|
Friday, 03 March 2006 |
|
The Web Dev Reference provides definitions, examples, and reference links to popular Web development topics. This is not supposed to be a comprehensive list. I add to it as I come across topics (some old, some new) that other people might like to learn about.
| Topic |
Details |
|
AJAX
March 06, 2006
|
AJAX stands for Aynchronous JavaScript And XML. AJAX is a technique used in Web development to provide a more seamless user exerience by loading and displaying new content on a Web page without reloading the page.
An example of an AJAX Web application is Google Maps.
To use AJAX, you use the HTTPRequest object in JavaScript to load an external XML file. You can code all the AJAX functionality yourself, or you can use an AJAX library such as the Prototype JavaScript Framework.
|
|
Mashup
March 06, 2006
|
A mashup is a Web page that seamlessly integrates content and/or services from multiple independent sources using technologies such as newsfeeds and public APIs.
An example of a mashup is housingmaps.com, a mashup of Craig's List and Google Maps, that provides a Google Map of real estate listings on Craig's List.
To create your own mashup, you need a way to pull data from available service that you use to create your own service. A simple example is including a newsfeed on your Web site. To create something like the example above, you would need to get license to use the Google Maps API.
|
|
Object-Oriented Programming
March 11, 2006
|
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a computer programming paradigm. In OOP, programmers create objects that have responsibilities in the program.
An example object in an OOP program is a Window object, which would be responsible for displaying information to the user.
To use Object-Oriented Programming, you must use a programming language that supports that programming paradigm. C++ and Java are OOP programming languages. JavaScript is not strictly an OOP language, but you can simulate OOP design using JavaScript to some degree.
|
|
Ruby on Rails
March 06, 2006
|
Ruby on Rails is a Web development framework for creating database-driven Web sites. ROR automates many tasks for the Web developer, such as implementing the Model-View-Controller architecture and creating basic unit tests.
Examples of sites that use Ruby on Rails is Basecamp and 43Things.
To use Ruby on Rails, it must be installed on the Web server hosting your Web site. Also, you must learn the Ruby Programming Language.
|
|
SSH
March 06, 2006
|
SSH, which is an acronym for Secure SHell, is both a protocol and an application that provides secure access for executing commands on a remote computer. SSH is similar to telnet, but it is secure while telnet is unsecure.
An example of using SSH is when you login to your Web host account to execute commands from the command line. An example SSH application is Putty.
To use SSH to login securely to your Web host, Download Putty.
|
|
Web 2.0
March 06, 2006
|
Web 2.0 is a term used to describe the new generation of Web applications that use the Web more as a platform rather than just a group of pages output from more traditional backend systems. For more information, read Web 2.0 (Wikipedia), What is Web 2.0?, and TechCrunch.
Examples of Web 2.0 applications are Flickr and Wikipedia where users participate in using the Web as a publishing platform. The idea here is not that Web 2.0 requires participation, but that the next generation of Web applications are different from the first generation, which did involve self-publishing.
Web 2.0 is not a "thing" out there that you can use, but more of an approach which utilizes the most recent trends in Web development to make your Web application more participatory.
|
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 11 March 2006 )
|
DHTMLdev.com — Dedicated to quality Web development articles and tutorials
Web Dev Reference 
