Web Development: What is it?

Uncategorised • 11th Aug, 15

 
 

Web Developer:

“A software developer or software engineer who is specifically engaged in the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over the HTTP protocol from a web server to a web browser.  Many web developers are also skilled in related areas such as web design, information architecture, usability engineering, web content management systems, web server administration, database administration, software engineering, project management, network security, and search engine optimization.”

The process of developing webpages or websites hosted on the internet is the simplest explanation of what web development really is.  All of your favourite websites were built by skilled web developers who knew the perfect language to make use of when producing the best website to suit that client’s specific needs and goals.  When thinking about this process, it can be divided into three main components as listed below:

1. Client-Side Coding:

As a user or a client, you are either only viewing or using the website.  It is because of this that computer programs or web applications which are executed by a user’s web browser are known as client-side scripts.  If there are any files which the program needs to run from the web server, it will run within the client’s web browser.  

 

2. Server-Side Coding:

Different to client-side scripts, these scripts are executed on the web server when a document or service is requested by the user.  The document is then produced by the server, which is usually in HTML, and is then read by the client’s browser.  Examples of languages which are used for server-side coding include Java, Python, PHP, Ruby, and many more. 

3. Database Technology:

In order for a website to function as it should on the internet, it should be hosted within either a webserver or a database.  All of the files which are required in order for website, as well as its application to function, is contained within the database.  With websites using some form of a relational database management system, or RDBMS, the most popular options include Microsoft SQL Server, IBM, and Apache.  There are also leading open-source RDBMS such as PostgresSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB.

Now that you have a good understanding of what the basics of web development are, feel free to add any comments or thoughts in the comment section provided below. 

 

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