Server-Side Programming

Dynamic Web Site Design

Server-side programming is the hot craze of web site design. It has given web programmers more tools than have ever existed before.  Server-Side Programming simply means that a server is responding to web page requests.  When a visitor requests a page from your web site, a Server uses a pre-programmed file to dynamically create a static page.

Server-Side:   Points to Note
	Server allows dynamic page creation
	All web pages end up static pages
	Simplifies Advanced web site design
	Decreases maintenance costs
	Allows simple site updates

One misconception that people have about web pages, is that they are online all of the time.  You may have not thought about it before, but each time you view a web page, no matter how it was generated, it ends up on your computer as static text.  ALL WEB PAGES ARE STATIC.  When you request a page from a web server, the web server simply grabs the requested file and sends it your computer. There is never a "Connection" between your computer and the web server.  You simply request a file, and that file is sent to your IP address.  Once you receive the file, you are not connected to the web server.  And the web server does not know if you are still online, if you shut off your computer, or if you are waiting to request another file.

One of the real advantages of server side programming was the creation of State.  Not as in the 50 states, or state of the union address, or independent state...However, this is the state of your computer in relation to the web server that you are requesting information from.  When you first reach a web server, a state is created for your connection.  Plain HTML pages are considered state-less because they provide no direct communication with the web server.

Learn More about Advanced Web Site Design

Dynamic Web Site Design (Continued)

Example:

John types in a web address and hits the enter key.  Once the request is received by the web server, a session of state is created for John's request.  John's client browser and the web server have acknowledged each other have a agreed on a method for acknowledging John should he make any future requests ( for a limited period.)  This session of state does not represent a permanent connection between John's computer and the web server, however, it means that each time John's requests additional information, the web server can now recognize that the request came from John's computer.

While this seems like a simple thing, this functionality gives web programmers the ability to build tremendous functionality into your web site.  It allows the web server to control where to send sensitive personal data, and make sure that it arrives at the right computer.

Server-side programming is the most common way for web programmers to interact and communicate with a database.  Web programmers write code to ask questions, or query, a database to display customized or dynamic content to web visitors.

There are other platforms for web development that are not termed server side programming but provide similar results.  Java have integrated server functionality that allows developers to create servlets and classes to perform database connectivity and advanced functions.  There is also CGI scripting that is an early version of server side programming.

  Advanced Web Site design can be very time consuming and for most businesses, it requires professional assistance.  There are many techniques for designing web site, branding companies, and marketing products online.  If you feel like you may need some help advancing your companies presence on the internet, visit our Contact Us page.  We welcome your questions and look forward to supporting you with both answers and solutions.

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