summary on web development

WEB DEVELOPMENT

web development -refers to the process of creating websites and web applications. It encompasses everything from simple static web pages to complex dynamic applications. The process involves frontend development (what users see), backend development (server-side logic), and databases (where data is stored).

Web development is divided into three main components:

1. Frontend Development (Client-side Development) This involves everything that users interact with on a website. It includes:

[if !supportLists]● [endif]HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The basic structure of a web page.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Controls the design, layout, and appearance.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]JavaScript: Adds interactivity and enhances user experience.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Frontend Frameworks: Examples include React.js, Vue.js, and Angular.

Example: When you visit a website like instagram, the navigation bar, buttons, and news feed are all part of frontend development.

2. Backend Development (Server-side Development) This part is responsible for handling business logic, processing user requests, and communicating with databases. Backend development involves:

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Programming Languages: PHP, Python (Django, Flask), Java (Spring Boot), JavaScript (Node.js), Ruby (Ruby on Rails).

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Web Servers: Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Used for communication between frontend and backend.

Example: When you log into your bank account, the backend processes your login credentials, fetches your account details from a database, and displays them on your screen.

3. Database Management Databases store and manage data required by the web application. They can be relational (SQL-based like MySQL, PostgreSQL) or non-relational (NoSQL like MongoDB, Firebase).

Example: When you register on an e-commerce site, your details (name, email, password) are stored in a database for future reference.

Real-World Examples of Web Development

1. E-Commerce Websites

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Websites like Amazon and Jumia use frontend for user interaction, backend for processing orders, and databases for storing product and customer information.

2. Social Media Platforms

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Platforms like Facebook and Instagram use frontend frameworks (React), backend technologies (Node.js, Python), and databases (MySQL, Cassandra) to handle millions of users.

3. Online Banking Systems

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Banks use secure web development technologies to allow users to check balances, transfer money, and make transactions online.

Key Takeaways

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Web development consists of frontend, backend, and databases.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Frontend focuses on user experience, backend handles logic and data processing, and databases store information.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Real-world applications include e-commerce sites, social media platforms, and banking systems.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and SQL play a crucial role.

Introduction to Backend Development

Backend development refers to the server-side logic and database interactions that power web applications. It ensures that data is processed correctly, security measures are in place, and the frontend receives the necessary information to display content dynamically.

Key Components of Backend Development

1. Server

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]The server processes user requests, retrieves data, and sends responses back to the client.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Popular server technologies: Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Example: When you log in to Facebook, the server verifies your credentials and fetches your data.

2. Backend Programming Languages

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Backend developers use languages designed for handling business logic, interacting with databases, and performing computations.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Common backend languages:

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Node.js (JavaScript) – Used in modern web apps like Netflix.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Python (Django, Flask) – Used in data-driven applications like Instagram.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Java (Spring Boot) – Used in enterprise applications like banking systems.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]PHP (Laravel) – Used in content management systems like WordPress.

3. Databases

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Store and manage data required by the application.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Two main types:

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Relational Databases (SQL-based) – MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server (structured data with tables).

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]NoSQL Databases – MongoDB, Firebase, Cassandra (unstructured or semi-structured data).

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Example: When you purchase a product on Amazon, order details are stored in a database.

4. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]APIs allow communication between frontend and backend, enabling applications to exchange data.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Types of APIs:

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]REST (Representational State Transfer) – Uses HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]GraphQL – A flexible query language for APIs.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Example: When a mobile app requests user data from a web server, it uses an API.

5. Authentication & Security

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Security is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Techniques include:

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]JWT (JSON Web Token) – Secure token-based authentication.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]OAuth 2.0 – Used by Google and Facebook for login systems.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Encryption – Protects sensitive data (e.g., passwords).

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Example: When you sign into Gmail using your Google account, OAuth is used for authentication.

6. Frameworks & Libraries

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Frameworks provide tools to simplify backend development.

[if !supportLists]○ [endif]Popular backend frameworks:

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Node.js (Express.js, NestJS) – Lightweight, fast, and scalable.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Python (Django, Flask) – Used for data-driven applications.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Ruby on Rails – Popular for startups and rapid development.

[if !supportLists]■ [endif]Spring Boot (Java) – Ideal for enterprise applications.

Real-World Example: How a Login System Works in the Backend

1. A user enters their email and password on the frontend.

2. The request is sent to the backend server via an API.

3. The server checks the database for a matching email and encrypted password.

4. If correct, the backend generates a JWT token and sends it to the frontend.

5. The frontend stores the token for future authenticated requests.

Key Takeaways

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Backend development is responsible for data processing, business logic, and database interactions.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Key technologies include Node.js, Python, PHP, Java, and databases like MySQL and MongoDB.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Security features like JWT, OAuth, and encryption help protect applications.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]APIs (REST, GraphQL) facilitate communication between frontend and backend.

Git vs. GitHub

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Git is a version control system that tracks code changes and enables collaboration.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]GitHub is a cloud-based Git repository hosting service for sharing and managing code.

Key Git Commands

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git init – Initialize a Git repository

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git add . – Stage changes

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git commit -m "message" – Save changes

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git push – Upload code to GitHub

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git pull – Fetch and merge updates

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git branch – Manage branches

[if !supportLists]● [endif]git merge <branch> – Merge branches

Key GitHub Features

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Repositories – Store project code

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Branches – Develop features separately

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Pull Requests – Request code review before merging

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Issues – Track bugs and features

Key Takeaways

✔ Git tracks changes; GitHub hosts repositories ✔ Use Git for version control and collaboration ✔ GitHub simplifies code sharing and teamwork