Electronic journals, some of which are called electronic publications and online publications. Broadly speaking, any periodical that exists in electronic form can be called electronic periodical, including periodicals that can be searched through online network and periodicals published in CD-ROM form.

More strictly speaking, electronic periodicals are produced in the form of electronic media and can only be obtained through this media. The whole process of electronic journals from submission, editing and publishing, distribution and ordering, reading and reader feedback is carried out under the network environment, and no paper is needed at any stage, which is essentially different from traditional printed journals. Electronic journals are publications that use high and new technologies, including CD-ROM and network communication technologies, are processed by information technicians and retrieved by modern technologies to meet the information needs.

E-book, also known as e-book, refers to the mass media that stores pictures, characters, sounds, images and other information in the form of digital codes in magnetic media, optical media and dielectric media, uses them through computers or similar devices, and can be copied and distributed. Types are: e-books, e-journals, e-newspapers and software books.