We work with a lot of entrepreneurs who have amazing ideas but it takes them a while to come to terms with how the entire thing works. Here is our attempt at explaining the broad terminologies that go into modern web/application development :
The Flow
There are three areas that web development is divided into namely, Frontend, Backend Database
Frontend Development
This department broadly works with all things that run in your browser. Here are the key terms :
UI/UX
This basically deals with figuring out how an application or a site looks and functions. A UI Designer’s job is to build interfaces that are easy to use, intuitive, and convey necessary information clearly.
Wireframes
Think of them as what blueprints are to the architecture world, wireframes essentially capture how the application is laid out and helps determine the hierarchy of information on a particular page. It’s one of the first visual representations of the requirements and helps to validate if the overall direction is correct.
Mockups
Once wireframes are confirmed, a UI designer starts laying out the actual elements, the look, and feel, the color, and the typography to help come to a closer representation of what the final outcome is going to look like.
HTML/CSS
HTML is the basic language that gives the structure to the pages. It uses tags to organize the elements that are to be displayed on the page. It forms the bedrock of any webpage.
CSS is what allows us to format the HTML in a presentable manner. It’s the language that beautifies a particular page.
Javascript
JavaScript, also known as js, brings life to front-end pages. It allows users to interact with a page, the swanky slider, the action that happens on click, or that popup you see, all happens because of JavaScript. There are several JavaScript frameworks out there, like, jQuery, angular js, react js, etc.
Backend Development
This department is the BRAIN of web development. It processes and controls the actions executed on the website. This involves the mechanism behind the scenes. Here the codes are executed on the server. There are specific languages that work as a form of communication to let the application know that you want so and so task to be carried out. PHP and nodejs are examples of such backend scripting languages.
Database
A database is what stores all the information that goes into your web application. From the usernames/password to your favorite movies on Netflix, it’s all stored here and retrieved based on the requirement of the application. Some of the popular databases out there are SQL, MongoDB, Neo4j, etc.
Hosting
A service that lets an organization or an individual to post their website on the internet is called Web Hosting. The hosting of websites is done on special computers called servers. A web hosting company or web hosting service provides you the space to make your website accessible to people via the World Wide Web.
Web Development ≠ Web Designing
Web Development and Web Design are interchangeably used in casual communication. But there is a slight distinction between the two and the line of demarcation is blurred because these two overlap as they are interrelated.
Web Development refers to the building of a website and deals with the technical components while Web Design deals with the designing of the web page with regard to how it should look, the logo, the feel of the page, its essence, etc. The former is based on technical works like coding while the latter involves creative aspects and the use of software like Photoshop.
Usually, both web developers and web designers possess the knowledge of building as well as designing the website. The main thing that must be focused on, in order to make the website popular among the target audience is that the website must be original. The plus point of building a website ground up is that something original that can satisfy our specific needs can be created.
Hope this article benefited you in some way or the other. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. 😉
