Easy Web Site Design

Exciting though it is, the basic HTML-based Web is essentially a static medium. A client (user) requests a Web page from a Web server, and the server sends the page for display on the client's browser. And that's it.

But as you browse the Web you become aware that so much more is possible. This page introduces a few of the key technologies used to achieve these enhancements.

For more information see Web Development Tools

Scripting

Scripting is a form of programming, usually referring to short-ish programs written in specially developed scripting languages. Before throwing your hands up in horror, we haven't forgotten that these pages are designed for the non-technical. There are lots of pre-written scripts to perform the most common tasks. Many are available FREE OF CHARGE on the Web, while others are very reasonably priced. We'll tell you where to find them. And using them can be as easy as downloading or copying and pasting. Scripting languages are usually fairly simple and it is often possible to customize free scripts to achieve exactly the effects you need.

Scripts come in two varieties, depending whose computer they run on. Client side scripts run on the client's (ie user's) computer. Server side scripts run on the server, ie the computer that holds your Web pages.

Client side scripts

JavaScript is by far the most common client side scripting language. JavaScript is embedded within HTML documents and executed by the browser displaying the document. JavaScript has a variety of uses eg providing user feedback such as rollover effects, creating simple animation such as scrolling text banners, and validating user form input prior to submission.

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JavaScript may be used in conjunction with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to provide Dynamic HTML (DHTML), a means of changing the contents of a web page displayed in a browser in response to user interaction, eg in menu systems.

One of the difficulties of using JavaScript results from the fact that different browsers, and indeed different versions of the same browser, recognize (or fail to recognize) different JavaScript features. The problem is particularly pronounced with DHTML as this feature is implemented in entirely different ways in the two major browsers, Internet Explorer and Netscape. It is also possible that user's have chosen to disable JavaScript in their browser.

Before adding JavaScript to your pages, check which browsers and versions the script will run in. One solution to the browser problem is to create different versions of pages for different browsers - but this can make maintaining your site a nightmare. It's well worth providing a non-JavaScript alternative for user's with older browsers or with JavaScript turned off. This is achieved by providing the non-JavaScript HTML between <noscript> </noscript> tags immediately following the JavaScript they relate to, eg plain text links would be provided in the noscript element following a JavaScript menu.

JavaScript resources

JavaScript Source Free JavaScripts, tutorials, example code, reference, resources and help.

JavaScript Kit Comprehensive JavaScript tutorials and over 400 free scripts and a complete JavaScript Reference. Also features DHTML, CSS, and web design tutorials, and a large developer's help forum.

W3Schools JavaScript Tutorial

USENET newsgroup: comp.lang.javascript

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Server side scripts

Many languages and technologies are used for providing server side functionality, eg PHP, CGI, JSP, ASP, Cold Fusion... Server side scripts are run in response to a request from a client's browser, often input from a Web form. Scripts usually produce output in the form of HTML which is returned to the client's browser for display. Because they run on the server the response for a certain input is guaranteed. And, where the output is in simple HTML, what the client sees is also guaranteed. So, no need to worry about which browser your user has or how it's configured.

A common use for server side scripts is interaction with databases, eg allowing customers to search a product catalogue.

One of the most common languages used for server side scripting is PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor). PHP is open source. This means the software needed to run PHP scripts is free. There is an active community developing and supporting PHP. PHP is usually available as standard on the widely used and also open source Apache Web servers.

Like JavaScript, PHP statements are also embedded within HTML (or HTML is embedded within PHP depending which way you look at it. PHP files have a .php extension. When a request for a PHP file is received the server executes (runs) the PHP code (rather than sending the file content to the client's browser). The output from the PHP is then returned to the browser.

Many free and reasonably priced PHP (and other server side) scripts are available on the Web. These are usually (fairly) easily customizable to meet your precise needs.

PHP Resources

Only PHP Free PHP scripts and resources.

PHP.net includes introductory tutorial and online manual.

W3Schools PHP Tutorial

USENET newsgroup: comp.lang.php

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See also Hotscripts.com the net's largest PHP, CGI, Perl, JavaScript and ASP script collection and resource web portal.

Note that if you wish to test server side scripts on your computer, you will need to install a Web server. Apache, the most popular Web server, is open source and available for free download.

Download Apache

Open Source Software

Possibly a throwback to the non-commercial origins of the 'net, the Web is home to a large and active open source movement. Basically speaking, open source software is software which may be freely distributed, the source code of which is available to the world. This is good news for Web designers as it means there is an abundance of high quality, actively developed and maintained software - available free.

For more information, and to download software, see

Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to managing and promoting the Open Source Definition

SourceForge.net the world's largest Open Source software development website,
with the largest repository of Open Source code and applications available on the Internet.

Flash

Macromedia's Flash is a tool for producing interactive animations.

Flash has become popular in recent years for two main reasons. Firstly, the Flash player is built into later browser versions so users can view Flash movies without having to download anything. Secondly, Flash movies have very small file sizes in relation to their content, this makes them ideal for transmission across the Internet.

The latest versions of Flash are fully fledged multimedia authoring tools nd are capable of streaming complex, interactive audio-visual applications across the Web.

Because Flash movies play in a dedicated player, usually built in to the browser, Flash offers a more predictable user experience than client side scripting. According to Macromedia (2004), Flash is "installed on more than 97% of the Internet-enabled desktops".

Purchase Macromedia Flash.

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See also

Macromedia Flash Home Page

Flash Kit an online resource for Macromedia Flash development. Message board discussions, the latest Flash news and tutorials, free FLAs, SWFs, and sound loops.

USENET newsgroups: alt.macromedia.flash, macromedia.flash

Streaming media

Streaming is a technology that allows audio and video files to be delivered across the Web without the need for the client to download the entire file before viewing it. Streaming media allows the small Web site owner to make a whole library of on demand video and audio clips available to the world.

Streaming works by sending the audio/video file to the client a bit at a time. The client begins playing the file as soon as it's received enough. Provided the client's internet connection speed remains fairly constant the media will play continuously in the browser.

To create streaming video you will need special hardware (eg a DV camera and/or deck and FireWire connection to your computer) and software for editing and compression. You will also need special server software to deliver the media to your visitors.

There are three main (incompatible) streaming media formats: Real, QuickTime and Windows Media.

See also

Streaming Media World source for tutorials articles and news about streaming audio, video, radio, media players, SMIL, animation.

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