Web Application Development
While Web Design refers to the creation
of simple and static HTML pages or web sites, Web Development
refers to the development of large Web-based ecommerce systems
or applications backed by enterprise-strength database servers.
What is Web Application
development? A program or an application, which performs
certain functions from your site on the World Wide Web &
delivers specific results. It can be a simple client-side
program or it can be complex database generated client-server
programs.
The process of application development
is critical to the success of Internet marketing & ecommerce
solutions operations. The proper processes cannot be enforced
unless technical environments are properly setup. Technical
environments are required for development, test and operation.
Without streamlined procedures and proper environment settings,
deployment and testing is not only a frustrating experience,
but also a major detriment in budget overrun. The 3 major
environments required for a web application development are
development environment, test environment & production
environment. The systematic approaches towards above three
environments have proven to be valuable in eliminating many
problems in ecommerce system implementation.
Though difficult to judge or rather fit
the development into set of methodologies, broadly the web
application development methodologies are:
The architecture & functionalities define
the choice of programming languages used in web application
development. The major ones are:
- Java / JSP - If you want to build large-scale
software, OO is the most suitable methodology. And Java, a
programming language invented by Sun Microsystems, is many
software engineers' choice. JSP (Java Server Page) can easily
produce dynamic HTML pages in Java. Oracle's comprehensive
e-business solution 11i was built in Java/EJB/JSP.
- ASP: Microsoft's ASP (Active Server Page)
and Sun's JSP have the same power for building dynamic HTML
pages. ASP is closed integrated with other Microsoft products
and technology.
- PHP: PHP is very similar to JSP or ASP
in how dynamic content is generated. The syntax is, however,
mostly borrowed from Perl. PHP has gained popularity in last
a few years because of the low cost of supporting it for Web
hosting companies.
- Perl: Perl is a scripting language built
for text processing, extracting and reporting. It has been
widely used by Unix admins. Perl was the only language capable
of building dynamic Web pages in the early years of the Web
in the form of CGI (Common Gateway Interface).
The commonly used scripts, languages &
databases in web site application development are:
- Web Design Scripting Technologies : PHP,
ASP, JSP, ASP.net, Perl, HTML, DHTML, XML, JavaScript etc.
- Database Software : MySQL, MSSQL, MS Access, Oracle etc.
- Graphics Design : Photoshop, Flash, CorelDraw, Illustrator,
GNOME Imaging Software etc.
- Programming Languages : PHP, ASP, JSP, ColdFusion (Cold
Fusion), JAVA, .NET etc.
Development & implementation of
any web application does not complete the cycle. The most
important point is the post implementation safety of the program
& your data etc. hence the vital points to be taken care
of are:
- security
- maintainability
- usability
- performance
Big Corporate & medium scale companies to enhance the
transaction capabilities on the web, outsource their web application
development. This can provide e-Commerce, B2B and B2C solutions
on the company's web site quickly and cost-effectively.
