Web Technologies

Web Technologies are advancing rapidly. Whether a large establishment or a small business, the web is the core of its functioning, and staying abreast of new web technologies is paramount. Thus we are all in store for some incredible surprises along the way. If you look at the evolution of the web over the years, you are bound to realize that it is no longer just about work.  But increasingly about the experience that encompasses every sphere of life. It has become a source of entertainment, pastime, communication, shopping, relationships, community, and daily life.

Let’s think about how technology and the web have improved society. For example, smartphones and how they continue to improve communication. Or how cars have become safer because of software that allows for alerts when something is wrong. Even SEO trends continually improve via AI and complex algorithms. Overall, technology helps us learn and connect globally. Ultimately these advancements in technology are becoming more relevant to our future.

Following are some thriving web technologies:

#1 Web Technologies –  AI

Artificial intelligence has been developing for some time, especially with Siri, Cortana, and Alexa, which have hit the mainstream. Although this may be true, these are just stepping stones for what is to come. Picture computers being able to have full-blown conversations with you or give you advice. AI can be referred to as a natural technology because it can be perceived as usual. “It’s predicted that AI will radically shift how people perceive and interact with technology. Machines perform a more significant number of tasks and, in many cases, do a better job than humans.

AI Drawbacks

With any technology comes drawbacks, and AI has these too. Ultimately creating and repairing such complex machines requires enormous cost and time. AI could be a mistake for human intelligence, which is unethical because devices lack emotions and moral values. They can only do what is programmed or risk errors during performing or even breaking down. Currently, AI lacks creativity as well as the human touch. The most significant drawback to AI would be replacing humans with machines. Thus leading to large amounts of unemployment. Hence leaving humans with nothing to do and creating havoc and incivility.

#2 Web Design Technologies –  JavaScript

JavaScript is the dominant language of the website. At this stage, it is used on both client- and server sides and helps to design flavorful interfaces, enrich web apps with numerous functions and features, modify web pages in real-time, and much more. Ultimately it wins in functionality and asynchronous nature. They are defying all odds against browser limitations. JavaScript was named among the best programming languages to learn in 2017 by IBM. 

The demand for JavaScript continues to rise, with companies like Facebook continuing their development. This language has not yet reached its full potential but is now quicker and more efficient. Also, its versatility in mobile applications puts JavaScript at the top. Additionally, it wins in efficiency, safety, and cost. Some popular JavaScript counterparts include JQuery, applied on most JS sites. Following are examples of JavaScript offspring:

Angular JS

AngularJS/2, the most popular front-end framework, and ReactJS, the fastest-growing framework. There are others, so if you are interested in JS development, please look them up. JavaScript web frameworks can become a silver bullet for rapid web app development. They serve as a skeleton for single-page apps, allowing developers to worry less about code structure or maintenance while focusing on creating complex interface elements and expanding JS and plain HTML opportunities. JS frameworks bring a high potential for collaboration with HTML and CSS. They are increasing user interface due to the functionality of the development side and experimentation with prototypes.

Complex Angular JS

AngularJS is the more complex of the frameworks and can be a doozy to learn. Produced by Google, this framework is a better asset for small applications with its utilization of controllers. Also, it is a good use for Rich Internet Applications. Some mixed reviews surround the features of AngularJS, mainly regarding the difficulty of learning and execution. However, what it lacks in ease makes up for in the manipulation capabilities of the DOM with the use of directives. You can also make use of less code and still have high functionality. When working with AngularJS, you have to consider the downsides of using it to its full potential. Some things to look forward to with this framework are version 2.0 with increases in speed and performance.

JQuery

JQuery is a JS library that adds simplicity to JS coding. It is also free and compatible. An in-depth knowledge of JS is essential before executing JQuery in total capacity. It has compatibility with HTML5 and allows for coding to support flash content. JQuery is similar to CSS in that you can store its code separately, allowing for modifications across the board.

If your goal is to build a site or Web app that is engaging and interactive, then jQuery is necessary for your toolbox. Since jQuery is a significant component of HTML5, it is worth your developers’ time, money, and effort to learn jQuery now. This library can deliver stunning effects with little coding—and, with more and more HTML5 integration, it will be a massive part of the future of Web development.

ReactJS

ReactJS is cool because it creates data-driven web applications that can refresh without using the refresh button. Also, created by a Facebook engineer, it gains instant credibility and valid inspiration. It also has compatibilities with mobile software, Android and IOS, and React Native. Used chiefly with user interfaces, it is a JavaScript library that makes it easy to create interactive UI. ReactJS is incorporated into the Twitter user interface. 

Facebook has included improved features like error boundaries, custom DOM support, and server-side rendering that has been completely revamped. The results are surprising, considering the software’s rework without API changes.

#3 Web Technologies –  IoT (Internet of Things)

The Internet of things is notably communicating with devices through the cloud. So many innovative ideas surround this market, from self-driving cars to automated machine control. The options are limitless, but the execution is questionable.

IoT can significantly impact society, but we must consider its training to use these products. It takes an optimistic mindset when dealing with IoT because you have to remain confident despite the drawbacks. On the upside, it has substantial potential for high economic value and is estimated to generate trillions by 2025. Consumers, including myself, are fascinated with these new technologies and have an average of 4 IoT devices connected to the cloud. Unfortunately, the fascination is combated by a lack of appreciation for its value.

Future of IoT

As humans, we would instead consult with each other than with data regarding making decisions. Simplicity wins… The future of IoT is bright but slow-hauling, as most technologies are undergoing development, and companies are still skeptical. With these slow adoption rates and IoT still being infancy, it can leave room for pessimism. But, in my opinion, all great things take time. We wouldn’t want something as extraordinary as IoT technology to be rushed with sloppy results.

As technology companies develop new IoT offerings, they should ask digital designers to provide insights about customer behavior. This information might help them create products that prompt strong positive feelings and accelerate adoption rates. As always, products will also need strong technical and analytical capabilities, but companies are more accustomed to delivering such features.

It’s important to track customer reactions and experiences throughout IoT development because catering to the user is essential for success. Current IoT trends are confusing and create an uncertain outlook for the future.

#4 Web Technologies – Static Site Generators

Static site generators are becoming more and more popular. Speedy is the best feature of static sites because HTML files are already available and waiting. Web servers are good at delivering static pages quickly, and the entire site consists of static HTML files sitting on the server. Waiting to be served, a request is sent back to the user instantly. With the demand for mobile devices rising, performance is essential, and static sites adhere to that demand. Pre-generated HTML helps developers utilize their resources and keep up with performance goals.

Other Site Generators

Some exciting static generator platforms are Jekyll, Hugo, Hexo, and others. Jekyll is the most popular of the few mentioned and often used in blogs. Jekyll has no database, which is excellent for loading speed because no database calls are made. Security is less of a hassle as well, with no CMS, PHP, or database. In addition, you’ll spend less time installing security updates. Also, the affiliation with GitHub provides convenient hosting at your fingertips.

A downside of Jekyll would have to be that it isn’t the best option for end-user-based websites, so if you are creating a webpage that requires more user interaction than simplicity, Jekyll may not be well-suited. Personal projects or content-focused websites are more suited for their features.

Hugo

Supporting creativity is essential nowadays because innovation continues to take the cake. Hugo, built-in Go, provides tooling to the static website workflow allowing developers and designers to focus on the fun. Hugo has a robust and versatile theme library using Go’s ‘HTML/template’ library. Themes are easy to work with. Installation is done by simply cloning the repository of a theme into the ‘themes’ directory for your Hugo site.

Hugo is similar to Jekyll’s simplicity in creating blogs, but each has unique features that set them apart. Hexo is a modern static website generator & blogging platform written in Node.js. It is a great way to create a blog or other content-driven websites as all the content is written in markdown and can, therefore, be versioned with Git.

Hex

Again, Hexo is similar to Hugo and Jekyll but has specific features that make it stand out, like Node.js capabilities and deploy configuration. Hexo is better suited for more significant sites than its counterpart Jekyll. Hexo also accepts plug-ins that allow for compatibility with other static generators making it developer-friendly and easy to use. 

So, this pretty much wraps up some of the web technologies. There is a lot to learn about these current and thriving web technologies. Each technology has its specialty, and that’s the beauty of it, especially when you can combine these tools to create something great. We have a lot of awesome things in store as far as technology is concerned. I anticipate the continued knowledge of these web technologies grasped by website developers and designers will allow them to be more creative and innovative.