PHP uses server-side programming to transform static HTML pages into dynamic websites with features such as form validation, session IDs, cookies and database queries. Form validation can ensure that users complete all fields that you ask them to as well as validate their provided e-mail address. With session IDs and cookies, you track visitors' login information and personalize the site for users. A database can be used to store visitors' information which can then be retrieved for use in a mailing list application.

Javascript uses client-side programming and has many of the same features as PHP. Javascript is used to display many of the features seen on today's websites such as drop down menus, image swaps and form validation. With these features, Javascript allows for a dynamic web experience with portions of the webpage updating without the entire page being refreshed.

Flash has a wide array of features that are not limited to web design. Flash can be used within a website to create animated navigation buttons, flexible messaging areas (such as banner ads), photo galleries, interactive Google maps or even entire Flash based websites. Flash is widely accepted as the standard for creating animated graphics and movies on the web.