Chapter 1. Overview of Website Development

Introduction to Website Development: HTML & CSS Basics

Understanding the fundamentals of website development is the first step for anyone aspiring to create an online presence. This chapter provides a high-level introduction to how websites work, essential terminologies, and the key stages of website creation, including design, coding, and publishing. Whether you are new to web development or looking to refresh your knowledge, this chapter equips you with foundational concepts that are crucial for creating effective and functional websites. By the end of this chapter, you'll have a clear understanding of what it takes to bring a website from concept to reality.

What We Cover in This Chapter

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

How Websites Work

This section explains the basic mechanisms of how websites function, including the roles of clients, servers, and key technologies such as HTTP, URL, and IP addresses. You’ll learn the essential steps in how a web browser communicates with a server to display a website.

Designing, Building, and Publishing Websites

This part provides an overview of the three main stages in website development: designing the structure and user flow, coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and publishing your website using hosting services.

Designing Websites

In this section, you’ll explore the four critical steps in web design: concept design, user flow creation, wireframing, and designing mockups or prototypes. Each step ensures that your website meets its objectives and appeals to your target audience.

Building Websites – Frontend and Backend Coding

You’ll learn the difference between frontend and backend coding, their roles in website creation, and common technologies used in each area. Topics include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend development and server-side languages like PHP and Python for backend systems.

Web App vs. Website

This section outlines the distinctions between websites and web applications, emphasizing their purposes and functionalities. Websites are typically static and focused on delivering information, while web applications are more interactive and dynamic.

Frontend Coding

This part introduces the key technologies in frontend coding—HTML for structuring content, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for adding dynamic interactions. The focus is on HTML and CSS, with examples of their real-world applications.

Web Framework and CMS

You’ll learn about tools that simplify website development, such as web frameworks and content management systems (CMS). Popular frameworks include React.js and Bootstrap. Popular CMS platforms include as WordPress and Shopify.

Publishing Websites

This section covers hosting services for making your website accessible online. It introduces cloud-based hosting services like GitHub Pages, Vercel, and Netlify and their role in publishing websites effectively.

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FAQ: Chapter 1. Overview of Website Development

How do websites work?

Websites function through the interaction between clients and servers, using technologies like HTTP, URL, and IP addresses. A web browser communicates with a server to display a website.

What are the main stages of website development?

The main stages include designing the structure and user flow, coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and publishing the website using hosting services.

What is the difference between frontend and backend coding?

Frontend coding involves HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for creating the user interface, while backend coding uses server-side languages like PHP and Python to manage data and server operations.

How do websites differ from web applications?

Websites are typically static and focus on delivering information, whereas web applications are interactive and dynamic, offering more complex functionalities.

What tools simplify website development?

Web frameworks like React.js and Bootstrap, and content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and Shopify, help simplify the website development process.

HTML & CSS Introduction
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