Introduction to Web Development - johnverz22/webdev1-lessons GitHub Wiki

Overview of Web Development

Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites and web applications. It encompasses a variety of tasks, including web design, web programming, and database management. The primary goal is to build functional, user-friendly sites that meet the needs of users and businesses alike.

Websites vs. Web Applications

  • Websites serve to inform, and web apps serve to help.
  • The content on a website can be viewed, read, or listened to, but the user cannot manipulate it.
  • Conversely, content on web applications is not only viewable but contains interactive elements.
  • Web applications allow users to manipulate data

Key Components of Web Development

  • Front-End Development: This involves the visual aspects of a website that users interact with directly. Key technologies include:

    • HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The backbone of web pages, defining structure and content.
    • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Used for styling and layout, making websites visually appealing.
    • JavaScript: Adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.

  • Back-End Development: This includes server-side logic, databases, and application integration. Languages commonly used are Python, Ruby, PHP, and Java.

  • Full-Stack Development: A combination of both front-end and back-end development skills.

webdev

History and Development

The evolution of web development can be traced through several key milestones:

  1. Early Days (1990s): The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. Initially, web pages were simple text documents linked together.
  2. HTML Emergence (1991): HTML was introduced as the standard markup language for creating web pages.
  3. CSS Introduction (1996): CSS allowed for better styling and layout control, separating content from design.
  4. JavaScript Launch (1995): JavaScript was introduced to add interactivity to web pages.
  5. Web 2.0 (2004): This era marked a shift towards user-generated content, social media platforms, and dynamic websites.
  6. Modern Development (2010s-Present): Introduction of frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js for front-end development; Node.js for back-end; rise of mobile-first design.

Evolution of the Web: From Web 1.0 to Web 3.0

Evolution of the Web

The World Wide Web has evolved through three main phases: Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0. Each phase reflects significant advancements in technology and user interaction.

Web 1.0: The Static Web (1989 - 2005)

  • Characteristics:

    • Read-Only Content: Users could only view information.
    • Static Pages: Primarily HTML with no dynamic content.
    • Limited Interaction: Minimal user engagement.

  • Impact:

    • Used mainly for information dissemination; early e-commerce sites like Amazon emerged.

Web 1.0 Sample

Web 2.0: The Social Web (2004 - Present)

  • Characteristics:

    • User-Generated Content: Users create and share content.
    • Dynamic Pages: Interactive websites using AJAX and JavaScript.
    • Social Networking: Platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow user interaction.

  • Impact:

    • Shift from passive consumption to active engagement; businesses leveraged social media for marketing.

Facebook.com

Web 3.0: The Semantic Web (Emerging)

  • Characteristics:

    • Decentralization: Users have control over their data.
    • Artificial Intelligence: Enhanced personalization and context understanding.
    • Interoperability: Seamless integration across platforms.

  • Impact:

    • Aims for a more intelligent web, utilizing blockchain for security and privacy.

ChatGPT

Summary of Key Differences

Feature Web 1.0 Web 2.0 Web 3.0
User Interaction Passive viewing Active participation Decentralized control
Content Type Static pages Dynamic, user-generated Intelligent, personalized
Technology HTML, HTTP AJAX, JavaScript AI, Blockchain

Introduction to the Web

HTTP, Browsers, and Servers

  • HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): The protocol used for transferring data over the web. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted.
  • Clients: Devices or applications that request and consume resources or services provided by a server. Applications like Google Chrome or Firefox run on these devices that allow users to access websites. They interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display content.
  • Web Servers: Computers that store websites and serve them to browsers upon request.

Client-Server Architecture

Client-server

Recommended Readings

  1. W3Schools - Overview of Web Development [1]
  2. Mimo - What Is Web Development? A Beginner's Guide [2]
  3. GeeksforGeeks - Web Development Overview [3]
  4. Topcoder - The Beginner's Guide to Web Development [4]
  5. Acodez - Evolution of the World Wide Web
  6. Code Conquest - Web 1.0, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 With Their Features
  7. Investopedia - Web 3.0 Explained