Web development is the process of building websites and applications. It’s not about the design of the website, it’s about the coding and the programming that powers its functionality. Its functionality relies on various layers. The frontend is known as the client side while the backend is known as the server side.
What is the Frontend?
The frontend of a website refers to everything that the user experiences directly. It’s what you see and interact with on the browser, things like; layouts, colors, fonts, menus and contact forms are all driven by the frontend. The frontend of a website is to let people know about your products or company and the location, this is known as a static website because the content remains the same and the necessary information on the page is contained within the frontend itself.
What are the key frontend Languages?
– HTML: which is the fundamental coding language that creates and organizes web content to be displayed on a browser.
– CSS: which is used to style the HTML elements of your webpage. CSS is used to, define layouts, colors and fonts.
– JavaScript: used for more interactive elements such as dropdown menus, modal windows and contact forms. When used as a frontend language, JavaScript executes in the browser.
These three languages literally create everything visual to you when you visit a website.
What is Backend?
Backend is basically what is going on behind the scenes which is also referred to as the server-side. This is the part of the website that the user doesn’t see. It is responsible for storing and organizing data and ensures that everything on the frontend runs smoothly. It communicates directly with the frontend. It is used to increase the functionality of a website and also helps the users to interact with the website. It turns a static website into a dynamic website. To make your website dynamic, you need a database to store the information of your customers. The database also stores all the websites content in a way that makes it easy organize, retrieve, edit and save.
Some Backend Languages are;
RUBY, PHP and JAVA
The backend holds together all the frontend components.
Which should I learn, Frontend or backend?
If you like the idea of working with visual designs and bringing them to life, creating a first class user experience. It’s better to become a frontend developer. Web developers are in charge of creating the layouts and designs of a website and also building interactive and navigational elements. Frontend developers are also responsible for ensuring optimal display across various browsers and devices.
The also carry out usability tests, fixing bugs, maintaining software workflow management and developing tools that enhance how the user interacts with the website on any browser.
Meanwhile,
If you enjoy working with data, figuring out algorithms and coming up with ways to optimize complex systems, you might prefer working as a backend developer. Backend developers are responsible for building and maintaining the technology that powers the frontend. They ensure that everything the frontend developers build is fully functional, it is your job to make sure that the server, application and database all communicate with each other.
To do this, you will need server side languages such as PHP, RUBY, PHYTON, JAVA or JavaScript. Backend developers also work very closely with the owners so as to fully understand the requirement of the project. Backend includes creating, integrating and managing the database, building server-side functions using backend frameworks, developing and deploying content management systems, working with web server technologies and building and integrating API’s.
Some web developers also work as both frontend and backend developers and they are known as full stack developers. They are experts in every stage in the web development process. To quantify as a full stack developer, you need to be proficient in both frontend and backend languages as well as in server, network and hosting environments and are also expected to understand business logic and user experience.
Most employers expect you to have the knowledge of both frontend and backend development so as a web developer you are expected to be comfortable in each area, make sure you build an entire overview of the web development process and have a clear understanding on how everything works.
When you have the knowledge of both, you can later decide where to specialize on or just learn both.
