Front End vs. Back End Developers

Who are Front End and Back End Developers? 

Front-end and back-end developers differ significantly, but we will not weigh on one being better than the other. If you say you want to be a web developer, you might want to ask yourself,  What kind? There are many differences between front­end developers and back­end developers. They deal with different languages. The web development skills and tools they use are different. 

Also, the education web developers need is different too. They focus on different parts of the website and have other responsibilities. Not to mention that they have different mindsets, and importantly, their salaries are different. 

Technologies for Front End vs. Back End Developers

Different technologies and skills are used in front­end and back­end website design development. But, they work together to shape websites and their applications to meet the desired purpose for the customer and its clients.

Front-side developers work with the browser from their names, basically what the user sees. They deal with the user or client-side. The back­end developers work with the server, which cannot be seen. That is why these developers are referred to as working with server-side programming languages. This code will determine how the website functions. For example, they create a link between the server and the user. 

A great example could be, “If the front­end of the website were a beautiful flower, the back­end would be the roots.”

Server-Side Code

The back­end developer builds an application (using server-side code like PHP, Ruby, Python, .Net, etc.) that connects with a database (using MySQL, SQL, Access, etc.) to look up, save or change data and return it to the user in the form of front­end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). The back­end developer helps us search for items in a shop and interact on social media.

Front-End Developers and Languages

Back­end developers have more flexibility than front­end developers that use more standardized languages. It’s relatively standard that there are three main languages front­end developers use HTML for markup, CSS for presentation, and JavaScript.

The back end can run pretty much anything they want on the server since it doesn’t rely on the user’s browser to understand what’s happening. However, if they deploy on the cloud, it may be restricted to those languages the cloud provider has installed on its platform. The same goes for renting space on a server.

Money, Money, and More Money

Back­end developers generally have a higher salary because the technical skillset is more in-depth than front-end coders. Front-end developers are the builders of website visuals and interactivity.

From the look of a website to its interactive aspects are the work of a front­end developer. Like designers, they must keep up with the latest trends in code and design. An artistic mind accompanied by a good set of skills in web development languages and tools makes a great front-end developer who can deliver a well-designed and functional website that clients require.

Generally, nowadays, small businesses require web developers with expertise in both the front and back end. 

Learning and Staying up to Date

Front­end developers are learning all the time. The web is continually evolving, and coding languages are vital skills for the technical aspect of front-end development. Front­end developers do not do their work alone either. They have to learn to collaborate with others, such as their co­workers.

Alongside them, they have back­end developers to complete the other part of their work, such as the security of a website. To meet the expectations of their clients, good communication skills are a must.

To understand what is required in the front end, developers periodically discuss with designers and their employers to ensure that the website’s content and presentation are acceptable before it becomes final. Collaboration goes hand in hand with combining the work of others.

Teaming Up

Front­end developers team up with other designers and back­end developers who aid the development of different parts and functionalities of the website. The ability to test their website is essential during the development process. It allows the front-end developer to assess their website’s appearance before coming up with possible fixes or optimizations.

Skills Needed between Front End vs. Back End Developers

Front­end developers need to be knowledgeable in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages. HTML is the standard mark­up language required to code any website. CSS enhances the content created in HTML; front-end developers use this mark­up language to visually appeal to their target audience. JavaScript is a necessary programming language that furthers the functionality and interactivity of their website. 

These languages operate in the browser, so no extra installations are required. As for tools, front­end developers reply on debugging programs such as Chrome Developer Tools. 

Rather than figuring out tedious code on their own, front­end developers resort to simplified libraries of JavaScript, such as jQuery. It’s highly functional and capable of adding plug­ins and animation.

The back end ensures all the correct data is sent to the browser. However, back­end languages require you to install them on a server or computer. They might need to create and integrate an API (application programming interface) to interact with the database to pull info, save or change data.

They need to understand web server technologies and cloud computing integration. There is a lot of database integration, probably requiring SQL experience. While you have options for languages, the popular choice that back­end developers use is PHP, ASP.NET, Ruby, Python, and Java.

The following programming languages and frameworks are used, mostly individually, to create a robust back end:

HTML, Ruby, SQL, and Django, What are all these?

Ruby on Rails is a web development framework designed to ease the effort involved in coding through simpler syntax and grammar. This Model­View­Controller (MVC) framework employs Ruby as the programming language. It can be implemented on most web servers and is compatible with popular databases. 

Python is a programming language that is widely used for its readability and syntax. It provides ease of use for programming, mainly when employed with the web development framework Django. It is a portable language that can be utilized for requirements across platforms.

PHP, a hypertext preprocessor, is a popular server-side script language and interpreter. It can be embedded into HTML when the code is run on the server, and HTML is generated and sent to the user. PHP offers many valuable features, such as scalability, ease of deployment, and simplified coding.

Active Server Pages.NET, or ASP.NET, is a programming language used to design web pages and was developed by Microsoft. As part of the .NET framework, ASP.NET facilitates building dynamic websites and applications by leveraging compiled languages such as VB and C#.

Databases

SQL, the standard language for relational database management systems, is a Structured Query Language. It is used to interact with the database part of the back­end.

Statements written in SQL are employed to accomplish tasks related to updating or retrieving data. Java Enterprise Edition is considered to hold still its ground for large web applications that require reliability, scalability, and stability. Knowledge of Java is needed for websites that are high security (such as for those used in banking and insurance) or generate increased traffic.

Takeaway on Front End vs. Back End Developers

The front end operates in the browser with front­end developers focusing on the website’s aesthetics, look and feel. They create a visual environment that will draw visitors to the site. Back­end developers build the website’s guts that provide functionality, facilitate the server, and work on the functions visitors cannot see. 

When users interact with websites, they expose themselves to risk. Back­end developers also ensure the server security is top-notch and can prevent hackers from disclosing users’ sensitive information. These developers are in charge of integrating elements that aid user and website interaction.

Front­end developers are more right-brained: intuitive, imaginative, and creative. Back­end developers tend to be more left-brained: logical and technical. They use linear thinking. Generally, back­end developers get paid more, even though more front­end developers are learning and doing more programming and back­end development. Back­end developers average over $85,000­$100,000 while front­end get around $50,000 yearly. 

Regarding education, a front­end developer’s portfolio can be worth more than a degree, but a back­end developer’s college degree and hands-on coding experience are required. 

Choosing either one of the two to pursue could depend on your personality, what kind of salary you want, or how much freedom and creativity you want. Overall any website development career will be rewarding and in demand.