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Web and Software Development

Web and Software Development

An introduction to how modern web applications are built, from markup, styling, and JavaScript in the browser to the languages, frameworks, databases, and engineering practices that power the server side.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. The Building Blocks of the Web: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML, CSS, Flexbox and Grid, JavaScript, and the DOM form the core building blocks of every web page.
  2. How the Web Communicates. HTTP, REST APIs, JSON, and the client-server split define how the web transmits and structures data.
  3. Frontend and Backend Frameworks. React components, the virtual DOM, and backend frameworks like Node.js, Django, and Flask power modern apps.
  4. Databases and APIs. Relational and NoSQL databases, SQL, and APIs define how applications store and exchange data.
  5. Security, Responsiveness, and Mobile. Authentication, common security threats, responsive design, PWAs, and mobile development strategies.
  6. Collaboration and Quality: Git, Testing, and CI/CD. Git branching, GitHub workflows, automated testing, TDD, and CI/CD keep teams shipping reliable code.
  7. Cloud, Containers, and Architecture. Cloud platforms, Docker, microservices vs. monoliths, Agile, and core software architecture patterns.
  8. Engineering Practice and Careers. Code review, performance optimization, accessibility, and the full-stack developer's career path.

This is the starting point of Web and Software Development: you don't need any prior knowledge of this subject to begin.

Key points

Visual module map

1The Building Blocks of the Web: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
2Frontend and Backend Frameworks
3Security, Responsiveness, and Mobile
4Collaboration and Quality: Git, Testing, and CI/CD
5Engineering Practice and Careers

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

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A rough estimate based on the key points reviewed, not an exact measurement of actual mastery.

Final test

You need to review all key points to unlock the final test.

Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Fielding, R. (2000). Architectural Styles and the Design of Network-based Software Architectures (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Irvine).
  • Gamma, E., Helm, R., Johnson, R., and Vlissides, J. (1994). Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software. Boston: Addison-Wesley.
  • Fowler, M. (2018). Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code (2nd ed.). Boston: Addison-Wesley.
  • Fowler, M. (2002). Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture. Boston: Addison-Wesley.
  • Beck, K. (2002). Test Driven Development: By Example. Boston: Addison-Wesley.
  • Newman, S. (2021). Building Microservices (2nd ed.). Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media.
  • MDN Web Docs. "HTML," "CSS," and "JavaScript" guides. Mozilla. https://developer.mozilla.org/
  • W3C. "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1." https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/