ARCHIVED - Glossary - CLF 2.0 Assessment Methodology

Contrast ratio

Ratio of the luminance of the brightest colour to that of the darkest color in foreground/background colour pairs. Contrast ratios can range from 21:1 (white and black) to 1:1 (white and white).

Reference: Contrast ratio (WCAG 2.0)

Cookie

A data file sent by a Web server to the web browser on a client's computer that the Web server uses to track visitors and remember information about them. Typically, a cookie will only remember information that a client provides. The data stored within a cookie can only be read by the Web server that originally sent it.

CSS validation

CSS validation is the process of verifying whether the CSS used to control the presentation of a document follows the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax for the CSS recommendation used by the document. The tool used for validating CSS is called a validator and a document that passes this process with success is called valid.

Reference: W3C CSS Validation Service

Deprecated

A deprecated element or attribute is one that has been outdated by newer constructs. Use style sheets to achieve stylistic and formatting effects rather than HTML presentational attributes. HTML presentational attributes have been deprecated when style sheet alternatives exist.

Reference: Alternatives for Deprecated Elements and Attributes

DOCTYPE declaration

Element at the beginning of a Web page that declares the Document Type Definition (DTD) that is in use. A DTD is a machine-readable grammar that defines the rules for a markup language.

Reference: Document Type Definition (DTD)

Dynamic content

Dynamic content is content that changes without a page refresh. This change can be initiated by a user action or by triggers unrelated to the user (such as time expiring).

Image map

Image maps allow authors to specify regions of an image or object and assign a specific action to each region (e.g., retrieve a document, run a program, etc.) When the region is activated by the user, the action is executed.

An image map is created by associating an object with a specification of sensitive geometric areas on the object.

There are two types of image maps:

• Client-side: When a user activates a region of a client-side image map with a mouse, the pixel coordinates are interpreted by the user agent. The user agent selects a link that was specified for the activated region and follows it.
• Server-side: When a user activates a region of a server-side image map with a mouse, the pixel coordinates of the click are sent to the server-side agent specified by the href attribute of the A element. The server-side agent interprets the coordinates and performs some action.

Client-side image maps are preferred over server-side image maps for at least two reasons: they are accessible to people browsing with non-graphical user agents and they offer immediate feedback as to whether or not the pointer is over an active region.

Important functionality

Any functionality which is integral to the navigation or operation of a Web page or Web page element (such as links, navigation mechanisms, and revealing hidden information).

Markup validation

Markup validation is the process of verifying whether a document follows the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax for the markup language used to describe the document. The tool used for validating markup is called a validator and a document that passes this process with success is called valid.

Reference: W3C Markup Validation Service

Meaningful Information

Any information which is integral to the understanding, navigation, or operation of a Web page or Web page element is considered to be meaningful information.

Visual content that is pure decoration, is used only for visual formatting, or is not presented to users is not considered to be meaningful information.

Audio content that does not assist with the understanding of information conveyed through multimedia (such as ambient noise and random sounds in the background) is not considered to be meaningful information.

Normal text size setting

The default text size setting for a browser. For most browsers this setting is either "Normal" or "100%" and is equivalent to 100% of the baseline font size.

Supporting file

A file that controls, modifies, or enhances the visual presentation or behaviour of a Web page (such as a CSS, image, or script file). A supporting file is normally referenced in the source code of a Web page or another supporting file.

Top-level domain

A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of an Internet domain name; that is, the letters following the final dot of any domain name, for example, .ca, .com, .org, .net, .info.

Web-Smart colour palette

The Web-Smart colour palette includes 4,096 colours created using a combination of the following hexadecimal values for red, green, and blue: 00, 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, AA, BB, CC, DD, EE, and FF (for example, #00AA66, #33EE11, and #444444). Colours from the Web-smart colour palette display consistently on most 16-bit and 24-bit colour monitors.

Reference: Web-Smart colour palette (moreCrayons)