Web development
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Web development is the process of designing, developing and maintain websites and web apps.[1] Web development encompasses several different fields, most commonly referring to the programming of websites. Front-end development is the act of developing the user interface and client-side code, while back-end development focuses on the infrastructure behind a website, mainly server-side code.
Since the World Wide Web was released publicly in 1993, web development has evolved greatly, with websites changing from a collection of static HTML pages to complex projects using frameworks, servers, and databases.
Overview
Web development includes many individual tasks, including web design, web content development, networking, and coding.[2] Among web professionals, "web development" usually refers to the main non-design aspects of building websites: writing markup and coding.[3]
Web development is generally split into two fields: front-end development and back-end development. Front-end developers create the user interface of websites, turning web designs into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. Front-end developers must also make sure that websites work consistently across different browsers and devices.[4] Back-end development, also known as server-side development, focuses on the infrastructure behind a website, including APIs, database management, and security.[1][4] Some choose to be full-stack developers, meaning they work on both the front-end and back-end.[2]
History
The World Wide Web was invented in 1989, and released to the public in 1993.[5] In the early years of the web, websites were simply a collection of HTML files, which were completely static. After the introduction of JavaScript in 1995,[6] websites could contain logic, allowing for interactivity.[7] The following year CSS was released,[8] allowing greater control over the styling of web pages.[7]
In the early 2000s, website began to be more complicated, requiring server-side services in addition to JavaScript. This led to the emergence of various new programming languages and frameworks designed for backend services, such as PHP, Active Server Pages, and Jakarta Server Pages. This enabled websites to do additional processing, such as accessing databases.[7][9]
Another major shift in web development was the release of the iPhone in 2007. This created a new medium for accessing the web, requiring a new approach to web development, and resulting in responsive web design,[10] which allows a single website to appear different depending on the device running it.[11] Later, progressive web apps were introduced, allowing websites to be installed on a device as an independent application.[12]
In the 2010s, JavaScript frameworks began to emerge, creating new ways to manipulate web pages, and increasing compatibility between web browsers.[10] JQuery was popular in the early 2010s, but was later surpassed by other frameworks such as React and Vue.js.[13]
See also
- Outline of web design and web development
- Web design
- Web development tools
- Web application development
- Web developer
References
- ^ a b "What Is Web Development? (Definition, Types, Career)". Built In. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ a b Cole, Ryah Cooley (29 December 2023). "What Is Web Development, And Why Might You Pursue It?". forbes.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ Campbell, Jennifer (2017). Web Design: Introductory. Cengage Learning. p. 27.
- ^ a b Missman, Kayla (22 May 2023). "Front-End Vs. Back-End Developers: What's The Difference?". forbes.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "World Wide Web (WWW) launches in the public domain | April 30, 1993". HISTORY. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ "Chapter 4. How JavaScript Was Created". speakingjs.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- ^ a b c Fahad, Md Amir Hossain; Chowdhury, Redoyan; Hasan-Al–Shabbir (2022-05-19). "Evolution and Future Trends in Web Development: A Comprehensive Review". Pathfinder of Research. 3 (1): 13–13. doi:10.69937/pf.por.3.1.35. ISSN 3007-3863.
- ^ "Cascading Style Sheets, level 1". World Wide Web Consortium. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ^ Shukla, Devendra Kumar; Maurya, Akash; Pal, Madhav; Shivahare, Basu Dev. "A Survey on Exploring the Evolution and Trends of Web Development". Authorea Preprints. doi:10.36227/techrxiv.23976048.
- ^ a b Momunaliev, Adilet (31 October 2025). "How has web development transformed in the last 20 years?". cuinsight.com.
- ^ Marcotte, Ethan (May 25, 2010). "Responsive Web design". A List Apart.
- ^ "Progressive Web Apps | Software AG". techradar.softwareag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ Morehead, Jason (2026-01-22). "jQuery Turns 20". Opus. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
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