Front-end developers and back-end developers. I see front-end developers as a link between web designers and back-end developers that would allow a front-end developer to create a fully functional website if he knows something about both. A front-end developer is the one who creates the user interface and provides the layout as an interaction between the back-end of the site and the user.
Front-end developers use three main languages. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript (JS). A developer can use these languages to create a complete website. From the main design layout to inserting images, applying different types of typography and font families, implementing animation, the flow of different pages, form interfaces and much more.
Back-end developers control server data and requirements. Typically, a website needs back-end services if it contains dynamic data. This means, for example, that users send a form with personal information (e.g. create an account) or save an article for your blog page. If the site requires data storage and should be made available later, database connectivity is usually required. Database connections are made possible by a direct connection from the server itself. A back-end developer then uses server languages such as PHP or ASP.NET and writes database queries using languages such as SQL or MySQL.
- Create the actual user interface that a user interacts with the site. This interface is created by front-end developers in HTML, CSS and JS languages.
- Front-end developers can use styling preprocessors, Javascript libraries, and frameworks to speed up the development process (see my previous article).
- Front-end developers provide mark-up design to back-end developers so they can implement a dynamic website and send all the necessary data to the server and databases.
- Back-end developers form the backbone of the website with languages like PHP and MySQL.
- Both front-end and back-end developers can use the same development environments or IDEs (Integrated Development Environment). These are software application tools that you use to code and create the structure of the website.
- Web developers can also use versioning tools to build a history of previous builds. This helps them to quickly and easily revert to an earlier “unbroken” version when needed.
Full-stack developers are those who know all of the development areas discussed above. This means that as a full-stack developer, you should be able to build a website from scratch, look at a design, and create the markup of the design to handle back-end processes and database queries. Usually a full-stack developer also has basic knowledge of design and user experience. As a full-stack developer, you don’t have to be an expert in all languages. It is difficult to become an expert or professional in one of the languages. It is also difficult to learn the best techniques and strategies to be most effective in all of the areas discussed above. Remember that web technologies evolve every day.
Basic knowledge of everything to do with the Internet is always an advantage, but I recommend sticking to what you like best and focusing on becoming an expert. If you are familiar with the development of the front end or back end, you can spend more time in the areas that require more attention.
I hope you now have a clearer understanding of the difference between the roles of web developers and web designers. Remember that both have important roles and the web wouldn’t exist without one or the other. I can tell you that my experience makes nothing easier than the others. Working full-time as a front-end developer and interacting regularly with designers and back-end developers has shown me that all the roles that we just discussed in one way or another have their own peculiarities. Remember that it is best to focus on one language first. Once you are motivated and take the first step, the rest will be less of a challenge.