| No conversation about web design would be | | | | that particular web site. When you type in a domain |
| complete without addressing both client-side and | | | | name into your web browser, a page is returned. |
| server-side technologies. To the average Internet | | | | How your browser displays that page will depend on |
| user, this terminology may be a bit confusing. | | | | a number of factors, including what technologies your |
| However, if you are planning to hire a web design | | | | browser supports. A few examples of common |
| firm to create your company's web site, it is a good | | | | client-side technologies include HTML, Cascading Style |
| idea to have a basic understanding of how the | | | | Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. These and other |
| process works so you can make a more informed | | | | client-side technologies allow interactive elements, |
| decision. Fortunately, you won't need an advanced | | | | such as rollover menus, to function on the end-user's |
| degree in web design to develop an adequate grasp | | | | browser. |
| of this topic. | | | | To continue the above analogy, the "restaurant" (the |
| Perhaps the easiest way to understand the | | | | server) is the destination where many clients go to |
| difference between client-side and server-side | | | | view the web site or page in question. Therefore, |
| technologies is to consider how a standard web page | | | | the server side is responsible for responding to and |
| is displayed. Typically, there are two players involved | | | | interpreting a variety of requests. From a web design |
| in that scenario - the computer and browser where | | | | standpoint, server-side technologies allow for a lot of |
| the page is ultimately displayed (the client) and the | | | | interesting possibilities in terms of creating dynamic |
| location where the web page actually resides (the | | | | web sites. Common examples of server-side |
| server). In terms of web design, different | | | | technologies include PHP, CGI (Common Gateway |
| programming languages and technologies are | | | | Interface), ColdFusion and JSP (JavaServer Pages). |
| employed on each side of this scenario in order to | | | | These server-side scripting languages make it possible |
| facilitate the transfer of information and how it is | | | | to process and present a wide range of data and |
| displayed. Of course, the ultimate objective of this | | | | information related to your web site. |
| process is to enhance the end-user's experience. | | | | Again, you don't need to have a thorough |
| A busy restaurant is one common analogy used to | | | | understanding of how each of these technologies |
| describe how this process works. Let's say you walk | | | | work. However, you'll want to be familiar with these |
| into your favorite restaurant during the lunch hour | | | | concepts before beginning your web design project |
| and grab a seat. You (the client) are just one | | | | so you can select a design firm and web hosting |
| customer among many, while the restaurant (the | | | | provider capable of meeting your long-term needs. |
| server) must accommodate the requests of many | | | | So be sure to ask specific questions about what |
| customers at once. | | | | your new service provider can support in terms of |
| By the same token, when you view a web page | | | | scripting languages and technologies. Doing your |
| from your home, the browser and computer you use | | | | research at this stage will ensure that your web site |
| to view it with represents the client side of this | | | | will function how you intended. |
| equation. In a basic sense, you are a "customer" of | | | | |