What Web Design & Development Is
The Web in Plain English
A simple definition
A website is a collection of web pages that people access through a browser like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. Web design focuses on how a site looks and feels, while web development focuses on how it works.
Core terms
Design vs development
Design is about clarity, layout, color, typography, and user experience. Development is about structure, behavior, data, and functionality.
How a Website Works
From request to response
When you type a website address, your browser sends a request to a server. The server sends back files such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, or data. The browser then displays the page.
Major parts of a website
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| HTML | Adds structure and content |
| CSS | Controls presentation and layout |
| JavaScript | Adds interactivity |
| Server | Processes requests and returns data |
| Database | Stores information |
Which part of a website mainly controls the visual style and layout?
CSS is used to control colors, spacing, fonts, and layout.
Correct answer: CSS
In one sentence, what is the difference between a website and a web page?
A site contains many pages; a page is one document or screen.
Correct answer: A website is a collection of related web pages, while a web page is a single page within that site.
Which technology is most directly responsible for making buttons respond to clicks?
JavaScript handles behavior and interaction.
Correct answer: JavaScript