Introduction
The career of web developers is on the rise in this technology-driven world. Almost every industry needs web developers, from healthcare to education to retail and transportation. An article on LinkedIn on Jobs on the Rise in 2021 in India forecasts that by 2025, the sector of specialized engineering is expected to create up to 65 million jobs. As a result, pursuing a career in web development will assure you success.
Web Development
Firstly, let’s discuss what web development is.
Web development is creating and maintaining websites; it’s the labor done in the background to create a website that appears excellent, functions efficiently, and delivers a good user experience.
It is done by web developers who use many programming languages. Their choice of language is affected by the tasks they do and the platforms they use.
Web development is an excellent career choice because it pays well and is in high demand worldwide. Due to the lack of a standard university degree requirement, it is an accessible higher-paying job.
Web development is typically divided into two categories: front-end and back-end web development.
- Front-end Web Development
The user-facing portion of a website is created using front-end web development, commonly called the client side. It covers the way the site looks and feels. It involves some technical effort, but it also involves artistic work concerned with aesthetics.
- Back-end Web Development
Back-end web development, typically called server side, is complex and challenging and focuses on a website’s code hidden from sight when browsing the site. The efficacy and functionality of the website are also a priority in this kind of development.
Front-end vs Back-end Developer
Let’s explore the difference between the work of a front-end and a back-end web developer.
- Front-end Developer
A front-end web developer manages the visual appearance of a website. They decide how font, colours, and images are shown. A front-end developer considers how a website appears on all devices, including desktops, mobile and tablets. Coding languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript are used in the process. They bring a concept from the drawing board to life. A front-end web developer writes a sequence of programs to bind and structure the pieces, improve their appearance, and provide interaction. A browser is used to launch these programs. Except for static sites, front-end development cannot function independently. The front-end development team’s task is to plan, create, test, and evaluate how the program will look based on user input. The front-end development team relies on the back-end to link pages together and to provide security and user assistance. The front-end developer has a solid command of UX design regarding user interface and user experience. To ensure that websites are tailored to users and align with best practices, front-end developers keep themselves informed of recent web development and design developments.
- Back-end Developer
The back-end web developer manages what takes place in the background. The back-end web developer creates and maintains the code that powers a website. This code creates a connection between the website and the server, providing sufficient data flow to the website and accurate transaction processing. Without this data, there would be no front-end because this is where the data is saved. The back-end of the web stores the server that hosts the website, an application to run it and a database to store the data. The back-end developer uses several computer programs to ensure that the server, the application, and the database work together seamlessly. This kind of developer assesses the requirements of an organisation and gives effective programming solutions. A back-end developer doesn’t interact with the front-end during back-end development. They have good problem-solving and logical thinking skills. While income varies according to location, knowledge, and talent, LinkedIn’s 2022 Jobs On The Rise in U.S. article shows a growth in the number of back-end developer jobs.
Java, PHP, and MySQL are common programming languages used for back-end development. Java is distinct from JavaScript, the latter more commonly used in front-end development. More recent back-end development tools are Python and Django. Back-end web developers can stay up-to-date with technological advancements by participating in social communities that provide coding support and advice.
- Full-Stack Developer
There is also another type of web developer familiar with front-end and back-end web development. Such a developer is called a full-stack web developer.
A full-stack developer would be responsible for every part of a website’s development, from the server side to the user experience, based on how intricate the website is. Many full-stack engineers may focus on a single area of web development. However, their extensive experience would help with problem-solving or increase the speed of development or overhaul. Full-stack developers are usually in charge of detecting technologies that boost the capabilities of websites, such as improved programming languages, etc. They are also often given leadership roles. According to a report in 2020 by LinkedIn, web developers that work in full-stack development have the best chances, with a projected 35% job increase. According to Glassdoor, the average salaries of full-stack developers were more than those of mobile developers, software developers, and game developers in 2020.
Whether you want to be a front-end, a back-end, or a full-stack web developer depends on your desired level of interest and specialisation. The front-end would be fantastic if you’re interested in the design side of things. The back-end would be ideal if you have a strong sense of logic and are proficient with server management. If you are interested in both the client side (front-end) and the server side (back-end), consider becoming a full-stack web developer. Being a full-stack developer will ensure that you have a broader knowledge and you can land a high-paying job as well. To become a full-stack web developer, you do not need a university degree in web development. You can register in full-stack web development projects for beginners online and become a full-stack developer.
How to Become a Web Developer?
- Get a Degree in Computer Science or Web Design
To work in web development, you don’t need a degree. However, it might be beneficial. You can enroll in degree programs if you’re interested in computer science and back-end web development. If you’re more drawn to front-end development, you may also study web design or user experience.
- Take an online course in Web Development
You can find a range of java full stack developer courses online by renowned educational companies and universities. By taking a web development course, you can acquire the technical skills to land a web development job. There are both free and paid web development courses offered online. Studying full-stack web development is more beneficial since full-stack developers are more knowledgeable and can get higher-level positions. You can find many full stack web development projects for beginners online to get you ready for a career in becoming a successful full-stack developer.
- Develop Your Talents
Both technical and interpersonal skills, such as good communication and problem-solving techniques, must be honed. Examples of technical skills include coding and a grasp of user experience.
Conclusion
Being a web developer nowadays is lucrative. You can get competitive salaries and work in a versatile field. Being a full-stack web developer will also ensure you can be promoted to leadership positions and manage significant projects.
