If we look 2 decades back all web development was made by hardcoding the webpages in HTML, which was one of the first standard mark-up languages to be introduced. In the early days development was made in a simple text editor like Notepad, which can be found in most versions of Microsoft Windows. After some time new systems were introduced which gave more options when it came to the coding itself. An example of these systems was Hotdog Pro, which gave an enriched experience compared to Notepad.
WYSIWYG
After some years Microsoft Introduced their “What You See Is What You Get System” Microsoft FrontPage. One of the main advantages of using FrontPage was that it combined a visual editing with the possibility of hard coding in the desired language (PHP, Pearl, HTML or ASP as examples). Since visual design became easier based on the WYSIWYG systems more software developers began developing new platforms to support the growing demand. These systems were extremely advanced compared to just using a text editor however they were not all that integrated with regards to content. Upload of new material such as pictures and videos still had to be managed through a FTP service which had some limitations.
Content Management Systems
The next step in web design was the introduction of the CMS System, which again gave the developers and user an even greater user experience than before. The CMS systems incorporated many of the desired features such as upload and onsite editing which hasn’t been possible before. Systems like Microsoft Sharepoint and WordPress were introduced to both professionals and home users, which gave everybody the possibility of creating their own unique webpage. Microsoft Sharepoint gave companies a complete set of professional tools to create both company homepages as well as intranets for employees. WordPress was introduced as a free to use system that both individuals as well as professionals could use. WordPress features a simple to use interface which enabled almost everybody to create, design and manage their own personal webpage. The only thing that WordPress required was a SQL Database where it could store and manage the data needed for the webpage.
