Web Engineering

Web engineering is way of developing and organising knowledge about Web application development and applying that knowledge to develop Web applications, or to address new requirements or challenges. It is also a way of managing the complexity and diversity of Web applications.

Web engineering is specifically targeted toward the successful development, deployment and maintenance of large, complex Web-based systems.

It advocates a holistic and proactive approach to developing successful Web applications. As more applications migrate to the Web environment and play increasingly significant roles in business, education, healthcare, government, and many day-to-day operations, the need for a Web engineering approach to Web application development will only increase. Further, as we now place greater emphasis on the performance, correctness, and availability of Web-based systems, the development and maintenance process will assume greater significance.

Web engineering has been successfully applied in a number of Web applications. A well engineered Web system is:

• Functionally complete and correct
• Universal accessibility (access by people with different kinds disabilities)
• Well-documented
• Usable
• Robust
• Reliable
• Maintainable
• Portable
• Secure
• Perform satisfactorily even under flash and peak loads
• Scalable
• Reusable
• Interoperable with other Web and information systems

Web Engineering is an emerging discipline having both theoretical and practical significance. It is gaining the interest among researchers, developers, academics, and clients. This is evidenced by increased research activities and publications in this area, hosting of dedicated international conferences and workshops, publication of new journals devoted to Web Engineering, and universities offering special courses and programmes on the subject. It is destined for further advancement through research, education, and practice.