Do you know what ASP, JSP, PHP, MySQL, and MSSQL stand for? Well, here’s a quick guide to help you out if you’re stuck, because defining web hosting terminology shouldn’t be as difficult as it often is!

ASP – (Active Server Pages) ASP is a Windows-based script that allows you to customize your website. It’s not necessary for personal webhosting, so if you’re not a programmer, odds are you can live without it. More often than not, ASP web hosting is more expensive than basic hosting.

CGI – (Common Gateway Interface) CGI is a very tiny script that allows data taken from website users to be processed on the server. CGI-bins are common in web hosting control panels so that you can store CGI scripts.

FrontPage – (Microsoft FrontPage Extensions) FrontPage is a web design tool developed and licensed by Microsoft. Many users prefer the ease of use in designing websites using FrontPage. FrontPage web hosting is very popular and affordable.

HTML – (HyperText Markup Language) HTML is a commonly-used phrase these days, and it’s nothing more than language you can learn and use to design and develop your website. HTML can make your text italic, show pictures, create line breaks, and even design borders, links, and play music.

JSP – (Java Server Pages) JSP is a scripting language similar to ASP in the tasks it can perform. JSP web hosting normally is more expensive, and if you are not into web programming, you do not need it.

SQL – (Standard Query Language) SQL is a protocol used to generate information requested from databases. The two most popular ways to utilize SQL is by using MySQL or MS SQL databases. They are both similar, and the main difference is that MS SQL is developed and licensed by Microsoft and works best with Windows Web Hosting.

XML – (Extensible Markup Language) XML is a language similar to HTML, which also allows for website design and development. XML is more for website programming than design and actually allows programmers to define its functions.

The terms “java server pages”, “JSP”, “JavaScript”, and “Java” may look alike, but they are actually different languages that can perform different duties on your website or browser. Since the web hosting language is so diverse and complex at times, it’s definitely easy to confuse these server technologies. Our Best Web Hosting guide can assist further with this information.

So let’s start with Java. Java is nothing more than a programming language, and a relatively new one at that. The term “Java” can also be interchangeable with “JSP”, “Java Server Pages”, and “Java Applets”. JSP Web Hosting is actually an extremely popular choice for advanced webmasters these days, as Java hosting can be used to enhance the appearance and functionality of a website. Using Java applets (or programs), programmers and webmasters can animate images, offer real-time calculators, and even implement website counters.

JavaScript, on the other hand, is actually a scripting language, not a programming language, so it works on your browser more than on your website. JavaScript interacts with the HTML source code on any given website, allowing you to interact with that website. If you have ever played an online game, you have more than likely either been prompted to install JavaScript to your computer or used it while playing that game. JavaScript is incredibly useful for advertisements on websites, online music systems like jukeboxes, pop-ups and pop-unders, and more.