Introduction to Website Generation Methods: One-Page Website, MPA, SPA, SSR, SSG, PWA

In modern web development, there are various methods to build websites, each with its unique characteristics and use cases. This article will outline several types to help you understand the differences and suitable scenarios.

One-Page Application (OPA)

A one-page website is an architecture where all content is presented on a single page, typically switching content through scrolling or page navigation. This approach is often used for simple websites or product pages to provide a smooth user experience.

Example: A personal website featuring an introduction, portfolio, and contact information, allowing users to view all information by scrolling through the page.

Multi-Page Application (MPA)

MPA is a traditional website architecture where each page is a separate HTML page, reloading the entire page when users navigate. This method is commonly used for websites that require Search Engine Optimization (SEO) since each page has a unique URL.

Example: A traditional e-commerce website where each product page and checkout page has a distinct URL, benefiting SEO.

Single-Page Application (SPA)

SPA is a modern website architecture where the entire website loads within a single HTML page and updates content dynamically through JavaScript. This provides a smoother user experience but may pose challenges for SEO.

Example: Online applications like Google Gmail or Trello, using JavaScript to load content without reloading the entire page with each navigation.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

SSR is an approach that combines aspects of SPA and MPA, where some content is rendered on the server side to improve initial loading performance and SEO. Part of the page content is generated on the server side, while other content is loaded on the client side using JavaScript.

Example: News websites can use SSR to render part of the homepage on the server side, enhancing initial loading performance and SEO.

Static Site Generation (SSG)

SSG involves pre-generating website content into HTML files during build time. This can improve performance and security while reducing server costs. SSG is an ideal choice when content changes infrequently.

Example: Personal blogs can utilize SSG, pre-generating articles into HTML files to improve performance and allowing blog authors to easily write content using formats like Markdown.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

PWA is an app-like website with fast loading speeds, offline access, and an excellent user experience. PWAs can run on various devices, including desktop and mobile, and operate similarly to native applications.

Example: YouTube offers a PWA version, allowing users to access YouTube on mobile devices like a native application with offline capabilities.

The website generation methods introduced above have their advantages and suitable scenarios. You can choose the most appropriate method based on project requirements and goals. This diversity reflects the flexibility for developers to select the most suitable technologies based on specific circumstances in the field of modern web development.