W

W for Web

abbreviation / acronyms	term	definition
W3C	World Wide Web Consortium	An organization formed in 1994 to promote the Web's evolution as a platform for information, commerce and communication. The W3C, which has more than 500 member organizations, has developed XML and a variety of XML-related specifications.
WAA	Wide Area Adapter	An adapter connecting to a WAN.
WAAS	Wide Area Augmentation System	a collection of satellites and ground stations that send out GPS signal corrections to provide increased position accuracy.
WAB	Windows Address Book	Filename extension by Microsoft
WAC	Wholesale Applications Community	Wholesale Applications Community
WACK / WAK	Wait acknowledgement	This means the receiving station is not ready to receive the ACK.
WADS	write-ahead data set	A data set containing log records that reflect completed operations and are not yet written to an online log data set.
WAE	Wireless Application Environment	the top most level in the WAP suite, which combines both the WWW and Mobile Telephony technologies.
WAF	Web application firewall	Attacks against Web-based applications, as well as PCI requirements to address Web application security
WAI-ARIA	Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications	a draft technical specification published by the World Wide Web Consortium that specifies how to increase the accessibility of dynamic content and user interface components developed with Ajax, HTML, JavaScript and related technologies.
WAIS	Wide Area Information Servers	Developed in the early 1990s WAIS was the first truly large-scale system to allow the indexing of huge quantities of information on the Web, and to make those indices searchable across networks such as the Internet. WAIS was also pioneering in its use of ranked (scored) results where the software tries to determine how relevant each result it.
WAL	wats access line	A line class marked as a WATS line, provided from an equal access end office. The WATS access line provides the same service and features as a normal business line.
WALE	wats access line extension	A WAL provided to a customer served by an end office which has not been converted to equal access through an end office which has been converted.
WAMP	Windows, Apache, Mysql, PHP (or Perl or Phyton)	Web applications platform
WAN	Wide-area Network	Used to distinguish the broader telecommunication structure from a local area network (LAN). A wide area network may be composed entirely of private structures, but the term seems to also connote the inclusion of public networks and all kinds of transmission media.
WAP	Wireless Application Protocol	WAP is a set of specifications developed by the WAP Forum for efficient communication of data over wireless networks to small devices, such as personal digital assistants and cell phones.
WARIA	Workflow And Reengineering International Association	The charter of the WARIA is to identify and clarify issues that are common to users of workflow, electronic commerce and those who are in the process of reengineering their organizations. See also http://www.waria.com/
WAS	Web Application Server	Web Application Server
WATS	Wide Area Telecommunications/Telephone Service	Long distance service provided by various carriers that includes both intrastate and interstate service for outgoing and incoming (800) calls. WATS provides a bulk savings plan for companies with a high volume of toll calls, such as telemarketing.
WAVE	Wide Area Virtualization Engine	Cisco's engine perform WAN optimization focused on Layer 4 to Layer 7 (application layer) and host Windows Services through virtualization components at the branch
WBEM	Web-Based Enterprise Management	An initiative started by BMC software, Compaq, Cisco, Intel and Microsoft in 1996 and accepted by the Desktop Management Task Force (now known as the "Distributed Management Task Force") in 1998.
WBMP	Wireless BitMaP	a graphic format optimized for mobile computing devices. A WBMP image is identified using a TypeField value, which describes encoding information
WCF	Windows Communication Foundation	Set of .NET technologies for building and running connected systems
WCS	Web customer service Websphere Commerce Server	WCS framework consists of Knowledge base for self-service, E-mail response management, web chat, Collaborative browsing and Multichannel interaction recording. IBM Software platform framework for e-commerce, including marketing, sales, customer and order processing functionality in a tailorable, integrated package
WD	Western Digital	An industry leader in the disk drive and drive controller industry. http://www.westerndigital.com
WDDM	Windows Display Driver Model	The graphics driver model supported by Windows Vista that's required for display of the full Aero Glass effects.
WDDX	Web Distributed Data Exchange	an XML based technology that facilitates complex data exchange between Web programming languages (ColdFusion, Perl, ASP, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and others).
WDF	Windows Driver Foundation	Strategy for the next generation of Windows drivers. WDF defines a single driver model that supports the creation of object-oriented, event-driven drivers for either kernel mode or user mode
WDM	Wavelength Division Multiplexing	Optical transmission technique in which two or more wavelengths, are combined for transmission over a single optical fiber. At the receiving end, the wavelengths are separated and directed to separate receivers.
WDOG	Watchdog protocol	provides constant validation of active workstation connections and notifies the NetWare operating system when a connection may be terminated as a result of lengthy periods without communication
WDS	Wireless Distribution System	a technology that enables access points to communicate with one another in order to extend the range of a wireless network. WDS is appearing in 802.11g-based access points.
WDT	watchdog timer	a 16 bit counter that resets the processor when it rolls over to zero. The watchdog timer is a fail-safe mechanism that intervenes if a system stops functioning or in case of a code crash.
WebCam	WEB CAMera	kind of cheap TV camera which you can use for videoconferencing over the internet, or just showing off
WebDAV	Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning	A set of extensions to the HTTP protocol that allows multiple users to not only read but also to add, delete, and change documents residing on a web server. In order to use WebDAV you need WebDAV client software to connect to a HTTP server that has the WebDAV extensions installed.
webinar	(web seminar)	a group of people viewing a seminar presented over the Web
WEEE	Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment	European Union directive (2002/96/EC) making manufacturers responsible for financing the recycling of end-of-life equipment.
WEP	Wired Equivalent Privacy	WEP: wireless feature used to encrypt and decrypt data signals transmitted between Wireless LAN (WLAN) devices. An optional 802.11 feature (see 802.11), WEP provides data confidentiality equivalent to that of a wired LAN that does not employ advanced cryptographic techniques to enhance privacy.
WES	Websense Email Security	Websense SEG product
WFM	Wired For Management Baseline	An Intel hardware specification for easier management of desktop PCs in a networked environment.
WfMC	WorkFlow Management Coalition	Non-profit, international organization of workflow vendors, users, analysts and university/research groups. See also http://www.wfmc.org/
WFO	workforce optimization	solution to improve operational efficiency and drive interaction effectiveness
WFQ	weighted fair queuing	Congestion management algorithm that identifies conversations (in the form of traffic streams), separates packets that belong to each conversation, and ensures that capacity is shared fairly between these individual conversations. WFQ is an automatic way of stabilizing network behavior during congestion and results in increased performance and reduced retransmission.
WGA	Windows Genuine Advantage	WGA is a program that investigates Windows -based computers to be sure that their copy of the Windows OS is legitimate. The system checks the OS version, the product key, the license key, the hard disk serial number and other information about the hardware and software in the computer.
WHISPER	Windows Highly Intelligent SPEech Recognition	Windows Highly Intelligent SPEech Recognition
WHQL	Windows Hardware Quality Lab	A Microsoft group that provides and manages testing programs to ensure that your hardware and drivers qualify for the Windows Logo Program (WLP).
WIA	Windows Image Acquisition	Standardized API for acquiring digital images from devices that are primarily used to capture still images and for managing these devices
WiBro	Wireless Broadband	a wireless broadband internet technology being developed by the Korean telecoms industry.
WIC	Wan Interface Card	Wan Interface Card of Cisco router
Wi-Fi	Wireless Fidelity	It is pretty much a rip-off of the term "Hi-Fi," or High Fidelity, which refers to high-quality audio or surround sound. Wi-Fi refers to wireless network components that are based on one of the Wi-Fi Alliance's 802.11 standards.
wiki	What I Know Is	Typically used to describe a collaborative (or community) project allowing visitors to edit webpages and add content for the benefit of the group or community. Relevant Links: * http://en.wikipedia.org/ - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Possibly the best known WIKI.
WiMax	World Interoperability for Microwave Access	also known as IEEE 802.16 — is an emerging global broadband wireless standard; a large number of companies back standardization and certification work through the WiMAX Forum.
WIMPS	windows, icons, menus, pointers, scroll bars	A style of graphical user interface originally developed by Xerox, popularized by the Apple Macintosh and adopted by Microsoft for Windows.
WINE	Wine Is Not an Emulator	Windows Emulator for Unix platforms
WinFS	Windows Future Storage	the code name for a data storage and management system based on relational databases, developed by Microsoft and first demonstrated in 2003
Winkey	Windows key	Akey marked with the Microsoft Windows logo and found on some PC keyboards. It provides a shortcut to some Windows menus
WINS	Windows Internet Name Service	A system that determines the IP address associated with a particular network computer. This is called name resolution.
Winsock	Windows sockets	files that allow Windows programs to connect to the Internet and other computers.
Wintel (slang)	Windows and Intel	The hardware and software combination of an Intel CPU running Microsoft Windows. Often used with the word "platform" in opposition to the UNIX or Macintosh platforms. Sometimes used in a derogatory sense to connote the monopoly powers that Intel and Microsoft yield.
WIPO	World Intellectual Properties Organization	an UN organization, based in Geneva, Switzerland, formed for the purpose of promoting the protection of intellectual property copyrights worldwide through treaty agreements between all participating countries. http://www.wipo.org/
WLAN	wireless LAN	A LAN communication technology in which radio, microwave or infrared links take the place of physical cables. Three physical media types of WLAN are available. The first two — direct-sequence spread spectrum (see DSSS) and frequency-hopping spread spectrum (see FHSS) — are based on radio technologies that are not interoperable.
WLL	wireless local loop	A wireless connection of a wireless phone or other device in a home or office to a fixed network. WLL systems are point-to-multipoint radio-based products used to provide fixed wireless access to networks and services.
WMI	Windows Management Instrumentation	Microsoft's implementation of Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM), which is an industry initiative to develop a standard technology for accessing management information in an enterprise environment
WML	Website Meta Language	Free and extensible Webdesigner's off-line HTML generation toolkit for Unix, distributed under the GNU General Public License. See also http://thewml.org/
WML	Wireless Markup Language	An XML-based markup language, designed for specifying the content and user interfaces of narrowband wireless devices, such as pagers and cellular phones.
WMOS	Warehouse Management for Open Systems	Manhattan Associates WMS offering, which includes Manhattan's other supply chain solutions, such as transportation, distributed order management, replenishment and planning.
WMP	Windows Media Player	Microsoft Windows Media Player is a famous digital media player and media library program,, now windows media player 11.
WMS	warehouse management system	WMS is a software application that supports the day-to-day operations in a warehouse. WMS programs enable centralized management of tasks such as tracking inventory levels and stock locations. WMS systems may be standalone applications or part of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
WOA	Web-oriented architecture	an architectural substyle of service-oriented architecture (SOA) and is based on the representational state transfer (REST) architectural principles off the World Wide Web
WOL	Wake On LAN	The ability of a network card to wake up a PC that is powered down or on standby (i.e. sleep or suspected), when a wake-up message is received across the LAN.
WORM	write once, read many	A storage medium on which information can be recorded once and read many times. Most optical storage technologies use WORM media, in contrast to magnetic media (such as tape), which can be re-recorded.
WOS	Wireless Office Systems	a technology that allows the user to transfer calls to a mobile telephone.
WOSA	Windows Open Service Architecture	An architecture and set of application programming interfaces that position Windows as a universal client. It standardizes the interfaces that developers can use in accessing underlying network services.
WOW	World of Warcraft World Organization of Webmasters	A very popular MMORPG where users can take on fantasy avatars and play together to attack different enemies in a very detailed and extensive virtual world. sponsors several web-related certifications and provides widely accepted certification standards.
WOW!	(formerly) WideOpenWest	cable provider in the U.S. http://www.wowway.com/
WPA	Wi-Fi Protected Access	WPA is a security protocol designed to create secure Wi-Fi networks. It is similar to the WEP protocol, but offers improvements in the way it handles security keys and the way users are authorized.
WPAD	Web Proxy AutoDiscovery	an Internet protocol that enables a Web browser to automatically connect to a cache server (or proxy server) location in a network in order to retrieve stored Web pages at a quicker rate than having to leave the network
WPAR	Workload PARtition	Feature introduced with the IBM AIX® Version 6.1 operating system. It allows running applications to move between System p machines or System p logical partitions (LPARs)
WPF	Windows Presentation Foundation	New window system that comes pre-installed on Microsoft Windows Vista
WPLO	Warranty Parts/Labor/Onsite	There are three components of HP Standard Warranty, specifically Parts, Labor and Onsite. There are variations depending on the model, e.g. some models include 1/1/1 (One year Parts, One year Labor, One year Onsite) or 3/3/0 (Three years Parts, Three years Labor and no onsite; pick up and return only).
wpm	Words Per Minute	Speech recognition processing power
WPN	Worldwide Port Name	A unique 16-character identifier assigned to each port on a Fibre Channel card. Used in LUN mapping.
WQUXGA	Wide Quad Ultra eXtended Graphics Array	a display standard referring to a video adapter capable of a resolution of up to 3840 by 2400 pixels.
WRC	World Radiocommunication Conference	An ITU conference held every two or three years, to review and amend the international radio regulations.
WRED	Weighted Random Early Detection	Combines IP precedence and Random Early Detection capabilities to provide differentiated performance characteristics for different classes of service
WRS	Wind River Systems	The company that developed the VxWorks real-time operating system. Since its acquisition of competitor Integrated Systems (developers of pSOS) in 2000, Wind River has been the dominant player in the RTOS marketplace. http://www.wrs.com
WRT	Weighted Risk Trend	A weighted risk score measured over time
WS-Secuirty	Web Services Security	OASIS Standard specifies how SOAP messages can have their integrity and confidentiality ensured.
WSC	Windows Security Center	A central interface in the Windows Vista system for user to manage security features and handle security problems. Windows Service Hardening - A new security feature in Windows Vista that protects services from being compromised by running them under more limited accounts.
WSD	white space device	FCC-certified wireless device that can be used without an exclusive broadcast license in the RF spectrum below 700 MHz
WSE	Web Services Enhancements	Add-on to Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework providing developers the latest advanced Web services capabilities to keep pace with the evolving Web services protocol specifications
WSJ	Wall Street Journal	WSJ is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company.http://www.wsj.com/
WSFC	Windows Server Failover Clustering	Windows Server Failover Clustering
WSP	Web Standards Project Wireless Session Protocol	a collective project and effort of Web developers, tool developers, and end users whose goal is to stop the fragmentation of the web by persuading the browser makers that common standards are in everyone's best interest. provides the upper-level application layer of WAP with a consistent interface
WSS	Windows Sharepoint Services	Windows 2003 integrated portfolio of collaboration and communication services designed to connect people, information, processes, and systems both within and beyond the organizational firewall
WTG	Wily Transaction Generator	CA APM's synthetic transaction generator used to simulate transactions
WTL	Windows Template Library	Library for developing Windows applications and UI components. It extends ATL (Active Template Library) and provides a set of classes for controls, dialogs, frame windows, GDI objects, and more
WTLS	Wireless Transport Layer Security	the security level for WAP applications. Based on TLS v1.0 (a security layer used in the Internet, equivalent to Secure Socket Layer 3.1), WTLS was developed to address the problematic issues surrounding mobile network devices
WTX	Workstation Technology eXtended	A size (max 16.75"x14" -- 425mm x 356mm, LxW) and form factor specification for motherboards. See also http://www.wtx.org
WUS	Windows Update Services	Relevant links: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/wsus/default.aspx
WVA	Wide Viewing Angle	The aspect ratios of each are 16:10 (widescreen).
WWAN	wireless wide-area network	wireless wide-area network
WWN	World wide name	A unique number assigned by a recognized naming authority that identifies a connection or a set of connections to the network.
WWNN	worldwide node name	A unique 64-bit identifier for a host containing a fibre-channel port.
WWPN	worldwide port name	A unique 64-bit identifier associated with a fibre-channel adapter port.
WWW	World Wide Web	A facility developed for the internet, but also used on virtual private networks, which enables network servers to be set-up and registered. These servers contain Hypertext which when clicked on by a user will point them to other network files containing further, related information.
WYSIWYG	what you see is what you get	pronounced wiz-ee-wig, user interface that presents a screen image that closely matches the appearance of the printed document - like Microsoft's FrontPage® web page editor and Adobe Dreamweaver.
WZC	Wireless Zero Configuration	also known as Wireless Auto Configuration, or WLAN AutoConfig is a wireless connection management utility included with Microsoft Windows XP and later operating systems
	warez	General term used to describe cracks, patches, keys, key generators or other methods that allow software applications to be used without paying a license fee, i.e. illegal pirate software.
	Warm Boot	Rebooting the system by using a software command rather than turning the power off, then on. The system is reset but power is never interrupted
	wavelength	The distance between the crests of a wave in a radio signal, measured as the speed of light divided by the frequency in Hz.
	Web 2.0	A set of technologies and applications that enable efficient interaction among people, content, and data in support of collectively fostering new businesses, technology offerings, and social structures.
	Web analytics	The use of a range of quantitative analyses to understand Web site performance and visitor experience. These analyses include usage levels and patterns on an individual and aggregate level.
	webmaster	the person who has principal responsibility for maintaining a site on the WORLD WIDE WEB and updating some or all of the WEB PAGEs
	WebOS	a mobile operating system developed by Palm for its Pre range of smartphones. With Palm's acquisition by HP in 2010, WebOS is now being expanded to address other devices, notably tablets, but also printers.
	Webquest	A webquest is an inquiry-based learning instructional strategy utilizing information on the internet to guide learners. For information on developing webquests and sample webquests, see http://webquest.org/
	white book	This is the fourth major extension to the audio CD standard. White Book is a very medium-specific format.
	white label	product or service is a product or service produced by one company (the producer) that other companies (the marketers) rebrand to make it appear as if they made it. Common in Telco wholesale.
	white list	List of approved or trusted people or vendors or items etc.
	WHOIS	This is an Internet service that finds information about a domain name or IP address. HTTP://WWW.WHOIS.NET
	widget	An HTML-based program that runs in the Dashboard layer of the system.
	Wikipedia	The world's largest online encyclopedia, which can be edited by anyone at all. www.wikipedia.org
	wikis	A wiki is a simple collaborative system for creating and maintaining hyperlinked collections of Web pages. A wiki usually enables users to add or change pages "in context" without having to worry about where and how the content is physically stored.
	WildList	The WildList has been used as a 'reference standard' by many antivirus testing organizations that require 100% detection of acknowledged 'in the wild' viruses for tested products to attain various, 'desirable' certification levels.
	wireless power (supply)	facilitates the charging or direct powering of electrical and electronic equipment using inductive or radio frequency (RF) energy transfer.
	wolfpack	The codename for Microsoft's clustering solution. Wolfpack was released in September, 1997 as part of Windows NT 4.0, enterprise Edition. Its official name is MSCS.
	wraps	An online distribution platform for financial advisors.
	write lock	The process of controlling a field so that the ability to change information held within it is maintained. In almost all computer languages, a type of table is used.
	Write-protected	A write-protected file has been set so that it cannot be altered or deleted without first removing the write protection. Also called read-only.