Web Development Terminology

While we are not big fans of technical jargon here at Bit Zesty, in some cases it is more helpful to use the correct term rather than rolling out a long and convoluted description of the thing in question each time. We use a few specific terms again and again throughout our site and our work, so this blog post is a brief explanation of these key terms.

Web Application (webapp)

A web application is computer software which is accessible through the Internet. Social networks, e-commerce sites and wikis are all examples of web applications.

• Web applications enable you to deliver and update software without having to distribute and install it. This makes it easier to reach new users as well as allowing you to maintain the software to a standard which keeps existing users happy.
• One big advantage of web applications is that they are not dependent on the user’s operating system. This means that you can cover a wider market without having to make changes to your software or release different versions.

Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Ruby on Rails is a framework for creating web applications using the Ruby programming language.

• We choose to use Ruby on Rails because it enables us to build applications more rapidly than on other frameworks, which means that the client receives more features at a lower cost.
• Another positive is that it encourages good development practices, resulting in higher quality code. This ensures your application is extendable and scalable.
• By providing excellent support for automated testing, it allows for robust code, which reduces the amount of maintenance required.

Agile Development

Agile is a development methodology which embraces collaboration with customers, face-to-face communication, self-organizing teams, frequent delivery, and the ability to respond to changing requirements.

• Agile enables you to re-prioritise or even introduce new features at any point. This allows us to react to changes in your business and thus ensure that application is tailored exactly to your needs. See our explanation of the benefits of Agile development here.

Test Driven Development (TDD)

Test Driven Development is a technique wherein automated tests are created before the program code. This forces code to be written and improved upon until it passes the test.

• Test Driven Development helps to eliminate the majority of bugs, ensuring you get software that is robust and properly functioning.