Manual Routing
Manual routing is a web development approach where developers explicitly define and manage URL-to-view mappings without relying on a framework's automated routing system. It involves writing custom code to parse incoming HTTP requests, match URLs against predefined patterns, and invoke corresponding handlers or controllers. This method provides fine-grained control over routing logic but requires more boilerplate code compared to automatic routing solutions.
Developers should learn manual routing when building lightweight applications, custom frameworks, or when they need maximum flexibility and control over URL structures and request handling. It's particularly useful in scenarios where framework constraints are limiting, such as in microservices, serverless functions, or legacy systems that don't use modern routing libraries. Understanding manual routing also deepens knowledge of HTTP fundamentals and web architecture.