Web development is the process of designing, developing and maintaining websites and web apps.[1] Web development encompasses several different fields, most commonly referring to the programming of websites. Front-end development is the act of developing the user interface and client-side code, while back-end development focuses on the infrastructure behind a website, mainly server-side code.
Since the World Wide Web was released publicly in 1993, web development has evolved greatly, with websites changing from a collection of static HTML pages to complex projects using frameworks, servers, and databases.
Overview
Web development includes many individual tasks, including web design, web content development, networking, and coding.[2] Among web professionals, "web development" usually refers to the main non-design aspects of building websites: writing markup and coding.[3]
Web development is generally split into two fields: front-end development and back-end development. Front-end developers create the user interface of websites, turning web designs into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. Front-end developers must also make sure that websites work consistently across different browsers and devices.[4] Back-end development, also known as server-side development, focuses on the infrastructure behind a website, including APIs, database management, and security.[1][4] Some choose to be full-stack developers, meaning they work on both the front-end and back-end.[2]
The World Wide Web is often categorised into three generations: Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 (or Web3).[5] It was invented in 1989, and released to the public in 1993.[6] In the early years of the web, restrospecitvely referred to as Web 1.0,[7] websites were simply a collection of static HTML files, and had limited interactivity.[8] After the introduction of JavaScript in 1995,[9] websites could contain logic, allowing for interactivity.[10] The following year CSS was released,[11] allowing greater control over the styling of web pages.[10]
Another shift in web development was the release of the iPhone in 2007. This created a new medium for accessing the web, requiring a new approach to web development, and resulting in responsive web design,[15] which allows a single website to appear different depending on the device running it.[16] Later, progressive web apps were introduced, allowing websites to be installed on a device as an independent application.[17]
In the 2010s, JavaScript frameworks began to emerge, creating new ways to manipulate web pages, and increasing compatibility between web browsers.[15]JQuery was popular in the early 2010s, but was later surpassed by other frameworks such as React and Vue.js.[18]
In the mid 2020s, use of AI became prevalent among web developers, with the 2025 Stack Overflow survey showing over 80% of developers saying the use AI at least monthly in their development process.[19][20]
↑DiNucci, Darcy (1999). "Fragmented Future"(PDF). Print. 53 (4): 32. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2011-11-10. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
↑Graham, Paul (November 2005). "Web 2.0". Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2006-08-02. I first heard the phrase 'Web 2.0' in the name of the Web 2.0 conference in 2004.
