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Programming for the Web (Year 12)
66 flashcards (Year 12). Study these as flip cards Random
Web applications and data transfer
Interactive website Term
A website that responds to user actions and updates content, using client-side scripting and server-side processing (forms, live content, accounts).
Example: 'An interactive site needs a constant internet connection to update.'
E-commerce Term
Buying and selling goods or services online, which needs secure payment, accounts, a product database and a shopping cart.
Example: 'Use HTTPS and a payment gateway for e-commerce.'
Progressive web app (PWA) Term
A web application that works like a native app: installable, works offline and loads quickly using a service worker and cache, can send push notifications and runs on any device with a browser.
Example: 2025 Q16a marker note: give features specific to a PWA (offline use, pre-caching, notifications) and link to the scenario.
Data packet Term
A small chunk of data with a header (source and destination IP address, order number) sent across a network; packets are reassembled at the destination.
Example: 'A file is split into packets that can take different routes.'
IP address and IPv4 Term
A number that identifies a device on a network. IPv4 uses 32 bits written as four decimal numbers (for example 192.168.1.1).
Example: 'IPv4 has four numbers from 0 to 255.'
Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.
Domain name system (DNS) Term
The service that translates a domain name (example.com) into an IP address. Port 53.
Example: 'DNS looks up the IP address for the site name.'
Web protocols and ports
HTTP Term
HyperText Transfer Protocol: the request and response protocol between browser and web server. Port 80. Not encrypted.
Example: 'http = port 80.'
HTTPS Term
HTTP carried over SSL/TLS so data is encrypted and the server is authenticated. Port 443.
Example: 'https = port 443.'
TCP/IP Term
The core internet protocol suite. IP addresses and routes the packets; TCP makes delivery reliable by setting up a connection, ordering packets and re-sending lost ones.
Example: 'TCP checks delivery; IP finds the destination.'
FTP Term
File Transfer Protocol: moves files between client and server. Port 21 (control). Not encrypted.
Example: 'Upload site files by FTP on port 21.'
Check this one: The ports are standard internet values; the syllabus names the protocols and says 'and their ports'.
SFTP Term
SSH File Transfer Protocol: an encrypted way to transfer files, normally port 22.
Example: 'SFTP is the secure alternative to FTP.'
Where you would use it in the test- Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
- Matching or table: Matching or table question: match it to its description, example or category.
- Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.
- Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Memorise: Web protocols and their ports
Check this one: The school notes list SFTP as port 443, but the standard port is 22 (it runs over SSH). Learn the protocol is the secure FTP; give 22 if a port is asked and check with your teacher.
SSL and TLS Term
Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security encrypt data in transit and authenticate the server; TLS is the modern replacement for SSL. They secure other protocols (HTTP becomes HTTPS).
Example: 'TLS encrypts the connection.'
SMTP Term
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol: sends email from a client to a server and between servers. Port 25 (587 or 465 secure).
Example: 'SMTP sends, POP3 and IMAP receive.'
POP3 Term
Post Office Protocol 3: downloads email from the server to one device, usually deleting it from the server. Port 110 (995 secure).
Example: 'POP3 downloads and removes.'
IMAP Term
Internet Message Access Protocol: lets you read and manage email on the server and keeps all your devices in sync. Port 143 (993 secure).
Example: 'IMAP keeps messages on the server.'
Port Term
A number that identifies which service on a device receives incoming data (the IP address finds the device, the port finds the program).
Example: 'Web traffic uses 80 or 443.'
Securing the web
SSL certificate Term
A digital certificate issued by a trusted certificate authority that proves a website's identity and contains its public key, enabling HTTPS.
Example: 'The padlock shows a valid SSL certificate.'
Encryption algorithm Term
The mathematical method used to scramble plain text into cipher text (for example AES or RSA).
Example: 'AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm.'
Encryption key Term
The secret value used with the algorithm to encrypt and decrypt; longer keys are harder to break.
Example: 'Without the key the cipher text cannot be read.'
Plain text and cipher text Term
Plain text is readable data; cipher text is the unreadable, encrypted result.
Example: 'Encryption turns plain text into cipher text.'
Symmetric encryption Term
One shared secret key encrypts and decrypts; fast, but the key must be shared safely.
Example: 'Fast for large data.'
Asymmetric encryption Term
A public key encrypts and a different private key decrypts; solves key sharing but is slower.
Example: 'HTTPS uses asymmetric encryption to share a session key.'
Hash value Term
A fixed-length output of a one-way function; the same input always gives the same hash and it cannot be reversed. Used to check integrity and store passwords (with a salt).
Example: 'If the file changes, the hash changes.'
Digital signature Term
A hash of a message encrypted with the sender's private key; the receiver checks it with the public key to confirm who sent it and that it was not changed.
Example: 'A signed update proves it came from the vendor.'
Authentication and authorisation (web) Term
Authentication proves who you are; authorisation decides what you can access.
Example: See the Secure Software Architecture cards.
Big data and web architecture
Big data Term
Very large, fast-changing and varied sets of data that need special storage and processing, such as streaming or social media data.
Example: 'Streaming services handle huge volumes of viewing data.'
Data mining Term
Analysing large data sets to find patterns, trends and relationships (for example recommending shows).
Example: 'Mine viewing history to predict demand.'
Streaming service management Term
Managing the delivery of live or on-demand media: buffering, adapting quality to bandwidth, servers and caching near users, and monitoring performance.
Example: 'Lower the video quality when bandwidth drops.'
Designing web applications
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Term
The international organisation that develops open web standards (HTML, CSS, accessibility, internationalisation, security, privacy and machine-readable data).
Example: 'W3C standards keep sites working across browsers.'
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Term
The W3C group that creates guidelines (WCAG) so people with disability can use the web, for example alt text, contrast and keyboard navigation.
Example: 'Add alt text to images.'
Client-side (front-end) programming Term
Code that runs in the user's browser (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and controls what the user sees and how they interact.
Example: 'JavaScript validates a form in the browser.'
Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.
Server-side (back-end) programming Term
Code that runs on the server (Python, PHP, Node) to process requests, access databases, apply business rules and keep data secure.
Example: 2025 Q23b marker note: identify features of server-side programming, use the stimulus, and link back end to front end.
SQL and non-SQL databases Term
SQL databases store data in related tables queried with Structured Query Language; non-SQL (NoSQL) databases store data as documents, key-value pairs or graphs.
Example: 'Use NoSQL for flexible, unstructured data.'
Cascading style sheets (CSS) Term
Style rules that control the appearance of web pages, kept separate from HTML. Benefits: consistent appearance, flexibility across browsers and display devices, and easier maintenance.
Example: 'One CSS file changes the font on every page.'
CSS selectors (id v class) Code pattern
A class selector (.name) styles many elements; an id selector (#name) styles one unique element.
Example: '.button { color: white } styles every element with class button.'
CSS maintenance tools Term
Tools that help organise and update CSS, such as preprocessors, linters and frameworks, so styles stay consistent and easy to change.
Example: 'Use variables for brand colours.'
Code libraries and frameworks (front end) Term
Reusable code: frameworks control complex web applications (React, Angular, Vue), template engines generate HTML from data, and predesigned CSS classes (Bootstrap) speed up styling.
Example: 'A framework saves writing page structure from scratch.'
Open-source software Term
Software whose source code is freely available to use, modify and share under a licence, supporting reuse and community improvement.
Example: 'Use an open-source framework to save time.'
Version control (web) Term
Recording changes to files so you can see history, work in branches, merge and roll back; essential when several developers build a web app.
Example: 'Git branches let front-end and back-end work separately.'
Load times Term
How long a page takes to appear. Slow pages lose users. Ways to minimise: minification, image optimisation, lazy loading, caching, a content delivery network (CDN), async or deferred scripts.
Example: 2025 Q16b marker note: give ways to MINIMISE load times, not ways to investigate them.
Minification Term
Removing unnecessary characters (spaces, comments) from HTML, CSS and JavaScript to shrink the files.
Example: 'Minify the CSS to cut load time.'
Lazy loading Term
Loading images or media only when they are about to be seen, so the first page loads faster.
Example: 'Only load images as the user scrolls.'
Caching Term
Storing copies of data or files locally or on a server so they do not have to be fetched again.
Example: 'Cache commonly requested weather data.'
Content delivery network (CDN) Term
A network of servers around the world that stores copies of files so users download from a nearby server.
Example: 'A CDN reduces latency.'
Web content management system (CMS) Term
Software that lets people create and manage website content without coding (WordPress, Drupal). Its prevalence is high because it saves time, but it needs updates and security care.
Example: 'A CMS lets staff edit pages without a developer.'
Contribution of back-end development Term
The back end drives a web app's success through data storage, business logic, security, performance and reliability.
Example: 'The back end validates payments securely.'
Back-end process for a web request Process
Browser sends a request; web server software receives it; the web framework routes it to code; libraries and objects process it; the database is queried; a response (HTML or JSON) is returned.
Example: 'Request, web server, framework, database, response.'
Web server software Term
Software that listens for HTTP or HTTPS requests, serves files or passes requests to the application and returns responses with status codes (Apache, Nginx).
Example: '404 means not found.'
Web framework Term
A toolkit that supplies structure for routing URLs to functions, handling requests, templates and database access (Flask, Django).
Example: 'Flask routes /login to a function.'
Collaboration of front-end and back-end developers Term
Sharing agreed interfaces (APIs), version control and regular communication so the two parts fit together and the solution is built faster with fewer errors.
Example: 'Agree the JSON format first.'
Shell scripts, SQL and ORM
Shell commands (mkdir, cd, touch, cp, rm, cat, grep) Code pattern
Command line tools used in scripts: mkdir makes a directory, cd changes directory, touch creates a file, cp copies, rm removes, cat shows file contents, grep searches a text file for a pattern.
Example: 'grep "error" log.txt searches log.txt.'
Where you would use it in the test- Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
- Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
- Matching or table: Matching or table question: match it to its description, example or category.
- Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.
Memorise: SQL vs ORM
SQL SELECT Code pattern
Chooses the fields (columns) to return from a table: SELECT name, mark FROM students; SELECT * returns all columns.
Example: 'SELECT FirstName FROM Customer;'
SQL WHERE Code pattern
Filters rows using conditions (=, <>, >, <, AND, OR). Text values need quotes. 2025 marker note: use quotes around searched text and combine conditions with AND or OR.
Example: "WHERE Suburb = 'Parramatta' AND Age > 18"
SQL ORDER BY Code pattern
Sorts results by a field, ascending (ASC, the default) or descending (DESC).
Example: 'ORDER BY mark DESC'
SQL GROUP BY Code pattern
Groups rows that share a value so aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX) can be applied to each group.
Example: 'SELECT class, COUNT(*) FROM students GROUP BY class;'
SQL aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG) Code pattern
Functions that calculate one value from many rows: COUNT (number), SUM (total), AVG (mean), MIN and MAX.
Example: 'SELECT AVG(mark) FROM results;'
SQL JOIN Code pattern
Combines rows from two or more tables by matching a primary key to a foreign key (INNER JOIN ... ON a.id = b.id).
Example: 'FROM Student JOIN Class ON Student.ClassID = Class.ClassID'
SQL alias (AS) Code pattern
Gives a table or column a temporary name to make queries shorter and clearer: SELECT s.name AS student FROM Student AS s.
Example: 'FROM Student AS s JOIN Class AS c'
Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.
SQL constraints Code pattern
Rules on the data: PRIMARY KEY (unique identifier), FOREIGN KEY (links tables), NOT NULL and UNIQUE; in queries, constraints on results are set with WHERE.
Example: 'Primary key uniquely identifies each row.'
Primary key and foreign key Code pattern
A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table; a foreign key is a field that holds another table's primary key to link the tables.
Example: 'ClassID is the primary key of Class and a foreign key in Student.'
Object-relational mapping (ORM) Code pattern
A technique that lets you read and write database tables as objects in your programming language instead of writing SQL. Code is focused on object manipulation.
Example: 2025 Q9 answer: object manipulation = ORM; tables can be joined = ORM and SQL; programmers can choose the language used to access the database = ORM.
Service worker Code pattern
A background script in a PWA that caches files and intercepts network requests so the app works offline.
Example: 'Cache the app shell so it loads without internet.'
Web app manifest Code pattern
A JSON file giving a PWA its name, icons and display mode so it can be installed on a device.
Example: '"name": "Study", "display": "standalone"'
CRUD Code pattern
Create, Read, Update, Delete: the four basic database operations (INSERT, SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE).
Example: "UPDATE Student SET mark = 80 WHERE id = 3"
Where you would use it in the test- Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
- SQL: SQL question: write or read it in the SQL query tool.
- Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.
Memorise: SQL vs ORM
Check this one: From the school notes, not named in the syllabus.