Looking around, you will see that technology has taken over our lifestyle on a general basis. Web developers make all our applications and websites to make our lives easier. If you are or want to be a web developer, this article will be a good read for you. We include multiple topics for discussion like “What is web Development,” its type, functioning, etc. You might have many queries that we think will be answered by the end of the article. So let’s get started.
What is Web Development?
Creating, maintaining, and working on the development of a website are all included in web development. Web development refers to all three of these elements. It mainly includes web publishing, programming, database management, and web design. Technically speaking, it functions as an online application known as a website.
The main motive of developers is to work on the web page and its application so that it should get uploaded to the internet. The same is the case with private networks. The programming and coding parts, responsible for a website’s functionality, are the main focus areas rather than the website’s design.
This includes a sprinkling of concepts from web design, web development, web publishing, and database management. These refer to the creation and maintenance of online pages. Also, a wide range of web design tools and techniques are covered, including using text editors to code websites manually. Dreamweaver to make web pages, blogging platforms to update blogs, and more.
Web development encompasses all the online tools and websites we frequently use. Ranging from basic and straightforward web pages to complicated web applications and social networking platforms. Multiple online retail web pages and even content management systems (CMS). In addition, web developers created each of these tools and websites.
Web Development in Three Layers
Front-end Web Development:
Front-end web development is famous among developers because it helps to convert available data into a graphical user interface. It all becomes possible with the help of web development tools like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Most website components you see as a user are due to front-end web development. Hence, this is the definition of front-end website development. It includes colour, theme, text, buttons, images, etc.
Back-end Web Development:
Unlike the front end, the back end is only fully controlled and operated by developers. As a user, you can not see or access a website’s back-end. It forms the foundation of the website, and it is part of the website that users cannot see, but it is essential to its operation. It allows programmers to store and organize data and guarantees the appropriate.
Operation of all front-end or client-side functionality.
The back-end and front-end portions of the website communicate by sending and receiving data shown in real time. The moment a visitor fills out any form or enters any information, this information goes to the back-end of the server. This data then goes to the back as fronted code. This helps the website page gain more knowledge regarding the matter, which is visible for general people to see on the internet.
Full Stack Web Development:
The combination of the front and back ends is known as full-stack development. Because of full-stack development, the database is in its manageable form. So technically, it works towards maintaining storage and data management. Full-stack is also responsible for designing and visualizing web pages.
Frequently Used Web Development Tools
There are multiple tools in the market, some of which are most preferable by many developers. These tools help developers create a functional website in no time and with less effort. These tools help developers to create user-friendly interfaces. Here, we include some of the widely used web development tools. These are:
- Sass
- TypeScript
- Sketch
- Bootstrap
- CodePen
- JQuery
- Chrome DevTools
Web Development Technologies
Web development is a wasteful and complex subject. To understand the topic deeply, you need to know multiple technologies. Read further to know about some of the web development technologies in brief:
HTML:
HTML expands to “Hyper Text Markup Language”. It is one of the essential technologies that web developers often use. It’s popularly known for being the foundation of a web page. Due to HTML, whatever you see on a website in a well-maintained format is possible.
This is important so the inside material may appear as it should on the web browser. Any website or browser cannot display text or photos on the page. Neither additional element is possible without HTML. HTML5 is the latest version of HTML for a more interactive and dynamic website. It provides a wide variety of Application Programming Interfaces (API integration services) that can be utilized with JavaScript.
- Canvas: We all know the popular tool canvas, a well-known tool for designing/images. Canvas has been brought to us by HTML5 elements. Also, it can be used for more difficult situations like graphics and animations in video games.
- Web Storage: Web storage can store information directly in the browser. They include remembering user preferences for a website and user login information.
- Service workers: Service workers enable a script primarily used in websites with offline functionality, running in the background whenever a web page is opened. It enables the use of web push notifications and makes pages accessible offline. Even when there is no open browser window, it can still send these notifications using this tool.
CSS:
CSS expands to “cascading style sheets” and specifies the appearance and feel of a web page. HTML controls the organization of a web page, while CSS controls how it looks. This includes the arrangement of the elements, colour palettes, typefaces, and page layouts. HTML is known to be every website’s backbone; hence, CSS is known to be the website’s skin. This will help the website look even more appealing on the internet.
Web Development Frameworks
Web development frameworks are generally used to speed up and simplify the process of writing codes. These codes belong to a specific language. Therefore, web development frameworks are used as a tool for such functioning. They give interfaces for accessing widely used functionality and abstractions that deconstruct challenging ideas.
They make the development process more efficient. This is done by a pool of code resources that work as an aid for such projects. The tools provided by frameworks make it unnecessary to create software functions from scratch to create a website or application. Frameworks are less expensive than writing brand-new code since they give you a head start on your development. Instead of writing entirely new, untested code, they reduce your development risk because they are proven and true.
Example of front-end framework:
Angular:
Google maintains the front-end framework Angular. It contains the most combined functionalities among front-end frameworks, so it is the most comprehensive option.
Large firms and businesses needing a strong front-end solution frequently employ it due to its resilience and depth of capabilities. It has a significant learning curve, just like most complicated software.
There are many versions of Angular, which is something to keep in mind as it can cause issues. A major code rewrite would be necessary due to the version difference. If you currently use an older version of Angular but want to upgrade to a newer version for added features and functions.
Example of back-end framework:
Node.js:
JavaScript server-side code can be written using the Node.js runtime. Due to the popularity of JavaScript, Node.js is extensively utilized, and many experienced, highly skilled developers use it. It is frequently employed for real-time web applications. Simple applications and prototypes can be created quickly and effectively with Node.js. However, it isn’t the best solution for CPU-intensive jobs.
Web Development Languages
It would be best to have a programming language to communicate with multiple computer systems. Once you know these languages and how to code them, you have become a developer too. There are multiple languages; here we have listed some of these languages which some of you might be familiar with:
- JavaScript
- CoffeeScript
- Python
- Java
- PHP
- Objective-C
Web Development vs Web Design
Web development and web design overlap because they form a web page combined. However, both terms have key differences, which we are compiling for you in this section.
Web Designing:
Web design creates everything you see inside or on a web page or software. It includes typography, visuals, usability elements, colours, etc. It is not the task of a single worker; it requires close work interaction with clients. A designer will work according to their preferences, right? Therefore, client vision and teamwork with other designers are important.
Even a designer needs some ground-level knowledge of programming languages. Some coding skills are required for this. Hence, the designer needs to be familiar with languages like CSS, HTML, PHP, and JavaScript. To test design concepts, creating prototypes and wireframes is the best. Also, never forget to have feedback on design logos, company style guides, branding, etc. This will give you the scope for continuous improvement.
Web Developing:
Being a web developer, you should know either front-end or back-end servers. Then only you can make any website function. Here, the client’s wish is superior; therefore, they should implement their idea by working with your creative team.
There are multiple types of programming languages, such as CSS and HTML, Javascript, PHP, etc. If you consider yourself an expert, then knowledge of frameworks, C/C++, Ruby, Python, and libraries is a must. It is advised to create mockups hard, choose any colour palettes, or select any typography.
Web Development Platforms
Ever since digitalization, the need to have a market presence for any business or organization has become mandatory. A website that can engage your audience with its online presence has become extremely important. Websites work as a medium where people can share their share of knowledge/experience with the outside world. Here are some of the well-known website creation platforms used by multiple people.
WordPress:
If you are looking for a tool for website development, then WordPress could be a huge help for you. The platform single-handedly has 62 different programming languages. This is quite user-friendly because of which it is popular among the creators. It is a free-to-use website that provides a range of web hosting alternatives. You can customize it if you don’t want to work on the pre-available templates. It includes tools for the theme, colour, text, etc., by which you can create your unique web page per your vision.
Wix:
Here comes another popular, widely used platform for website creation. Wix has a variety of features that gives you multiple options for your websites. The platform in itself is user-friendly and self-explanatory. It has an online shop, so you do not need to install any theme, colour, template, etc., externally.
Its drag-and-drop functionality makes this website simple to use for even new users. Moreover, Wix allows you to start from scratch by selecting a blank template for your page. Also, it provides a free storage plan and a meagre amount of bandwidth. You can also choose the Wix premium plan based on your needs.
Weebly:
Weebly is known to be one of the most accessible platforms to work on. Users can build appealing web pages using the drag-and-drop features included. It also has an app store so that users can add and update new website features. Technically, it has similar features to Wix.
Like Wix, it allows for effective element movement and dynamically adds new functionality to the website as necessary. Users can only add these features to specific website areas, including the bottom and the main content area. Also, customers might swap between themes for a long time to achieve the ideal appearance for the website they are building.
Jimdo:
Jimdo is another name on the list of well-known web development frameworks. It is also known to simplify the user experience, which helps create better websites. With the help of this platform, anyone with little programming can create appealing, captivating, and responsive web pages with little to no programming experience. All business models are supported, including e-commerce, portfolios, and many other options.
A large selection of features and settings is available for new users, in particular. Changing the colour, background, or font is simple and requires only a few clicks and drags. With the aid of these templates, you may create websites that are unique to you and your needs.
The various phases of the creation of a website
Web development is a complex process that involves numerous components and modules. To extract the best of these functions, you need coordinated functioning. The goal is a well-organized and simple workflow. To achieve that, anyone must follow the following phases for a near-perfect website.
Analysis:
Understanding a website’s goals and the best way to reach those goals requires knowing the analysis and information-gathering phase of the web development process model. Web designers and clients collaborate during this stage to understand the client’s needs and choose the most effective solution to fulfil those objectives.
This entails building user research, user personas, competition analysis, technological feasibility, site maps, and wireframes. You can start planning an approach to attain your objectives once you fully grasp your needs and ambitions.
The reason we go through the analysis phase is to comprehend if any issues are present. Once any problem is found, dealing with the website bug will be easy. By thoroughly examining a website’s criteria, web designers may ensure that their final output is efficient and satisfies their consumers’ expectations.
Design:
The design stage is crucial for a website’s creation from a web designer’s perspective. This affects the website’s UI/UX. Any website should have a responsive design that is very user-friendly and straightforward. Ultimately, you have to comply with your client’s standards. Web designers are responsible for creating an optimized website design.
The design phase of a website includes multiple factors, such as visual elements. The addition of content, navigation panels, videos, photos, etc. All these factors are essential to give users the feel of using a feature-rich website. As a creator, you can be creative enough to design any libraries, framework, etc.
As mentioned in the above section of the article, a web designer needs to know about front-end web development. That means you should have basic knowledge of reading HTML/CSS as a web designer.
Development:
The actual development of a website design with the development and coding of web development. It includes multiple programming languages depending on the functioning of the website. Hence, it’s the phase when web developers turn all their wireframes, design, and components. And shape it into a website.
The coding step might encompass a variety of responsibilities, from writing code to configuring server-side functionality. Developers sometimes prefer to use tools already popular in the market to speed up the process. In other circumstances, the entire site may need to be created from scratch. Deploying site plugins, security integration, and new features is also part of the development phase. The website is tested when the coding is finished to ensure everything operates as it should.
Testing & review:
The next step is to thoroughly test the website after it has been designed and developed to fix any issues or errors before it goes live. This is one of the most crucial but undervalued stages of web development. Testing is essential to check whether the website works at its best.
To find out whether the website is working free of errors, it has to go through multiple tests of the development process. Unit and system testing is part of checking for any errors in the website. Until the website launches, it is important to keep it under observation for any errors (if any may occur). The development of high-quality websites that satisfy the expectations of their customers can be achieved by thoroughly testing each stage of the process.
Deployment:
Anyone can predict what goes under this web development phase by its name. It is the central part of the entire web development where the website takes shape and comes to life. The code must pass both the development and staging servers to make it a production server. The deployment process may involve numerous phases, depending on the size and complexity of the project. It consists of environmental configuration, cache setup, load balancing setup, and file compression.
A solid strategy before deployment is crucial because it can be complicated. As this is the last stage before the website goes live, it is essential to ensure all necessary backup plans are in place. This helps the developers to be ready for all possibilities. After going live, a site or application must be watched and maintained to stay usable and practical.
Maintenance:
To guarantee optimal performance and ongoing improvements based on changing requirements. Websites need maintenance, too, just like every other mechanical thing in our lives. The website’s performance is routinely monitored during the updates and maintenance phase, as all the improved features and functionality are frequently delivered. Regular upgrades are crucial for installing solid security protocols and an enhanced user experience.
Many duties, such as software updates, data backups, traffic monitoring, and security vulnerabilities, fall under website maintenance. Regular performance is essential to ensure the website is in the proper condition. This way, you can also decide whether or not it is suitable for your consumers. It should constantly be updated, accessible, and relevant to users’ feelings. One of the many essential tasks of web development is its maintenance. Therefore, allocate the time it requires.
In Short
Artificial intelligence (AI), data science, Machine learning, and other technologies are developing acceleratedly. They can be of excellent service and assistance in web development. Hence expanding Web developers’ career prospects. Notwithstanding potential criteria modifications, there will always be a demand for web developers. With so many jobs to select from, web development offers some of the most secure and satisfying professions. You studied “What is Web Development?” and many related topics. After reading the article, We hope you have a basic understanding of web programming.
