Breaking Down Tech Jargons

Introduction

As a beginner, quite often a lot of terms are used in tech which go over our head , these terms are called as Tech Jargons.

But here’s the thing: understanding these jargons is like learning the ABCs of tech—it’s the foundation that helps you navigate the tech industry with confidence.

Whether you’re building a website, troubleshooting a network issue, or simply trying to understand how the internet works, tech jargons are everywhere. They might seem intimidating at first, but once you break them down, they’re not as complicated as they sound. In this blog, we’ll simplify some of the most common tech jargons using relatable analogies and examples, so you can understand them just like you’d explain something to a friend over a cup of chai ☕.

User Agent

A user agent is a software (like a browser or app) that acts on behalf of a user to interact with websites or servers.

Real-life analogy: Think of a user agent as your personal assistant. When you want to order food online, your assistant (the app or browser) talks to the restaurant (the server) on your behalf, places the order, and brings the food (data) back to you.

For example: When you use Chrome to visit a website, the browser is acting as your user agent to fetch and display the web page.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

TCP is a fundamental communication protocol used in the world of networking. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that data is transmitted accurately and reliably between devices over the internet. This protocol is responsible for breaking down large data sets into smaller packets, sending them across the network, and then reassembling them at the destination.

Real-life analogy: Imagine sending a parcel through a courier service. TCP is like the courier guy who ensures the parcel is delivered safely, checks if it reached the right address, and even re-sends it if lets say the person who had to receive it wasn’t at home.

For example: When you stream a video, TCP ensures every piece of the video reaches your device in the correct order without errors.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one computer to another over a network. It is designed to facilitate the seamless transfer of files, whether they are documents, images, videos, or other types of data like CSV, between a client and a server.

Real-life analogy: Imagine FTP as a dedicated postman who specializes in delivering large packages. A regular postman may use a bike to deliver the mail but FTP postman uses a truck to deliver these large packages. He handles large packages and ensure they reach their destination intact.

For example: When you are setting up a new website and need to upload your files to a web server, you use FTP to transfer these files. This process involves connecting to the server using an FTP client, which allows you to drag and drop your website files from your local computer to the server. FTP ensures that the files are transferred securely and accurately, maintaining the integrity of your data throughout the process.

IP (Internet Protocol)

IP, or Internet Protocol, is a set of rules and standards that dictate how data packets are sent and received across the internet. This protocol is essential for ensuring that data travels efficiently and accurately from one device to another. Each device that connects to the internet is assigned a unique IP address, which acts as its identifier in the vast network of interconnected devices.

Real-life analogy: Think of an IP address as being similar to your home address. Just like your friends or family need your home address to send you a letter or a package, computers and servers on the internet require your IP address to send you data. This address ensures that the information reaches the correct destination without getting lost.

Example: Consider the process of visiting a website. When you type a website's URL into your browser, your computer doesn't understand the URL directly. Instead, it uses a Domain Name System (DNS) (more about DNS later in the blog) to translate the URL into the website's IP address. This IP address acts as a digital location, allowing your computer to find and establish a connection with the website's server. Once connected, data can be exchanged, enabling you to view and interact with the website's content.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A URL is a specific address used to locate a website or resource on the internet. It serves as a guide for your web browser, directing it to the exact location where the desired content is hosted. This address is crucial for navigating the vast digital landscape of the internet, ensuring that users can access the correct web pages and resources they seek.

Real-life analogy: Think of a URL as the detailed address of a specific shop within a large shopping mall. Just as you might have an address like "Shop No. 5, Second Floor, Elante Mall," which provides precise directions to a particular store, a URL like "http://kapilovsky.tech" gives your browser the exact path to follow to reach a specific website. This detailed address ensures that you arrive at the right destination without confusion.

DNS (Domain Name System)

DNS translates human-readable domain names, such as google.com, into numerical IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. This translation is essential because while humans find it easier to remember names, computers require numerical addresses to locate and connect to each other.

Real-life analogy: Imagine DNS as a comprehensive phonebook for the internet. When you want to call a friend, you don't need to memorize their phone number; instead, you look up their name in your phonebook to find the number. Similarly, when you enter a domain name like "google.com" into your browser, DNS acts like this phonebook, looking up the domain name to find the corresponding IP address. This process allows your browser to establish a connection with the correct server.

Header

A header contains important metadata that provides context and instructions for how the message should be handled. This metadata includes details such as the sender's information, the receiver's information, the type of content being sent, and other relevant data that might affect how the message is processed or displayed.

Real-life analogy: Imagine a header as the envelope of a letter. Just like an envelope, the header contains crucial details such as the sender’s address, the receiver’s address, and the postage stamp. These elements ensure that the letter reaches the correct destination and that the recipient knows who sent it. The envelope also indicates the priority or special handling instructions through stamps or labels, similar to how headers can specify the importance or urgency of a message.

Cache

A cache is a temporary storage system designed to hold copies of data, such as web pages, images, or other resources, so that these items can be accessed more quickly in the future. By storing this data locally, a cache reduces the need to repeatedly fetch the same information from the database, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Real-life analogy: Imagine you’re a student preparing for exams. Instead of going to the library every time you need to refer to a book, you make photocopies of the important pages and keep them in your folder. Now, whenever you need to study, you just open your folder instead of running to the library. The photocopies are like the cache—they save you time and effort by keeping the important stuff close at hand.

Example: When you visit a website for the first time, your browser downloads all the necessary data to display the page. This data is then stored in the cache. The next time you visit the same website, your browser can load it much faster because it retrieves much of the needed information from the cache, rather than downloading it all over again from the internet. This not only speeds up the loading process but also reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred, which can be particularly beneficial for users with limited bandwidth or data plans.

Cookie

A cookie is a small piece of data that a website stores on your device to remember your preferences, settings, or to track your activity across different sessions. This data helps the website recognize you when you return, making your browsing experience smoother and more personalized.

Real-life analogy: Think of a cookie like a loyalty card at your favorite coffee shop. Each time you visit, the shop uses the card to remember your favorite drink and offers you special discounts based on your previous visits. This way, you don't have to remind them of your usual order every time you go in.

Example: When you log in to a website, a cookie can store your username and other login details. This means that the next time you visit the site, you don't have to enter your username again, as the cookie helps the site remember who you are. Additionally, cookies can store other preferences, like your preferred language or theme settings, ensuring that the website looks and behaves the way you like it each time you visit. This not only saves you time but also enhances your overall experience by making it more convenient and tailored to your needs.

Payload

The payload is the actual data being sent in a message or packet, excluding the headers or metadata.

Real-life analogy: Think of a payload as the gift inside a wrapped box. The box (header) contains information like the sender and receiver, but the gift (payload) is the main content.

Example: When you send a message on WhatsApp, the text or image you send is the payload, while the app adds headers to deliver it.

Conclusion

Abb ghabrana nahi aise shabd sunke :)