5 IT terms simply explained

The last 5 IT-Terms Blog is way too long ago, so here comes a new part now! You can expect the terms DNS, MySQL, API, router and fiber optic line. Have fun reading!

MySQL

If you know what a database system is, this is already half the battle. With a database system you can store, query, edit and access data in a very simple and structured way. This data is for example user data, links, text content, etc. You need these database systems mainly for applications or websites. The contents and links of your website or application must be stored in a database so that the web server can access them again when the page is called up. MySQL is one of the best known open source database systems, which was invented in 1995.

DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) links Internet domains with IP addresses. The DNS actually works like a telephone book. When you create a website, it is assigned an IP address from the beginning. If you want your website to be accessible, the domain and its IP must be stored in the DNS. If a user then wants to visit your website, the DNS knows which IP to tell you and the browser then takes you to the website.

Router

A router is required for your computer to access the Internet. This router can route your request to any IP that is on the World Wide Web. When you type www.google.ch in your browser, DNS is used as mentioned above. Your request to visit Google is then forwarded to your router, which then sends your request to Google's web server. This web server finally reports google.ch as the answer. There are many different types of routers. For example, there are types such as edge, internet access, DSL, home network, WLAN, software routers, etc. The difference is in performance, functionality and price.

API

API is an interface for data exchange. Let's take a birth table as an example, which shows you how many babies are born in which country. To avoid having to enter the latest numbers by hand, an API can be used. This can be programmed to always read the latest numbers from another website and display them in your birth table. However, this API is not automated, which means that you have to trigger the process yourself. (e.g. with a keyboard shortcut). This is just one example of many for API.

Fibre optic line

In order for your router or Ethernet cable to access the Internet, a fiber optic or copper line is required. The fiber optic line is the fastest data transmission line currently available. Copper is often slower. With a fiber optic line, you can bridge over 50 kilometers, whereas a copper cable only reaches 100 meters. In most cases, a copper cable is laid inside the house and a fibre optic cable is laid outside the house. Why? Because most computers and servers only have a copper cable connection. And as the name fiber optic cable implies, the line is partly made of glass/plastic. This means that this cable is very fragile and in principle very expensive. In addition, an adapter is almost always needed if you want to plug your fiber optic cable into a network port.

All right, or do you just have an IT term you just don't understand? Then just send us a mail to contact@xelon.ch and we will explain the term in detail in the next blog.