Is web development your area of interest? Well, then you must have heard front-end and back-end development quite a lot. Front-end and back-end are the two widely used terms in the programming industry that dictate the type of work software developers and programmers perform. Front-end development services refer to what users can see on their screens, while back-end development creates the infrastructure to support it. Both are essential components for a super-functional website or mobile application.
It's common for companies to wobble between front-end and back-end development while navigating the new software development process due to the increasing number of tools in the market. Also, it's easy for non-tech people to assume there isn't a significant difference between front-end and back-end developers. However, you must understand that front-end and back-end developers work together to create a solution that functions correctly.
Both front-end and back-end developers play a crucial role in developing and maintaining websites. They write code in different programming languages and use tools like libraries and frameworks to accelerate their work. So, let's get to know front-end and back-end development in detail to acquaint you with the software development world.
Introduction to Front-end Development
Front-end is also known as client-side development. It's a programming style that focuses on coding and developing website features and elements visible to the user. It's about ensuring that the website's visual aspects are functional.
Front-end programmers look after all the critical elements of dynamic and functional websites, including:
Navigation
Buttons
Graphics
Content
Layout
Images
Internal links
To stand out, front-end developers should have a sense of creativity and art in how the different elements combined will create a magnetic effect. They need to understand the back-end developers who play behind the scenes to make everything work. Front-end developers must also communicate with website designers to convert their aesthetic ideas into reality.
The skills front-end developers must have:-
Ability to create a responsive website
Good grasp over front-end programming languages
Know-how of testing and debugging
Understanding of front-end development tools such as content management systems, APIs, frameworks, automation, etc.
What are the most widely used front-end development languages?
HTML - It's the spinal cord of every website and helps developers create responsive websites.
CSS - CSS figures the colors, fonts, size, and other elements that will set a tone for a beautiful website.
JavaScript - This dynamic and lightweight programming language creates seamless and engaging web pages.
What are the most widely used front-end development frameworks?
React JS - it's a flexible and extensible framework enabling developers to develop reusable UI components.
Vue JS - Vue JS is a versatile and scalable framework that creates phenomenal single-page apps.
Angular JS - Developed by Google, Angular builds scalable, dynamic, and responsive front-end solutions.
Node JS - It helps develop quick and efficient websites in real-time.
Introduction to Back-end Development
Also known as server-side, back-end development is an area of website development that is not visible to the users. A back-end developer manages everything that is not visible to users; they handle the back-end of a website, including databases, apps, and servers. Back-end programmers write code to allow a database and app to communicate.
For instance, you are running a website and need an accessible place to save all your users' data. This storage unit is known as a database, and a few common examples include MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle. Databases run from a server, likely a remote computer. A back-end developer will control this database and the website information stored on it.
Back-end developers need to work together with the front-end developers to build and maintain sites properly. This enables seamless communication between different apps, servers, and databases, thus smoothly delivering the end product.
The skills back-end developers must have:-
Effective oral and written communication
Database management
Good at PHP and Python
Acquainted with several back-end frameworks
Critical thinking
What are the most widely used back-end development languages?
Java - it's a popular programming language with a syntax similar to C++.
Python - Python is a top-notch programming language with dynamic semantics.
PHP - PHP creates dynamic web page content or images used on sites.
What are the most widely used back-end development frameworks?
Laravel
Ruby on Rails
Flask
Django
What's the Difference Between Front-end & Back-end Development
Front-end & back-end developers focus on different sides of a site.
Front-end development is a programming language that focuses on the website or app's visual elements that a user interacts with. Whereas back-end developers work on the side that users can see. They work unitedly to develop a responsive and seamless website allowing users to make a purchase and engage while browsing the website.
Front-end & back-end developers have distinct strengths.
As per studies, both front-end and back-end developers have different strengths. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that either side is not more important or complex than the other. Both are equally important to deliver an enjoyable and engaging website experience.
Front-end & back-end developers use different programming languages & frameworks.
While coding, you'll use a programming language. These languages help developers to interact with their computers through codes.
Front-end developers work with languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript, as discussed in the above section. At the same time, back-end developers work in languages like C++, Java, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript.
Front-end development has different libraries and frameworks such as React JS, jQuery, Sass, and Angular JS. In comparison, the back-end framework includes Django, Spring, Rails, Express, and Laravel.
Wrapping Up
By now, you must be fully aware of the differences between front-end and back-end development. If you are planning to develop a website or mobile app for your business, this article will help you understand the critical aspects of the app development world. Hire a leading mobile app development company with the best front-end developers and back-end developers to create a fantastic website for your business.