🌐 Web Development and Server-Side Programming Languages for Beginners
The World Wide Web, a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet, has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Web pages, which are documents designed to be viewed on the web, are created using two types of code: client-side code and server-side code.
In this article, we will discuss these two types of code and provide a quick tutorial for beginners who want to start developing web pages.
🖥️ Client-Side Code
Client-side code, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, runs in the user's web browser and provides the structure, style, and interactivity of the web page.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is used to define the structure of the web page, including headings, paragraphs, and lists.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to add styling to the web page, such as colors, fonts, and layouts.
JavaScript is used to add interactivity to the web page, such as dynamic effects and user input validation.
☁️ Server-Side Code
Server-side code, such as PHP, runs on a web server and generates dynamic content for the web page. The code is executed on the server and the resulting HTML is sent to the user's web browser, where it is rendered and displayed as a web page.
The code can process user inputs, retrieve data from databases or APIs, and generate dynamic content based on the user's request.
🔁 Request-Response Cycle
When a user requests a web page, their web browser sends a request to the web server associated with the URL.
The web server processes the request by running the server-side code and generates the HTML code for the web page.
The HTML code is then sent back to the user's web browser, which renders the page and displays it to the user. This process is known as the request-response cycle.
✨ PHP Code Example
Here is a simple example of PHP code that generates a dynamic web page:
phpCopy code
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Hello World</title>
</head>
<body>
<?php
echo "Hello World!";
?>
</body>
</html>
This code outputs "Hello World!" on the web page.
⚙️ Setting Up a Development Environment
To start using server-side programming languages like PHP, you need to set up a development environment on your computer.
This typically includes a web server, a PHP installation, and a text editor. You can use a software package like XAMPP or WAMP to install a web server, PHP, and other tools on your computer.
▶️ Running the Code
To run the code, you need to save the code in a file with a ".php" extension and place it on the web server. You can then access the file in your web browser by navigating to the URL associated with the web server.
📙 Learning Resources
To learn more about PHP and other server-side programming languages, there are many online tutorials, courses, and resources available, including official documentation and forums.
With a little time and effort, you can start creating dynamic web pages and building your own web applications.
⚡ Final Words
In conclusion, web development and server-side programming languages are valuable skills that are in high demand.
Whether you are interested in a career in web development or just want to build your own web pages, this tutorial provides a good starting point.
Good luck on your learning journey!