Website Development: Behind the Scenes and How to Build Your Own
Have you ever wondered how a custom-made, competitive website comes to life? In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of website creation, explore the technologies used, and provide a step-by-step guide to help you build your own website. We'll also discuss the unique aspects of the website mentioned in the article and provide insights into its development process.
The Development Process of the Website
The website in question was developed using a variety of JavaScript libraries and a range of programming languages. This bespoke system is specifically designed to be unique and competitive. As a result, only a portion of the actual source code can be seen when inspecting the site. This approach ensures that the website remains agile and can adapt to various requirements without exposing its underlying architecture.
Another interesting aspect of the website is the presence of a cloned version available on GitHub, which either matches or includes additional features. This indicates a level of transparency and community engagement, allowing developers to study and potentially improve the original design.
Understanding the Codebase
Upon examining the code, there are no fingerprints of a specific Content Management System (CMS). The class names follow a well-structured modern Block Element Model (BEM) convention, coupled with the Bootstrap framework for responsive design. This indicates a clean and lean codebase, which is the opposite of what most development environments produce.
The strong possibility of using a flat-file CMS such as Grav is evident. Flat-file systems run without the need for a database and are highly optimized, contributing to the snappy user experience observed. Additionally, JavaScript can be used to dynamically fetch content from external settings files, such as JSON files, to alter the site's content easily.
The similarity between the two sites suggests that the second site was derived from the first, indicating a strong likelihood of being hand-coded. Hand-coding allows for precise control over the site's structure and functionality, ensuring a unique and competitive edge.
Learning Paths for Website Development
Building a website, particularly a functional and competitive one, requires a significant amount of knowledge, encompassing both front-end and back-end skills. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you embark on your journey:
Front-End Development
1. Learn HTML: Start by understanding the basics of HTML (HyperText Markup Language), whether through online tutorials or books. This is the foundation upon which all web pages are built.
2. Learn CSS: Once you have a good grasp of HTML, move on to CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). CSS allows you to style and design your web pages, making them visually appealing and user-friendly.
3. Learn JavaScript: JavaScript is essential for interactive web elements. Understanding JavaScript is crucial for creating dynamic and responsive web pages.
4. Consider Learning a Front-End Framework: Frameworks like jQuery or Angular JS can simplify DOM manipulation and other tasks. However, knowing the basics first is recommended.
For a complete social app, you will need to delve deeper into back-end development.
Back-End Development
1. Choose a Front-End Language: Learn a front-end language like Java, Ruby, or Python. This will help you understand how web applications are structured and how they communicate with the server.
2. Frameworks for Web Development: Frameworks like Ruby on Rails or Django can significantly ease the process of web development by handling various tasks, such as routing and compressing code. These frameworks allow developers to focus more on the application logic rather than repetitive tasks.
3. Learn SQL and Databases: A deep understanding of SQL and the use of databases, such as MySQL, is essential for managing and storing data. Data is the lifeblood of most web applications, and mastering SQL will enhance your ability to design and optimize database systems.
Conclusion
Creating a custom website is a challenging but rewarding task. By following the steps outlined in this article and dedicating time to learning and coding, you can develop a competitive and unique website. Remember, it's crucial to balance knowledge acquisition with practical application to ensure that your project is successful.
If you are interested in building a social app or a similar website, start with a small project and gradually scale up. This approach allows you to learn by doing and build a solid foundation for your future projects.