What is a Multi-Page Application?
This explanation is written by ChatGPT and not authored (yet).
A Multi-Page Application (MPA) is a traditional web application model where each new page or piece of content requires loading a new HTML file from the server.
How do MPA's work?
In an MPA, every time a user requests a new piece of information or submits data, the browser requests a new page from the server, and the server responds with a fresh HTML page. This process involves the complete reloading of pages.
Advantages of a Multi-Page Application
- Familiar navigation for users, with a clear separation between different pages and functions.
- Easier to optimize for search engines, as each page can be indexed separately.
- Simpler development and debugging, especially for smaller websites, as each page is separate.
Potential drawbacks of Multi-Page Applications
- Slower user experience due to full page reloads for every content change or action.
- Higher server load, as each request involves serving a complete HTML page.
- Less seamless user experience compared to SPAs, as there is a noticeable interruption during page loads.