Wordpress is a free, open source Content Management System (CMS) that lets users quickly and easily create websites, primarily blogs. Development and maintenance is led by Matt Mullenweg, Donncha O’Caoimh and Ryan Boren, as well as a team of volunteer developers. Wordpress utilizes the PHP scripting language in combination with a database access technology of the user’s choosing to dynamically create and deliver web-based content “on-the-fly.”

In plain English, that means that Wordpress is a piece of software that runs on a web server and allows users to manage a website, typically a blog, without needing to worry about doing any programming on their own, writing any web pages, or even knowing any HTML or having any programming skills in particular. Wordpress is a highly-customizable and extendable “front-end” that enables users to create and display web content without ever having to do anything technical whatsoever beyond the initial installation (which is often managed by the webhost itself).

Wordpress gained a huge surge in popularity when rival software platform Movable Type changed its licensing terms, driving a significant number of its users away (mostly to Wordpress); the growth surge for Wordpress established a powerful momentum which has continued into the present, providing the platform with consistent and sustained growth in recent years as the “Web 2.0″ revolution has taken hold.

Wordpress is currently in Version 2.8; this version was released on June 10th, 2009. Each major point version of Wordpress is given a “code name” that the central team of web developers uses to refer to the software; the version code-names are invariably named after a famous Jazz or Blues musician. Version 1.2 (the first version of Wordpress to support plugins) was code-named “Mingus” (after Charles Mingus); Version 2.7 was code-named “Coltrane” (after John Coltrane). Version 2.8 is referred to as “Baker.”

Related posts:

1. What Is Wordpress? - A New Blogger’s Guide Those who have been looking for a blogging platform or...
2. Wordpress Websites - Advantages To Using Wordpress As A Website Prehaps you are all set-up to create a website but...
3. A Guide to Free PHP Scripts If you are to get any where or be successful...
4. Tips About Software Tools For Developing Applications So you want to buy a software development tool or...
5. Finding The Best No Cost Antivirus Packages These days you can’t afford to leave your computer unprotected....