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Advantages of Dynamic Web Development in India

The terms "dynamic Web pages" and "dynamic Web sites" can be used in a number of senses, so it is important to clarify the meaning.

The term "dynamic Web pages" are the pages which containing moving images or scrolling text. Such pages may simply use dynamic GIFs, may use multimedia formats such as Macromedia's Flash technology or may make use of a language such as ECMAscript (JavaScript) or Java. The term "dynamic Web site" may also refer to Web sites which provide interfaces to search facilities or backend databases, in which server-side technologies (such as CGI) are used to interrogate databases, file store or legacy systems held on the server and display results based on a user query; for example a Web site which provides access to a library OPAC.

The term "dynamic Web pages" may also be used to refer to pages which may be personalized for the end user, either by the end user selecting preferred options or by the system choosing the preferred options based on the end user profile. An example is the My.Netscape service (which allows users to select the resources which are displayed, from options such as weather information, news, horoscopes, etc.).

The term "dynamic Web pages" may also be refer to pages which are personalized for the end user's device or browser. For example, different pages may be sent to Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers, to users of browsers for the visually impaired, WebTVs, PDAs or WAP phones.

The term "dynamic Web page" may also be refer to pages which will alter based on actions by the end user. For example a menu may expand as the user moves the cursor over the menu item. This approach is normally provided by use of a client-side scripting language such as ECMAscript (JavaScript) which will manipulate HTML and CSS elements based on end user actions, such as mouse movements and mouse clicks. The term "Dynamic HTML" (DHTML) is often used in this context.

The term "dynamic Web site" may be used to refer to a Web site which makes use of a server-side scripting environment such as PHP or ASP (Active Server Pages) or a content management system such as Zope or ColdFusion. It should be noted that such technologies may be used to provide dynamic Web pages (as defined in 1-5) but they may also be used to provide static Web pages.

Movement on a Web page (example 1) may be useful in some cases. However, for accessibility purposes, the end user should be able to switch off scrolling text or moving images.

Access to search facilities, backend databases and legacy systems (example 2) is desirable on many Web sites.

Web sites which can be personalised for the end user (example 3) may be desirable in some cases.

Web sites which can be personalised for the end user's client environment (example 4) may be desirable. However users should not be disenfranchised if they have an unusual client environment.

Dynamic Web sites (example 5) may be desirable in some cases. However users should not be disenfranchised if their browser does not support ECMAscript, or if ECMAscript is disabled (e.g. for security purposes).

If you are considering developing a dynamic Web site you should consider the performance implications and the effect on caching. Will the performance of your service deteriorate if, for example, server-side scripting is used, or will the performance on the end users PC deteriorate if it is not powerful enough to support Java or ECMAscript? In addition will pages on the Web site fail to be cached and what will effect will this have on the performance for the end user?

You should also consider how easy it will be to cite and bookmark dynamic resources. Will resources have a meaningful URL which is easy to remember? Will bookmarked URLs return the same resource at a future date? The term "dynamic Web site" may also refer to Web sites which provide interfaces to search facilities or backend databases, in which server-side technologies (such as CGI) are used to interrogate databases, file store or legacy systems held on the server and display results based on a user query; for example a Web site which provides access to a library OPAC.

The term "dynamic Web pages" may also be used to refer to pages which may be personalised for the end user, either by the end user selecting preferred options or by the system choosing the preferred options based on the end user profile. An example is the My.Netscape service (which allows users to select the resources which are displayed, from options such as weather information, news, horoscopes, etc.).

The term "dynamic Web page" may also be refer to pages which are personalised for the end user's device or browser. For example, different pages may be sent to Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers, to users of browsers for the visually impaired, WebTVs, PDAs or WAP phones.

The term "dynamic Web page" may also be refer to pages which will alter based on actions by the end user. For example a menu may expand as the user moves the cursor over the menu item. This approach is normally provided by use of a client-side scripting language such as ECMAscript (JavaScript) which will manipulate HTML and CSS elements based on end user actions, such as mouse movements and mouse clicks. The term "Dynamic HTML" (DHTML) is often used in this context.

The term "dynamic Web site" may be used to refer to a Web site which makes use of a server-side scripting environment such as PHP or ASP (Active Server Pages) or a content management system such as Zope or ColdFusion. It should be noted that such technologies may be used to provide dynamic Web pages (as defined in 1-5) but they may also be used to provide static Web pages.

Movement on a Web page (example 1) may be useful in some cases. However, for accessibility purposes, the end user should be able to switch off scrolling text or moving images.

Access to search facilities, backend databases and legacy systems (example 2) is desirable on many Web sites.

Web sites which can be personalised for the end user (example 3) may be desirable in some cases.

Web sites which can be personalised for the end user's client environment (example 4) may be desirable. However users should not be disenfranchised if they have an unusual client environment.

Dynamic Web sites (example 5) may be desirable in some cases. However users should not be disenfranchised if their browser does not support ECMAscript, or if ECMAscript is disabled (e.g. for security purposes).

If you are considering developing a dynamic Web site you should consider the performance implications and the effect on caching. Will the performance of your service deteriorate if, for example, server-side scripting is used, or will the performance on the end users PC deteriorate if it is not powerful enough to support Java or ECMAscript? In addition will pages on the Web site fail to be cached and what will effect will this have on the performance for the end user?

You should also consider how easy it will be to cite and bookmark dynamic resources. Will resources have a meaningful URL which is easy to remember? Will bookmarked URLs return the same resource at a future date?

Maximizing Your Domain"s Potential

Once a domain name has been created, the next target is to maximize the domain's potential. In order to bring most desirable results, the following steps can be ensured:

Hyphenated domain names hold no influence on search engine rankings.

If you are thinking of maximal functionality and regional branding, you should go for country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs). However, we may as well carry on with Top Level Domains (.com, .org, .net extensions), but why not try out the more specific. You have nothing to lose.

Once you have configured your domain to your website, the next step involves making the search engines aware of it. If search engines are oblivious to the existence of your website, even if you have got a catchy domain name, your website traffic would be minimal.

Owning a domain name is not same as owning it. Get it registered as yours officially, or else, the domain will repose in the hands of the service provider instead of you.

How Can I Secure my website ?

After procuring a domain name registration for your website, its time you secure your website. This is most necessary if you are contemplating e-commerce transactions through your website. The standard protocol for securing websites is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). It provides data encryption, server authentication, message integrity and client authentication for TCP/IP connections. This obstructs tampering or message forgery. SSL is built into all major Web browsers and it is desirable for websites which support internet transactions to be empowered with this protocol to prevent cyber crimes like hacking, fishing etc. When a customer gives you access to his or her credit card information, it means the person is reposing faith in your enterprise. It is your solemn duty to live up to the customer's expectations.

The protocol is available in both 40-bit and 128-bit strengths. This refers to the session key generated by each transaction. In order to forge an SSL session with a customer's browser, your server has to generate a public key and a private key and have them authenticated by an authority like InstantSSL so that you can use its certificate. The certificates are not very expensive and is a wise deal to keep off hackers who are always on the prowl in the web.

What is a Domain Name ? How does a Domain Name work ?

A Domain Name is attached to Domain Name System (DNS), which is a server enabled to translate numeric addresses (called IP, that is, Internet Protocol) into words. Each site, though they may appear in alphabetical letters, has a numeric IP address behind its name. This numeric address is the real address of the site on the internet.

The entire system is said to be hierarchial, but it is interesting to note that, there is no single registry for DNS information. When a user enters a domain name registration to their web browser, it is upto the DNS of that Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to handle the request. The DNS server then provides the browser which the correct IP. In case it doesn't exist, the server returns an error message or directs the user elsewhere.

A Domain Name is assigned to an IP address and this development has to be registered in the Name Server. The domain name has to be registered with the Network Information Centre (NIC), which is also called Domain Authority so as to preserve the database record of the domain ownership and the Name Servers that hold the domain's IPrecord.

What are secure websites and why SSL certificates are ?

When we log on to a website, information is sent from your computer to the web server, and from the web server to the computer. Anyone can browse through this information because it is in plain text. So, we can imagine how risky it would be to go for online shopping or banking in the internet. If this menace is not done away wit, how will e-commerce be possible? The answer lies in creating Secure Socket Layer (SSL), where all text is encrypted. Not only for text, there is encryption for your credit card number too. A secure website must have its own static/dedicated IP address.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) providers like GeoTrust, SSL.com also provide a 'site seal' to the owners of these websites which is characterized by high visibility, difficulty in duplicating and verification functionality.

Procurement of SSL certificates require a static/ dedicated IP address, SSL access and an understanding of non-trusted certificates. These certificates guarantee the customers about the legality of their websites and the transactions are a certified economic process.

Let's throw light upon their working. First, a browser requests a secure page (usually http://). Next the server sends its public key with its certificate. It decrypts the symmetric encryption key using its private key. The webserver sends back the requested html data encrypted with the symmetric key. Now the browser decrypts the http data and html document using the symmetric key and the information is displayed on the computer monitor.

How can I protect my Domain Name ?

The ownership of domain name is determined by the information recorded in the central Whois database under the Registrant information section of a particular domain record. From time to time, there have been incidents of hackers tampering with the Whois database in an attempt to wrest control over a domain. There are ways to control this menace. In order to minimize the potential risk of losing your domain name, you can take the following steps:

Use a complex password (minimum 8 characters constituting meaningless, non-recognizable words).

Keep full control over your domain name. Get your domain name registered in your name exclusively. If that is not done, many a time, the service provider has the pie.

In the wake of any suspicious email which indicates changes on your domain name, alert the company through which you purchased the domain name immediately. Forward to them such murky documentation and provide them with the details of your problem. That would help them track down the disorder and do away with any mischief before things go out of control.

Keep an off-line (paper/ hard) copy of your Whois records. Get a print out of the receipt and all other information which is sent by your Registrar via email to you. One never knows when these come handy. So, at times, it is wise to rely on good old paper.

Make payments on time. Renew your domain name as soon as you receive a reminder from the Registrar. If the stipulated time of payment expires, you lose your domain name, and it might be to someone with a liking for the same name.