Client Side Technologies vs. Server Side Technologies
Web development involves creating a website for the World Wide Web, the intranet or the internet, depending on what you want to target. It could be called to include web designing, managing content, hardware and software management, managing databases as well as ensuring proper communication between the client and server. In professional terms, however, web development means and includes the creation of codes, scripting and programming of applications that allow websites to be displayed.
Web development technologies include the usage of client side technologies as well as server side technologies along with database and management technologies to create the perfect website, with which various clients and servers can communicate. Under these circumstances, it is important to realize that client side refers to the computer applications and web browsers that are present on the computer of the user, which is used to connect to the server. Any operations done by such programs or browsers to gather information that is present on the client site are called client side technologies. Often, it is seen that the user has to observe and modify information present on these programs, which can be done through such operations. The advantage of client side technologies is that it takes less time as well as less bandwidth because it does not require sending information over to the server, which reduces the time taken to gather information and perform a task.
In order to perform such tasks on the client side, we require various programs, which are present on the web and are called client side scripting. You can use them for scripting on web pages based on change in content, the environment or other such factors. The advantage of client side scripting is that the user can actually view the source code, which allows for several authors to create such client side scripting programs. Commonly used client side technologies include HTML, CSS development, CSS XHTML developer, JavaScript, AJAX, Flash, JSON and the like.
The biggest advantage of using client side technologies is the cost benefit that you tend to gain in terms of overall development as well as support in the future. Adding additional hardware to support new software and systems is very easy with the client server technology. However, the main reason for implementing such technologies is the fact that it allows for faster development and implementation of applications and object oriented technology. However, one of the major drawbacks of the client side technology is that it can be used only for a limited number of users or distance, especially intranets, where one needs to ensure that all users have the same browsers and applications.
Server side technologies, on the other hand, are those operations that are performed by the server, where the user wants to access information or functions that are not available on the client site. Typically, in such operations, the user views a website using his or her browser and the software on the computer requests for the website over the server, which responds to the request and sends across the website for viewing. Under server side scripting, dynamic web pages are generated for the user through operations that are done directly on the server. This enables the user to view multiple pages. However, it is imperative to remember that the source code for such scripts is not available to the user for viewing.
The basic purpose of server side technologies or scripting is that it is possible to change and modify web content online, especially where constant changes are required. So, for websites that showcase news headlines or weather forecast where content changes often, such scripting is of great use. Tracking your sessions, authorization and authentication of websites are usually done with server side scripting, which actually handles your cookies while keeping tabs on your session. You can easily personalize your web content, repeat it where required and create dynamic images using such server side technologies.
Popular languages used for scripting server side technologies include, PHP, Perl, CGI, My SQL, PostgresSQL, Apache or Linux, SSL or secure server and XML or XSL. Each of these languages helps in a specific part of website development through the server. Using such languages, it is possible to create a dynamic interface between the client and the server, which allows for easy modification of content and access to data. Moreover, such server technologies help in responding to queries while providing the requisite security required for maintaining websites.
In conclusion, it is pertinent to note that web development includes a proper and cohesive relationship between the client and the server. Therefore, using client side technologies as well as server side technologies to create and maintain your website would result in profitability and enhanced performance of your website. However, while indulging in web development, it is important to take the help of UK professionals who can give you free quotes and who are well versed in both types of scripting.
