A Schengen short stay visa, also called type "C" visa, is a visa intended for visitors in europe (up to 90 days by semester) valid for the 25 States member of the Schengen agreement.
An airport transit visa (also called type ’A’ visa), is a visa that allows the holder to transit through the international zone of a French or Schengen airport with no access to the Schengen space, before flying to the final destination.