Glossary
absolute links
Links to a website outside the current site. For example, http://adobe.com.
absolute positioning
Used to place objects on the page at precise X and Y coordinates. The X coordinates measure an element’s position from the left side of the page, whereas Y coordinates measure an element’s location from the top of the page.
accessibility
The practice of removing barriers that prevent access to website interaction and information by people with disabilities.
action
A response triggered by an event initiated by the viewer of a web page, such as rolling the mouse pointer across an image.
active
A hyperlink that is currently selected by a viewer of a web page.
additive color
Created by combining light.
address
The unique location of an individual web page on the Internet. See URL.
alignment
Indicates how the lines are aligned on the right and left edges, such as left, centered, and right.
all caps
Uses only uppercase letterforms for each letter.
anchors
Navigational elements of a web page that allow the viewer to jump to a particular point on the page.
animated GIF
An image file that plays a series of frames, creating the illusion of movement.
alternate text
Additional information that is displayed when an image is loading or when the viewer is using a screen-reading device.
analogous
Colors that are side by side on the color wheel. They create gentle and relaxing color schemes.
analytics
The process of collecting and analyzing data about a website’s visitors for the purposes of improving site performance.
asymmetrical
Achieves balance with different elements with different weights on each side (or the top and bottom) of an image.
aspect ratio
The proportional relationship between the width and height of an image. Written as 16:9, 4:3, and so on.
attribute
Named properties that assign additional information to an HTML tag.
attribution
Written acknowledgment provided with the name of the original copyright holder of the work. Creative Commons and other licenses feature different kinds of attribution requirements.
balance
Evenly distributed, but not necessarily centered or mirrored.
bandwidth
The rate of data transfer, bit rate, or throughput, measured in bits per second (bps).
baseline
An imaginary line used to organize text along a horizontal plane.
bitmaps
Images created on a computer screen using discrete bits of individual colors.
blackletter fonts
Also known as old English, Gothic, or Textura. Feature an overly ornate style. Convey a feeling of rich and sophisticated gravitas.
Bootstrap
A popular open source library of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript used to build web page layouts and components.
box model
The CSS box model refers to the box that wraps around HTML elements. Each box consists of margins, borders, padding, and the actual content.
browser
A computer program used to access and view web pages stored on the World Wide Web.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Coded instructions to a web browser describing how elements of HTML are to be displayed.
cast shadow
The shadow cast on the ground and on any objects that are in the shadow of the form. Shadows fade as they get farther from the form casting the shadow.
chaotic lines
Look like scribbles and feel unpredictable and frantic. Convey a sense of urgency, fear, or explosive energy.
check in
Marking a file as available for others to work on.
check out
Locking a file to prevent others from working on it.
child selector
A CSS attribute that immediately follows a “parent” selector, as in tr:nth-child(even).
class selectors
CSS styling rules targeted at class names assigned to elements in the page. May be used multiple times in a document.
client
The software and computer device used to access information on a remote server.
client-side programming
Programming that runs on a client computer and that is written in a language, such as JavaScript, that can be executed by the browser.
client survey (interview)
The process used at the beginning of project planning to determine the customer’s objectives for a website and the requirements and resources available.
Code Navigator
The Dreamweaver pop-up display that allows you to view all the styling properties applied to an object on the page.
color
The perceived hue, lightness, and saturation of an object or light.
color harmonies
Color rules that are named for their relative locations on the color wheel.
complementary
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. They are high in contrast and vibrant.
contrast
Creates visual interest and a focal point in a composition. It is what draws the eye to the focal point.
Creative Commons
Ways that artists can release their works for limited use and still choose the way the works are used and shared: Public Domain, Attribution, ShareAlike, NoDerivs, and NonCommercial.
CSS Design panel
The Dreamweaver panel that displays the source, media queries, selectors, and properties of a CSS style sheet.
curved (line)
Expresses fluidity, beauty, and grace.
database
Structured data stored on a remote server that allows for dynamic data on a client device.
declaration block
The styling properties to be applied to a particular selector as determined by the CSS rule.
decorative fonts
Also known as ornamental, novelty, or display fonts. They don’t fall into any of the other categories of fonts. Convey a specific feeling.
deliverables
A predetermined list of items that will be delivered to the customer.
deprecated
A technique or code designated as obsolete.
descendent selectors
The descendent selector matches all elements that are descendants of a specified element.
design comp
A digital image that shows all the design details of a project. Typically used for client reviews.
design elements
The building blocks of art defined by artists to provide a framework for creating art.
design principles
The essential rules or assembly instructions for art.
diagonal (lines)
Lines traveling neither on a vertical nor a horizontal path. Express growth or decline and imply movement or change.
dingbat fonts
Also known as wingdings. They are a collection of objects and shapes instead of letters.
direction
A common way to describe lines, such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal.
Document Object Model (DOM)
Defines the logical structure of the HTML in a web page.
Document toolbar
The Dreamweaver UI element that displays buttons to toggle between Live, Design, and Code views and access other inspectors for visualizing a page.
document tree
A method for visualizing the relationship between computer files and folders.
Document type<!doctype> The first element of an HTML document. Used to declare to a web browser the version of HTML the page is written in.
domain name server
An Internet service that translates domain names to IP addresses.
domain name
The portion of the Internet registered to a particular company, organization, or individual, such as microsoft.com, adobe.com, and google.com.
dynamic website
A website that uses a database and web programming, such as PHP, to provide live interactions with client computers.
element selectors
CSS rules that target elements of the page by the tag used to define them.
element styles
See element selectors.
elements of art
The building blocks of creative works. They are the “nouns” of design, such as space, line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and type.
emphasis
Describes the focal point to which the eye is naturally and initially drawn in a design.
encoding
The process of converting a digital file from one format to another. Usually used when referring to the preparation of digital video files.
external style sheets
A separate document containing CSS styling rules that is linked to an HTML page.
external CSS file
See external style sheets.
fair use
A set of rules that specify how and when copyrighted material can be used and that make sure copyright protection doesn’t come at the cost of creativity and freedom.
feedback loop
A system set up to continually encourage and require input and approval on a project’s direction.
file extension
The three- or four-letter designator that follows a filename and that specifies which program can use the file, such as .png, .jpg, and .html.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The networking standard that allows files to be transferred from a client to a remote server.
file weight
The amount of data that must be downloaded from a web server in order to display a page. This includes the HTML, images, scripts, and all other assets required for the page to display.
Files panel
The Dreamweaver panel that allows you to view, open, edit, and perform server interactions with the folders and files in a website.
flow
A category related to the energy conveyed by lines and shapes.
focal point
What the design is all about. The call to action or the primary message you are trying to get across.
font family
A CSS styling rule that allows you to list a set of fonts to be used when styling text. Allows for a “fallback” if one or more fonts are not present on the client device.
fonts
The whole collection of a typeface in each of its sizes and styles.
font weight
CSS styling property that determines how thick or thin the text characters should be.
form
Describes three-dimensional objects, such as spheres, cubes, and pyramids.
framework
A set of computer rules, procedures, and standardized programming methods.
geometric (lines)
Tend to be straight and have sharp angles. Look manmade and intentional. Communicate strength, power, and precision.
geometric shapes
Predictable and consistent shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and stars. They are rarely found in nature and convey mechanical and manufactured impressions.
get
The Dreamweaver term for copying a file from a remote server to a local computer.
glyph
Each character of a font, whether it is a letter, number, symbol, or swash.
glyphicons
Fonts that display as graphical elements when assigned as a CSS class to a <span> tag. Included as part of the Bootstrap CSS library.
group selectors
A CSS selector rule that is written to assign the same properties to more than one tag, as in h1, p.
hand-drawn lines
Appear as though created using traditional techniques, such as paints, charcoal, or chalk.
handwritten fonts
Also known as hand fonts, they simulate handwriting.
head (head of the document)
The area of a web page enclosed by the <head></head> tags. Used for storing instructions to the browser that are not visible in the page, such as metadata and links to external files.
hexadecimal
The six-digit code used to define colors on a web page, such as #F0F0F0.
highlight
The area of a form that is directly facing the light and that appears lightest.
horizontal
Moving from left to right; for example, the horizontal line in an “H.” Expresses calmness and balance.
horizontal scale
Describes the function of stretching letters and distorting the typeface geometry.
HTML5
The latest version of the web programming language used to mark up and display documents on the World Wide Web. HTLM5 contains new specifications for embedding page divisions, graphics, audio, video, and interactive documents.
hyperlink
A word or picture in a web page that allows the viewer of the page to go to a different location when it is clicked or tapped.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
The web programming language used to mark up and display documents on the World Wide Web.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The underlying set of communication rules, or protocols, that allow web servers to transfer information to and from client devices on the World Wide Web.
hyphenation
Determines if and when words should be split with hyphens when wrapping to the next line.
ID selectors
CSS styling rules targeted at an element that has a named identifier (ID).
ideographs (ideograms)
Images that represent an idea, such as a heart representing love.
image maps
An image in which some portions of the graphic contain a hotspot that contains a hyperlink.
implied lines
Lines that don’t really exist but are implied by shapes, such as dotted or dashed lines, people waiting in lines, or the margins of a block of text.
indent
Settings that determine how far an entire paragraph is indented from the rest of the text on each side or in just its first line.
information architecture
The methods used to structure and organize computer data.
inline styles
A type of CSS styling that is contained directly inside a tag, such as <span style="color: #AC1316">.
internal style sheet
CSS styles that are written inside the <head> of a document used for styling on that single page.
Internet Protocol (IP)
The coding rules that govern how data is sent over the Internet or other networks.
IP address
A unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer attached to the Internet.
iterations
New versions of a design that successively become closer to the desired result.
iterative work
Work that is shared as it is completed, allowing the customer to chime in with comments while it is still easy to make a change.
JavaScript
A scripting language for adding interactive elements to a web page.
JavaScript library
A set of pre-programmed JavaScript functions for adding interactions, animations, and other common tasks to a web page.
jQuery Mobile
The JavaScript library that uses CSS selectors to access and manipulate HTML elements on a web page.
justified
Aligns text to a straight edge on both the right and left edges of a paragraph.
kerning
The space between specific letter pairs.
leading
The amount of space between the baselines of two lines of text.
library item
An element within a site that is available for reuse and automated updating using the Dreamweaver Assets panel.
licensing
A way to legally use copyrighted material for a certain time and in a certain way, usually associated with paying a fee established by the copyright holder.
ligatures
Special characters used to represent letter combinations, such as “fi.”
light source
The perceived location of the lighting in relation to the form.
line
A mark with a beginning and an end point.
linting
The program that examines computer code for potential errors as it is being written.
Live view
The Dreamweaver view of a document that mimics how the page will display when viewed in a web browser or mobile device.
media queries
CSS styling rules that allow a page to adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. Also used for creating print versions of web pages.
metadata
Information that is included in a document but is hidden, such as copyright, lens information, location via GPS, camera settings, and more.
minified
Computer code that has been optimized by removing all unnecessary characters and spacing without changing its functionality.
model releases
The permission that is required when a person’s face is identifiable in a photo and the image will be used to promote something—whether it’s a product or an idea.
monochromatic
Different shades and tints of the same color. Communicates a relaxed and peaceful feeling.
monospaced fonts
Fixed-width or non-proportional fonts that use the same amount of horizontal space for each letter.
movement
Visual movement within an image, such as the natural tracking of the eye across an image as the eye moves from focal point to focal point.
negative space
Blank areas in a design. Also known as white space.
NoDerivs (ND)
Creative Commons licensing. Requires that you not change material when you incorporate it into your own work. It can be used freely, but you must pass it along without change.
NonCommercial (NC)
Creative Commons licensing. Means you can use work in your own creative work as long as you don’t charge for it.
object shadow
The area of the form that is facing away from the light source and appears darkest.
open source
Source code that is freely available for modification or enhancement by anyone.
optimization
The process of choosing a file type and compression settings to provide the smallest file sizes possible while maintaining quality.
organic lines
Lines that are usually irregular and imperfect. Found in nature.
organic shapes
Are random or generated by something natural. They are usually asymmetric and convey natural, homemade, or relaxed feelings.
page title
The name of the web page that is seen in the title bar of the browser and in web search results.
paragraph settings
Affect an entire paragraph rather than selected words. These settings include alignment, hyphenation, and so on.
paragraph spacing
Similar to leading, but applies to an entire paragraph instead of lines of type within them. Also includes the spacing above or below paragraphs.
path
A sequence of symbols and letters that indicates the name and location of a computer file, as in C:MyDocumentsMyFile.doc.
pattern
A repetitive sequence of different colors, shapes, or values.
pictograph (pictogram)
Graphic symbol that represents something in the real world. Computer icons are pictographs that suggest the function they represent, such as a trash can icon to delete a file.
primary colors
Red, blue, and green. These can be combined to create every other color in the visible spectrum.
project creep
Unplanned changes that increase the amount of work, or scope, that a project requires. When the project loses focus and spins out of control, eating up more and more time and effort.
project deadlines
Dictates when work needs to be completed.
project scope
Outlines the amount and type of work to be completed.
Property inspector
The contextual Dreamweaver panel that is located below the Document window; used to display and edit the properties of a selected element on the page.
proportion (scale)
Describes the relative size and scale of elements.
protocol
Computer programming and communication rules.
pseudo-class selectors
Keywords added to selectors; specify a special state of the element to be selected when an action occurs on the page, such as a mouse pointer rolling over a link.
public domain
Creative Commons licensing. When copyright is expired or released and no longer applies to the content or when an artist releases their work. It can be used without worrying about infringement.
put
The Dreamweaver term for copying a file from a local computer to a remote server.
radial
Circular type of balance that radiates from the center instead of the middle of a design.
reflected highlight
Area of a form that is lit by reflections from the ground or other objects in a scene.
related files
Files that are linked to a document. Displayed in Dreamweaver’s Related Files toolbar.
repetition
Repeating an element in a design.
representative shapes
Shapes used to represent information. They are helpful in communicating with multicultural and multilingual audiences.
RGB
Red, green, blue color values used to write color specifications into CSS styling rules.
rhythm
Creative and expressive, rather than a consistent pattern or repetition in a design.
root folder
The highest folder in the structure of a website. All the files and folders for a site are located in this folder. Also called the site folder.
round trip
The process by which an image can be associated with a source application, such as Photoshop, so that it can be opened and edited from within Dreamweaver.
rule of thirds
A technique for laying out the space of your page to provide a focal point. Two vertical and two horizontal lines evenly divide the space into nine equal boxes, as in a tic-tac-toe board.
sans serif fonts
Text without serifs. Often used for headlines and titles for their strong, stable, modern feel.
script fonts
Mimic handwriting. They convey a feeling of beauty, grace, or feminine dignity.
secondary colors
Created when you combine primary colors.
serif fonts
Associated with fonts created by typewriters. They convey tradition, intelligence, and class.
server
A computer with special software that allows data to be transferred back and forth to a client computer or device.
shape
An area enclosed or defined by an outline, such as circles, squares, triangles, or even clouds.
ShareAlike (SA)
Creative Commons licensing. Allows you to use an item (design) in any way you want as long as your creation is shared under the same license as the original work.
sitemap
A model of a website’s content that shows the logical structure of the folders and files within the site. Also used as a navigational guide for viewers as well as a roadmap for search engines to discover and index.
sketches
Representative drawings of how to lay out a document or web page. These are sometimes one of the deliverables of a project.
slab serif fonts
Squared-off versions of a typical serif font. Also known as Egyptian, block serif, or square serif. Convey a machine-built feel.
small caps
Uses only uppercase letterforms for each letter and appears in a smaller size.
space
The canvas, or working area. Its dimensions are determined by the resolution of the page you are creating.
specifications
Detailed written goals and limits for a project. These are sometimes one of the deliverables of a project.
Split view
The Dreamweaver view that splits the Document window into two panes where the design and code for the page may be viewed at the same time.
static website
A website that does not have a connection to a database but relies on the manual updating of content by a web designer.
stock photos
Images for which the author retains copyright but for which a license for use is available.
storyboard
A sketch of the initial design for a web page; includes the basic layout blocks of the page as well as specific information about colors, fonts, and other styling properties.
style (line)
An effect applied to a line, such as varying width, hand-drawn, and implied.
subtractive color
Created by subtracting light.
Subversion
An open source version control system that tracks revisions and makes backup copies of files in a shared work environment.
swashes
Special characters with flowing and elegant endings for the ascenders and descenders.
symmetrical
Occurs when you can divide an image along its middle, and the left side of the image is a mirror image of the right (or the top reflects the bottom). Conveys an intentional, formal, and mechanical feeling.
syntax
Determines the rules to be followed when writing code. The spelling and grammar of a programming language.
tags
The instructions written by the programmer (or generated by Dreamweaver or another web authoring program) that tell the browser what to do.
templates
HTML pages that contain special code that allows certain portions of the page to remain the same on every page that uses the template, while other portions are available for editing.
tertiary colors
Created by mixing primary and secondary colors.
texture
Describes the actual tactile texture in real objects or the appearance of texture in a two-dimensional image.
tracking
The overall space between all the letters in a block of text. It allows you to compress or expand the space between the letters as a whole rather than just between specific pairs, as you do with kerning.
typeface
Specific letterform set, such as Helvetica, Arial, Garamond, and so on. It is the “look” of letters.
type size
A font’s height from the highest ascender to the lowest descender.
unity
Also known as harmony and sharing similar traits. Low contrast. Things that go together should look like they belong together. The opposite of variety.
Universal Resource Locator (URL)
The unique web address of pages and files located on the World Wide Web.
usability
Describes how easy it is for users of a website to find information and interact with the site in a positive way.
value
Describes the lightness or darkness of an object. Together with color, value represents the visible spectrum, such as a gradient.
variety
High contrast. The opposite of unity.
varying width lines
Expresses flow and grace.
vertical
Moving from top to bottom. Vertical lines tend to express power and elevation.
vertical scale
Describes the function of stretching letters and distorting the typeface geometry.
viewport
The visible area of a web page when viewed on a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
web font
A library of fonts stored on a remote server that may be displayed in a web page by using the @font-face rule. Browsers download the font from its hosted location, then display the font as specified in the CSS styling rules.
website
A collection of web pages, files, and links all associated with a unique name.
weight (line)
The thickness of a line.
wireframe
A schematic sketch of a website that shows how pages are connected and how users are expected to access information on the site.
World Wide Web (web)
The portion of the Internet that supports HTML documents that features links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and video files.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
The international standards organization for the World Wide Web. In addition to developing standards for web documents, it engages in outreach and education and develops software.
workspace layouts
The arrangement of panels and windows in the Dreamweaver work environment.