This web development glossary was created to help both professionals and beginners understand the key technical terms and tools used in building websites and web applications. Explore this web development glossary to master the essential language of the field.

A

Admin Area: The WordPress administrator interface. Users with the appropriate permissions can manage content, configure plugins, themes, and perform general website maintenance.

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML): Technique used to update parts of a web page without reloading the entire page, enhancing user experience.

API (Application Programming Interface): Set of functions and protocols that allows the creation of applications accessing the features or data of other services or software.

B

Back-end: Part of the system responsible for managing and storing data. Includes the server, database, and the application that processes user requests.

Bootstrap: Front-end framework used to develop responsive, mobile-first websites and web applications.

Block Editor: Commonly known as Gutenberg, the default WordPress editor from version 5.0, allowing complex layouts using content blocks.

C

Cache: Technique for temporarily storing data to improve website loading speed. Includes browser cache, server cache, and CDN cache.

Child Theme: Theme that inherits the functionality and style of another theme (parent theme). Used to modify an existing theme without losing changes during updates.

CLI (Command Line Interface): Command line interface allowing developers to execute commands on the server. WP-CLI is the specific command line interface for WordPress.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Language used to define the appearance and formatting of an HTML document, controlling layout, colours, fonts, and other visual aspects.

D

Dashboard: The central WordPress interface where administrators and editors can manage website content and settings. Includes widgets that provide quick information and access to important features.

Database: Management system where all website information is stored. WordPress uses MySQL or MariaDB by default.

DNS (Domain Name System): System that translates domain names into IP addresses. Essential for name resolution on the internet.

F

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Protocol used to transfer files between computers on a network. Essential tool for managing website files directly on the server.

Functions.php: WordPress theme file where developers can add custom PHP functions to extend the theme’s functionality.

G

Gutenberg: The name of the block editor introduced in WordPress 5.0. Allows the creation of complex layouts in an intuitive and modular way.

H

Hooks: Points in the WordPress code where developers can add their own functions. Divided into two main types: Actions (execute functions at specific points) and Filters (modify data before it is used or displayed).

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): Markup language used to create the structure and content of web pages.

L

Loop: The main structure in WordPress used to display posts. It is a series of PHP commands that process each post individually, displaying its content.

LAMP Stack: Open-source software bundle used to host websites: Linux (operating system), Apache (web server), MySQL (database), and PHP (scripting language).

M

Multisite: WordPress feature allowing the creation of a network of websites within a single WordPress installation, sharing the same database and file installation.

MVC (Model-View-Controller): Software architecture pattern that separates the application into three interconnected components: Model (data), View (user interface), and Controller (processes inputs and interactions).

P

Permalink: Permanent URL assigned to a post, page, or other content in WordPress, allowing direct access to these items.

Plugin: Set of codes that can be added to a WordPress website to extend its capabilities and functionalities. Plugins can add virtually any functionality to the website.

R

Responsive Design: Design technique ensuring that a website’s layout adjusts and works well on devices of different screen sizes, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface): API that allows interactions with WordPress from other applications using HTTP requests, returning data in JSON format.

S

Shortcode: Small specific tag that allows functions to be executed within the content without writing complex PHP code. Example: to insert an image gallery.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Standard security protocol for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. Replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security).

T

Theme: Set of files that define the appearance and functionality of a WordPress website. Includes templates, styles, scripts, and images.

Theme Customizer: Tool integrated into WordPress allowing modifications and real-time preview of theme changes, such as colours, fonts, and layout.

W

Widget: Content block that can be added to specific areas of the website, such as sidebars, footers, and widget areas. Widgets can display information, menus, forms, and more.

WooCommerce: The most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress, enabling the transformation of a WordPress website into a complete online store with support for physical and digital products, payments, shipping, and more.

Extra

WP-CLI: Command line interface for WordPress, allowing management of a WordPress installation through terminal commands. Facilitates tasks such as updates, backups, and plugin and theme management.

XML-RPC: Protocol enabling communication between WordPress and other applications, allowing actions such as publishing posts and editing content remotely.