...else statement, these would be nested. Also, when bookending symbols such as brackets { } or parentheses ( ) are used within one another.

Netscape

Short for Netscape Communications Corporation, the company that produces the highly popular Netscape Navigator Web browser.

Netscape Navigator

The Web browser product available from Netscape (http://home.netscape.com). Supports Java and JavaScript, and virtually every other Web capability.

newline character

The symbol that represents a linefeed to the computer. The JavaScript method document.writeln() sends a newline character at the end of the output, whereas document.write() does not.

null

Literally, "nothing." No value-not 0, which is a value. Just nothing.

numeric variable

A variable that contains a numeric value, such as 5.

object

A very important feature of JavaScript. An object is a variable that is, in fact, a set of subvariables known as properties.

operand

A variable or value used in an operator expression. For example, in the expression orders*10, both orders and 10 are operands.

output

Any data that is sent to the screen (or, perhaps, to the printer).

parameter

Additional information that is passed to a Java applet or a JavaScript function. Parameters supply applets and functions with information they need to complete their task.

parameter passing

The act of sending values to a function or applet. Done either in a function call or <APPLET> tag.

parent object

If object A contains a property B, where property B is also an object, then A is the parent object to B.

parse

The act of pulling desired data from a larger set of data. Often used in reference to a string, where one uses a method to pull specified parts of the string out of the whole one.

Pascal

Another programming language, somewhat similar to C.

pass

The act of sending data or values into a function or applet.

Perl

A popular UNIX-based scripting language. Often used in partnership with CGI.

pixel

One dot of light on the computer screen. Common computer screens contain 640 horizontal by 480 vertical pixels. Depending on the video configuration and monitor size, other computers may have screen sizes of 800 by 600 pixels, 1024 by 768 pixels, or even 1200 by 1024 pixels (on a 21" monitor, lest the user go blind).

placeholder

A book convention wherein you insert some text that refers to actual variables or values you would put in its place were you actually writing the code. For example, lunch(parameters) means to call the function lunch() with some parameters appropriate to the particular situation.

port

In the context of the Internet, a port is similar to a CB radio channel. Different Internet applications (FTP, the World Wide Web, Telnet, and so on) communicate on different ports throughout the Internet.

program flow

The order in which program commands and statements are executed. Normally, they are executed in sequence (from top to bottom), but conditional statements and function calls are frequently used to alter program flow.

programming language

Any set of keywords and syntax that you can combine to instruct the computer to perform some tasks.

property

A subvariable of an object. An object is a set of related variables known as properties, and each property is a variable or function in and of itself. The construction object.property is how they are referred to in JavaScript. For example, status is a property of the object window, and it can be assigned a string to display in the browser status line.

protocol

A set of rules that defines how computers transmit information to each other, allowing different types of computer hardware and software to communicate with each other. Each type of Internet application (FTP, Telnet, and so on) has its own protocol.

public domain software

Software that is not owned by anyone and is freely available for use and redistribution.

relative address

A URL without the machine name specified, it assumes starting at the same directory as the current document. For example, extras/more.html is a relative address referring to the specified subdirectory and file name, assuming the same starting path as the current document.

reserved word

One of the words that JavaScript recognizes for its own uses, and thus cannot be used as a variable name. Reserved words include all keywords that are part of JavaScript statements.

return

A keyword that is used to return a value at the conclusion of a JavaScript function. This value is assigned to a variable if the function was called in an assignment; for example, result=functionname();

REXX

A somewhat popular scripting language, similar to PERL. Commonly used in OS/2 and a variation of which is used on the Amiga (AREXX).

run

The act of executing a computer program.

script

A series of program statements that instruct the computer on how to accomplish a task.

scripting language

The set of rules and keywords that comprise a functional script. Same as a programming language, except that scripting languages are traditionally less strict and simpler to learn.

self

A synonym for a window object; self.status is equivalent to window.status. Can be used to avoid conflicts with other labels in the JavaScript program.

self-extracting archive

A compressed file that can be run like a regular program, except that the "program" that runs is the decompressor, and the result is a reconstructed collection of programs or files.

server

A program or computer that "services" another program or computer (referred to as the client). For example, within the World Wide Web, your browser is the client and the computer you connect to is the server.

service provider

A company that provides a connection to the Internet for a fee. Different providers charge different fees-so shop around for the best deal before you subscribe to a particular provider.

source code

The actual text that comprises the program itself.

statement

A JavaScript construction that usually winds up affecting program flow. Loops and conditionals, such as for and if...else are statements.

status line

The small message window at the bottom of the browser window. The status line can be programmed to display specified messages using the window.status property.

string

A value that consists of a series of alphanumeric characters, enclosed in quotation marks.

submit

To send the user-entered form data to a specified action, either another URL or some data processing function in JavaScript.

subvariable

A variable that is a property of an object.

Sun Microsystems

The company which, besides manufacturing very fast, very expensive UNIX computers, also created the Java language and the HotJava browser. Sun partnered with Netscape to create JavaScript.

supervariable

An object. This is a variable that consists of a set of variables.

support

In software lingo, refers to the capability of an application to handle some task. A browser that "supports" JavaScript is capable of running JavaScript programs.

surf

The act of viewing Web pages. Often implies moving from one to another to another via links. Surfing is supposed to make you cool.

syntax

The grammatical rules of a programming language.

table

An HTML design element that formats and displays data in an on-screen table structure.

tag

An HTML "code" that defines how a portion of a Web document is to be formatted by the browser for display.

Telnet

An Internet facility by which you can connect ("log in") to another machine anywhere on the Internet.

template

A skeleton design. Serves to define an outline.

The Web

More Internet shorthand for the World Wide Web.

this A JavaScript object that is used as shorthand to refer to the current object in question. Used in relation to forms and method definitions.

trigger

An onEvent definition, which tells JavaScript "what to do" when a specified event occurs.

true

A logical (Boolean) value, returned from a comparison.

unary

An operator that takes only a single operand; for example ++ (increment), -- (decrement), and - (negate).

UNIX

A computer operating system; one that the majority of hosts connected to the Internet run. There are several different versions of UNIX available today, fondly referred to as flavors.

upload

The process of transferring information from one computer to another, specifically from your computer to someone else's (either another user's computer or a server).

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, an "address" that defines the exact location (and protocol) of a computer or document on the Internet.

UseNet

The world's largest public "bulletin board," where folks post and reply to messages from others. Divided into many thousands of subtopics of interest (known as "newsgroups").

user

Whoever is visiting your Web page, and, therefore, "using" and interacting with your JavaScript program.

value

Some form of data. A numeric value is a number. A string value is a string. Either can be assigned to a variable. A literal value is a specific number of string explicitly stated, not assigned to a variable.

validation

The practice of evaluating data to see whether it meets some criteria.

variable

A "label" that refers to some value. Often, the value may change, allowing the programmer to use named labels to keep track of various quantities or other forms of changeable data.

W3

Internet shorthand for the World Wide Web.

WebCrawler

Another Web search engine, somewhat old: http://www.webcrawler.com.

widget

A prewritten JavaScript program that creates a small user-interaction doohickey, such as a scroll bar.

window

The on-screen area in which the browser displays a Web page's contents related to the current browser window.

window object

The JavaScript object that contains properties related to the current browser window.

World Wide Web

A hypertext system that allows users to "travel through" (or surf) linked documents, following any chosen route. World Wide Web documents contain a variety of topics; selecting various links leads you from one document to the next. The nature of the system allows links to span computers, literally taking you from one part of the world to the next with the click of a mouse.

WWW

Yet more Internet shorthand for the World Wide Web.

Yahoo

The premier subject catalog for the World Wide Web, with search facilities: http://www.yahoo.com.