I. Definition of a website: What is a website?

Many people visit countless Web sites every day, reading news, shopping, searching for information, but rarely think seriously about the definition of "website" itself. Simply put, the website is the Internet "house" or "digital facade", is through the Internet Protocol, the information, services, functions displayed to the world of users of a carrier.

In layman's terms, a website is like an offline store, exhibition hall, or information bulletin board, except that it exists on the Internet and is accessible to visitors around the world 24 hours a day.

Formal Definition (from an authoritative Internet reference)

A Web site (Website) is a collection of one or more Web pages, usually with a unified domain name, stored on a server, and a Web resource that provides content, services, and interactive features to users over the Internet[^1].

Second, the basic composition of the site, step by step to understand what the site "looks like".

1. Domain name (URL)

- The domain name is the user's access number to the website. For example, www.niuseng.com.

- The domain name "translates" an unrecognizable IP address into a short, catchy word that is easy to remember and enter.

2. Web server/web space

- Web site files need to reside on a real computer (server).

- The server runs 24 hours a day and "delivers" web pages, images, videos, etc. to the user.

3. Front-end page

- The "front end" refers to the actual page content and interface that the user sees.

- It includes the layout of the web page, text, images, buttons, etc., and is usually developed in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

- The front-end determines the "appearance" and "ease of use" of the website.

4. Back-end program

- The "back-end" is the brain of the website function, responsible for data processing, permission setting, etc..

- For example, logging in, searching, ordering and other operations should be handled by the back-end, and common development languages include PHP, Python, Java, etc.

5. Database

- Store a large amount of data generated during the operation of the website, such as user information, orders, article content, etc..

- Different types of websites will choose MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL and other databases.

6. Content Resources

- Contains all the text, images, videos, downloadable files, etc. that are displayed to users.

- Content constitutes the core of the website that really attracts users.

Third, the main functions of the site in detail (step by step progressive understanding)

Different types of websites have different functional focuses. Below is a commonly used table that allows you to easily understand the core of the functions of various websites:

Summary

- A normally operated website should have at least three basic functions: content display, user interaction, and data management.

- As the website grows, it can integrate more subsystems and third-party services to meet more business needs.

IV. Common website structure illustration (process-oriented understanding)

Websites usually have a clear information architecture and user access path. Below is a textual flow tree of a common basic website architecture to help you form a clear perception:

Home ├─About Us ├─Products/Services │ ├─Product A │ ├─Product B ├─News ├─Customer Cases ├─Contact Us

More complex websites may have deep directories such as "Member System", "Order Management", "Personal Center", etc. Each branch represents a kind of information and function. Each branch represents a kind of information and functional classification.

V. How does a website "work"? Behind the collaboration and flow

1. The user enters the URL (domain name) → 2. DNS domain name resolution to find the server → 3. server response to the request → 4. the user's browser to present the page

The whole process will be carried out after the data interaction, such as user registration, ordering, comments, etc. need to be front and back end and database linkage.

Extended description:

- Modern websites are enhanced with mobile adaptation, i.e. "responsive design", so that you can browse well on your cell phone.

- Advanced websites support SEO optimization, HTTPS security, CDN acceleration, anti-attack and other professional features to enhance exposure and security.

- Large websites also support distributed deployment, microservice architecture, high availability operation and maintenance and other industrialized management methods.

Sixth, the website and App, small program comparison (table to assist in understanding)

Seven, what kind of website is considered professional, good to use?

- Concise structure and beautiful interface: allow users to quickly find the information they need

- Fast access speed and compatibility with multiple terminals: improve user retention.

- Security and privacy protection in place: HTTPS, information leakage prevention.

- Continuous updating and management of content: Improve search ranking and revisit rate.

- With interaction and data processing: can interact, can be archived

Eight, SEO perspective of the site composition points

- Domain name, TDK and other settings have keywords

- Clear structure, easy to be crawled

- High content originality and reasonable layout

- Responsive, safe and compliant

Nine, conclusion: website is the infrastructure of the digital world

Website is the most basic and core elements of the Internet ecosystem, whether you want to do self-media, e-commerce, service platforms or knowledge sharing in the future, to understand "what is a website" and its composition and function, is the first lesson for you to move towards the digital future. I hope this article gives you a systematic and practical understanding of websites!

References:

[^1]: Baidu Encyclopedia - Website

[^2]: 知乎 -什么是网站

[^3]: Baidu Search Results - Website Composition and Functions