Assignment 1 Website design and development (1633), Essays (university) of Information Technology

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Assignment Brief 1 (RQF)

Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Computing

Student Name/ID Number: Unit Number and Title: Unit 10: Website Design & Development Academic Year: 2021 – 2022 Unit Assessor: Hoang Nhu Vinh Assignment Title: Web Technologies Issue Date: 01 April 2021 Submission Date: Internal Verifier Name: Date:

Assignment Brief and Guidance: You currently work for a software training company that produces courses and topic presentations to established companies and, importantly, to new start-ups. MWS wishes to pursue a bespoke web-based e-commerce solution. As part of your role, you have been asked to create an engaging presentation to help inform and train staff members on the tools and techniques associated with front- and back-end development together with the technologies and services required to set up, host and manage a typical commercial website. You will find more information in the file MWS-CaseStudy.docx. In addition to your presentation, you will also provide an extended guidebook containing further information for staff members or a detailed report containing a technical review of the topics covered in the presentation. Your presentation should include:

1. Server technologies and the management services associated with hosting and managing websites.
2. A review of different website technologies supported with the tools and software used to develop websites (including the differences between online website creation tools and custom- built sites). Your extended guidebook or detailed report should include a summary of your presentation as well as additional, evaluated or critically reviewed technical notes on all of the expected topics. Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria (Assignment 1): Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction LO1 P1^ Identify the purpose and types of DNS, including explanations on how domain names are organised and managed. P2 Explain the purpose and relationships between communication protocols, server hardware, operating systems and web server software with M1 Evaluate the impact of common web development technologies and frameworks with regards to website design, functionality and management. M2 Review the influence of search engines on website performance and provide evidencebased support for improving a site’s D1 Justify the tools and techniques chosen to realize a custom-built website.

regards to designing, publishing and accessing a website. index value and rank through search engine optimisation. LO2 P3^ Discuss the capabilities and relationships between front-end and backend website technologies and explain how these relate to presentation and application layers. P4 Discuss the differences between online website creation tools and custom built sites with regards to design flexibility, performance, functionality, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI). M3 Evaluate a range of tools and techniques available to design and develop a custom built website.

I. Introduction:

This report aims to provide an overview of server technologies and website technologies. The report is divided into two main sections. The first section will cover server technologies and management services, including DNS, communication protocols, server hardware, operating systems, and web server software. The second section will cover website technologies, tools, and software, including front-end and back-end technologies, databases, IDEs, CMS, and website builders.

II. Server technologies and management services

1. Identify the purpose and types of DNS

The domain name system (DNS) is a naming database in which internet domain names are located and translated into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The domain name system maps the name people use to locate a website to the IP address that a computer uses to locate that website.

a.

a. Purpose of DNS

The purpose of DNS is to translate a domain name into the appropriate IP address. This is done by looking up the DNS records of the requested domain. There are typically eight steps in this DNS lookup process that follow the information path from the originating web browser to the DNS server and back again. (Wetherall & Andrew, 2021)

b. Type of DNS

There are 3 classes types of DNS: root DNS servers, Top-level domain (TLD) servers, authoritative DNS servers.  Root DNS servers: There are over 400 root name servers scattered all over the world. Error: Reference source not foundError: Reference source not found shows the countries that have root names servers, with countries having more than ten darkly shaded. These root name servers are Figure : Domain Name System (DNS) Figure : Change IP to DNS or back again

2. How domain names are organized and managed

Organized DNS: These databases are part of the worldwide system of domain registrars. The mapping of IP names corresponding to human-readable hostnames is done via DNS (Domain Name System). The domain names are a combination of second-level domains and top-level domains. The second-level domain is the human-readable hostname of the domain. The other type of Top-level domains are categorized into three types of top-level domains: gTLD, ccTLD and nTLD. (Inet, 2021) Managed DNS: Domain names are managed by domain registries. When a new website is created, a domain name can be registered with a registrar to secure it. However, it’s important to note this common misconception: when someone claims and registers a domain name with a registrar, they have not purchased that domain name from a seller. Domain names are all owned by registries and can only be leased by users. (Grace, 2023)

4. Explain the purpose of Server hardware

A server is a type of computer that provides processing and memory resources for different workloads. The term server can refer to the computer itself or to a program that delivers a service, such as an email management system. Most hardware-related references concern the physical machine. The server operating system (OS) is designed to process large workloads, deliver services, and support network-based operations. Common server OSes include Linux, Unix, and Windows Server. Servers are usually set up to provide one or more specific services. Servers are commonly used to manage network resources and make them available to client devices. A server is often referenced based on the purpose it serves. For example, a print server provides network users with access to shared printers, and a media server streams video and audio content to network users. A server's physical configuration is usually specific to the types of services it provides. For example, a database server might include more processing or memory resources to handle the influx of concurrent transactions. Many data centers also implement server virtualization to deliver services more efficiently. Server virtualization can help better utilize the server's physical resources, while also increasing flexibility and security and reducing energy consumption. (Sheldon, 2021)

5. Explain the purpose of Operating systems

The operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. It performs basic tasks such as file, memory and process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. (Australia, 2023)

6. Explain the purpose of Web server software

Web servers are primarily used to process and manage HTTP/HTTPS requests and responses from the client system. A web server can also perform several other functions, such as:  Store and protect website data : A web server can store and protect critical website data from unauthorized users.  Control bandwidth to regulate network traffic : A web server can help eliminate the downtime caused by high web traffic. Web hosts can set bandwidth to manage the rate of data transmission over the internet and minimize the excess network traffic.  Server-side web scripting: The server-side web scripting feature enables users to create dynamic web pages using scripting languages such as Ruby, Python, and PHP.  Virtual hosting: Web servers can also be used as virtual servers to run multiple applications, websites, data, and other services. (Solarwind, Solarwind)

III.Website technologies, tools and software

1. The capabilities and relationships between front-end and

back-end website technologies

All websites require front-end and back-end development. Front-end development focuses on the visual aspects of a website — the part that users see and interact with. Back-end development comprises a site's structure, system, data, and logic. Together, front-end and back-end development combine to create interactive, visually pleasing websites (Simmons, 2023).

2. Explain how these relate to presentation and application

layers

Both types of developers need strong coding skills. Front-end devs use programming languages to bring the client side of a site to life. This development takes technical, creative, and communication skills. Back-end developers use server-side programming languages is responsible for processing and storing data to ensure that websites function properly (Simmons, 2023). The two layers work together to provide a seamless user experience, with the presentation layer interacting with the application layer through APIs.

3. Review Front End technologies

Front-end development focuses on the user-facing side of a website. Front-end developers ensure that visitors can easily interact with and navigate sites by using programming languages, design skills, and other tools. They produce the drop-down menus, layouts, and designs for websites. Front-end devs use computer programming languages like JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to design websites. Each language serves a unique purpose. HTML lays out the site's content and structure, CSS adds design features, and JavaScript creates advanced interactive features. Less commonly, front-end devs know other programming languages like Python, PHP, or Ruby. These developers need expertise using frameworks and libraries like jQuery, Bootstrap, AngularJS, and EmberJS. Frameworks ensure that content appears correctly on all devices, while libraries

condense code into smaller, time-saving packages. Front-end devs may also use graphic design programs like Photoshop or Sketch, along with code editing tools like Notepad or Eclipse. (Simmons, 2023)

4. Review Back End technologies

Back-end developers focus on the server side of websites. They use technical skills to perform the behind- the-scenes work that creates a website's structure and overall functionality, allowing a site's front end to exist. These professionals create a site's operations, databases, and application programming interface (API). The back end includes an application, server, and database. Computer users often do not see the elements of back-end development, which remain below the hood of a website. Back-end developers need advanced experience in server-side programming languages like Java, Python, and Ruby to build applications. Students can learn or brush up on specific computer programming languages by completing bootcamps. For example, see our page on the best Python bootcamps. Back-end devs use tools like SQL Server and Oracle to store, organize, and change data. Employers often require expertise with PHP frameworks, version control software, and debugging back- end systems and applications. Back-end devs collaborate with front-end developers, management, and business stakeholders to understand each project's goals. (Simmons, 2023)

5. Review Databases

A database is a systematic collection of data. They support electronic storage and manipulation of data. Databases make data management easy. Let us discuss a database example: An online telephone directory uses a database to store data of people, phone numbers, and other contact details. Your electricity service provider uses a database to manage billing, client-related issues, handle fault data, etc.