Front end and backend developers are a vital cog in the web development machine. While these developers work closely together, they perform very different functions. Websites function with two platforms: the server and the client. You, as the consumer, see what happens on the client, while the server makes it all work.
Front end developers focus on user interface and experience (the client), whereas backend developers build the platform that makes everything possible (the server). In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of what these programmers do, how much they make, and how you can become one yourself.
What is a Front End Developer?
Front end developers are in charge of a website’s appearance and interactive functionality. That is, they add the ‘human’ aspect to the client-side of a website. Front end web developers fundamentally understand human experience and strive to create useful and user-friendly website features.
Programmers in this field are in charge of everything you see when navigating a website. Presentation is hugely important to front end developers. For competitive markets, how a site looks can determine who’s on top. An excellent front end web developer designs a website to reflect what people want or need from the service.
Front-End Developer Skills
In addition to empathy and creative talent, a well-rounded front end developer needs to master several coding languages.
The languages that a front-end developer is expected to know include:
- HTML
- JavaScript
- CSS
- HTML
This language forms the root of all web development. It’s vital for basic website features, so you’ll need to know it inside and out.
- JavaScript
This language works closely with HTML to create interactive website features. It works with all browsers, and its use is ubiquitous across the web development world. A solid understanding of JavaScript is essential for front end web development.
- CSS
Without this language, HTML would be too basic for modern website building. CSS adds numerous useful features to sites like buttons and templates. Knowledge of this complicated language is mandatory, but scores of excellent tools exist to make CSS easier to use.
What Is a Backend Developer?
Backend developers are responsible for behind-the-scenes systems that manage data, make calculations, and support website functions. Without backend development, front end wouldn’t be possible. Without a working platform, all the beautiful features would be useless. On the server-side of a program, you’ll need to learn several coding languages.
The code for backend development is more complicated than front end, but it is still manageable.
To work in this field, you’ll need to master the following languages:
- Python
- Ruby
- Query Languages
- Python
We love Python. It’s an open-source and multi-purpose coding language that is used for a wide variety of website and software making purposes. There are tons of resources for this code, and you can use it for a multitude of applications. You’ll need to know it for this position.
- Ruby
Ruby shares similarities with Python. It’s relatively easy to use because it’s syntax makes sense. The two languages can be used interchangeably for most applications, so it ends up coming down to personal preference. As a backend developer, you’ll be encouraged to explore both and choose whichever works best for any given situation.
- Query Languages
Coding languages, such as SQL and CQL, are vital for accessing databases. In a nutshell, they allow developers to move data around for essential website features. QL’s enable sites to employ search tools, graphs, and other systems that require access to external information.
Front End vs. Backend Developer Salaries
How much do frontend developers make? How about backend developers? Actually, both fields make about the same salary. Front end developers make an average salary of $76,000, and backend developers averaging $75,000. While it’s not the highest salary in the tech industry, you can make a lot more with experience. Senior developers can make over $100,000 and tend to earn a pay increase with every year of experience, and if you live in Silicon Valley, you’re likely to make even more. In San Francisco, the average salary in this field is $114,000! That’s well above the average, yet it is typical for tech careers in the Bay Area.
How to Become a Front End or Backend Developer
Anybody can enter this career field with the right education. Luckily, you don’t need to go to college to become a developer. A coding bootcamp can teach you the necessary coding languages and help you build a powerful portfolio. The best backend and front end developer bootcamps are typically less than a year in length, and some won’t cost you anything upfront. If you want a career in web development, consider attending a coding bootcamp for proper training.
FAQ
Not necessarily! The difficulty of programming depends on the language you want to learn and the kind of software you’re making.
Html, Python, JavaScript, PHP, and Java are some of the easiest, high-level languages for beginning coders to learn.
Assembly, C, C++, C#, and Object C are some of the tougher programming languages to learn.
There is no “right” way to learn to code! You can learn programming through self study, a traditional four-year degree, or through a coding bootcamp.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
