Web Development Trends in 2015

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The Web was originally conceived as a universal version of applications—standard applications that would run everywhere, but whose "functionality" was limited by their content.

Apps provide an alternative way to execute code in the background, cache data for offline use, use push notifications, and launch other features that websites cannot do.

But the Web is not sitting still, it is also undergoing a major change to cope with the threat of apps. Casey Haakenson, CEO of Roost, who has 18 years of experience, believes that 2015 will be the most exciting year for the Web in a long time. He predicts that the Web will have the following important development trends in 2015:

1. ServiceWorkers allows websites to install JavaScript files that will run in an environment independent of the page. Such JS scripts can provide cross-page persistence, listen to page requests, and then return content without going through the network. In this way, content can be cached, converted, or provided in creative new ways without requiring 100% connection.

2. Sensor access gives the page the ability to perceive the user's environment. For many years, web pages have only had limited information about users, usually only about the user's screen size and browser type. But now various W3C standards provide various sensor data such as ambient light, microphones, and cameras. This allows websites to jump out of the page and grasp more abundant information.

3. Push notifications allow websites to stay connected to users—even if the user closes the browser tab of the website.

4. The combination of ServiceWorkers and push notifications can also produce a very important symbiotic effect. Push notifications do not necessarily mean sending notifications to users, but can also mean executing arbitrary ServiceWorker code. For example, we can imagine an application scenario where a new episode of a show you are very interested in is released, which can trigger a push to a ServiceWorker, allowing the latter to preload the content into the buffer, so that you can browse it offline when you are on the bus home.

Web security

Some people may be concerned about the browser having this capability. However, there is no need to worry. The use of these features requires permission checks and there will be visible instructions when using them. For example, when recording with a microphone, the recording symbol will be displayed on the label icon so that users know and can cancel at any time.

Another important trend is the security of the web. New features like ServiceWorkers and push are too powerful and require HTTPS to protect users and site owners. HTTPS can also prevent malicious Wi-Fi operators or ISPs from implanting code (such as targeted advertising) to cause long-term impact on websites and users. This year, EEF will also provide free SSL certificates to everyone, and Google is even more radical, hoping that all websites will use HTTPS encryption.

How to revamp a website?

In order to adapt to this change in advance, Haakenson recommends that websites be transformed according to the following principles:

1. " Offline priority ".

Use ServiceWorkers to cache the latest state of your site, render the cached content, and display loading information when reading new data. This can create a super fast user experience.

2. Intelligent response .

Use the sensor data to perform presets and other optimizations. For example, if a website has a large number of visitors, the contrast can be adjusted based on the lighting conditions. If the website has interactive content such as games, motion sensors can be connected to provide an immersive experience.

3. Reconnect with the user .

Find natural ways to get users to come back to your site. This keeps user engagement high. For example, you can pop up headlines, interact with social media (new messages/friend requests), and remind visitors that something they browsed is on sale. Or look at how apps do it and use it on your own site.

via:36kr