← Wood Technology & Design 1-4
Covers basics of HTML, CSS, web structure and simple web applications.
Web Development is the process of creating a website or web application using programming languages, markup languages and other tools. This topic covers the basics of HTML, CSS, web structure and simple web applications, providing a solid foundation for further learning.
Web development is the process of creating websites and web applications using various programming languages, markup languages, and other tools. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) defines a website as 'a collection of related web pages, images, videos or sound files that provide information about a company, organization or individual.' A web application is an interactive system that provides users with specific functionality, such as online shopping carts or social media platforms.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to create web pages. It consists of a series of elements, represented by tags, which are used to define the structure and content of a webpage. HTML documents typically begin with the doctype declaration, followed by the html element, which contains the head and body elements. The head element provides metadata about the document, while the body element contains the actual content.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a styling language used to control the layout and appearance of web pages written in HTML or XML. It allows developers to separate presentation from content, making it easier to maintain and update websites. CSS rules consist of a selector, property, and value, which define how an element should be styled. For example, the rule 'p { color: blue; }' sets the text color of all paragraphs to blue.
A website's structure refers to its organization and layout. It typically consists of a root directory containing files such as index.html, styles.css, and scripts.js. The public_html or www directory is where users access the website. Subdirectories may contain additional files and folders, organized by category or functionality.
A simple web application can be created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It typically involves creating a user interface with HTML elements, styling it with CSS, and adding interactivity with JavaScript. For example, a to-do list app might display a list of tasks in an unordered list, allow users to add new tasks with a form, and update the list dynamically when tasks are completed.
Best practices for web development include writing clean, readable code; using semantic HTML elements to improve accessibility; following a consistent coding style; and testing thoroughly. Developers should also prioritize security by validating user input, using secure protocols for data transmission, and keeping software up-to-date.
Common challenges in web development include ensuring cross-browser compatibility, handling different screen sizes and devices, and optimizing website performance. Developers must also consider factors such as accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO), and user experience (UX) to create a successful website.
Web developers use various tools and technologies to build websites and web applications. These include text editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text; Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA; version control systems like Git; and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
The web development process typically involves planning, designing, developing, testing, and deploying a website. Developers must first define the project's scope, goals, and timeline. They then design the website's layout, user interface, and functionality. Next, they write the code, test it thoroughly, and deploy the site to a production environment.
Debugging and testing are crucial steps in the web development process. Developers use tools like console logs, debuggers, or browser devtools to identify and fix errors. They also test their code thoroughly, using techniques like unit testing, integration testing, or user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure it meets requirements.
Web developers must prioritize security when building websites and web applications. This includes validating user input, using secure protocols for data transmission, and keeping software up-to-date. They should also implement measures like authentication, authorization, and encryption to protect sensitive data.
What is HTML used for?
What is CSS used for?
What is Web Structure?
What is a Simple Web Application?
Why is understanding the basics of HTML, CSS and Web Structure essential?
Discuss the role of HTML and CSS in building simple web applications. (20 marks) (20 marks)