Website, Webpage, Static vs Dynamic Website, Web Server & Web Hosting | Complete Notes | CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices (2026–27)
Class 12 · Informatics Practices
Website, Webpage, Static & Dynamic Websites, Web Server & Web Hosting
Millions of websites are available on the Internet, providing information, education, entertainment, banking, shopping, and many other online services. To understand how these websites work, it is important to learn about websites, web pages, web servers, and web hosting.
These concepts form the foundation of web technologies and are part of the CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices curriculum.
What is a Website?
A Website is a collection of related web pages connected through hyperlinks and available under a single domain name on the Internet.
Examples
- https://www.cbse.gov.in
- https://www.wikipedia.org
- https://www.codestepacademy.in
What is a Webpage?
A Webpage is a single document or page of a website that is viewed through a web browser. Webpages are usually created using HTML and may include text, images, videos, links, and other multimedia elements.
Example:
- Home Page
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Blog Page
- Privacy Policy
What is a Homepage?
The Homepage is the main or first page of a website. It acts as the entry point and provides navigation links to other pages of the website.
Difference Between Website and Webpage
| Website | Webpage |
|---|---|
| A collection of web pages. | A single page of a website. |
| Has one domain name. | Has its own unique URL. |
| Contains multiple pages. | Contains specific information. |
| Example: www.cbse.gov.in | Example: www.cbse.gov.in/academics |
Static Website
A Static Website consists of fixed web pages whose content remains the same for every visitor unless the files are manually updated by the developer.
Characteristics
- Simple HTML and CSS pages.
- Fast loading speed.
- No database required.
- Easy to develop.
- Content changes only through manual editing.
Examples
- Portfolio websites.
- Company profile websites.
- Personal resume websites.
Dynamic Website
A Dynamic Website generates web pages dynamically based on user requests, databases, or server-side programs. The content may differ for different users.
Characteristics
- Uses databases.
- Supports user login.
- Content updates automatically.
- Interactive features.
- Requires server-side programming such as PHP, Python, or Node.js.
Examples
- Online shopping websites.
- Social networking websites.
- Online banking portals.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Static vs Dynamic Website
| Feature | Static Website | Dynamic Website |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Fixed | Changes dynamically |
| Database | Not required | Required |
| Interactivity | Very limited | Highly interactive |
| Maintenance | Manual updates | Easy through CMS/Admin Panel |
| Examples | Portfolio website | E-commerce website |
What is a Web Server?
A Web Server is a computer system or software that stores websites and delivers web pages to users when requested through a web browser.
How a Web Server Works
User │ Browser │ Internet │ Web Server │ Requested Webpage
Examples of Web Server Software
- Apache HTTP Server
- Nginx
- Microsoft IIS
What is Web Hosting?
Web Hosting is a service that provides storage space and Internet connectivity so that a website can be accessed online by users across the world.
When you purchase web hosting, your website files are stored on a web server connected to the Internet.
Types of Web Hosting (Basic Introduction)
| Hosting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Multiple websites share one server. |
| VPS Hosting | Virtual private server with dedicated resources. |
| Dedicated Hosting | Entire server is used by one customer. |
| Cloud Hosting | Website runs on multiple interconnected servers. |
Website Publishing Process
Create Website
│
Purchase Domain Name
│
Buy Web Hosting
│
Upload Website Files
│
Configure Domain
│
Website Goes Live
Real-Life Applications
| Concept | Application |
|---|---|
| Website | School, banking, shopping portals |
| Webpage | Home, Contact, Blog pages |
| Static Website | Portfolio and brochure websites |
| Dynamic Website | E-commerce, ERP, LMS, social media |
| Web Server | Stores and serves website files |
| Web Hosting | Makes websites accessible on the Internet |
Common Errors
| Mistake | Correct Concept |
|---|---|
| Website and webpage are the same. | A website contains multiple webpages. |
| Homepage is the only page of a website. | Homepage is the main entry page that links to other webpages. |
| Static websites use databases. | Static websites generally do not require a database. |
| Dynamic websites cannot change content. | Dynamic websites generate content based on user requests or database data. |
| Web hosting and domain name are the same. | A domain name is the website's address, while web hosting stores the website files. |
Quick Revision
| Concept | Remember |
|---|---|
| Website | Collection of webpages |
| Webpage | Single page of a website |
| Homepage | Main page of a website |
| Static Website | Fixed content |
| Dynamic Website | Content changes dynamically |
| Web Server | Stores and serves websites |
| Web Hosting | Service that makes websites available online |
CBSE Exam Tips
- A website is a collection of related webpages under one domain name.
- A homepage is the first or main page of a website.
- Static websites display the same content to all users, while dynamic websites can display different content based on user interaction or database information.
- A web server stores and delivers webpages to users.
- Web hosting provides the server space and Internet connectivity required to make a website accessible worldwide.
Summary
A website is a collection of interconnected webpages available under a common domain name. Websites may be static or dynamic depending on how their content is delivered. A web server stores website files and responds to browser requests, while web hosting provides the infrastructure that makes websites available on the Internet. Understanding these concepts is essential for learning modern web technologies and is an important part of the CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices syllabus.