Popular web technologies

Explore some of the hidden technologies of the Web.

PHP is a server side scripting language.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) does the look and formatting of a web page.

Js (Javascript) is a client side scripting language. Jslibs (Javascript libraries) simplifies the writing of Javascript code.

PHP

PHP is a widely-used language for programming on the web. A solid understanding of the language enables one to build websites and Web applications that would be impossible or difficult in only Html/Javascript/CSS. Goodfit has such a solid understanding.
Of course, adding a solid knowledge of Html/Javascript/CSS gives one the ability to build exceptional websites and web applications.
See the right panel for some of the areas where PHP really shines:

Some of the areas of Excellence:

Enables quick responses to customer requests
PHP facilitates easy development, maintenance and changes. This improves even more when one adds a good PHP Framework like:
Image Processing and Generation.
PHP allows you to:
create thumbnail pictures, resize images and add overlays See a Demo of thumbnail, resize, and overlays
add watermarks on the fly Watermarks
and numerous others like create a photo gallery, and make web graphics on the fly.
Graph and Chart creation
PHP has a built-in graphics library that can be used for creating charts such as: pie, bar, impulse, dot/scatter, step, candlestick, radar, etc.
The process is made quick and easy with libraries such as:   Sample Bar chart and Pie chart:
See sample
Generating PDF Files with PHP
For example to output an HTML-generated invoice in PDF format. There is an excellent Free library - FPDF.
See this small Demo , open in a new window.
Use XML and XSLT and Ajax
PHP extracts the required data from a Database and makes it available. Typically PHP would then convert the data to XML for use by other programs.
A popular use is to convert to XML and then use XSLT to change the format to HTML. See a Demo .
Ajax retrieves data from the server to refresh a page's contents without having to reload the entire page. See a Demo .
E-Commerce
There are existing solutions like Zen Cart but custom solutions can be easily built to meet special needs.
Content Management Systems and Blogs
Drupal and WordPress are two standout packages. Custom solutions can be built for those special requirements.
Forums
Where where customers can discuss issues and even help answer technical questions. phpBB is one of the most popular ways to create and support a community.
Social networking
One can integrate Facebook with your website using PHP and Facebook applications can also be developed with PHP.
There are also PHP libraries to develop customized applications that run on top of the Twitter service.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

CSS is one of the most basic building blocks of modern Web design. It creates the structure and style that surrounds your content.
Not all techniques are strictly CSS; some include integration with JavaScript.
See the right panel for some of the areas where CSS really shines:

Some of the areas of Excellence:

Adjust display of text
Text enhancements to emphasize or to beautify.
See Example
Improve on a web form
Straight HTML forms are not pretty and sometimes difficult to use. CSS can enhance the appearance and improve usability.
See Example
Improve on web tables
Info tables with collapsible content, alternate row colours, and different colours for header and footer rows. See Example
Adjust display of lists
Enhancements to lists: change bullets, add mouseover effects, add colours, change to horizontal. See Example
Add trimming to a picture
Add borders, shadows or different corners to pictures or photos. See Example
Animated Header Background
Scroll a background picture. See Example

Javascript

JavaScript is a scripting language that is primarily used in the form of client-side JavaScript for the development of dynamic websites.
jQuery is a lightweight JavaScript library that emphasizes interaction between JavaScript and HTML.
See the right panel for some of the areas where Javascript and jQuery really shines.

Some of the areas of Excellence:

Parallax backgrounds
There are different layers of backgrounds that all move at a different rate creating a 3D effect. Using jQuery to animate parallax backgrounds.
See Example
Panorama picture
jQuery virtual tour - users can control the horizontal scroll of a panoramic picture. Mouseover to display the controls at the bottom of the picture.
See Example
Image effects
Double doors sliding open to reveal content. See Example .
Also explore a long list of effects. jQuery Cycle Plugin - Effects Browser .
Accordion
jQuery Kwicks Images - an animated horizontal menu. Each item only exposes a part and the full item is shown with mouseover, mouseclick, or automatic animation. See Example