Glossary
This
glossary defines terms useful in understanding JavaScript applications.
ASCII.
American
Standard Code for Information Interchange. Defines the codes used to
store characters in computers.
BLOb.
Binary
large object. The format of binary data stored in a relational
database.
CGI.
Common
Gateway Interface. A specification for communication between an HTTP
server and gateway programs on the server. CGI is a popular interface
used to create server-based web applications with languages such as
Perl or C.
client.
A web
browser, such as Netscape Navigator.
client-side JavaScript.
Core
JavaScript plus extensions that control a browser (Navigator or another
web browser) and its DOM. For example, client-side extensions allow an
application to place elements on an HTML form and respond to user
events such as mouse clicks, form input, and page navigation. See
also core JavaScript,
server-side JavaScript.
CORBA.
Common
Object Request Broker Architecture. A standard endorsed by the OMG
(Object Management Group), the Object Request Broker (ORB) software
that handles the communication between objects in a distributed
computing environment.
core
JavaScript.
The
elements common to both client-side and server-side JavaScript. Core
JavaScript contains a core set of objects, such as Array, Date, and
Math,
and a core set of language elements such as operators, control
structures, and statements. See also client-side JavaScript, server-side JavaScript.
deprecate.
To
discourage use of a feature without removing the feature from the
product. When a JavaScript feature is deprecated, an alternative is
typically recommended; you should no longer use the deprecated feature
because it might be removed in a future release.
ECMA.
European
Computer Manufacturers Association. The international standards
association for information and communication systems.
ECMAScript.
A
standardized, international programming language based on core
JavaScript. This standardization version of JavaScript behaves the same
way in all applications that support the standard. Companies can use
the open standard language to develop their implementation of
JavaScript. See also core
JavaScript.
external function.
A function
defined in a native library that can be used in a JavaScript
application.
HTML.
Hypertext
Markup Language. A markup language used to define pages for the World
Wide Web.
HTTP.
Hypertext
Transfer Protocol. The communication protocol used to transfer
information between web servers and clients.
IP
address.
A set of
four numbers between 0 and 255, separated by periods, that specifies a
location for the TCP/IP protocol.
LiveConnect.
Lets Java
and JavaScript code communicate with each other. From JavaScript, you
can instantiate Java objects and access their public methods and
fields. From Java, you can access JavaScript objects, properties, and
methods.
MIME.
Multipart
Internet Mail Extension. A standard specifying the format of data
transferred over the internet.
primitive value.
Data that
is directly represented at the lowest level of the language. A
JavaScript primitive value is a member of one of the following types:
undefined,
null,
Boolean,
number, or
string. The
following examples show some primitive values.
a=true
//
Boolean primitive value
b=42
//
number primitive value
c="Hello world" // string primitive
value
if (x==undefined) {} // undefined primitive value
if (x==null) {} // null primitive
value
server-side JavaScript.
Core
JavaScript plus extensions relevant only to running JavaScript on a
server. For example, server-side extensions allow an application to
communicate with a relational database, provide continuity of
information from one invocation to another of the application, or
perform file manipulations on a server. See also client-side JavaScript, core JavaScript.
static
method or property.
A method
or property of a built-in object that cannot be a property of instances
of the object. For example, you can instantiate new instances of the
Date object.
Some methods of Date, such as
getHours
and setDate, are also
methods of instances of the Date object. Other
methods of Date, such as
parse
and UTC,
are static, so instances of Date do not have
these methods.
URL.
Universal
Resource Locator. The addressing scheme used by the World Wide Web.
WWW.
World Wide
Web
