The creation process of web products different IT specialists are involved, and each of them belongs to the front-end “camp” or back-end Beginners who plan to create websites and mobile applications, during the process of training or internship, need to decide in which professional direction it is more convenient and interesting for them to realize their potential in order to become the best in their field.

In this article, we will tell you what knowledge and skills you need to have, to become a frontend developer.

How front-end is different from back-end

Front-end is the client (visible) side of the interface. That is, everything that the browser displays on the screen and with which the user interacts on the site page: buttons, text, images, tables, arrows, banners and other visual elements of the Internet resource.

The Frontend Developer develops the structure and logic of the site. As a result, it creates a comfortable environment, which helps you use the Internet resource: find information, receive online consultations, click buttons to purchase a product or order a service, etc.

Backend-developer works on the software and hardware part of the service and deals with the processes occurring on the server. In particular, he performs work related to databases, website system architecture, resource management, cloud computing integration, performance monitoring, scaling, streamlining and security of server code.

That is, the code created by a front-end specialist interacts with the user, and the back-end code interacts with the data on the server. In other words, frontend is what we see and what we interact with. And what’s “under the hood” is hidden from view — backend development.

What exactly does a Frontend Developer do?

One of the areas of specialization of a front-end developer is the layout of a website, the development of a user interface and the implementation of scripts into it. But he is also involved in more global processes of creation of sites and applications (in particular, the server part). Therefore, its work requires knowledge of libraries and frameworks (for example, React, Angular, Vue.js, jQuery, etc.), JavaScript, CSS processors, and back-end technologies, Unit testing) etc.

Where to start getting acquainted with front-end?

Experienced experts advise beginners to start studying the topic with children's books on programming. They are written in clear language, without complex formulations, and are aimed specifically at introducing the subject - and this is simply a godsend for those who are taking their first professional steps. Special (“adult”) literature will help those who are already in the subject.

You can also take online front-end development courses. There are many free platforms (such as Codecademy, MDN Web Docs and freeCodeCamp) that provide learning material and practice problems. Consider taking relevant online programs from Coursera, Udemy, edX, Pluralsight, etc.

What you need to know to become a Frontend developer?

• HTML и CSS

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the main markup language for creating web pages. You must understand the structure of an HTML document, tags and their purpose.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used for styling web pages. You need to learn how to apply styles to HTML elements, change colors, sizes, fonts and layout of elements.

This is the basic knowledge you need to master.front-end developer, because these languages ​​are responsible for how web pages and what the site looks like in a browser.

You can learn HTML and CSS on your own - from books, free or paid courses. The main thing is not just to get an idea of ​​languages, their attributes, operating principles and capabilities, but to immediately practice by creating websites. And in the process of work, it is important to learn to understand the structure, and the necessary tag, if necessary, can be found on the Internet. You can also study layout guides to learn step by step how to convert PSD models into web pages.

• JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language for frontend development that helps you create web pages interactive elements. You need to master the basic syntax, variables, functions, event handlers and DOM (Document Object Model).

• DOM (Document Object Model)

DOM is a representation of the structure of an HTML document in objective form that can be interacted with using JavaScript. It is important to understand how to work with the DOM -elements to change the content and structure of the page.

• Responsive web design

You already need to learn how to create websites that display correctly on different devices and screens of different sizes (mobile phones, tablets, desktops).

• CSS preprocessors

Understanding CSS preprocessors such as Sass or Less can simplify the process of writing styles.

• Version Control/Git

Knowledge of version control systems such as Git is important for collaborating on projects and tracking code changes

• Check the code

Understanding the debugging process (Debugging) helps to find and fix errors in the code.

• Working with collections (Build Tools)

Knowledge of such tools like Webpack or Gulp will greatly simplify the development, optimization and build process web projects.

• SEO and Performance Basics

Understanding the basics of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps you create websites that are better indexed by search engines. Performance analysis tools (such as Lighthouse or PageSpeed Insights) can help you optimize the performance and loading of web pages.

• Security basics

To prevent attacks on web services, it is important to understand the types of threats and implement the measures necessary to protect them. This will require knowledge of security fundamentals related to preventing XSS and CSRF attacks.

• API

You must understand how to interact with web servers and other data sources via API (Application Programming Interface).

• Text editor or integrated development environment (IDE)

It is important to choose a convenient text editor or IDE for writing code. Popular options include Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Atom, and WebStorm.

What else is needed to successfully master the profession?

• Skill to work in team

Being a freelancer is the dream of every developer. But you need to understand that working in a team allows you to quickly learn, improve, and adopt the experience of senior developers. Moreover, many projects involve collaboration with other developers, designers and managers, so the ability to work in a team is an important skill.

• Continuous improvement

Technologies are developing rapidly, and the field of web development is constantly changing. It is important to always be aware of new methods and approaches in order to continuously grow professionally. It is also important to develop your own projects: this helps to gain experience and improve skills.

Through self-improvement, you can become a better front-end developer. The demand for such specialists is constantly growing as companies and brands look to expand their online presence. This makes front-end one of the most profitable industries in the IT industry.

How you can become part of our team

If you are already an experienced developer and want to join our team, send your resume to our Telegram bot. We value talented specialists, and As a professional in your field, you can become an integral part of our team. More information on our website.

Free courses for Drupal Frontend Developer 

Web Studio Glyanec developed thousands of successful projects on the Drupal platform. What others thought was impossible, we accomplished 10 times faster, cheaper and better. We are ready to share our experience, so we offer those interested in the field of web development free courses. We have our own Drupal school, where you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills that will help you become a highly qualified Frontend Developer.

We provide our students with a unique opportunity to work under the guidance of practicing professionals and gain invaluable professional experience working on real projects, which is the key to success in the IT industry. After completing the training and successfully completing the final assignments, the best students can receive an invitation to work in the team of the Glyanec web studio.