Glossary

Algorithm
A step-by-step problem-solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps.

AOL
The largest Internet service provider in the United States.

Apache
The most widely used web server. One of the most successful free software packages.

API
Application Program Interface. A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing many building blocks for the programmer, who puts them together. Although APIs are designed for programmers, they are ultimately good for users because they help all programs using a common API will have similar interfaces.

Archiving Orders
A process through which you can remove your orders from immediate view on your management administrator without deleting the record.

Browser
Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate and display Web pages. You're likely familiar with one if you're reading this, right?

Business to Business
Also seen as B2B. A B2B company offers goods and services to other businesses.

Business to Consumer
Also seen as B2C. These are companies that offer goods and services to consumers.

Cell
An area in which data is entered.

CGI
Common Gateway Interface. A specification for transferring information between a World Wide Web server and a program. A CGI program is any program designed to accept and return data that conforms to the CGI specification. The program could be written in any programming language the server can run. CGI programs are a common way for Web servers to interact dynamically with users.

Cookie
A chunk of information transmitted to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the information on the user's local computer (either in memory or on the hard disk). The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them.

E-Commerce
The specific business of selling goods and services via the Internet.

Electronic Catalog
An Internet site that offers goods and services for sale. Much like the magazine catalogs.

Embedded Perl
When the programming language Perl can be found within the context of another language, it is said that it is embedded. Interchange supports embedding Perl right into its HTML templates.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. (Usually including the answers to those questions!)

HTML
Abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language. The language of codes used to format plain text, most often for viewing in a web browser.

HTTP
Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The primary mechanism (or protocol) of transfering information over the Internet from a Web server to a user's computer.

httpd
Hypertext transfer protocol daemon: a Web server.

Internationalization
(Also known as I18N.) The adaptation of Interchange for multiple languages and currencies.

Item
A single product in your on-line store.

Java
A general purpose programming language used both on servers and clients (Web browsers).

JavaScript
A scripting language developed by Netscape to enable Web authors to design interactive sites. Although it shares many of the features and structures of the full Java language, it was developed independently.

Interchange
The flagship e-commerce platform developed by Akopia. Interchange is an open source program that has thousands of implementations throughout the world. For more information on Interchange please visit the Akopia Web site.

Linux
The UNIX-like kernel developed by Linus Torvalds, which forms the basis of many open source computer operating systems.

Matrix
A table of all the possible combinations of options available for an item.

Netscape Navigator (or Communicator)
A popular web browser.

Open Source
Software with source code that is freely viewed and altered by its users. Often the software is released under the license of the GNU General Public License which requires further distribution be free of cost or usage restrictions, and that program source code be made available.

Perl
Amazing, powerful, flexible, expressive, free programming language by Larry Wall. See perl.com for all sorts of information on Perl.

Product Matrix
The complete list of possible descriptors for a product. This includes size, color, etc.

Regeneration
After making changes to a site or page, commanding Interchange to regenerate means to update the changes for general use.

Search Engine
A program that is designed to search through a database to answer queries.

Shipping Algorithm
The equations used to calculate shipping costs.

SKU
Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code associated with each product for inventory purposes.

SQL
Structured Query Language. SQL is a standardized query language for requesting information from a database.

SSL
Secure Sockets Layer. A transport-layer technology, developed by Netscape, that allows secure transactions among compliant browsers and Web servers.

Template
With respect to Akopia's software, templates are pre-designed formats that a business can use to create a ready Interchange implementation.

Web Server
The computer and/or software that delivers Internet information to the user's computer.

Zone-Based Shipping
The calculation of shipping charges based on the region of destination.