Web Application Development: Concepts, Technologies, and Web Security

This report provides a comprehensive overview of web application development, beginning with a description of web-based applications and their advantages in solving business problems. It critically compares various server-side technologies like PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, C#, and C++, as well as client-side technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, illustrating their respective roles and functionalities. The report also delves into web security techniques, emphasizing the importance of up-to-date software, strong password policies, encryption, secure hosting, and data recovery strategies to protect web application data. Furthermore, it synthesizes client-side and server-side technologies into a complete system architectural design for web applications, highlighting the interaction between the client-side GUI and server-side data processing.

LO1: Understand the concepts of web application development
1.1 Describe the concept of web-based application including its advantages, critically evaluate its
functionality and discuss how the web-based application is employed to solve the business problem
described above?
Ans. A web based application is something which does not exist in a memory of device but it is a
program which gets access by taking help of a network connection using HTTP. It usually run in a web
browser. It is also possible that web based application can be client based where a part of program is
downloaded on the desktop of the user but processing can only be done on the internet on an external
server. They are also considered as web apps. Web based application has a hold of all the applications
that communicate to the user through HTTP. Those applications are Flash games, online calculators ,
calendars and many more. Applications of web based application includes :
Accessibility :
Web based application can be accessed from any place , anytime and with the help of any computer
with just an internet connection. This provides user with the right of accessing the application anywhere
and anytime. It provides us with the possibility of working from home and working in front of the
computer in one location is an old age thing with web based location.
Customization:
In comparison with the desktop application it is easier to customize the user interface of web based
application which makes it more easier to update anything in it if want . So, It gives us the possibility of
changing the interface whenever want to change the interface of the application.
Maintenance:
Whenever there is a new version or installation on the host server all the users can access it without any
need of upgrading the PC of every user.
Security:
In web based applications are always maintained and monitored by server administrators which makes
its security better and any breach can come in recognition very easily.
The ways through which the web based application has solved the problems of business are:
Faster task completion:
With the help of web based application we can complete those task before due time which actually used
to take a lot of our time.
Remote Working :
It has helped a lot in working from anywhere and anytime without being in any fixed location.

1.2 There are various languages available for managing the server-side and client-side scripting
language. You are free to choose any server-side and client-side scripting language for this work
even though ASP.NET is recommended as the lectures will cover it. Your task here is to critically
compare the key differences between the various server side technologies and do the same for the
client side technologies with appropriate examples. Moreover, demonstrate evidently how each of
them can be used to solve the given problem
Server Side technologies:
PHP: The most used server side language present on the web is PHP where it edits all the
information on the database . It has databases written in the SQL language. It is strictly designed
for web .
Python: It is considered as the fast programming language and is favored for exporting things to
market quickly. It is very good for beginner’s as it is understandable and simple. It is good with
the objected oriented design.
Ruby: It basically consist of complicated logic and if you are someone who is searching for
complicated logic on database then this programming language is the best option for you. Ruby
can be taken in use on the rail framework.
Java: Java is a something like C++ but the major difference between the two is that this is
platform independent.
C#: C# combines all the positive aspects of C and C++ languages. It is best for developing web
applications and can be taken in use to build ios.
C++: It works great on complex applications is considered difficult but works well for data heavy
sites.
Client Side technologies:
HTML and CSS: HTML and CSS are the necessity for any website. HTML defines the content and
organization of the site and all the graphic part is managed by CSS. .
JavaScript: It is a client side scripting language. Almost every site uses the JavaScript with HTML
and CSS as their front end.
1.3 In the development of web application security of data and information is very important and any
application is required to manage them appropriately. Discuss web security techniques and explain
how you use them to protect the data in the web application design.
Ans. Web sites are vulnerable and have that fear of security risk and also to the networks which are
connected to the web server. The techniques through which web security can be achieved are:
Keep your software up-to-date:

All the platforms and scripts which are installed needs to be up-to-date. Since outdated platforms are
more prone to get hacked by the hacker. So, it is very important that all the products of software taken
in use is updated.
Password Policy:
It is recommended to have a password which is strong so that it cannot get cracked . For that purpose
password needs to be complex containing lowercase letters ,uppercase letters and special characters.
And it should be 10 characters long. This kind of password policy needs to be maintained.
Encryption:
All the login pages needs to have SSL encryption which allows sensitive information to be transmitted
safely. If the information is encrypted so no third party will be able to decode it. which protects all your
private data from hackers.
Secure host:
To have website security it is very important to choose a secure web hosting . It needs to be confirmed
that the host is aware of threats and make sure that your website is secure.
Keep your website clean:
It needs to be kept in mind that after the use of any database, files or application is closed as if it
remains open it can be the possible way for the hackers to enter.
Recover data:
There should always be a backup of all of the files which are taken in use cause if it becomes inaccessible
there is no loss of data.
These are some of the web security techniques which is going to make the data in the website secure.
M1: There are many server- side technologies that can be taken in use for web applications. Out of
those Microsoft’s ASP.NET is the most popular. The code for server side use .NET Framework which is
written in languages like C# and VB.NET. Database or files like permanent storage interacts directly with
server side. Processing of server side happens when pages are requested and posted back to the server.
Unlike server side the scripts on the client side are implemented on client’s web page and process in the
client browser. There are many benefits of client-side script which has faster response time and an
interactive application. When the elements of the page needs to be changed then it is ideal as there is
no need to contact the database for that purpose.
LO2: Be able to design web applications
2.2 You have to show how the client-side and server-side technologies are synthesized into a web
application. This should constitute the complete system architectural design

Ans. Server-Side Code
 Server side script includes Ruby, Javascript , Python , C# and Java but it is not only confined to them.
That code can run a server which can run on a computer and respond to HTTP request.
 It only stores resolute data.
 User cannot see it.
 It responds only to HTTP request.
Client-Side Code
 Client side code includes HTML,CSS and javascript. Languages used include: HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
 It reacts to user’s input.
 It can be seen and edited by the user.
 It does not store anything after the page is refreshed.
 It cannot directly read file off a server.
 It creates the page visible to the user.
To generally build a web application something which is accessible through a browser needs to have
server delivering web pages and have to handle saving and loading persistent data based on the
messages from the browser. The GUI of web application is something which is managed by the client
code . Appearance of the page is handled through the client side. This style of application is called single
page application.