Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
somewhat difficult to learn, but very powerful. (See also, CGI, PHP, Python,
Ruby.)
PHP - A web page programming language. PHP programs can be embedded
inwebpagestoprovidedynamicbehavior.PHPisdistinguishedfromthePerl
and Python languages in that the web server usually interprets the PHP code
to generate the resulting output instead of calling a separated program to
execute the script. PHP is quite easy to learn. (See also, HTML, CGI, Perl,
Python, Ruby.)
POP - Post-Office Protocol, One of the mail client protocols used to retrieve
users' mail from a mail server. Mail messages are typically downloaded to the
client and deleted from the server. (See also, IMAP, SMTP.)
Python - A scripting language with powerful features for text handling, often
used in association with web server CGI programs. Python is fairly easy to
learn and has features to help ensure correctness, yet is very powerful. (See
also, CGI, Perl, PHP, Ruby.)
RDB-RelationalDatabase.Afileorsetoffilesthatorganizesdatainrowsand
columns and also provides a way to set up links or relations to other files.
Relationaldatabasescanusuallybeaccessedandmodifiedatmuchhigherrates
than text files, so are useful as storage systems for other applications.
RDBMS - Relational Database Management System. An application or set of
applications that provides access to a relational database.
RPG - Role-Playing Game. A game in which players assume fantasy roles.
Many of these games are played over a communication network, where they
may be conducted with simple text commands an responses or with sophisti-
cated graphics. (See also, MUD, MMORPG.)
RSS - Really Simple Syndication (and other expansions). A family of formats
used to publish frequently updated content or data, such as news headlines
and blog site entries. The RSS formats are usually written in XML. (See also,
Blog, Feed, XML.)
Ruby - A scripting language with powerful features for text handling, often
used in association with web server CGI programs. (See also, CGI, Perl, PHP,
Python.)
SCP - Secure Shell Copy. A component of SSH, but used for transferring files
rather than interactive login sessions. Preferable to other file transfer methods
suchasFTPbecausethetransmissionofpasswordsisencryptedtodiscourage
snooping. (See also, SSH, FTP.)
Server - A computer or a computer application that maintains data and com-
municates with a client which initiates transfers from, or to the server. (See
also, Client.)
