Technical terms

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML.

SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

In computing, the SSH File Transfer Protocol is a network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management over any reliable data stream.

RESTful API

REST APIs (which are a type of web API) involve requests and responses, not too unlike visiting a web page. You make a request to a resource stored on a server, and the server responds with the requested information. The protocol used to transport the data is HTTP. “REST” stands for Representational State Transfer.

REST APIs involve requests and responses over HTTP protocol

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)

USSDs, similar to Short Message Services (SMS's), is a communication protocol that is used to send text messages. USSDs create a real-time connection during a USSD session which allows for a two-way exchange of a sequence of data. It is often used to authorise a user or to perform an action that requires the user's consent.

Submission File

In a Host to Host (H2H) batch file integration process, submission files initiate new instructions to add new or modify existing records.

Reply File

In a H2H batch file integration process, reply files confirm the acceptance of the submission file transmitted and include any validation failures.

Output File

In a H2H batch file integration process, output files provide the results of the instructions provided in the submission file and as accepted in the reply file.