A web page is a document accessible on the World Wide Web through a web browser[1]. It serves as the fundamental unit of content on the internet, much like a page in a book. Websites typically consist of multiple interconnected web pages sharing a common domain name[1].
Structure and Components
Web pages are structured documents primarily built using:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Defines the content and structure of the page[1]
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Specifies the presentation and layout[1]
- JavaScript: Enables interactive functionality and dynamic content[1]
- WebAssembly: A newer language that can supplement JavaScript for complex applications[1]
Types of Web Pages
- Static Pages: Retrieved directly from the server’s file system without modifications[1]
- Dynamic Pages: Generated on-the-fly by the server, often using database information to populate templates[1]
Navigation and Identification
Each web page is uniquely identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)[1]. When a user enters a URL in their browser:
- The browser retrieves content from the web server
- It then transforms this content into an interactive visual representation
- Clicking links loads new URLs, either within the same website or on different sites[1]
Web Page Elements
Web pages can include various elements:
- Text content
- Images
- Videos
- Interactive forms
- Hyperlinks
- Embedded media
Web Applications
Advanced web pages, known as web apps, combine HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and sometimes WebAssembly in complex ways to create sophisticated, interactive experiences[1].
Comparison: Static vs. Dynamic Web Pages
| Feature | Static Web Pages | Dynamic Web Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Fixed | Generated on-the-fly |
| Database Interaction | No | Yes |
| Customization | Limited | Highly customizable |
| Loading Speed | Generally faster | May be slower due to processing |
| Example | Personal blog | Search engine results page |
Importance in Web Development
Web pages are crucial in web development as they:
- Provide information to users
- Facilitate user interaction
- Enable e-commerce and online services
- Serve as a platform for web applications
Understanding web page structure and development is essential for creating effective and user-friendly websites and web applications.
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