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Lesson 1 Overview of Web Design and Development

This document provides an overview of key concepts in web design and development. It defines terms like the internet, World Wide Web, client-server technology, database management systems, and content management systems. It also discusses database driven websites. Additionally, it outlines various career opportunities in web design and development such as web programmer, front-end engineer, and software architect. Finally, it distinguishes between web-based systems that require user authentication and websites that provide information through pages that can be viewed in a browser.

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David Kimathi
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32 views

Lesson 1 Overview of Web Design and Development

This document provides an overview of key concepts in web design and development. It defines terms like the internet, World Wide Web, client-server technology, database management systems, and content management systems. It also discusses database driven websites. Additionally, it outlines various career opportunities in web design and development such as web programmer, front-end engineer, and software architect. Finally, it distinguishes between web-based systems that require user authentication and websites that provide information through pages that can be viewed in a browser.

Uploaded by

David Kimathi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Web Design and Development Lesson 1

Lesson 1: Overview of Web Design and Development

Lesson 1: Overview of Web Design and Development ............................................................................... 1


1.1 Definition of terms ....................................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1 Internet ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.1.2 World Wide Web (WWW)..................................................................................................... 2
1.1.3 Client- Server Technology ..................................................................................................... 2
1.1.4 Database Management Systems (DBMS) ............................................................................. 2
1.1.5 Database Driven Websites .................................................................................................... 2
1.1.6 Content Management Systems and Frameworks ................................................................. 2
1.2 Application areas and Career Opportunities ............................................................................... 3
1.3 Website versus Web Based Systems ........................................................................................... 3
Lesson 1 Discussion Session ..................................................................................................................... 4

Compiled by: Karari E.K email: [email protected] 1


Web Design and Development Lesson 1

1.1 Definition of terms


In this section, we discuss several terms relating to web design and development.

1.1.1 Internet
The Internet is a global network that connects IP networks. The linking of computer networks is called
internetworking, hence the name Internet.
• Data on the Internet are sent and received in packets. A packet envelops transmitted data with
address information so that the data can be routed through intermediary devices on the network.

1.1.2 World Wide Web (WWW)


World Wide Web, which is also known as a Web, is a collection of websites or web pages stored in web
servers and connected to local computers through the internet. These websites contain text pages,
digital images, audios, videos, etc. Users can access the content of these sites from any part of the world
over the internet using their devices such as computers, laptops, cell phones, etc. The WWW, along with
internet, enables the retrieval and display of text and media to your device.

1.1.3 Client- Server Technology


A network application involves a server and a client. A server process provides a specific service on a
host machine that offers such a service. Example services are remote access (Telnet), file transfer (FTP),
and World Wide Web (WWW). A client process on a host connects with the server on another host to
obtain its service. Thus, a client program is the agent through which a particular network service can be
obtained.

1.1.4 Database Management Systems (DBMS)


Database management system is a software which is used to manage the database. For example:
MySQL, Oracle, etc are a very popular commercial database which is used in different applications.

DBMS provides an interface to perform various operations like database creation, storing data in it,
updating data, creating a table in the database and a lot more.

It provides protection and security to the database. In the case of multiple users, it also maintains data
consistency.

1.1.5 Database Driven Websites


A database driven website is a website content that has most of its content in a database. With a
database driven website, the website content isn't actually sitting in HTML files on the server, it is sitting
in rows and columns in a database.

A website with its content stored in HTML files on the file system is often referred to as a "static"
website, whereas a database driven website is often referred to as a "dynamic".

1.1.6 Content Management Systems and Frameworks


A website with dynamic content usually has a CMS (Content Management System) to assist the content
providers in updating the website.

A CMS is usually provided in the form of an administration area where content providers need to log in
before they can add content. Once logged in, they can create, update and delete articles. They may be
able to upload files such as Word documents, PDF files etc. They might be able to upload images too.

Compiled by: Karari E.K email: [email protected] 2


Web Design and Development Lesson 1

All of this content can be stored in the database. Some may be stored on the file system too though. For
example, although documents and images can be stored in the database, there are sometimes reasons
to store them on the file system. Performance is often a key reason. Database size is another.

1.2 Application areas and Career Opportunities


Below are application areas and career opportunities for web design & development skills:

o Web Programmer - This it means you’re able to write in multiple languages for a website.
o Web Developer - Web developers build websites: they use code to achieve the right
functionality and aesthetic look.
o Front End Engineer - “Front end” includes all customer-facing features of a website or
app: text fields, images, buttons and banners. These engineers program the interface
users engage with. HTML, CSS and JavaScript are all front end coding languages.
o Back End Engineer - Back end engineers build the mechanics of how a site processes
information. They determine how the site will communicate with servers, and how to
collect, store and manage user data. Ruby, PHP and Python are some of the most
common languages for back end development.
o Full Stack Engineer - If you know multiple languages and have successfully built both
front and back ends of a site, congrats: you’re a full stack engineer. These expert
programmers are able to guide the user flow, as well as how the data is transmitted to
servers.
o Software Architect - An experienced programmer who leads the development team.
They make high-level decisions about design and functionality, and create standards and
tools for the department.
1.3 Website versus Web Based Systems
Web Based System: Also referred to as a Web Application, is a piece of software that can be
accessed by the browser. A Browser is an application that is used to browse the internet.
Web application needs authentication. The web application uses a combination of server-side
scripts and client-side scripts to present information. It requires a server to manage requests
from the users.
Examples: Google Apps, Amazon, YouTube

Website: Website is a collection of related web pages that contains images, text, audio,
video, etc. It can be consist of one page, two pages, and n number of pages.
A website provides visual and text content that users can view and read.
To view a website requires a browser (Chrome, Firefox). There are many types of websites
like Archive website, Blog, Community website, etc.
Example: a restaurant’s web page where you can view the menu, hours of operation, etc. Or,
a forum or blog.

Compiled by: Karari E.K email: [email protected] 3


Web Design and Development Lesson 1

Lesson 1 Discussion Session


1. Discuss benefits of a database driven website.
2. Highlight skills of a successful web developer.

Compiled by: Karari E.K email: [email protected] 4

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