Web Engineering Glossary
Essential definitions for modern web architecture, digital strategy, and software engineering terms.
Progressive Web App (PWA)
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a type of application software delivered through the web, built using common web technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is intended to work on any platform that uses a standards-compliant browser, including both desktop and mobile devices.
PWAs combine the reach of the web with the capabilities of native apps (offline access, push notifications) without the friction of app store installation.
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is the process of generating the full HTML page on the server in response to a navigation request. This contrasts with Client-Side Rendering (CSR), where the browser downloads a minimal HTML page and Javascript fills in the content.
SSR significantly improves First Contentful Paint (FCP) and ensures search engines can index content reliably without executing JavaScript.
Headless CMS
A Headless CMS is a back-end only content management system that acts primarily as a content repository. It makes content accessible via a RESTful API or GraphQL API for display on any device, without a built-in front-end or presentation layer.
Decoupling content from display allows developers to use the same content across websites, mobile apps, and smart devices simultaneously.
API-First Design
API-First Design is an approach where APIs are treated as "first-class citizens." The API contract is defined and designed before any code is written, ensuring that the interface is consistent, reusable, and independent of implementation details.
This allows frontend and backend teams to work in parallel and ensures the system is integration-ready from day one.
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