Web Architecture Glossary
A
Acquia, established in 2007 by Dries Buytaert and Jay Batson, is a software as a service company providing enterprise products, services, and technical support for Drupal, a leading open source content management system. Its product suite includes cloud hosting, site building, digital asset management, and personalization services. Acquia is a recognized leader in the web content management and digital experience space, with accolades from industry analysts like Gartner and Forrester.
An API is like a middleman between a user and a system. It's a set of rules that allows one piece of software to interact with another. For example, when you use an app to check the weather, the app uses an API to request weather data from a remote server. The server, which stores this data, understands the request thanks to the API and sends back the weather information. The app then translates this data into an easy to read format for you. So, an API is essentially a messenger that helps different software components talk to each other efficiently.
A strategy in software development where creating APIs is the initial step in the development process. Think of it as planning the layout of a town before building the houses. Developers first design the rules and standards for how different parts of a software will communicate, much like planning roads and services for a town. This ensures that all the pieces of the software can interact smoothly from the start, whether it's applications on your phone or programs on a computer. It's about setting up a common language and a set of expectations for all future development to follow.
In software development, a 'build artifact' is the name for any file or set of files that are generated as a result of the software build process. It's like the finished product that comes out of a factory line. This could be the actual application you run on your computer, such as an .exe file for Windows, or a set of files that a server needs to run a website. Build artifacts are the end result of compiling and linking code, ready to be deployed or used by others.
A comprehensive cloud platform offered by Amazon that provides a mix of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and packaged software as a service (SaaS) offerings. Companies and developers use AWS for its broad set of tools and services that allow for building, deploying, and scaling applications and infrastructure. It's favored for its flexibility, scalability, and cost effectiveness, as it enables businesses to pay only for what they use, without the need for upfront hardware investments. AWS's global reach, with data centers around the world, also ensures high availability and low latency for applications, making it a go to solution for startups to large enterprises alike.
Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform. It provides a range of cloud services, including those for computing, analytics, storage, and networking. Users can pick and choose from these services to develop and scale new applications, or run existing applications in the public cloud. Companies and developers use Azure for its integration with Microsoft's software tools, extensive support for different programming languages, frameworks, and databases, and strong security practices. Additionally, Azure offers hybrid capabilities, providing consistent platform between on premises and cloud environments, which is attractive for businesses that want to migrate gradually to the cloud. The pay as you go pricing model also allows for scaling resources up or down based on demand, making it a cost effective solution.
B
The backend is like the behind the scenes area of a website or web application. It's where all the data processing happens. When you do something on a website, like post a message or make a purchase, the backend is where that action is processed. It's made up of a server, an application, and a database. The server is a powerful computer that runs the application, handling requests and responses. The application is the logic of the website, written in code, which tells the server what to do with data. The database is where all the data is stored. You can think of the backend as the kitchen in a restaurant, where your order is prepared and cooked before being delivered to you, the diner.
Bitbucket is a web based version control repository hosting service owned by Atlassian, designed for source code and development projects that use either Mercurial or Git revision control systems. Companies and developers use Bitbucket because it provides a collaborative environment, enabling teams to work together on code in a secure and efficient manner. It supports pull requests and code reviews, facilitating quality assurance and team cooperation. Additionally, Bitbucket offers integration with Jira and Trello, continuous integration and delivery services, automated testing, and deployment pipelines that streamline the development process. It's also preferred by those looking for private repositories without extra cost, making it a suitable option for startups and small to medium sized businesses.
In web development, a build is the process of converting code written by developers into a form that a computer can understand and execute. It's like taking all the ingredients of a recipe flour, sugar, eggs and mixing them to create a cake batter, then baking it to make a cake. Similarly, developers write code in human readable languages like JavaScript, which need to be transformed (or built) into a more efficient format that browsers can quickly and correctly display as websites or web applications. This process might include minimizing code to reduce file sizes or converting newer code into a format compatible with older browsers.
C
A CDN, is like a network of expressways that deliver website content to people more quickly and efficiently. Normally, if someone from Japan visits a website hosted in the US, it takes time for the information to travel across the oceans. A CDN stores copies of the website's content on servers located around the world so that it's closer to where users are. When someone goes to a website, the CDN delivers the content from the server that's nearest to them, making the website load faster. This is especially useful for websites with visitors from all over the globe.
Is a software that consolidates and integrates customer data from various sources into a single, comprehensive database. It provides a unified, persistent customer database accessible by other systems. Companies use CDPs for their ability to create a complete, unified view of each customer, drawing on data from multiple touchpoints and sources. This comprehensive view helps businesses in personalized marketing, improving customer experiences, and making data driven decisions. CDPs are particularly valuable for marketing efforts, as they enable more targeted, efficient, and effective campaigns and interactions with customers.
CI/CD are practices in software development, Imagine a factory where a product is assembled (integration) and then swiftly delivered to customers (delivery/deployment). In software terms, Continuous Integration is the practice of automatically testing and merging code changes frequently to ensure they work well together. Continuous Delivery/Deployment takes this a step further by automatically pushing these changes to a live production environment. This means new features, fixes, and updates are delivered quickly and reliably to users.
Refers to operations that happen in the user's browser rather than on the server. This includes everything from rendering the web page to executing interactive features like animations or form validations. The clientside uses languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create and manage these interactive experiences. This approach allows for quicker user interactions since actions are processed directly in the browser, without needing to communicate back and forth with a remote server.
Cloudflare is a service that provides a Content Delivery Network (CDN), security, and performance features for websites. Cloudflare acts as a shield, protecting against malicious attacks like DDoS (where a site is overwhelmed with traffic), and by storing copies of your website in various locations globally. This means visitors get faster loading times because they're downloading content from a server close to them. Companies and developers use Cloudflare to ensure their websites are secure, load quickly, and remain online even during high traffic or attacks.
A CMS is a software that helps users create, manage, and modify content on a website without needing specialized technical knowledge. It's designed to simplify the page creation process, making it accessible to people who aren't developers. With a CMS, you can control the look and function of your site, add new pages, and update existing ones easily, similar to editing a document in a word processor.
Refers to an approach where websites or applications are built using interchangeable parts or modules, much like constructing something with building blocks. Each part, or component, is self contained with its own functionality, and can be combined with other components to build complex systems. This modular approach allows developers to reuse components across different parts of an application or even across different projects, leading to more efficient development processes. It's like having a set of customizable, snap together pieces that can be easily assembled and reassembled to create different structures.
Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that Google uses to assess the quality of a user's experience on a web page. They focus on three main aspects: how quickly the content on a page loads, how quickly a page becomes interactive, and the stability of the content as it loads (to prevent annoying shifts that happen while you’re reading or clicking). These vitals are important because they help website owners understand how users experience their site, with the aim of improving that experience. Good scores on Core Web Vitals can also contribute to better search engine rankings.
Refers to a system where the frontend and backend of a website are directly connected to each other. The frontend is what users see and interact with, while the backend handles the data and functionality. In a coupled system, changes in one area often require corresponding adjustments in the other, which can make updates and maintenance more complex. This traditional model contrasts with newer, decoupled approaches where the frontend and backend are more independent, allowing for more flexibility in how the website is developed and managed.
Is a tool that helps businesses manage, analyze, and improve their interactions with current and potential customers. It centralizes customer information, tracks interactions, and organizes data related to sales, marketing, and customer service. Companies use CRM systems to better understand customer needs and behaviors, streamline business processes, improve customer service, and drive sales. By providing a detailed overview of customer interactions, CRM systems enable personalized communication and targeted marketing, fostering better customer relationships and business growth.
CRUD represents the four basic functions that applications need to perform on data. Imagine a digital library system: you need to be able to add new books (Create), view a list of books (Read), change information about the books (Update), and remove books that are no longer available (Delete). CRUD operations form the foundation of most interactive websites that require users to input and manage data.
is a language used in web development to style and layout web pages. Think of it like the paint and decoration in a house. While HTML structures the content, CSS styles it, defining how elements should look on the screen. CSS can set colors, fonts, spacing, layout, and much more. It allows web pages to adapt to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring they look good everywhere. With CSS, a developer can make a website visually appealing and user friendly, enhancing the overall experience of the website.
D
Is a system that stores, organizes, and retrieves rich media and manages digital rights and permissions. Rich media assets include photos, music, videos, animations, podcasts, and more. Think of it as a digital library where instead of books, you have all sorts of multimedia content that can be easily searched and accessed. Companies use a DAM to keep track of their digital assets, ensure consistent use across different channels, and protect against unauthorized use. It's especially useful for organizations with large collections of digital media that need to be shared and used regularly.
Refers to an architecture where the frontend, or what users interact with, is separated from the backend, or where the data processing happens. With a decoupled website, the backend sends content to the frontend without being directly connected to it. This separation allows developers to update the look and feel of the site without altering the underlying systems that manage the content.
A Design System is a comprehensive set of guidelines, components, and best practices used by companies to manage design at scale. It's like a blueprint for building and maintaining a consistent user experience across a company's products and services. It includes style guides, UI (User Interface) components, and often coding standards. Companies use design systems to ensure consistency and coherence across their digital offerings, streamline the design process, and improve collaboration between designers and developers. It allows for more efficient, predictable, and scalable product development, ensuring that all elements align with the brand's aesthetic and functional goals.
Drupal is a free, open source CMS used to make websites and applications. It's like a set of building blocks for the web, providing tools and features that let you create and manage digital content without needing to write all the code from scratch. With Drupal, you can assemble a website like putting together Lego pieces, choosing different modules for different features, like forms for user feedback or galleries for images. It's known for its flexibility and is used by organizations of all sizes for its robustness and security, making it a popular choice for creating complex websites.
Is a suite of tools designed to create, manage, and optimize customer experiences across various digital channels. It's like a multi-tool for building online interactions, combining websites, mobile apps, and other digital touchpoints. DXPs provide integrated services like content management, e-commerce, personalization, and analytics, aiming to deliver a cohesive and seamless experience to users no matter how or where they interact with a brand or organization online. Businesses use DXPs to ensure that their customers have a consistent and engaging experience across the entire digital journey.
E
Refers technologies that bring computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, to improve response times and save bandwidth. The 'edge' is the extreme periphery of the network, nearest to the user. When you use an edge computing service, you're tapping into a network of servers that are spread out geographically, which allows for faster content delivery and optimized performance. This is particularly useful for dynamic and complex web applications that require rapid processing and real time analytics.
F
Fastly is a cloud computing service provider offering a CDN, edge computing, and streaming media delivery. It's designed to deliver content fast by storing it in servers located closer to users. Developers use Fastly for its ability to serve content with lower latency, which means faster load times for websites and apps, leading to a better user experience. Companies also benefit from Fastly's security features, which help protect against online threats, and its real time analytics, which provide insights into how content is delivered and interacted with by users.
In web development, the frontend is everything you interact with directly on a website. The frontend includes things like the layout, the colors, the buttons you click, and the animations you see. It's built using a combination of coding languages, mainly HTML for the structure, CSS for the style, and JavaScript for interactive elements. This part of web development is focused on the user experience, ensuring that the website is both appealing and functional on different devices like computers, tablets, or smartphones.
Refers to the comprehensive skill set required to work on both the frontend and backend of web applications. A fullstack developer has the knowledge to handle databases, servers, systems engineering (backend work), as well as creating and designing the user interface, ensuring the visual aspects work correctly (frontend work). They can create a complete web application from start to finish, understanding how each part of the web stack interacts with another.
G
Gatsby is an open source, modern website framework that allows developers to build fast, dynamic websites and applications. It combines the best of web technologies like React for user interfaces, GraphQL for data management, and Webpack for asset optimization. It generates static pages that load quickly in browsers, improving the user experience, which is a critical factor for retaining visitors and improving search engine rankings. Companies and developers use Gatsby for its performance benefits, its modern development architecture, and its vibrant ecosystem of plugins.
Is a suite of cloud computing services that runs on the same infrastructure that Google uses for its end user products, like Google Search and YouTube. It offers a range of services including computing, data storage, data analytics, and machine learning. Companies and developers use GCP for its highly scalable and reliable infrastructure, advanced data analytics, and machine learning capabilities. With GCP, businesses can easily manage and analyze large datasets, take advantage of Google's artificial intelligence technology, and reduce costs by only paying for what they use.
Git is a version control system used by developers to track changes in their code over time. It allows multiple people to work on the same codebase simultaneously, managing changes from different sources effectively. Companies use Git for its powerful branching and merging capabilities, enabling efficient collaboration and development of complex projects. It helps in maintaining a history of changes, which is crucial for debugging and understanding the evolution of a project. Git's distributed nature also means each developer has a full backup of the code, enhancing security and data integrity.
GitHub is a platform for version control and collaboration. It lets multiple people work together on projects from anywhere in the world. It uses Git, a tool for tracking changes in any set of files, to allow for efficient coordination and sharing of code changes. Companies and developers use GitHub because it streamlines the development process, allows for the easy tracking of changes, and facilitates collaboration on a large scale. It's like a social network for code, where developers can share projects, contribute to others' work, and build on existing codebases. GitHub's features, like pull requests and issues, make it easier for teams to review, manage, and improve code, leading to higher quality software development.
GitLab is an open source platform for collaborative software development. Companies and developers use GitLab because it streamlines collaboration, increases efficiency in the development process, and reduces the complexity of managing multiple tools. It offers robust features for issue tracking, code review, and deployment, making it a comprehensive tool that supports a DevOps approach. This all in one platform can lead to faster deployment times, improved product quality, and better developer productivity.
GraphQL is a query language for APIs and a runtime for executing queries with existing data. It provides a more efficient, powerful, and flexible alternative to the traditional REST API. It allows clients to request exactly what they need and nothing more, making it easier to evolve APIs over time. Companies and developers use GraphQL because it optimizes data retrieval with single requests for multiple resources and returns a predictable response. This minimizes the amount of data transferred over the network and reduces the number of server requests. It's particularly useful for complex systems and mobile applications where network performance is crucial.
H
In web development, headed refers to a traditional content management system (CMS) setup where the front end (the visual part of the website that users interact with) is directly connected to the back end (the server and database that process the data). It's like a TV with a built in DVD player; they're designed to work together as a single unit. This setup allows for easy content updates because the CMS provides predefined templates and tools for creating and managing the website's look and functionality. It's popular for its simplicity and convenience, especially for users who want a straightforward way to manage their website without custom coding.
A type of CMS that doesn't have a frontend. Instead, a headless CMS is focused only on the backend, storing and delivering content without dictating how it should be presented. This gives developers the freedom to use any frontend tool to display the content, making it a flexible choice for websites and apps that need to deliver content across multiple platforms and devices.
Heroku is a cloud platform as a service (PaaS) that enables developers to build, run, and operate applications entirely in the cloud. It simplifies the deployment process by abstracting away the infrastructure layer, allowing developers to focus on writing code rather than managing servers. Companies and developers use Heroku for its ease of use, support for a wide range of programming languages, and integration with various development tools. It’s particularly popular among startups and small to medium sized businesses for its scalability and efficiency in managing and deploying applications. Heroku’s platform is designed to quickly launch projects without the hassle or cost of traditional server management.
Is a feature used in web development that allows developers to replace modules in a running application without needing to refresh the entire page. This means when a developer makes changes to the code, those changes can be seen in real time without losing the current state of the application. It's particularly useful for speeding up development time and improving the workflow, as it allows for a more immediate view of changes and can help in quickly identifying and fixing issues. HMR enhances the development process, making it more efficient and interactive.
Refers to the service of storing a website's files on a server, so it can be accessed on the internet. Think of it like renting a space on the internet where your website's files live. When someone wants to visit your website, their computer connects to the server hosting your files and downloads them, allowing the website to be displayed in their web browser. Hosting is essential for any website to be publicly accessible on the internet. Companies offer various hosting plans with different levels of storage, speed, and support to accommodate the needs of different websites.
Is the standard language used to create web pages. HTML uses 'tags' to mark different types of content, such as headings, paragraphs, links, and images. These tags tell the web browser how to display the content on the screen. HTML forms the backbone of almost every site on the internet, organizing and formatting text and images to create web pages. It's the first step in creating a website, providing the essential structure before other languages like CSS and JavaScript add style and interactive features.
is a modern web technology that extends HTML, allowing developers to access AJAX (a method for creating fast and dynamic web pages), CSS Transitions (for smooth animations), WebSockets (for live content updates), and Server Sent Events (for automatic updates from the server) directly within HTML. It enables you to enhance your web pages with dynamic content and interactivity without needing to write complex JavaScript. HTMX is used for making web pages more interactive and responsive, allowing for partial updates of a page without needing to refresh the entire page. This results in a faster and more user friendly experience on the web.
a technique used in JavaScript frameworks where a static web page becomes interactive. Initially, the page is loaded as a simple HTML file, which is fast and easy to display. Then, the JavaScript "hydrates" this page by attaching event handlers and additional functionality, turning it into a dynamic web application. This approach is useful for improving the initial loading speed of web pages while still providing a rich, interactive user experience.
I
This service offers the essential infrastructure like servers, storage, and networking on a pay as you go basis. It allows developers and companies to avoid the cost and complexity of buying and managing their own physical servers, focusing instead on building and managing their applications. IaaS is flexible and scalable, making it suitable for a variety of web projects.
An Incremental Build in web development is a process where only the parts of a website or application that have been changed are rebuilt, rather than rebuilding the entire project from scratch. Imagine updating a chapter in a book instead of rewriting the whole book for a few changes. This method saves time and resources, making the development process more efficient, especially in large projects. It ensures that only the updated parts are processed and refreshed, leading to quicker build times and allowing developers to see their changes more rapidly.
Is a modern technique in web development used for optimizing the performance and scalability of web applications. It allows pages to be generated statically (as HTML files) at build time, and then updated or regenerated as needed after deployment. This means that instead of regenerating the entire site when content changes, only the specific pages that have changed are updated, while the rest remain as they are. ISR provides the benefits of static sites, like speed and security, while still allowing for dynamic content updates, bridging the gap between static and dynamic web content delivery.
J
Is a modern web development architecture based on three core components: JavaScript, APIs, and Markup. It's a way to build fast and secure websites and apps. In JAMstack, JavaScript handles dynamic functionalities on the clientside, APIs are used for serverside operations or database actions, and Markup is for static site generation. This approach decouples the frontend from the backend, meaning the user interface is separate from the data and logic layer. It's popular for its performance, security, and scalability benefits, allowing developers to create faster, more efficient websites.
JavaScript is a programming language used to create interactive and dynamic elements on websites. It's like the magic that brings a website to life, allowing things like animated graphics, interactive forms, and responding to user actions. While HTML structures a webpage and CSS styles it, JavaScript makes it interactive. For example, when you click a button and a menu appears, that's JavaScript at work. It's an essential part of web development, enabling developers to enhance user experience and build complex web applications.
A format used for storing and transporting data in web development. It's like a universal language for data that different computer programs can easily understand and process. JSON is typically used to send data from a server to a web page. It's lightweight and easy to read and write for humans, and simple for machines to parse and generate. In essence, JSON is a way to structure data in an organized, easy to access manner, making it a popular choice for web applications.
is a specification for building APIs in JSON, designed to minimize both the number of requests and the amount of data transmitted between clients and servers. This efficiency is achieved by structuring the data in a specific way that allows clients to ask for just the information they need and receive it in a predictable format. It's like a streamlined communication protocol, helping in organizing and delivering data in a more efficient manner, making it easier for developers to build and maintain APIs.
Is a syntax extension for JavaScript often used with React. It allows developers to write HTML like code directly within their JavaScript files. Think of it as a blend of HTML and JavaScript, where you can write the structure of your web components in a way that looks very similar to HTML, but with the full power of JavaScript. This makes the code for creating complex user interfaces more readable and easier to understand. JSX is not required for using React, but it's widely adopted due to its simplicity and efficiency in building visual components.
M
Is a set of technology principles focusing on building flexible, scalable, and future-proof digital experiences.
- Microservices: Small, independent pieces of functionality that work together.
- API first: Building APIs as the first step, ensuring systems can communicate effectively.
- Cloud native: Building and running applications that fully exploit the advantages of the cloud computing model.
- Headless: Separating the frontend presentation from the backend logic, offering more flexibility in how content is presented across different platforms.
MACH architecture is gaining popularity for its ability to create adaptable and resilient digital platforms.
Is an approach where a large application is built as a set of small, independent services. Each service runs its own process and communicates with others through simple, well defined interfaces, often an API. This is like a factory assembly line where each worker (microservice) specializes in one task, improving efficiency and quality. Microservices allow for easier scaling, quicker development, and more resilient systems, as each service can be developed, deployed, and updated independently.
Middleware in web development is like a middleman that works between the application and the operating system or between different components of the application. It's software that provides common services and capabilities to applications outside of what's offered by individual components. Middleware facilitates communication and data management for applications, handling tasks like authentication, message processing, and data management. It's crucial for creating efficient communication between different parts of an application or between different applications.
In web development, a "monolith" refers to a software architecture where an application is built as a single, unified unit. This contrasts with more modern approaches like microservices. Imagine a large building where everything is under one roof; similarly, in a monolithic application, all components from the user interface to data processing are tightly interwoven and deployed as one piece. While this can simplify development and deployment initially, it can lead to challenges in scaling and maintaining the application as it grows larger and more complex.
N
Netlify is a web development platform that provides hosting and backend services for web applications and websites. Developers use Netlify because it automates a lot of the deployment process, offers a powerful CDN for fast content delivery, and provides features like serverless functions and form handling. Its ability to seamlessly integrate with modern frontend development tools and its support for continuous deployment from Git repositories make it a popular choice for efficient and effective web development workflows.
Next.js is a React framework that enables functionality such as serverside rendering and generating static websites for React based web applications. It's favored by developers for its ability to create fast, SEO friendly web pages. Next.js simplifies the process of building React applications by providing a standard way to do serverside rendering, which is great for performance and SEO. Companies use Next.js for its efficient loading times, improved user experience, and its compatibility with various data fetching strategies, making it a powerful solution for building modern, high performance web applications.
Node.js is a popular open source runtime environment for executing JavaScript code outside of a browser. Traditionally, JavaScript was used primarily for clientside scripting in web browsers. Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for serverside scripting running scripts serverside to produce dynamic web page content before the page is sent to the user's web browser. This means that with Node.js, JavaScript can be used to write both the clientside and serverside code, making development more efficient. It's known for its speed and efficiency, particularly in handling multiple simultaneous connections, and is used in a variety of web applications, from simple websites to complex APIs.
Is a tool used in web development for managing JavaScript packages. Think of it like a giant library or a toolbox where developers can share and borrow code. These packages can be anything from small code helpers to entire frameworks. NPM makes it easy for developers to install, update, and manage these packages in their projects. It streamlines the process of sharing and using code, contributing to more efficient and collaborative web development.
Nuxt.js is a framework for creating Vue.js applications, particularly universal, static generated and single page applications. It provides a higher level framework built on top of Vue.js that simplifies the development of complex and performant applications. Nuxt.js adds easy serverside rendering and page routing, making it great for SEO and improving load times. Developers use Nuxt.js for its convention over configuration approach, which streamlines the process of developing Vue.js applications, and for its powerful features like automatic code splitting, which optimizes performance.
O
Refers to creating a seamless user experience across multiple platforms and channels. It's about ensuring that customers can interact with a company's services or products through various means like websites, mobile apps, social media, and physical stores in a cohesive and integrated way. The idea is to provide a consistent and unified experience, whether the customer is shopping online from a desktop or mobile device, by telephone, or in a brick and mortar store. This approach helps businesses improve customer engagement and satisfaction by offering a convenient and unified user journey
P
Is a cloud computing model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app. Think of it like leasing a fully equipped workshop for building things; you get the space and all the tools you need, but you don't have to worry about maintaining the building or the equipment. PaaS lets developers focus on the creative side of app development the coding and innovation without getting bogged down by server issues, storage, or networking.
PageSpeed Insights, originally a standalone tool for analyzing web page performance, has evolved to align with Google's Core Web Vitals. Core Web Vitals are a set of specific metrics focusing on user experience aspects like loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability of a page. While PageSpeed Insights continues to provide valuable insights on page performance, it now includes Core Web Vitals in its analysis, offering a more comprehensive understanding of a webpage's overall user experience. This shift underscores the growing importance of user centered metrics in web development and optimization.
Personalization in web development refers to the practice of creating customized experiences for users on websites or apps. It involves tailoring content, recommendations, and interactions based on individual user data such as preferences, behavior, and history. Companies use personalization to enhance user engagement and satisfaction, improve customer loyalty, and increase conversion rates. By presenting users with content that's more relevant to their interests and needs, businesses can create a more engaging and effective digital experience, leading to better business outcomes.
Progressively Decoupled is an approach in web development where the frontend (what users interact with) and backend (server and database) of a website are partially separated. It's a middle ground between a fully coupled (tightly integrated front and backend) and a fully decoupled (completely separate front and backend) architecture. In this setup, certain elements of the page are controlled by JavaScript frameworks for a more interactive experience, while the rest of the site still relies on the backend. This allows for adding rich, dynamic user experiences on top of an existing content management system without a complete overhaul.
R
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, particularly for single page applications. It allows developers to create large web applications that can change data, without reloading the page. Its key feature is the ability to build components, which are reusable, self contained pieces of UI. Companies and developers use React due to its efficiency and flexibility. It helps in creating dynamic, high performance user interfaces with less code and provides a component based architecture, making code more manageable and scalable. Additionally, React's large community and rich ecosystem of tools and extensions make it a popular choice in web development.
In web development, a repository is like a storage space where code for software or web projects is kept. It allows developers to store, track, and manage changes to their code. Think of it as a library for code, where different versions and updates of a project are cataloged and accessible. Repositories are essential for collaboration in development teams, enabling multiple people to work on the same project, see each other's changes, and avoid conflicts in the code. They often come with tools for version control, like Git, which help in tracking and merging changes made over time.
Is a set of guidelines for creating networked applications. It uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. In REST, a "resource" (which could be any kind of information or data object) is identified by its URL, and the standard HTTP methods are used to create, read, update, or delete it. REST is popular in web development for its simplicity and how it uses the existing architecture of the web. Companies use RESTful APIs because they are scalable, flexible, and easy to integrate with other software and services.
In the context of a website, routing refers to how a web application directs a user to different pages based on the URL. When you click on a link or type an address into your browser, the routing system decides which content to display. For example, if you click on "About Us" on a website, the routing mechanism leads you to the "About Us" page. This is essential for navigating a website, as it connects URLs with specific content, making the web experience smooth and intuitive.
S
Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a cloud storage service. Companies and developers use S3 for its durability, availability, and security features. It allows for storing and retrieving any amount of data at any time, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, from websites and mobile apps to backup and recovery, data archives, and big data analytics.
Is a software distribution model where applications are hosted by a third party provider and made available to users over the internet. It's like using a service on demand rather than owning it. Users access the software via a web browser without worrying about installation, maintenance, or updates, which are handled by the provider. SaaS is popular for its convenience, scalability, and cost effectiveness, allowing businesses to use sophisticated applications without needing to manage complex software and hardware.
Is the practice of improving a website to increase its visibility when people search for products or services related to the business in search engines like Google. This involves optimizing various elements of the website, including its content, structure, and on page elements like titles and meta descriptions, as well as off page factors like backlinks. Good SEO practices make it easier for search engines to understand and index a website, thus helping users find it more easily.
Refers to a cloud computing model where the cloud provider automatically manages the allocation and provisioning of servers. Developers don't need to worry about server maintenance or capacity planning; they just focus on writing code for their applications. The serverless model is event driven, meaning code is executed in response to events like HTTP requests. This approach offers flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency, as you typically pay only for the computing resources your application consumes, not for idle server space. It's particularly useful for applications with variable workloads.
Refers to operations and tasks that are processed on the server rather than on the user's computer (the client side). When you interact with a website, the serverside handles tasks like storing data, retrieving information from a database, and executing complex logic. It's the behind the scenes area where the core functionalities of a website or web application are executed before the results are sent back to the client side for display. Serverside programming is essential for dynamic websites that require interaction with databases or server based processing.
Is a web application or website that interacts with the user by dynamically rewriting the current web page with new data from the web server, instead of the traditional method of the web browser loading entire new pages. The result is a smoother, app like experience with faster transitions. In SPAs, all necessary HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code is either retrieved with a single page load or dynamically loaded and added to the page as needed, often in response to user actions. This approach moves much of the logic from the server to the client, with the server's role mainly as a data API or web service.
In web development is a tool used to generate a full static HTML website based on raw data and templates. Unlike traditional websites that are dynamically built on the server each time a user visits a page, SSGs produce static HTML files beforehand. This means that the web server only needs to serve prebuilt files, which can significantly speed up load times and improve performance. SSGs are popular for blogs, documentation, and other websites where content doesn't change frequently, offering benefits like improved security, faster page loading, and reduced server load.
Is a technique where web pages are rendered on the server rather than in the user's browser. When a user accesses a website, the server processes the application and sends the page fully formed to the browser. This contrasts with clientside rendering, where the browser builds the page using JavaScript after it loads. SSR is beneficial for improving load times and SEO, as search engines can more easily index content that's already rendered. It's particularly useful for content heavy sites where loading performance and initial render time are critical.
Is the stored information or status of an application or component at a given point in time. It's like the memory of an application, keeping track of user interactions and data changes. For example, when you fill out a form on a website, the state includes the information you've entered. State is crucial in dynamic applications, allowing them to respond to user inputs and changes over time, providing an interactive and responsive experience.
Refers to web pages that are prebuilt with fixed content, meaning the content doesn't change unless it's manually updated by the developer. Each time a user accesses a static page, they see the same content, unlike dynamic pages that can display different content from user to user or change over time. Static pages are straightforward to create and load quickly because they can be served directly to the user without any need for serverside processing. They are ideal for websites with content that doesn't need frequent updates, like blogs, portfolios, and informational pages.
Storybook is a tool used in web development for building UI components and pages in isolation. It serves as a playground where developers can create and test UI components separately from the main application. This is particularly useful for developing complex interfaces, as it allows developers to focus on one component at a time without worrying about dependencies or integration with the rest of the app. Storybook also provides an interactive environment to showcase components, making it easier for teams to collaborate and maintain consistency in design across a project.
Is a modern JavaScript framework for building user interfaces. Unlike other frameworks that do most of the work in the browser, Svelte shifts that work into a compile step that happens when you build your app. This means Svelte writes code that surgically updates the DOM when the state of your app changes, resulting in faster performance and less code. It's gaining popularity for its ease of use, readability, and efficiency, making it an attractive choice for developers building interactive web applications that are both fast and lightweight.
T
TypeScript is an open source language developed by Microsoft that builds on JavaScript by adding static type definitions. Types provide a way to describe the shape of an object, providing better documentation, and allowing TypeScript to validate that your code is working correctly. It's essentially JavaScript with added syntax for type checking. Companies and developers use TypeScript because it helps catch errors early through its type system and improves the maintainability of the code, especially in larger applications. TypeScript's ability to compile down to regular JavaScript ensures it can be run anywhere JavaScript runs, making it a versatile choice for web development.
U
In the context of a website, refers to the layout and interactive elements that users interact with directly. This includes everything from buttons and menus to forms and sliders. Essentially, UI is all about how a website looks and feels from the user's perspective. It plays a crucial role in the user's experience, as it's the point of interaction between the user and the website's services or functionalities. A well designed UI is intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to navigate, making it a vital aspect of web design.
In the context of a website, refers to the overall experience a user has when interacting with that website. It encompasses all aspects of the end user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products. This includes how easy or enjoyable the website is to navigate, the effectiveness of the layout, the clarity of information, and how satisfying the interaction is. Good UX design focuses on creating a seamless, efficient, and pleasant journey for the user, aiming to fulfill their needs and ensure a positive experience. This can lead to higher user satisfaction and loyalty.
V
Vercel is a cloud platform for static sites and serverless functions that enables developers to host websites and web services that deploy instantly, scale automatically, and require no supervision, all with no configuration. It's known for its ease of use and support for Next.js.
Vite is a modern frontend build tool that significantly improves the development experience. It offers faster server start, quick updates, and instant feedback on saved changes. Vite stands out for its use of native JavaScript modules (ESM) for lightning fast server start and HMR. Companies and developers use Vite for its speed and efficiency, especially in large projects where traditional tools can be slow. Vite's simplicity in setup and its powerful features, like out of the box TypeScript support and rich plugins ecosystem, make it a popular choice for modern web development.
Vue.js is a progressive JavaScript framework used for building user interfaces and single page applications. It's designed to be incrementally adoptable, meaning it can be easily integrated into projects where only parts of the application need Vue's functionality. Developers appreciate Vue.js for its simplicity, detailed documentation, and ease of integration. Its reactive and composable data binding system allows for efficient updating and rendering of components, making it a great choice for dynamic web applications. Companies use Vue.js for its flexibility, scalability, and its vibrant ecosystem, which includes a variety of tools and supporting libraries.
W
Web components are a browser specification that allow for the creation of custom, reusable, encapsulated HTML tags for use in web pages and applications. They bundle HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, ensuring that their functionality and styling are isolated from the rest of the code. This isolation allows components to function independently, preventing conflicts and promoting reusability. This technology is integral to modern web development, enabling developers to build complex, maintainable, and efficient web interfaces.
Webpack is a static module bundler for JavaScript applications. It processes applications by internally building a dependency graph which maps every module your project needs and generates one or more bundles. Developers use Webpack for its ability to bundle various types of assets like JavaScript, CSS, and images, allowing for complex applications to be bundled efficiently. It's favored for its plugin system, which extends its capabilities, and its ability to transform, bundle, or package just about any resource or asset. Companies use it for optimizing the performance of web applications, improving load times and resource management.
X
Is a web API used in JavaScript that allows web pages to make HTTP requests to web servers. It's crucial for creating dynamic content and allows a web page to update without reloading the entire page. XHR is commonly used in AJAX programming for asynchronous data fetching, enabling smoother, more interactive web applications. This method allows for background data exchange between the web browser and server, improving the user experience by not interrupting the display or behavior of the page.
Is a flexible text format used for structuring data on websites. It's similar to HTML but is designed to store and transport data, not to display it. XML tags are not predefined; you must define your own tags. It's used for encoding documents in a format that is both human readable and machine readable. In the context of a website, XML is often used for data exchange between a server and a web application, as it allows diverse applications to share data in a standardized way, regardless of their internal processes.
Y
Yarn is a fast, reliable, and secure dependency management tool in web development, used primarily for managing JavaScript packages. It caches every package it downloads, so it never needs to download the same package again, which speeds up the installation process. Companies and developers use Yarn for its performance efficiency, especially in large scale applications where managing dependencies can be complex. It ensures consistent package installs across machines, robust version control, and secure package management, making it a preferred choice in modern web development environments.