Back-end Process Used to Manage a Web Request

Process overview of web request

When a web request is made, the backend does:

• Browser sends a HTTP/S request to the server
• Web server determines how to handle it
• If using a web framework, the request is directed to the correct function
• Backend retrieves or updates information in database
• Compiles necessary data and prepares response
• Response is sent back to the browser for rendering

Process overview of web request:

• Web server software receives incoming request and forwards to appropriate endpoint
• Web framework processes request, routes to function, and interacts with objects, libraries and databases to handle request logic
• Objects and libraries used to perform specific tasks (processing, validation, etc)
• Databases are queried and updated

Role of webserver software

Webserver software manages incoming requests and serves responses.

• Examples: Apache, NGINX, Microsoft IIS

Key functions

• Handles HTTP requests/responses
• Serves static files and routes dynamic requests to back end logic
• Route requests to appropriate back-end services and return responses to the client

Web framework

A web framework is a collection of tools and libraries that simplify web development by providing pre-built modules for common tasks, to improve development speed, security and maintainability.

• Examples: Express.js (Node.js), Flask (Python), Spring Boot (Java)

Role of web frameworks

• Provides routing, templating and middleware (handles authentication, logging and security) support
• Database management provides ORM for interacting with databases

Objects

In OOP, objects represent real world entities and store structured data.

• Store data (attributes) and define behaviour (methods)
• Used for request handling, user sessions and database models

Libraries

Libraries are pre-written code packages that simplify complex tasks.

• Used in data processing
• Cryptography
• API interactions
• Examples include: bcrypt, SQLAlchemy

Databases

Store and manages data, allowing backend systems to retrieve, update and delete data as needed.

• Relational and noSQL databases
• Supports multiple concurrent users and secures sensitive data with encryption