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Glossary

  • Application Programming Interface (API): A computing interface which defines interactions between multiple software intermediaries.
  • Client: A system or program that requests the activity of one or more other systems or programmes, called servers, to accomplish specific tasks. In a client/server environment, the web user’s interface — such as a web browser, is usually the client. 
  • First party: The online service the subscriber or user is visiting. For example, in a web browser context, if the individual visits the website https://example.com, Example.com is the first party.
  • HTTP Header: Additional information passed between a client and a server in an HTTP request or response. For example, in a request header, information is provided about the request context, such as what browser is being used, so that the server may provide a correct response.
  • JavaScript: A dynamic programming language used for web development.
  • Persistent storage: When information is stored between browser sessions and can therefore have a longer duration.
  • Session: A “session” is a reference to a certain timeframe for communication between two devices, two systems or two parts of a system. For example, session cookies generally expire when someone closes their browser or shortly afterwards; or
  • Software Development Kit (SDK): a set of tools used for developing applications provided by hardware and software providers. They usually include application programming interfaces (APIs), sample code and documentation etc.
  • Subscriber: A person who is party to a contract with a provider or public electronic communications services for the supply of such services.
  • Third party: an organisation that is distinct from the online service the subscriber or user is currently visiting. For example, in a web browser context, if an individual is visiting the website https://example.com, for analytics services provided by https://analytics.com about visitors to https://example.com,  https://analytics.com would be considered a third party.
  • User: Any person using a public electronic communications service.
  • Web server: The central location that hosts web pages or a website and enables a remote “client” to access the material held.