Introduction to web development

Introduction to web development

With the term Web Development we refer to the development of a web project, which usually is the creation of a website.

The continuous advances in the Information and Technology (IT) sector in fast-growing societies have resulted in the rise of new professional figures to the present day. IT and digital skills indeed have been experiencing a flourishing popularity and high demand in businesses.

In the software industry, development is generally categorized under three categories: front-end development, back-end development, and full-stack development.

Let’s start by exploring the first two professional figures: front-end developers and back-end developers. The two roles differs in terms of:

• Area of competence;
• Technology and instruments;
• Use of programming languages;
• Requirements and qualifications.

Frontend Developer

1. Area of competence

Front end developer’s work focuses on the client-side of the website. In other words, they are responsible for ensuring the usability of any type of site to the end-users, while guaranteeing a user experience of high quality. Hence, they are required to maintain high levels of performance and of responsiveness, meaning that the user should be able to navigate the site and load the pages fastly from any device.

The frontend of a website or an app is always visible to the client.

Nice to know: a good frontend developer should have a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of UX Design.

Technology and Instruments

This role requires the usage of several instruments, which include:

• Frameworks;
• Libraries;
• Languages;
• Databases.

We can think of a framework as a “model” that makes the process of building a website easier, faster, and standardized since the developer is not required to start from scratch. On the other hand, a library can be used to carry out specific functions related to programming.

For a front end developer, some of the most popular libraries and frameworks are:

• React.js;
• AngularJS;
• Bootstrap;
• Vue.Js;
• jQuery;
• Ember.js.

Databases can be divided into two categories:

1. Relational databases: Known as database SQL (Structured Query Language) they make use of tables to order and define the relationship between data. SQL is the language implemented. Some examples of it are: MySQL, Sybase, PostgreSQL, Oracle SQL.
2. Non Relational databases: Known as database noSQL they have high capacity of data storage and can communicate/transfer data in real time. Social networks and Search Engines do in fact use them, given the fact their work relies on constant data manipulation. Examples of it are: MongoDB, Cassandra, Neo4j, Redis, DynamoDB.

A frontend developer is not directly involved with database management, but makes sure that they produce the right outcomes for the end-user. In general, every problem that is identified within the database is sent to the backend developer.

Use of programming languages

Frameworks are the bases of programming and, in order to work, they do need “something” to sustain the entire software architecture. And this is how programming languages enter the game.

As a Frontend Developer you primarily use programming languages to develop websites, and web and mobile applications. Additionally, languages are needed to generate nice interfaces, to guarantee high level performances and to build many of the elements typical of dynamic sites.

As of today, many of the websites rest on three main languages:

• HTML;
• CSS;
• JAVASCRIPT.

HTML is indispensable to create the “backbone” of a page: texts, images, link, headers. On the other hand, CSS and JavaScript are the languages that give interactivity to the site.

Requirements and Qualifications

As a Frontend Developer, some of the tasks you might have to carry out include (but not limited to):

• Work with frameworks to create new codes client-side;
• Create mockup, wireframes, and other prototypes;
• Testing interfaces and debugging;
• Work with APIs;
• Implement and ameliorate the User Experience (UX) of the product/service;
• Convert feedbacks into concrete solutions;
• Work along with other teams (UX/UI designers, Copywriters, Product Manager).

Conclusions As a Frontend Developer you are responsible for the User Interface of the site/application you are working with. It is your responsibility to provide a good user experience in terms of: responsiveness, scalability, usability, and enjoyability. To carry out your work, you are familiar with these three programming languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript. Unlike other IT professional figures, to become a Frontend Developer you do not need to have an engineering background. As of today, in fact, many Frontend experts are self-taught people with either a STEM or a Humanities background. However, independently from your background, it is important you build your own GitHub Portfolio while learning the job.

Backend developer

Backend developer’s work focuses on the server-side of a website. Working on the backend of a site/app primarily means operating with its data by ordering, delivering, and storing them in a database.

Main duties of the backend developers:

• Building and maintaining web applications;
• Optimizing the speed, stability, and the scalability of the server;
• Creating high-quality codes and libraries for future projects;
• Creating and integrating API;
• Applying the security practices;
• Handling backup and data recovery;

Technology and Instruments

Backend developers do make use of frameworks and libraries as well. Some of the most populars are:

• Django
• Spring Boot
• Laravel
• Rails
• Express JS
• Asp. NET
• CakePHP
• Phoenix

As of the programming languages that are used most amongst backend developers we have:

• PHP;
• Java;
• Phyton;
• C#,
• Javascript/Typescript;
• Ruby.

4. Requirements and qualifications

As for other IT roles, the mansions you may be required to carry out as a Backend Developer will depend upon the company’s actual needs. As a general rule, these professional roles will use terms related to engineering, programming languages, and backend.

Conclusions As a Backend Developer you are responsible for the Business Logic of the web/app you are working with. You are familiar with several programming languages such as Python and Java. Additionaly, Backend developers are often required to have some knowledge of front-end languages. Moreover, you have a broader knowledge of the engineering and software principles by which you can manage the database, run the cyber security, and handle cloud services. Therefore, to work as a Backend Engineer companies often require to hold a Degree in Computer Science or a related field.