Every website you visit – whether it’s Google, Facebook, or an e-commerce store – follows the same fundamental structure. A website is made up of three key parts:
- Frontend (Client-Side) – What Users See
- Backend (Server-Side) – The Behind-the-Scenes Processing
- Database – Where Information Is Stored
1. Frontend (Client-Side) – The Visible Part of a Website
The frontend is everything users see and interact with on a website. It includes:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language) – The structure of the webpage.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) – The design and layout.
- JavaScript – Adds interactivity and animations.
When you visit a website, your browser downloads the frontend code and renders it on your screen.
2. Backend (Server-Side) – The Brain of the Website
The backend handles all the logic and processes user requests. It includes:
- A Server – The computer that runs the website’s code and processes user inputs.
- A Backend Language – Such as Node.js, Python, or PHP, which handles requests.
- APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) – Connect the frontend with the backend.
For example, when you log into a website, the backend verifies your username and password before granting access.
3. Database – The Storage System
Databases store and manage website data, such as user accounts, product details, and comments. Common databases include:
- SQL Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL) – Structured and relational.
- NoSQL Databases (MongoDB, Firebase) – Flexible and good for handling large-scale data.
When you visit a website and see dynamic content (like your profile), it is fetched from the database in real time.
How Websites Load
- You type a website’s URL in your browser.
- The browser sends a request to the website’s server.
- The server processes the request and retrieves data from the database.
- The frontend displays the content on your screen.
Understanding these concepts helps developers create fast, secure, and interactive websites.
