Web development refers to the process of creating and maintaining websites and web applications that run on the internet. It encompasses a variety of disciplines and skills, including aspects of web design, web programming, and database management. Web development can be categorized into front-end development, which involves creating the visual elements of a website that users interact with (using technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), and back-end development, which focuses on server-side logic, databases, and application programming interfaces (APIs) using languages such as PHP, Python, Ruby, and others.
Web development also includes considerations for user experience (UX) and responsiveness, ensuring that websites function well across different devices and screen sizes. Additionally, web developers work with frameworks and libraries to enhance functionality and ease of development. Overall, web development is essential for building websites that are efficient, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, serving various purposes such as information dissemination, e-commerce, social networking, and online services.