Domain Hosting and Server concepts
Domain Hosting and Server concepts
Understanding domain hosting and server concepts is essential for website development. Here are key terms to know:
Domain Name: The address of your website that people type into their browser to access your site (e.g., www.example.com).
Domain Registrar: A company that manages the reservation of domain names (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
DNS (Domain Name System): The system that translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network.
IP Address: A unique string of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6) that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.
Web Hosting: A service that provides storage space on a server for a website so that it can be accessed on the internet.
Shared Hosting: A type of web hosting where multiple websites are hosted on a single server, sharing its resources. It’s a cost-effective solution for smaller sites.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: A type of hosting that uses virtualization technology to provide private (dedicated) resources on a server with multiple users. It offers more control and resources than shared hosting.
Dedicated Hosting: A type of hosting where a server is dedicated to a single website, providing the highest level of performance and control.
Cloud Hosting: A type of hosting that uses a network of remote servers to store data and serve websites. It offers scalability and reliability.
Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transferred between your site and its users within a specific time period.
Uptime: The amount of time that a server has been running and available. High uptime percentages are crucial for website reliability.
cPanel: A popular web-based control panel used to manage web hosting accounts, including managing domains, databases, and email accounts.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A standard network protocol used to transfer files from a client to a server over the internet.
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol): A secure version of FTP that uses Secure Shell (SSH) for data transfer, providing a higher level of security.
SSL Certificate: A digital certificate that authenticates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection, ensuring data security (denoted by HTTPS in the URL).
Nameserver: A server that helps translate domain names into IP addresses, directing traffic to the correct server where the website is hosted.
CDN (Content Delivery Network): A network of distributed servers that deliver web content to users based on their geographic location, improving load times and performance.
Server: A computer system that provides data, resources, services, or programs to other computers, known as clients, over a network.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): The protocol used for transferring web pages on the internet.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure): An extension of HTTP that uses SSL/TLS to encrypt data for secure communication over the internet.
Server-side Scripting: Code that runs on the server to generate dynamic web content, such as PHP, ASP.NET, or Node.js.
Client-side Scripting: Code that runs in the user’s browser to create interactive web pages, such as JavaScript.
Load Balancer: A device or software that distributes network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed, improving availability and reliability.
Backup: A copy of your website data that can be restored in case of data loss or server failure.
DNS Propagation: The time it takes for DNS changes to update across the internet, which can take up to 48 hours.
MX Record (Mail Exchange Record): A type of DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email messages on behalf of a domain.
A Record (Address Record): A type of DNS record that points a domain name to an IP address of the server hosting the website.
CNAME Record (Canonical Name Record): A type of DNS record that maps an alias name to a true or canonical domain name.
TTL (Time to Live): The duration for which a DNS record is cached by a DNS server before it queries the authoritative DNS server again.
Firewall: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Understanding these terms will help you navigate the processes of domain registration, web hosting, and server management for your website development projects.
WordPress Website Development
Understanding WordPress website development involves familiarizing yourself with a variety of terms and concepts related to web design, development, and content management. Here are some key terms to know:
WordPress: An open-source content management system (CMS) used for building and managing websites. It offers a user-friendly interface and a large repository of plugins and themes.
Dashboard: The administrative area of a WordPress site where users manage content, themes, plugins, and site settings.
Post: A type of content typically used for blog entries. Posts are usually displayed in reverse chronological order.
Page: A type of content used for static, timeless information such as "About Us" or "Contact" pages.
Theme: A collection of templates and stylesheets used to define the appearance and display of a WordPress website.
Plugin: A software add-on that extends the functionality of a WordPress site. Plugins can add new features, improve performance, and enhance security.
Widget: A small block that performs a specific function and can be added to various areas of the website, such as sidebars and footers.
Shortcode: A special tag that allows users to embed various elements into posts and pages without writing any code. For example, [gallery] can be used to display a gallery of images.
Custom Post Type (CPT): A type of content that goes beyond the default posts and pages. Examples include portfolios, testimonials, and products.
Child Theme: A theme that inherits the functionality and styling of another theme, called the parent theme. It allows users to make modifications without altering the original theme.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Practices and techniques used to increase the visibility of a website in search engine results.
Responsive Design: A design approach that ensures a website looks and functions well on various devices and screen sizes.
Permalink: The permanent URL of a specific post, page, or other content on your site.
Customizer: A tool within the WordPress dashboard that allows users to preview and make changes to the site's appearance in real-time.
Multisite: A feature of WordPress that allows users to create a network of multiple sites from a single WordPress installation.
Taxonomy: A method of grouping content together. WordPress comes with two default taxonomies, categories, and tags, but users can create custom taxonomies.
WP-CLI: The WordPress Command Line Interface, a tool that allows users to manage their WordPress sites through the command line.
Hooks: Functions that allow users to modify or add to the core functionality of WordPress without editing the core files. Hooks are divided into actions and filters.
Action: A type of hook that is triggered at specific points during WordPress execution, allowing users to run their own code.
Filter: A type of hook that allows users to modify data before it is processed and displayed.
Database: A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways. WordPress uses a MySQL database to store all its content and settings.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): A standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client, typically used to secure data transmitted on a website.
Gutenberg: The block-based editor introduced in WordPress 5.0, which allows users to build content using blocks for various types of media and layout elements.
REST API: A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications. WordPress provides a REST API for developers to interact with the site's data programmatically.
Template: A file that controls how a specific type of content is displayed. WordPress uses a templating system to display various parts of the site.
By understanding these terms, you'll have a solid foundation for working with WordPress and developing your own websites.
