⚡️ Terminology of Web Development
What is a Front-End? CRUD? Domainname Service? A Little Doc about the Language of Web Development
What is hosting?
Hosting is a service in which a website is stored on a server so that it can be accessed on the Internet. Web hosting is the foundation stone, so to speak, for private individuals or companies to publish their website. In addition to storage space, a hosting provider also offers numerous additional services. The costs for smaller websites average around 8 euros per month.
What is a front-end?
The term “front-end” refers to the client-side part of a web application or software, i.e. the part that users interact with directly. It encompasses everything a user experiences visually and functionally on their device, including layout, design, content and interactive elements. In This post you can learn more about it.
What is a back-end?
The term “back-end” refers to the server-side part of a web application or software. It is responsible for managing and processing data, handling business logic and providing the front-end. The back-end includes the server, database and application that work together to provide information and services to the user. In This post you can learn more about it.
Was ist AJAX
An AJAX request (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a technique that allows a website to send asynchronous requests to the server without having to reload the entire page. Basically, AJAX connects the front end with the back end. Data can therefore move back and forth dynamically between front and back without interrupting the user journey. An AJAX request can be used to load new content in a news feed or send a form, with the page communicating with the server in the background and the user seeing the result directly. The technique is based on JavaScript and XML (or JSON) and usually uses the XMLHttpRequest object or the modern fetch() API.
Sequence Diagram of an AJAX-Request between Front-End and Back-End
What is SMTP?
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending and forwarding emails on the Internet. It is used to transfer emails from an email client (e.g. Outlook, Gmail) to an email server and from there to the destination server, which then delivers the message to the recipient. SMTP works on port 25, 465 (for encrypted connections) or 587 and regulates the process of sending emails, including communication between the servers. However, it is only responsible for sending emails, while other protocols such as IMAP or POP3 are used for retrieving emails.
Sequence Diagram of a SMTP-Connection between Email-Client and SMTP Server
Achtung: Die konfiguration von SMTP kann kompliziert sein. Hier siehst du das typische Gefrickel mit SMTP-Errors
What is FTP?
FTP is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. The file transfer protocol enables the simple transfer of data to a web server, allowing websites to be published in the first place. For example, HTML files can be uploaded and downloaded from a computer to a web server. FTP programs are available to download free of charge. You can usually obtain access data such as user name and password from your server provider. You can find a more technical explanation in this separate post.
What is SSL encryption?
SSL is an abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is designed to ensure that your data is protected and that communication on the Internet remains private. You can recognize that a connection is secure by a small lock symbol in front of each URL. This URL also begins with an https. The “s” stands for secure. In this post you can find out more about this.
What is a MIME type
A MIME type (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions Type) is a standardized method for specifying the type and format of a file. It is used to specify the type of data transmitted over the Internet so that software such as web browsers, email clients and other applications can process the file accordingly. In this post the MIME type is discussed in more detail.
What is an Active Directory?
Active Directory (AD) is a directory service from Microsoft that is used in Windows servers to organize and manage networks. It is used to centrally manage users, computers, groups, security policies and other network resources within an organization. Information is stored hierarchically in an Active Directory, whereby domains, organizational units and objects such as users or devices are managed. Administrators can use AD to define rights and access permissions for users so that only authorized persons can access certain resources. AD thus enables more efficient and secure management of networks in larger organizations.
Here you can find a classical Trouble-Shooting process in Active Directory.
What is FTP?
FTP is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. The file transfer protocol enables the simple transfer of data to a web server, allowing websites to be published in the first place. For example, HTML files can be uploaded and downloaded from a computer to a web server. FTP programs are available to download free of charge. You can usually obtain access data such as user name and password from your server provider. You can find a more technical explanation in this separate post.
What is SSL encryption?
SSL is an abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is designed to ensure that your data is protected and that communication on the Internet remains private. You can recognize that a connection is secure by a small lock symbol in front of each URL. This URL also begins with an https. The “s” stands for secure. In this post you can find out more about this.
What is a MIME type
A MIME type (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions Type) is a standardized method for specifying the type and format of a file. It is used to specify the type of data transmitted over the Internet so that software such as web browsers, email clients and other applications can process the file accordingly. In this post the MIME type is discussed in more detail.
What is a backlink?
A backlink is an external link that refers to another website. An example: You operate a website that provides information about nutritional supplements (A). Another website operator (B) sells sportswear as well as nutritional supplements via their online store. If the online shop operator (B) refers to your website (A) with a link, this is referred to as a backlink. Backlinks are one of the most important criteria for search engine optimization (SEO).
What is usability?
Usability means user-friendliness. Optimized usability on websites ensures simple and better usability of a website. Regardless of which end device the user uses to visit the website. Simply put, the aim of a user-friendly website is for the visitor to reach their destination with very little effort.
Vizualization of a Customer Journey for webdev-guide.net
What is a favicon?
Favicons (favorite icons) are symbols that are displayed in the tab, as an app icon or next to the title in the search results. It is usually a simplified icon, such as the company logo. A favicon is a must for every company or club website, as this symbol helps users to recognize the website.
Onepager vs Multipager
A one-pager consists of a single page. This means that the content of a website is presented in short form. A click in the navigation leads the website user to the desired section within the one-pager and not to a separate subpage. Sections can be reached by simply scrolling or, as already mentioned, by clicking in the navigation bar.
A multipager, on the other hand, is a website with several subpages. These subpages can also be accessed by clicking in the navigation bar or via internal links on the website. The advantages of the multipager are obvious. A lot of information about your service or your company can be made available to visitors in this way. Separate pages for image galleries, contact options, references and much more.
| Feature | One-Page Websites | Multi-Page Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A website with all content on a single page that scrolls vertically | A website divided into multiple pages, each focused on different content |
| User Experience | Simple navigation; users can access information by scrolling | Clear content separation; users can find specific info on dedicated pages |
| SEO | Limited keyword targeting (all content on one page) | Better for targeting a broader range of keywords across different pages |
| Loading Speed | Can be slower initially, as all content loads on one page | Faster per page load; only specific content loads when needed |
| Mobile Experience | Easy to navigate on mobile with vertical scrolling | Requires optimized navigation; may be harder for mobile users if poorly designed |
| Development Complexity | Often simpler and quicker to develop, suitable for small sites | More complex to set up, ideal for larger websites with extensive content |
| Maintenance | Easier to maintain, as changes are in one file | Requires updating content across multiple pages if changes are needed |
| Content Structure | Best for straightforward, linear storytelling or simple content | Suited for complex, layered information structures |
| Conversion Rate | Good for focused calls to action, as users see everything on one page | Allows for specific calls to action across various points in the user journey |
| Scalability | Limited; can become cluttered with too much information | Highly scalable; allows for easy content expansion |
Pros and Cons of OnePager vs. Multipager Websites
What does responsive web design mean?
Responsive design or responsive web design means an optimized display of the website regardless of the screen size of the end device such as smartphone, tablet and PC. Responsive design is the current standard to ensure not only user-friendliness but also a more attractive positioning in search results. It is not uncommon for elements to be hidden due to the small screen sizes of smartphones in order to achieve the best user experience for different devices. You can find out more about responsive web design in this post.
What is a domain?
A domain is a unique address that is unique worldwide. Similar to a fingerprint. A domain is not the same as a URL, but it is an important component. The URL of this website is: https://www.webdev-guide.net/ and the domain is: webdev-guide.net. How a URL is created is explained quite simply: An IP address is a series of numbers (192.168.179.42). This is translated by a name server (DNS server), which is then referred to as a domain. You can find out more about this in this post.
What does redirect mean?
A redirect is a server-side redirection. In simple terms, a URL is redirected to another URL. This is done via an htaccess file (an instruction to the server via a text file). A redirect is used during a move. This means, for example, if you have purchased a new domain. It is not uncommon to use a redirect when a page no longer exists. So that the website visitor does not receive an unpleasant 404 error message, this page can be redirected to another page using a 301 redirect. Find out more about this here, in a separate post
What is metadata?
Metadata plays an important role in search engine optimization (SEO). Metadata is information for search engines and is used to better understand the content of a website. In particular, the <title> tag and the <meta> tags are among the most important ranking factors for Google, duckduckgo, metager and other search engines, as they are displayed in the search results. More about metadata in this post.
What is a Robots.txt?
Robots.txt is a small text file. This file contains important information and serves as a guide for the crawler. Directories, subdirectories or individual files are stored in a Robots.txt to indicate which may be read by the search engines and which may not. This is why the text file is saved in the main directory and can therefore be read first.
What is a sitemap.xml?
A sitemap.xml is an XML file that lists the URLs of a website and enables webmasters to inform search engines about the structure of their website. This file helps search engines such as Google, Bing and others to crawl and index the content of the website more effectively. It can contain additional metadata about each URL, such as when it was last updated, how often it changes and its relative importance compared to other URLs on the website. Read this post to find out more.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
<!-- Homepage -->
<url>
<loc>https://www.example.com/</loc>
<lastmod>2024-01-15</lastmod>
<changefreq>daily</changefreq>
<priority>1.0</priority>
</url>
<!-- About Page -->
<url>
<loc>https://www.example.com/about</loc>
<lastmod>2024-01-10</lastmod>
<changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
<priority>0.8</priority>
</url>
<!-- Services Page -->
<url>
<loc>https://www.example.com/services</loc>
<lastmod>2024-01-12</lastmod>
<changefreq>weekly</changefreq>
<priority>0.7</priority>
</url>
<!-- Blog Page -->
<url>
<loc>https://www.example.com/blog</loc>
<lastmod>2024-01-14</lastmod>
<changefreq>daily</changefreq>
<priority>0.6</priority>
</url>
<!-- Individual Blog Post -->
<url>
<loc>https://www.example.com/blog/how-to-create-a-sitemap</loc>
<lastmod>2024-01-13</lastmod>
<changefreq>yearly</changefreq>
<priority>0.5</priority>
</url>
</urlset>
Example of a typical sitemap.xml
What is a CMS?
CMS = Content management system. This software application makes it possible to create a website without programming knowledge. A CMS has a user-friendly interface. This enables trained people with limited technical knowledge to update and maintain content. Thanks to ready-made design templates, cost-effective websites can be created in no time at all. These are just a few of the advantages of a content management system. But as is so often the case, there is no advantage without a disadvantage. In addition to performance and power, a clear disadvantage is the limited design of the website, which is determined by ready-made design templates. In addition, a CMS must be maintained and updated and important system updates must be installed for security reasons. You can find out more about this in This post.
What is HTML?
HMTL stands for Hyper Text Markup Language and is a standardized, text-based markup language. HTML forms the basis for most websites and is used to structure and integrate text, images and videos, among other things. The code consists of various tags that identify different areas. You can find out more in This post.
What is CSS?
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style sheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML or XML. Alongside HTML and JavaScript, it is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web and is essential for creating visually appealing websites and user interfaces. In This post you can find out more about it.
What is a CRUD
CRUD is an acronym that stands for Create, Read, Update and Delete. It describes the basic operations that can be performed on data in a database or other data store. These four operations are essential in fullstack web development as they form the basis for most data-related applications. Here a detailed post of the individual operations.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript, or JS for short, is one of the most commonly used programming languages in web development. This object-oriented language is used to integrate dynamic elements and to perform complex control queries. Examples of JavaScript applications include slideshows, menus, animations, browser games and much more. In This post you can learn more about it.
What is PHP?
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and is one of the most commonly used scripting languages. PHP, which is executed directly on the web server, is a so-called server-side scripting language that enables the creation of dynamic websites and web applications. Examples of applications for PHP include online stores and content management systems (CMS). You can find out more in This post.