Since the last decades, superconducting single-photon technology has been extensively used in the quantum security communication and the linear-optic quantum computing fields. Especially, the device based on the coplanar waveguide resonator has attracted substantial interests due to its evident advantages, including the relatively simple structure, the sufficiently high detection efficiency, and the photon-resolving capability, etc. With the profound investigation in optimizing the depositing methods and the material selections, as well as the the development of the relevant theories, the technology of single photon detection based on the coplanar waveguide resonator has obtained a breakthrough. In this review paper we begin from the basic principle of the coplanar waveguide detector, then interpret the relevant theory and some design details of the devices. Finally, based on some of the recent experimental results measured with the low-temperature devices in our lab, we give a brief perspective on the future development of the superconducting coplanar waveguide single photon detectors.