(application program interface): The specific method prescribed by a computer operating system, or by another application program, by which a programmer writing an application program can make requests of the operating system or another application. Unlike a GUI (graphical user interface), which is a direct user interface, the API interfaces with a [..]

In multi-user computer systems, a system administrator defines for the system which users are allowed access to the system and their individual privileges of use (such as access to certain file directories, hours of access, amount of allocated storage space, and so forth). When users log in to a secured computer operating system or application prog [..]

In 1996, VISA/MasterCard headquarters introduced a new regulation requiring all businesses who manually key in the majority of their credit card transactions to have a special fraud prevention feature on their credit card processing equipment. This feature is referred to as an address verification system (it checks to see that the billing address g [..]

A method used to attach styles such as specific fonts, colors, and spacing to HTML documents. Because they "cascade," some elements take precedence over others.

A chargeback occurs when a card holder disputes a credit card transaction with his or her credit card issuer. The card issuer initiates a chargeback against the merchant account. The amount of the disputed transaction is immediately withdrawn from the merchant's bank account, and the merchant has 10 days in which to dispute the chargeback with [..]

The computer in a client/server architecture that requests files or services. The computer that provides services is called the server. The most common types of client on the Internet are computers running browsers or e-mail programs. The client may request file transfer, remote logins, printing, or other available services. The client also means t [..]

A Web server that contains the software necessary for processing customer orders via the Web, including shopping cart programs, dynamic inventory databases, and online payment systems. Commerce servers are usually also secure servers.

Small files that are automatically downloaded from a Web server to the computer of someone browsing a Web site. Information stored in cookies can then be accessed any time that computer returns to the site. Cookies allow Web sites to "personalize" their appearance by identifying visitors, storing passwords, tracking preferences, a [..]

A file or file system containing organized information (for instance: Product Catalog, Inventory etc.) and, most commonly, a filing and retrieval system for storing information. Examples of database software: MySQL, MS Access, MS SQL Server, etc.

An extension of HTML that gives greater control over the layout of page elements and the ability to have Web pages that change and interact with the user without having to communicate with the server. The three components of DHTML pages are HTML, Javascript, and cascading style sheets.