What’s the Difference Between Front-End and Back-End Developers?

Introduction

Front-end and back-end are two of the most used terminologies in the computer field. They determine the work you do as a software developer, the tools you employ, and your remuneration. Let’s discuss how these two terms vary, why they were coined in the first place and the various career options that you can choose in the field of software development.

What is Front end Development? 

The front-end is designed with various technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Front-end development is computer programming that is concerned with coding and creating website features and aspects that users will  see. It involves ensuring that a website’s visual components are useful. Front end is referred to as the “client-side” of an application. Let’s assume that you are a front-end developer. This means that your responsibility is to code and create the website’s graphic components. You would pay closer attention to what a user sees when using a website or app. Additionally, you should ensure that the website is fast and simple to use.

These developers bring the website to life using the visual designs created by the UX and UI designers, ensuring that it is user-friendly. If you encounter a straightforward landing page or a local business website that restricts users from undertaking interactive tasks, you may come across a static website.

What is Back-end Development? 

The server side of the website is known as the back end. It also ensures that everything on the client side of the website functions properly while organizing and storing encrypted data. It is the part of the website that is not accessible to users. Users do not directly interact with this type of program (backend). Users can indirectly access the components created by backend designers through a front-end application. The backend also includes tasks like building libraries, writing APIs, and interacting with system elements.

For instance, a buyer using a website to shop for a pair of shoes is interacting with the front end.

The information is saved inside the server-based database after the user chooses the item they desire, adds it to their shopping cart, and authorizes the transaction. A few days later, when the client inquires about the status of their delivery, the server retrieves the pertinent data, updates it with tracking information, and displays it through the front end.

Front-end vs Back-end: What’s the Difference? 

The distinction between front end and back end, and the numerous functions performed by developers who work on both ends of the wire is discussed below. The backend is the server or, more often, the Cloud, whereas the front end is the browser. The following are the differences between the front end and back end:

Required Skills for Front-end Developers and Back-End Developers

The following are the skills of the front-end and back-end developers:

Front-end Developers’ Skills

• A front-end developer should be capable of creating responsive layouts using HTML5 and CSS3. Additionally, they must know how to design unique components like navigation bars and form fields. They also need to understand how to incorporate JavaScript into websites.
• Analyze a webpage’s client-side performance to have a better understanding of the user experience.
• Have a solid understanding of how to cooperate and work effectively on software projects.
• JQuery, Ajax, UI (user interface), UX (user experience), and knowledge of frameworks like EmberJS, AngularJS, Foundation, Bootstrap, and Backbone are additional abilities needed for front-end development.

Back-end Developers’ Skills

• Programming skills in languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, C , etc. are required of a back-end developer. They must be knowledgeable in several database management systems, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, and others.
• Learn how to interface with background technology like databases and servers, and how to solve progressively difficult problems.
• Identifying and resolving web application performance issues. Additionally, provide a viable solution to a specific bottleneck in a sample application provided.
• Let’s use PHP as an example because the developer community generally uses it. PHP, a programming language, collaborates with Structured Query Language, or SQL, the database from which PHP extracts information for display on the HTML page.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following are the roles and responsibilities of front end and back- end developers:

Front-end Developer Responsibilities

On the front-end, developers are in charge of communicating with clients and project managers who have a vision for their website, or at least a notion of what they want. It is your responsibility to use your skills and experience to offer answers to their digital issues. This frequently comprises some of the following daily duties:

• Engage with Customers

The front-end developer must be aware of the client’s requirements before beginning any work. To avoid wasting time on the first draft, it is imperative to practice paying close attention to what is being said and asking the proper questions.

• Make a Website’s Visual Design

A digital designer who is in charge of producing the site’s graphic design will collaborate with front-end developers on larger projects.

Back-end Developer Responsibilities

Back-end developers must utilize various technologies to fulfill the objectives of the client because the back end has entirely distinct functions. Therefore, the job responsibilities may differ greatly from those of a front-end developer.

• Verify Functionality

Developers on this end oversee everything working as it should. The back end contains coding that enables the website to operate through created algorithms and logic. These consist of databases, APIs, the main logic of applications, and other procedures.

• Streamline the Procedure

Process streamlining is a key component in developing an efficient back end. For both the client and the customers, efficiency might imply fewer issues.

Salary Comparison: Front-end vs. Back-end Developer

Junior front-end developers typically earn between $60,932 and $68,150 per year, depending on their level of experience. However, depending on the location, this amount varies considerably. For instance, a front-end developer in San Francisco may earn up to $115,766 per year. Mid-level engineers make between $84,166 and $105,000, which improves the mid-level front end developer compensation. According to Payscale, the average income for a senior front end web developer ranks at the top and can approach $130,000.

The average pay for back- end developers remains constant. A junior back-end developer’s median income ranges from $57,500 to $78,052. The typical senior back-end developer’s income ranges from $90,824 to $145,092, while the middle back- end developer’s salary rises to $90,000. Salary for front end vs back- end developers also vary widely by country.

How to Choose: Front-end or Back-end? Why Not Both? 

If you’ve always wanted to study web programming but aren’t sure whether to focus on the front- end or back-end, thinking about your unique requirements and goals may be helpful. For instance, if you want to become a full-stack developer, understanding both front-end and back-end development would be great.

On the other hand, you can decide to focus on front-end development if dealing with visual designs and producing stunning user experiences appeal to you. You may choose back-end development if you enjoy figuring out algorithms, working with data, and creating reliable systems.

If you appreciate both and are equally excited and at ease with all elements of Full Stack Developer Course, a full-stack developer certification is for you.

Conclusion

Technology has many interesting subfields, and web development is one of them. Front-end development is just like the exterior of a house, including the paint, wall hangings, wall carvings, and other tangible elements. The back end is similar to the electric supply, a piece of building material that is not visible yet is essential to the house. These two elements work best together to give a program the best potential appearance and functionality. Refer to front end vs back end developer from knowledgehut to learn more about front end and back end.