Web Developer
Are you interested in building and maintaining websites with the client and
consumer in mind? You may want to consider a career as a web developer!
Web developers are responsible for programming the code that 'tells' a website
how to function. They build websites that are 'user friendly', which means they are
easy to navigate for those using them. They also build functions within a website
— for example, a form to capture an e-mail or to provide a newsletter, a paywall to
capture payment details, or a message to thank a customer for their business.
Web developers are familiar with technology and understand how computers
and web servers operate. They are also very familiar with many software
programs, web applications and web programming languages, such as hypertext
markup language (HTML), JavaScript (JS), Ruby on Rails, and C++.
Web development can be divided into three parts: code that executes in a web
browser and determines what customers or clients will see when they land on a
website (client-side scripting); code that executes on a web server and powers the
behind-the-scenes mechanics of how a website works (server-side scripting); and
database technology, which helps to keep a website running smoothly and
efficiently. Large-scale web projects often divide these tasks among multiple web
developers.
One type of developer may focus on setting up the back end of a site (back-end
developer) while another may focus on the client side to add style and functionality
to the website itself (front-end developer). The work is typically very projectfocused and involves collaborating with a team of people who help coordinate the
client's needs with the end product.
Work may include meeting with clients to discuss their needs and requirements
for a website or discuss how to keep their website functioning and up-to-date. Web
developers construct the layout of a website, creating a visually interesting home
page and user-friendly design, and may sometimes write content for the website.
After a website is up and running, developers ensure the site is functional on all
web browsers, testing and updating as needed.
Types of web developers:
Front-End Developers
A front-end developer codes the front end of a website. While web design is the
way a website looks, front end development is how that design gets implemented
on the web. By integrating markup languages, design, scripts and frameworks,
front-end developers create the environment for everything that users see, click,
and touch. These are the Front-End Languages: HTML, CSS, and in some years
ago JavaScript. CSS has some frameworks. One of the popular framework is
Bootstrap. If you are interested in Front-End, you have definitely heard something
about SASS, SCSS and LESS. These are the languages that allow CSS code to be
written in a simpler and easier way. In addition, the loss of time is little.
Back-End Developers
A back-end developer builds and maintains the technology needed to power the
components which enable the user-facing side of a website to exist. Their back end
code adds utility to everything the front-end designer creates. These are the some
popular Back-End languages: JavaScript, Node JS, Ruby, PHP, C#, Java and Rust.
As I mentioned in the previous section, JavaScript is already considered as a
backend language. The most notable of these is Python. Because Python is the
most widely used programming language in recent years. The reason is that this
language is easier and shorter to write than other languages. Its syntax is basic.
Therefore, beginners are advised to learn Python firstly. Rust is a relatively new
language that has not been there for more than 10 years. It follows the same
syntax that C++ uses. In here one of the old language is PHP. Most of the
developers no longer use this language.
Full Stack Developers
Full stack developers understand how every part of the web development
process takes place and can guide on strategy and best practices. These developers
will have an increasingly important role in the web development of the future, and
are able to look at the 'big picture'. They are knowledgeable with the server side as
well as the client side’s user experience. If you want to be a successful Full-Stack
developer, you should make a strong road map. To become a full-stack developer,
you must have strong experience in this field for about 5 years. Even if you are a
full-stack developer, you need to be open to innovations and develop yourself
every day.
JavaScript Developers
JavaScript (JS) is a type of web programming language that is supported across
all web browsers and tools, and is the language that gives JavaScript developers
control and power to create, enhance and modify websites. Even though a
JavaScript developer typically works on the front-end, the programming language
itself is not limited to front-end use only.
How has Covid-19 affected the industry?
While many industries have struggled and as a result of the coronavirus
pandemic, the tech industry has fared relatively well. Many organizations are
relying on digital tools to enable them to operate remotely, placing even more
importance on technology and the people who build it. As such, many are
anticipating an industry boom: according to Market Data Forecast, the tech
industry will grow from $131 billion USD in 2020 to $295 billion in 2025.
Of course, new and aspiring web developers can expect some changes as a result
of Covid-19. First and foremost, it’s important to consider the rise of remote work.
When it comes to looking for your first job within the field, you should be
prepared to work remotely at least some of the time, if not on a full-time basis.
Fortunately, web development is a career that lends itself to remote work. We’re
also anticipating that web developer jobs will increase in certain sectors as a direct
result of the products and services that are most in-demand right now. For
example, sectors like healthcare, media and entertainment, online banking, remote
education, and e-commerce will continue to grow to reflect consumer needs and
behaviors in a more socially-distant world.
In all, the impact of Covid-19 on the tech industry, and on web developers, has
been minimal compared to other sectors. Although the situation is still unfolding,
new and aspiring web developers can feel confident that they’re embarking on a
future-proof career.
If you’re curious as to what it’s like to be a newly-qualified tech graduate in the
midst of a pandemic, take a look at our guide to job searching during Covid-19.
In it, Mike McCulloch, Head of Career Services at Career Foundry, shares his
observations of the tech job market, together with some great advice on how to
market yourself as a newcomer to the field.
Client-side
Client-side scripting, or frontend development, refers to everything that the end
user experiences directly. Client-side code executes in a web browser and directly
relates to what people see when they visit a website. Things like layout, fonts,
colors, menus and contact forms are all driven by the frontend.
Server-side
Server-side scripting, or backend development, is all about what goes on behind
the scenes. The backend is essentially the part of a website that the user doesn’t
actually see. It is responsible for storing and organizing data, and ensuring that
everything on the client-side runs smoothly. It does this by communicating with
the frontend.
Whenever something happens on the client-side—say, a user fills out a form—
the browser sends a request to the server-side. The server-side “responds” with
relevant information in the form of frontend code that the browser can then
interpret and display.
Learn more: What’s the difference between frontend and backend?
Database technology
Websites also rely on database technology. The database contains all the files
and content that are necessary for a website to function, storing it in such a way
that makes it easy to retrieve, organize, edit, and save. The database runs on a
server, and most websites typically use some form of relational database
management system (RDBMS).
To summarize: the frontend, backend, and database technology all work
together to build and run a fully functional website or application, and these three
layers form the foundation of web development.
The difference between web development and web design
You might hear the terms web development and web design used
interchangeably, but these are two very different things.
Imagine a web designer and web developer working together to build a car: the
developer would take care of all the functional components, like the engine, the
wheels and the gears, while the designer would be responsible for both the visual
aspects—how the car looks, the layout of the dashboard, the design of the seats—
and for the user experience provided by the car, so whether or not it’s a smooth
drive.
Web designers design how the website looks and feels. They model the layout of
the website, making sure it’s logical, user-friendly and pleasant to use. They
consider all the different visual elements: what color schemes and fonts will be
used? What buttons, drop-down menus and scrollbars should be included, and
where? Which interactive touchpoints does the user interact with to get from point
A to B? Web design also considers the information architecture of the website,
establishing what content will be included and where it should be placed.
References:
https://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/impacts-of-covid19-on-informationtechnology-industry
https://careerfoundry.com/en/magazine/job-searching-covid-19/
www.careerexplorer.com/careers/fr
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/back-end-developer/
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/full-stack-developer/
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/javascript-developer/