Developer had to write javascript to query or DML against the database. later visualforce tags were introduced to ease the developer task with help of predefined components (eg., apex:inputText, apex:CommandButton etc.,) Unlike HTML, the VF tags have attributes which are closely integrated with salesforce objects. It was then lightning aura framework had been introduced to develop applications to run in sort of devices such as mobile, tab, laptops as well as desktops. LWC is another framework where we can develop application based on HTML and modern JavaScript. However, the Lightning web components and Aura components can coexist and interoperate on a page.
The below diagram shows the comparison between the classic visualforce and the lightning life cycle. The lightning application is also referred to as a single page application (SPA).
