The web

Last updated Jun 8, 2025 Published May 7, 2024

The content here is under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license

The web has undergone tremendous evolution since its inception in the late 1980s. This journey began with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), laying the foundation for the World Wide Web as we know it today. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee proposed a system for sharing information across different computers, which led to the development of HTML. HTML provided a way to structure content on the web, while CSS, introduced in 1996, allowed for styling and layout control. This combination enabled developers to create visually appealing and well-structured web pages.

The Rise of JavaScript

In the early 1990s, JavaScript emerged as a key player in the web development scene. Initially used for creating dynamic web pages, JavaScript’s popularity grew with the introduction of frameworks like Prototype and jQuery. These libraries simplified the process of manipulating Document Object Model (DOM) elements, making it easier to create interactive web experiences.

The Dawn of ReactJS

In 2013, Facebook open-sourced ReactJS, a JavaScript library for building reusable UI components. The motivation behind creating ReactJS was to address the growing complexity of their own applications. By separating concerns between presentational and container components, ReactJS enabled developers to efficiently manage state changes and re-render components as needed.

Key Milestones in JavaScript Framework Evolution

Javasccript is the language of the web, and its evolution has been marked by several key milestones. The introduction of frameworks like AngularJS in 2014 and Vue.js in 2017 further revolutionized web development. These frameworks provided developers with powerful tools for building complex applications, enhancing productivity and maintainability.

Here’s a brief timeline highlighting:

  • 1995: Netscape Navigator introduces JavaScript
  • Early 2000s: Prototype and jQuery emerge as popular JavaScript libraries
  • 2013: Facebook open-sources ReactJS
  • 2014: Angular 1.x is released by Google
  • 2017: Vue.js is introduced by the Vue.js foundation
Ecosystems

In this section, we will explore the various ecosystems that have emerged in the web development landscape. These ecosystems encompass a wide range of technologies, frameworks, and tools that developers use to build modern web applications. Each ecosystem has its own strengths and use cases, catering to different development needs.

  • ReactJs - ReactJS is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, developed by Facebook. It allows developers to create reusable UI components and manage state efficiently.
  • VueJs - Vue.js is a progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces. It is designed to be incrementally adoptable, allowing developers to integrate it into existing projects easily.
Platform

The web platform has evolved significantly, providing developers with a rich set of tools and APIs to create powerful web applications. This section covers the core technologies and concepts that form the foundation of modern web development. Most of these technologies are supported by all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge and are essential for building robust and interactive web applications.

The future

In this section, we will explore the future of web development, focusing on the latest advancements and trends that are shaping the industry. Mostly, we will be diving into the latest features available in the modern browsers, such as the new CSS features, JavaScript APIs, and other exciting developments and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration.

Resources

How the browser renders a website?

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