I'm curious if I can create something like an instant messaging service similar to Discord, or an encyclopedia like Wikipedia, using only HTML and CSS. Can I host it myself, and would I need a dedicated server to manage significant traffic?
2 Answers
Technically, you could create a simple Wiki with just HTML and CSS by manually writing each page and link. However, for advanced features like smart linking, categorization, or search functions, you'd need a database and a backend language. For an IM client, you definitely need both a database and a way to handle real-time messaging, possibly using frontend socket functionality. Hosting anything will require a server; whether you opt for shared or dedicated depends on your traffic and budget needs.
I’ve heard people say you can just have an AI write all those Wiki pages for you, and while that might work on a smaller scale, I wonder if it's feasible long-term!
Just a heads up, if you're looking to develop a Wiki, the GPL licensed MediaWiki is available—it could save you a lot of effort since it’s been developed by the WikiMedia Foundation. You might want to check that out!
I'm curious about how databases work and what a backend does. Can you explain that?