Front-End vs. Back-End vs. Full-Stack Web Development

Front-End vs. Back-End vs. Full-Stack Web DevelopmentFront-End vs. Back-End vs. Full-Stack Web DevelopmentWeb development is not just one thing. It encompasses multiple skillsets, and there are different kinds of careers within the web development space. Three terms often used are front end, back end, and full stack. Here are the key differences between the three. Front-End Web Development Front-end development, while its components are always changing, essentially deals with the outer-facing parts of a website or web application. At its core, front-end development involves HTML, CSS, and JavaScript HTML HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, is the key structural component of all websites on the Internet. Without it, web pages cannot exist.CSS CSS adds style to HTML. I like to use the analogy that HTML is like a face and CSS is like the makeup.JavaScript JavaScript, or JS, has been evolving over the last several years. In relation to front-end development, JS is important because i t helps make web pages interactive. The front end is associated with layout and design principles, but front-end developers are not necessarily designers. Basically, front-end developers construct the outward appearance the website pages that users see. This means that the front-end developer must take into consideration the readability and usability of the site and/or application. Moreover, the front end runs on the client meaning the users local computer in fruchtwein cases, the web browser. And information is not stored on the client side. Back-End Web Development Back-end web development is what goes on behind the scenes. The back end enables the front-end experience. To make things easy, think about the front end as part of the iceberg above the water. Its what the user sees the sleek-looking site. The back end is the rest of the ice it cannot be seen by the end user, but it is the most fundamental element of aweb application. The back end runs on the server, or, as its often called, server-side. Unlike the front-end development (which primarily uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), back-end web development can rely on a range of languages and frameworks. A few popular languages used on the back end include Ruby (often used in conjunction with the Rails framework AKA Ruby on Rails)Python (which is often used with the Django framework on the back end)PHP (the popular WordPress CMS uses PHP on its back-end PHP has a few popular frameworks, one being Laravel)Node.js (getting mora popular this is a back-end environment for web apps built with JavaScript) In order for large-scale websites and web applications to work, its more than a back-end language and framework. All of the information on a website or application must be stored somewhere. This is where databases come in. Back-end developers handle ansicht as well. Popular databases include MySQLPostgreSQLMongoDBAnd others Typically certain back-end languages/frameworks require a certain database. For example, the MEAN full stack framework requires MongoDB. Beyond knowing a back-end language/framework and running databases, back-end developers also must have an understanding of server architecture. Setting up a server properly allows a site to run fast, not crash, and not give errors to users. This falls under the back-end developers domainbecause most errors occur at the back end, not the front end. Full Stack Full stack is the combination of both the front end and the back end. A full-stack developer is a jack-of-all-trades. They are responsible for all levels of development, from how the server is set up to the design-related CSS. These days, theres so much that goes into web development that its almost impossible to handle both sides. While many people can claim to be full stack, or in fact are, they still typically focus more on one side the client or the server. At smaller companies/startups, a single person would more likely be responsible for all sides of the web deve lopment spectrum. However, at larger companies, people work on teams and have specialized roles one focuses solely on server architecture, another (or a few people) on the front end, etc. Conclusion Web development has many faces, and its evolving more every day. Theres a lot to learn, but dont feel pressured to learn everything at once. Remember, in workplace environments, youll usually be on a team with others. Focus on honing your skills in one aspect of web development at a time. Dont get overwhelmed, and youll be a pro before you know it.