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Web Technologies
Web technologies encompass a wide range of tools, languages, and protocols designed to develop and manage websites and web applications. They include everything from markup languages like HTML to stylesheets such as CSS, programming languages like JavaScript, server-side technologies, databases, and network security protocols.
In the following sections, we will highlight just a few leading web technologies. The video clip covers 100 of them quickly!
HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
HTML provides the basic structure of sites, which is then enhanced and modified by other technologies like CSS and JavaScript.
HTML elements are the building blocks of all websites. They tell the browser how to display web page content. Each element has specific properties and behaviors and can include text, links, images, and more.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML or XML (including XML dialects such as SVG or XHTML). CSS defines how elements should be rendered on the output device.
It is one of the Web’s cornerstone technologies, enabling developers to separate content from design so that web pages can be easily styled and adapted for different devices.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted scripting language that enables interactive web pages and is essential to web applications. Unlike HTML, which structures content, and CSS, which handles presentation, JavaScript provides websites with interactive elements that engage users.
Almost all web browsers have a dedicated JavaScript engine to execute the code on users’ devices.
JavaScript frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js, have become vital in developing complex web applications.
Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
Web APIs are interfaces that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. They play a crucial role in the modern Web, enabling functionalities like fetching data from a server, dynamically updating web pages without a page reload (AJAX), and performing complex operations in the background (Web Workers). APIs are the backbone of the so-called “Web 2.0,” allowing for rich, interactive web experiences.
HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Secure)
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, and it’s the foundation of any data exchange on the Web. HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP) is used for secure communication over a computer network and is widely used on the Internet.
In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or, formerly, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This ensures that the data exchanged between the user and the site is secure from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Server-Side Technologies
Server-side technologies involve scripts run on a web server, as opposed to the client-side (browser), which involve scripts that run on the user’s web browser.
Languages such as PHP, Python (with frameworks like Django or Flask), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), and JavaScript (Node.js) are commonly used for server-side scripting. These technologies are used to create dynamic web content, manage user sessions, interact with databases, and more.
Databases
Databases are critical components of web technology, providing a structured way to store, manage, and retrieve data. Relational databases (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite) and NoSQL databases (such as MongoDB, Cassandra, and DynamoDB) are widely used in web development. They support data storage that is efficient, secure, and easily accessible by web applications.
Security
Web security is critical to web technologies, encompassing measures to protect websites and web applications from cyberattacks. This includes securing data transmission with HTTPS, safeguarding databases from injection attacks, preventing cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, and implementing user authentication and authorization.
Security practices are continually evolving to address new vulnerabilities and threats.
Conclusion
These technologies and concepts are vital in developing and operating websites and applications.
Together, they create a robust and dynamic web capable of delivering rich and interactive user experiences.
100+ Web Development Things You Should Know – 13 mins
