33 plain-English definitions, from Waiting service worker to WordPress. Terms with a link have a full explanation with a Jersey example. To search every term, go back to the Jargon Buster.
A waiting service worker is an installed worker exposed through a registration’s waiting property while it awaits activation. It differs from the active worker currently associated with the registration. Review the application’s update process and open-page behaviour; finding a new script does not prove that all existing sessions have moved to it.
WAN means wide area network. It connects devices or networks across a wider geographic area, often linking local networks. The actual links and management arrangement vary. Record the responsible provider and required service path rather than assume that every connection between locations has the same capacity, protection or support.
Also called: Wide area network
WAV, or WAVE, is an audio wrapper format that can hold a sound bitstream and other data chunks. Linear PCM is one common encoding, but the extension does not mean every WAV file uses that encoding. Inspect the actual contents and retain an identifiable source when preparing a separate website delivery export.
Also called: WAVE, Waveform Audio File Format
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a W3C standard for making web content accessible to people with disabilities.
Also called: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
WeakMap stores key-value associations whose keys can be objects or non-registered symbols. Its references do not keep object keys alive by themselves, and the collection does not provide an enumerable list of its keys. Review the feature’s lifecycle and lookup purpose rather than treat it as a persistent, inspectable list of business records.
WeakSet holds unique garbage-collectable values, such as objects or non-registered symbols, with weak references and no enumerable list of current values. It serves a different role from an ordinary visible choice list. Ask the maintainer how the feature uses membership and lifecycle behaviour instead of treating this collection as a stored business register.
The Web Animations API lets browser scripts create and control animations of page elements, including playback and timing. It provides tools for an interactive feature, with the surrounding design defining its purpose. For a Jersey business, review what moves, which controls customers have and how the reduced-motion alternative communicates the same useful task before accepting the implemented animation.
Also called: WAAPI
A web app manifest is a JSON file supplying information about a web application, including its name, icons and relevant launch presentation. Browsers use supported fields in installation experiences. A Jersey business should verify the actual installed journey; a manifest alone does not create offline operation, enable notifications or guarantee the same installation experience on every device.
Also called: web application manifest
A web application firewall inspects HTTP traffic to an application and applies rules intended to filter harmful requests. Its effectiveness depends on the configuration and threat. It complements secure application design rather than proving that the underlying website has no vulnerabilities.
Also called: WAF
Web Components are browser technologies for building reusable custom interface elements. Custom elements, Shadow DOM and HTML templates can contribute different parts of their implementation. For a Jersey business, the useful question is how a repeated feature behaves, receives approved content and remains maintainable; using the technology alone does not establish accessibility, performance or the complete customer experience.
Also called: Browser web components
The Web Crypto API gives browser scripts access to cryptographic operations such as key generation, encryption and signature verification. These are building blocks for a wider design. For a Jersey business, ask the maintainer to explain the intended protection, key handling and expert review, then verify the feature before accepting a claim that using the API makes the website secure.
Also called: Web Cryptography API
A web font is a font resource a website makes available for rendering its text. It supports a consistent visual identity, but the file size and loading behaviour affect the experience. Check readable fallback text and the actual font licence when choosing typography for a Jersey business website.
A web framework provides conventions and reusable tools for building a website or application. Different frameworks support different environments and project needs. A Jersey business should ask how the chosen framework serves its actual features, content editing and maintenance, then review the delivered website rather than judging it by a product name.
Also called: framework
Web hosting is the service that keeps your website's files available on the internet.
Also called: website hosting, hosting
A web origin identifies a web address by its scheme, hostname and port. Browser security and storage rules use this boundary. Two pages with different paths can share an origin, while a change from one subdomain to another can create a different origin that affects an integration.
Also called: browser origin
A web server is software, and often the computer running it, that responds to requests for website resources. It can serve files or generate responses through an application. The server is part of hosting; a business also needs appropriate domains, content, security and ongoing maintenance.
Also called: server
Web Storage lets page code keep string-based key-value information in the browser through localStorage and sessionStorage. Their lifetime and scope differ. A Jersey business should understand what is saved, why it is needed and how the application behaves when storage is unavailable or cleared, especially if the visitor expects important work to be retained.
Also called: browser storage
A web worker runs JavaScript work in a background context separate from the browser’s main execution thread. It communicates with the page through messages and has different available APIs. It is distinct from a server background job; review what work the implementation actually assigns to it.
Also called: Web Workers
A webhook is an event notification that one software service sends to a configured address in another system. It can tell a website that a payment, booking or other event has occurred. The receiving system must check authenticity, handle repeated notifications safely and recover when delivery is delayed or fails.
A webhook signature helps a receiver verify a delivered event using the provider’s supported signing and verification arrangement. The relevant secret and original message handling matter. Signature verification is separate from deciding how to process the event or prevent duplicate work, so review both the authenticity check and application behaviour.
WebM is a media file format designed for the web, with a container arrangement based on Matroska. The container label and the codecs used inside a particular file are different details. Record the actual export and review intended playback; calling a file WebM does not by itself approve its sound, picture quality or customer journey.
WebP is a raster image format that supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation. It is used to deliver web images efficiently. A Jersey business should compare actual exports and inspect the page’s selected image; the format name alone does not prove a smaller download, good visual quality or faster loading.
Also called: image format
Website accessibility means designing and building web content so people with different disabilities can perceive, understand and use it.
Also called: accessibility, WCAG, accessible website
A website builder is a service or tool that lets you create web pages using ready-made layouts and visual editing, usually without writing code.
Also called: site builder, DIY website builder
A WebSocket supports an ongoing two-way communication session between a client and server. It can send and receive messages without repeatedly polling for each update. A website may use it for interactive or live features, but the application still needs permissions, message handling and reconnection behaviour; an open connection does not prove a business record was saved.
Also called: WebSockets
WebVTT is a format for timed text associated with audio or video. Its cues connect text with portions of a media timeline, supporting uses such as captions and chapter information. A Jersey business should verify the file’s content, timing and actual player connection; a valid format alone does not establish accurate or useful captions.
Also called: Web Video Text Tracks
Whitespace is the space around and between elements in a design; it need not be white. It helps group related information and gives text room to be read. Removing every gap to fit more content can make a Jersey services page harder to understand, especially on a small screen.
Also called: white space, negative space
Wi-Fi connects devices to a local network using wireless communication. It is separate from the Internet service available through that network. Signal conditions, equipment and configuration can affect the connection, so a device being connected to Wi-Fi does not by itself prove that a remote website or business application works.
Also called: WiFi
Wildcard DNS uses a name beginning with an asterisk label as a potential source for synthesised answers under DNS matching rules. It does not simply override every existing name. Review the provider’s supported behaviour and actual names before using it, and distinguish wildcard DNS records from wildcard certificate coverage.
The input willValidate property indicates whether the element is a candidate for browser constraint validation. It does not report successful validation. Have the maintainer explain the actual control and relevant disabled or excluded conditions, then review the supported field behaviour and receiving rules rather than treating participation as proof of an accepted answer.
Also called: HTMLInputElement.willValidate
A wireframe is a simple plan showing a page’s main content and layout before detailed design. It helps agree where services, contact routes and important actions belong. A Jersey business can use it to check the customer journey before time is spent on colours, photography and decorative effects.
A wireless access point provides a supported connection between wireless-capable devices and the relevant network arrangement. It can be part of an office’s Wi-Fi infrastructure. The access point is separate from the Internet service and website host, so record the device’s role and management contact when reviewing connectivity.
WordPress is a content management system used to create and update websites.
Also called: WordPress.org, WordPress.com
We build and look after websites for Jersey businesses, and we explain the choices in plain English.
See what we can help with →