Nowadays, Web Development never stops growing. It's not only about creating or improving websites, apps, and programs. Also, they serve to show a business' strengths to current and potential clients. Having an excellent website requires more than a domain and hyperlinks. Frontend and Backend are relevant from the beginning of the process. These may have different applications, but they are two interesting concepts. Together, they ensure the healthy functioning of a site. In this article, we'll discuss why these are so important for every site and every business.
What is Web Development?
Web Development, as its name refers, is the development of dynamic sites. It has a vast amount of concepts attached to it. It goes from developing single static pages to complex web applications. Furthermore, it even encompasses social network services. This term names the main non-design aspects of website building. It includes writing markup, coding practices, and Content Management Systems (CMS). Further, it has three main categories: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. While the front handles interfaces, the back organizes data.
Front-End vs. Back-End in Web Development
Despite what some may think, these are not two opposite concepts. Instead, Front End (FE) and Back End (BE) are two cohesive web or app development parts. These areas work in tandem to create proper-functioning systems. Neither is more important than the other. What’s more, they complement and need each other to perform.
Webs and apps must be appealing and user-friendly. Yet, they also must operate efficiently and solve problems. Users enter commands in the interface and start a series of processes. This starts with the software verifying the information and communicating with the server. Then, it pulls the necessary data from the database and sends it back to the user. Let's get deeper into the differences between these two development approaches!
What is Front-End Development?
Front-End Development, or frontend, also receives the name "client-side development." Its role is to design the front face or the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or user facing aspect of a site or app. This range goes from its colors to its animations and effects. The design element is where the user interacts with the site. Behind this, coding is executed in users' browsers, allowing them to interact. A Front-End Developer focuses on web design. But this does not mean they don't get in touch with coding. Within the FE area, developers mostly use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
1. HTML. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the backbone of any website. It provides the design and functionality and relies on tags to create structures and organize content.
2. CSS. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) brings style and form. A CSS file adds visual aspects and structure. It allows Software Developers to create appealing responsive Web Designs for dynamic websites.
3. JavaScript. JavaScript (JS) is the go-to language used for building User Interfaces (UIs). Being fast and safe, it complements the previous ones and gives dynamism to websites. While HTML and CSS are for structure markup and styling, JS is a programming language. With them as a foundation, a wide range of popular frameworks and code libraries for building User Interfaces have arisen. Since then, the capability to create any user interface has increased daily. Some of them include React, Redux, Angular, Bootstrap, Foundation, Stylus, and PostCSS.
What is Back-End Development?
While Front-End is the users' side of a website, Back End, also known as backend, applies to the server-side logic of a website. Back-End developers are responsible for building, optimizing, and maintaining database calls, business logic, and networking. As a result, all elements on the client's side can adequately work. This applies even in areas with no direct user contact. BE creates and processes the Database Management Systems of a software or application.
Furthermore, BE works through frameworks, providing customized components or solutions. These frameworks and for speed up and structure the development process. PHP, Java (server-side language), JavaScript, Structured Query Language (SQL), and Python are some of the most used back-end languages.
Front-End and Back-End Development
Regarding stability, both approaches can work in different instances. This means it won't affect the other if one needs more resources, arrangements, or changes. They can be modified and updated independently, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted UX.
This approach can also help development teams since it considers the complexity of each area. While some tasks need joint work, others allow an area to focus on their field. Teams can work together or separately to achieve a common goal. This approach allows for better collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.
A noteworthy benefit of having a platform with divided Front and Back-End Development is the ease of extending it. For instance, the development process will be more straightforward if you have a website and want to create a mobile app version. This is because the Application Programming Interface (API) is already developed, and you only need a few changes to make the front-end function properly.
Lastly, another advantage of having a well-developed back-end is that the front-end gets modified more frequently. These modifications can be for aesthetic or UX/UI reasons. Modifying the Front-End Development becomes more manageable if a functional Back-End Development server works. You can apply a wide variety of visual changes relying on the continuous operation of the server side, which ensures a seamless User Experience.
What is Full-Stack Development?
Full-Stack Development is the name of the group of tools used to develop a platform. In other words, it unites all the technologies used in Front and Back-End Development. Generally, Full Stack Developers work in teams, so work is not handled by a single person. But, custom software companies can have proficient developers on both sides. These get the name of Full-Stack developers. As a result, with their key skills, they can design the client and the data side of a website or app. That means they can create valuable interfaces and handle hidden infrastructures.
Conclusion
As we've seen, there are major differences between Front-End and Back-End Developers. They are in charge of creating separate parts of a web page or app. Yet, they work together to develop excellent User Experiences. They build client and data fields through different languages, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are the building blocks of the Internet. We hope this information was helpful to you!
