A brief history of web design: Scripting

// December 18th, 2009 // wordpress

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So, where was I? Ah… yes, HTML. The mothertongue of website languages. But it was limited in what it could do. More complex functions beyond simply displaying a webpage needed to be performed. Enter scripting.

What is scripting from a web design/development point of view? Well, it is basically a language that allows applications to be written. And by application, I mean anything from a simple maths calculation to storing your contact details in a database. HTML, therefore, is not a scripting language. Examples of scripting languages include Javascript, PHP and ASP to name a few.

When it comes to the history of how each of these languages evolved, that’s a whole can of worms that is way too detailed to go into on it’s own. However, scripting languages can be generally divided into two categories: Client-side, and server-side.

Client-side languages essentially make the ‘client’ computer (so in this case, your computer on this website) pull the computing load. So a classic example would be something like this. Your computer reads a short bit of script telling it to open a dialog box when you click the link. But as far as the server, or the website’s host is concerned, it’s just a bit of useless code that will never be activated.

Client-side scripting is not as common in modern web design, as it is very unnecessary, and it’s more effective to build a powerful server that can deliver flexibility to a large range of less powerful clients. Client-side scripting decentralises the transfer of information on a website, and that means a limited array of things can be done. Server-side, on the other hand, means that the server will be providing the computing power, which means that huge powerful servers can be installed, and almost any quality of client computer can connect to it and perform the same powerful tasks.

Server-side languages are now commonly employed, and allow much more powerful things to happen. In fact, this website is based on WordPress, which is heavily governed by PHP scripting processes. Each ‘page’ on this website is dynamically generated using PHP and given to you in HTML/CSS format, whereas older style websites were just a collection of static HTML files ready to be looked at. The power and flexibility of something like PHP introduces a huge variety of possibilities, and automates a lot of things that were never before possible.

In combination with the concept of a database (which I will cover in the next instalment), server-side scripting allows a huge range of sites to run smoothly, from a massive complex corporate site like Microsoft’s or AMD, down to a smaller sized establishment like this site. In fact, web designers wouldn’t be able to wield as nearly as much power as they can do now. It’s because of things like this that enable something as complex as a shopping cart system to run on any site.

Hmm… there’s so much to talk about in this area. I’m happy to take requests! Next up, the concept and implementation of the database, and why this is possibly, in my opinion, the most important thing to have been established in an online context.

Till then!