Web design technologies. Choosing a server (hosting)
Server is the name of a computer equipped with special software and constantly connected to the Internet (usually via a high-speed connection). Server technologies in web design are software techniques that ensure the functionality of a PC in this particular capacity (for more information about the operation of the server, see the materials Web Design Technologies on neoregion.ru). By the way: we strongly recommend that you do not “jump” from one material to another, since to understand the essence of the definitions you need to become familiar with the basic techniques.
In essence, the server is physically no different from a well-equipped household computer except for the server software installed on it (that is, a set of programs that allow the PC to be used as a server).
Server-side web design technologies are very unique and far from simple, but not by any special intricacy, but directly by their difference from the software of household machines. This is precisely why a dialogue between a server-client pair (that is, communication between a server and a home computer) requires special software called a browser. Looking ahead a little, we note that “communication” between the server and the client machine via a browser is far from the only way to exchange data.
We will not delve into the jungle of server-side web design technologies, since this is a topic for a completely different site. We note only those characteristics that are very important for a novice user.
Main characteristics of the server. Selecting a Server
Don't be embarrassed if you've never heard of terms like FreeBSD, Apache or Unix before. They describe... let's put it this way: software platforms on which server technologies are built. It is important for us to know only what may affect the normal functioning of our site.
What is needed for this can be determined from the unambiguous conditions accompanying the description of each CMS (type of database, version of the programming language used, etc.) and called “minimum necessary requirements.”
For example, the minimum required requirements for installing and operating CMS Joomla! version 1.5.12:
PHP 4.2.x or higher;
MySQL 3.23.x or higher;
Apache 1.13.19 or higher.
Therefore, when choosing a hosting, pay attention to the availability of exactly these (not lower) versions of software and technologies (PHP: server programming language; MySQL: type of database used by the system; Apache: type of server environment).
If you work as an independent, creative web designer, the narrow confines of even the most sophisticated CMS will be too cramped for you. For web projects solved on the basis of HTML, almost any server platform is suitable (since HTML is the “foundation of the basics”, it is, figuratively speaking, something unshakable and unchangeable). But to install correct feedback you will need both PHP and a database; in addition, they will be necessary for interactive extensions of the site (for example, such as a forum).
Therefore, choose something from technology that will give you the potential opportunity to expand and reconstruct your site in the future (this is required by the site analysis technique, see also here).
Advice: do not limit yourself to certain minimum requirements. Let the disk space be relatively small, since it can be easily increased by switching to a more expensive tariff; but such web design technologies as PHP and MySQL should certainly be on the server (and also provided to you at the rate that you like).
Tariffs and hosting characteristics
There are many tariffs; Almost every hoster comes up with their own, original ones. This is the right of the owners.
On hosting sites, tariff plans are described quite fully. Here are their main characteristics (NOT server technologies, but the tariff plan!):
provided disk space;
availability of extensions in the form of PHP and MySQL, as well as their versions;
traffic limitation;
how many domains can be kept on one account;
method and effectiveness of support;
what kind of control and monitoring panel is used;
provision of domains at a minimal price, etc.
If you do not yet have your own domain name, pay special attention to the last point (of course, if you need a domain).
You have decided on the technologies, the choice of hosting has been made, and the domain name has been purchased. Now you need to register the domain on this server, that is, set specific DNS for the name; This ends the organizational part of creating the site. Let’s add right away: the easiest one, since we didn’t do anything special.
Server is the name of a computer equipped with special software and constantly connected to the Internet (usually via a high-speed connection). Server technologies in web design are software techniques that ensure the functionality of a PC in this particular capacity (for more information about the operation of the server, see the materials Web Design Technologies on neoregion.ru). By the way: we strongly recommend that you do not “jump” from one material to another, since to understand the essence of the definitions you need to become familiar with the basic techniques.
In essence, the server is physically no different from a well-equipped household computer except for the server software installed on it (that is, a set of programs that allow the PC to be used as a server).
Server-side web design technologies are very unique and far from simple, but not by any special intricacy, but directly by their difference from the software of household machines. This is precisely why a dialogue between a server-client pair (that is, communication between a server and a home computer) requires special software called a browser. Looking ahead a little, we note that “communication” between the server and the client machine via a browser is far from the only way to exchange data.
We will not delve into the jungle of server-side web design technologies, since this is a topic for a completely different site. We note only those characteristics that are very important for a novice user.
Main characteristics of the server. Selecting a Server
Don't be embarrassed if you've never heard of terms like FreeBSD, Apache or Unix before. They describe... let's put it this way: software platforms on which server technologies are built. It is important for us to know only what may affect the normal functioning of our site.
What is needed for this can be determined from the unambiguous conditions accompanying the description of each CMS (type of database, version of the programming language used, etc.) and called “minimum necessary requirements.”
For example, the minimum required requirements for installing and operating CMS Joomla! version 1.5.12:
PHP 4.2.x or higher;
MySQL 3.23.x or higher;
Apache 1.13.19 or higher.
Therefore, when choosing a hosting, pay attention to the availability of exactly these (not lower) versions of software and technologies (PHP: server programming language; MySQL: type of database used by the system; Apache: type of server environment).
If you work as an independent, creative web designer, the narrow confines of even the most sophisticated CMS will be too cramped for you. For web projects solved on the basis of HTML, almost any server platform is suitable (since HTML is the “foundation of the basics”, it is, figuratively speaking, something unshakable and unchangeable). But to install correct feedback you will need both PHP and a database; in addition, they will be necessary for interactive extensions of the site (for example, such as a forum).
Therefore, choose something from technology that will give you the potential opportunity to expand and reconstruct your site in the future (this is required by the site analysis technique, see also here).
Advice: do not limit yourself to certain minimum requirements. Let the disk space be relatively small, since it can be easily increased by switching to a more expensive tariff; but such web design technologies as PHP and MySQL should certainly be on the server (and also provided to you at the rate that you like).
Tariffs and hosting characteristics
There are many tariffs; Almost every hoster comes up with their own, original ones. This is the right of the owners.
On hosting sites, tariff plans are described quite fully. Here are their main characteristics (NOT server technologies, but the tariff plan!):
provided disk space;
availability of extensions in the form of PHP and MySQL, as well as their versions;
traffic limitation;
how many domains can be kept on one account;
method and effectiveness of support;
what kind of control and monitoring panel is used;
provision of domains at a minimal price, etc.
If you do not yet have your own domain name, pay special attention to the last point (of course, if you need a domain).
You have decided on the technologies, the choice of hosting has been made, and the domain name has been purchased. Now you need to register the domain on this server, that is, set specific DNS for the name; This ends the organizational part of creating the site. Let’s add right away: the easiest one, since we didn’t do anything special.