Server-side scripting allows web applications to interact with permanent back-end storage such as databases. It also can allow web pages to be personalized and dynamic.
This kind of scripting retrieves information from the database and makes it accessible to users without having to download plugins. However, it puts a greater load on the server and requires pages to be refreshed in order to show the dynamic content; newer methods like Ajax have overcome this issue.
Web Servers
Unlike client-side scripting which runs in the browser, server-side scripting takes place on the webserver. The server validates and processes the web page request before sending it back to the user’s browser. This means that server-side scripting offers higher security because the source code isn’t visible to hackers.
It also allows for more dynamic web pages as the data that is retrieved by the server can be tailored to each individual. For example, Facebook users see different information when they visit the site because the servers return data based on their account. This can help boost your Google rating as well as give customers a more personalized experience.
The disadvantage of this approach is that it requires the pages to be refreshed every time new data is fetched, although a method called Ajax is making this less of an issue. This can also put more strain on your website’s servers, so you may need to consider using a more powerful hosting option or dedicated server.
As the demand for dynamic websites continues to grow, there is an increasing need for back-end developers who are experts in server-side scripting. A developer who specialises in this technique can create dynamic pages that are optimised for the web and offer a superior customer experience. They can also help improve the speed of a website by retrieving data quickly and minimizing load times.
Scripting Languages
Scripting languages are specialized programming tools that enable web applications to communicate with server-side environments. A web application is a complex system of elements that work together over the internet to create a unified user experience, relying on back-end code to manage login details, track and store data, and run relevant analyses on information.
A popular server-side scripting language is Python, which is used to create the frameworks that are used by most modern web applications. Python is a highly versatile, free and open-source programming language that is simple to understand and easy to program in.
PHP is another server-side scripting language that is used to create a variety of websites and web applications. It is a powerful, robust language that has the capability to handle high volumes of requests and process large amounts of data quickly. It can also be used to generate dynamic content for web pages.
VBScript is a server-side scripting language that is used in some web apps. It is a simple to learn, OOPs language that has been around for decades and continues to be used in new web development projects.
Ruby is a server-side scripting language with broad applications in the web development arena. It is used for many popular web frameworks like Ruby on Rails, which powers such sites as GitHub, Kickstarter and Airbnb. It is also used in some desktop programs and for automated DevOps tasks.
Scripting Frameworks
The heart of web functionality lies in server-side scripting, a dynamic process that delivers information tailored for each user. Developing this code requires a wide range of skills and tools, but software frameworks offer a structural backbone that helps reduce development time and errors.
A web framework allows developers to focus on their work instead of worrying about low-level networking primitives, reducing development time and allowing them to produce higher quality software. Programmers can use a variety of frameworks for any language, including PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, and Node.
Frameworks offer different libraries and tools that solve specific problems, so developers can pick the one that best suits their needs. Some frameworks are highly opinionated and include all possible solutions, while others are lightweight and allow the developer to choose solutions from independent libraries. Frameworks can also vary in their complexity; some require a deeper understanding of the language for optimal performance, while others are easier to understand and less resource-intensive.
A popular option for back-end programming is Node, a server-side scripting framework that supports the MEAN stack. This framework is easy to use, flexible and stable, with an emphasis on software engineering principles such as “Don’t Repeat Yourself” and convention over configuration. It also enables fast and efficient processing of requests and is ideal for scalability and resiliency.
Scripting Security
Server-side scripting is a powerful programming technique for creating dynamic web pages and interacting with databases. It is also useful for minimizing the time it takes for web pages to load, which can help improve a website’s Google rating and prevent visitors from abandoning a site due to slow loading times. Server-side scripting can also be used to sanitize data and enforce access control, which helps reduce the risk of security breaches.
The process of server-side scripting begins when a web browser sends a request to the server, which in turn executes the appropriate code. This code can include URLs for particular web pages, form submissions or other requests. When a request is received, the server-side script processes it and returns a customized HTML document to the browser.
Aside from generating dynamic content, server-side scripts can also be used to collect information about the users of a website. This information can be used to refine the website’s response, for example, by recommending products or services based on previous searches and purchases.
One drawback to server-side scripting is that it requires a web server, which can add to the overall operating costs of a website. In addition, it can place a significant strain on the server, so sites that use this type of scripting may need to invest in more powerful hosting options.