Technologies and frameworks used in web development: an explainer

We all know that modern technology is a continuously and rapidly evolving field. Innovation is the norm, and those working in computer science and tech are continually expanding into new and transformative areas. 

But in this shifting environment, there are still a few constants – and one of these constants is the value of strong web development skills.

Web development has evolved as well, of course – from the basic HTML web pages of the early internet to the complex web applications and dynamic interfaces that we now use on a daily basis – but understanding the frameworks, libraries, and technologies that drive modern web development means that software developers will remain equipped to create websites, applications, and other solutions in the years to come.

Web development: understanding the basics

When first learning about web development, the list of terms and acronyms – ORM, SEO, SQL – can be intimidating.

But in simple terms, web development is the activity that happens behind any of the websites or applications you use on the internet. 

The field is typically divided in two main areas:

• Front-end development (or client-side development). This area of development involves creating the parts of a website that users interact with directly. It uses technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to surface all of the content that a website user, or a content editor in a content management system, is used to seeing – images, text, buttons, user functionality and navigation and so on.
• Back-end development (or server-side development). This area of development is what makes front-end development possible. Using programming languages like Python, Ruby on Rails, Java and PHP, backend development works behind the scenes to keep websites running and working as expected. Many developers will either work in front-end or back-end development, although there are some – called full-stack developers – who can do both.

And supporting both sides are what’s known as web development frameworks, which provide a foundational structure that developers can build on and customise to create websites, web services, and other web applications. 

How frameworks support web development

You might be surprised to know how much sits behind even the most simple websites and mobile apps. Complex coding, scripts, user interfaces and so on all make our web content accessible, but these components are time-consuming to build and create.

That’s where frameworks come in.

These frameworks – many of which are open source – provide developers with a robust base to streamline the development process. This of course enables more rapid development, but it can also enhance reliability, scalability, and maintainability. 

For example, many web frameworks include features or plugins for things like routing, caching, data binding, or authentication. These are complex to code, but by using an existing framework, developers are saved from having to code something from scratch, and reduce the likelihood of errors or bugs creeping in. And these reusable components can be integrated across different parts of the site or app development process, further enabling efficiency in development. All of this consistency and reusability can save developers a lot of effort because they’ll need less time to code, test, and debug their work.

Common web development frameworks

Each web development framework has its strengths and recommended uses, and the choice between them will often depend on the project requirements, the development team’s expertise, and the specific goals of the application being developed. 

There are different framework types, too. For example, there are model-view-controller or MVC architecture frameworks. These use an architectural pattern that separates an application into three interconnected components (model, view, and controller).

Understanding these tools – and choosing the right one – can mean a better development process for the developer and a better user experience for the end user. Ultimately, using the best web development framework for a project can ensure its success. 

GitHub offers a comprehensive list of frameworks for web applications, but a few of the most popular examples include:

Django

Django is described as a “high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.”

It adopts what’s commonly known as the “convention over configuration” principle, meaning it offers standardised, default conventions to reduce the number of decisions – or configurations – a developer needs to make. 

Django is noted for its scalability, security, and wide array of built-in web development features and tools, including user authentication, site maps, and a templating engine. This makes it a popular choice for developers who want to build high-performance websites and applications quickly, in real-time, and with less code.

Angular

Angular is an open-source framework that’s built on TypeScript, runs on Node.js, and is used for building and prototyping web apps. 

According to the Angular website, the Angular platform includes:

• A component-based framework for building scalable web applications.
• A collection of integrated libraries that cover a wide variety of features, such as routing, forms management, and client-server communication.
• A suite of developer tools to help developers build, test, and update code.

It also includes AngularJS, which is the first version of Angular and “the most used framework on the web today.”

Backend frameworks

Frameworks will typically work across front-end and backend development. However, there are some exclusively front-end frameworks for front-end developers, and then there are frameworks that are particularly suited to the server-side of web application development. These back-end frameworks support developers with complex tasks like managing interactions between the database, the server, and the client by handling queries, executing logic, and managing data.

These frameworks also provide tools and libraries that help developers write server-side scripts to build the backend structure of a website.

Popular backend frameworks include:

• Express.js, which is a flexible Node.js web application framework that offers a variety of features for web and mobile applications. Its HTTP utility methods support quick and easy APIs, and it has a number of different middleware modules.
• Flask is a Python web framework that’s designed to make development work quick and easy, with the ability to scale-up as needed. It doesn’t enforce dependencies or project layout, instead letting the developer pick and choose the tools and libraries they want to use.
• Laravel is a PHP framework that offers what it calls “expressive, elegant syntax” and out-of-the-box solutions for common features and functionality. It’s popular with both experienced developers and beginners.
• ASP.NET is an open source framework created by Microsoft in C# and other visual programming languages. It is cross-platform and runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Docker.

Other technologies and resources used in web development

There are plenty of other frameworks and libraries available to support web development. Some examples include:

• React. React.js is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces and single-page applications. “React lets you build user interfaces out of individual pieces called components,” the React website states. “Create your own React components like Thumbnail, LikeButton, and Video. Then combine them into entire screens, pages, and apps.”
• Vue. Vue.js is another JavaScript framework used for building web user interfaces. According to its website, it “builds on top of standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and provides a declarative, component-based programming model that helps you efficiently develop user interfaces of any complexity.” 
• Ember. Ember.js is a JavaScript framework that includes scalable UI architecture and patterns used by organisations like Netflix, Microsoft, and Apple.
• Spring. Spring is an example of an MVC framework that’s used for building applications in Java. It describes itself as a “modern web programming model that streamlines the development of server-side HTML applications, REST APIs, and bidirectional, event-based systems.”
• jQuery. jQuery is a JavaScript library that supports features like animation and simplifies HTML DOM tree traversal and manipulation.   

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