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Macro view of Web programming |
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A new Web builder usually focuses on the micro-synthetic task of building a site that achieves her goals; however, Web building is equally informed by the macro-analytic issues above. For example: - Market externalities and technology standards: The Web would not be possible without standardized protocols for storing, transmitting, receiving, and displaying information. In this context, technologies such as HTML, CSS, XML, and RSS represent social contracts that prescribe how Web builders are to go about their programming. Furthermore, Web browsers ultimately dictate how Web users will see (or not see) the results of any Web programming; and so each version of each browser (e.g., Explorer 6.0) represents another possible technology standard to which a Web programmer may or may not adhere. The more popular any of these standards is, the more valuable that standard is to all those who already use it.
- Information externalities and site popularity: We have discussed this previously as cumulative advantage (rich get richer).
- Collaborative filtering and technical resources for Web programming: Our own "Share" page is one of thousands of online libraries dedicated to helping Web builders.
Think about how the above examples fit into the diagram below:
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