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In this article, we want to show you what exactly a front-end developer does, what skills are needed for this job, and what salary can be earned at the end of the day.
What exactly is a Frontend Developer?
Frontend Developers use different programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to design web-based software solutions. These include Websites, websites for mobile devices, but also mobile applications and Progressive Web Apps. While the backend developer focuses on server-side programming of websites, the Frontend Developer is responsible for the layout and client-side programming. What are the main differences between a Frontend Developer, a backend developer and a full stack developer? As the complexity of the web increases, so does the degree of specialization in web development. This has a direct effect on the professional profiles people are looking for. Approximately, a distinction is made between:- Frontend Developer: the frontend of a website is the visible part with which a user interacts directly. The task of the Frontend Developer is, therefore, to convert the existing project into a working website. Some websites are only created with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. For other sites, however, more hidden codes are needed and for this, you need a backend developer.
- Backend Developers are responsible for system development and maintenance of advertising applications or software. One of the main functions of a backend developer is the flawless routing of software requests. Common programming languages among backend developers are Java, C, C++ and PHP.
- Full Stack Developers work with both the Frontend and the Backend of a website or application. They are familiar with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and one or more backend languages. The full stack developer knows all the programming languages that are currently relevant to software development and, as a result, it is a coveted figure in the labor market.
How much does a Frontend Developer earn?
In Austria, the expected salary depends on the federal state and, of course, on the years of work. According to Statistics Austria’s 2015 data, the average gross monthly salary for a Frontend Developer was approximately € 3,070. This corresponds to an annual income of € 42,980. Compared to other European countries, this figure is at a medium-high level.- € 25,828 in Italy
- € 26,528 in Spain
- € 48,571 in Germany
- € 52,114 in Ireland
- € 62,512 in Denmark
How do I become a Frontend Developer?
The first step is to learn the necessary programming languages: HTML and CSS. There's no other way! W3Schools, the world's largest web developer site, offers free developer courses for HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. Codecademy is another great site that offers courses for free Frontend Developers. After completing the first courses, create some static web pages and apply continuously what you have learned. We also recommend developing some small user interface elements to practice the knowledge of HTML and CSS once learned. Codepen.io is a great playground. Look for other people's projects and share ideas with the Community. If you think you are ready to be a Frontend Developer then, unfortunately, we must disappoint you, since there is still much more to know.1. Read, read and read some more
Believe it or not, your reading skills significantly influence your way to becoming a great Frontend Developer. Especially at the beginning, it is important to get a quick overview of the effective learning of the necessary programming languages and the most important tools. Below is a list of the top 5 books we recommend: Front-End Web Development: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide: This basic work covers all the fundamentals of modern development with HTML/CSS and is a great guide on how to structure and design websites. In short: the ideal introduction for beginners and a source of inspiration for experienced Frontend Developers. HTML & CSS: Sit back and enjoy 512 pages on the most beautiful programming languages. This book is suitable for beginners and describes in a simple way how you can customize the code of your websites. At the end of each chapter, you will be rewarded with a variety of practical examples. For this book, no prior knowledge of programming languages is required. JavaScript &jQuery: After HTML & CSS you'll be ready for Jon Duckett's next work. In this book, the author covers all the basics of JavaScript and writing scripts for the web. It is one of the best introductions for aspiring Web Developers. The examples given refer to practical situations that can be encountered when creating websites. Since most web developers use libraries, work with jQuery is also addressed. JavaScript: The techniques for writing the best code: JavaScript is the largest scripting language for the Web. Many modern libraries rely on JS, including Ember, Angular and Node. If you want to delve into JavaScript, you will need a book that brings you closer to the necessary coding standards: JavaScript: “The techniques for writing the best code” is one of the best books for the study of design models and best practices. It teaches you how to structure the code correctly so that it is readable and “slim”. Frontend Tooling with Gulp, Bower, and Yeoman: The days when simple HTML and CSS opened all the doors of websites are over. The modern panorama of the frontend is based on instruments such as Node, Sass, Gulp and many others. This book covers all the tools listed and gives a gradual introduction to their possibilities of use. However, you should already have a preliminary knowledge of JavaScript before continuing with tools such as Gulp or Bower. It is important to always be curious and to update your knowledge constantly. In a fast-paced world like web development, books alone are not enough. Forums and blogs, such as Web Designer Depot, Smashing Magazine, Creative Market, PopArt Blog are essential to becoming great Frontend Developers.2. Use the best tools for Frontend Developers
In order to enable you to get started quickly in this area, we focus exclusively on frontend platforms and tools that fit into the modern workflow. As a result, you will learn the basic syntax for intermediate steps and, at the same time, you will work with those tools that control the workflow of modern developers. Codecademy: This platform deserves to be mentioned a second time in this article. Why? If you only try a few minutes to google in search of relevant courses, Codecademy is undoubtedly one of the first to appear. This code learning platform is an institution and over the past seven years, it has supported more than 100 million people on their way to becoming Frontend Developers. Learn how to layout with CSS: The layout is the canvas on which a website is structured. This blog text, for example, is placed within a line that is part of a larger container and this applies to any website design. With "Learn CSS Layout", you will gain a basic understanding of how containers and lines work and how to move content to the desired position. Bootstrap: Once you understand how layouts work, you should do some specific experiments. In this regard, you will need to learn one or two frameworks. A framework is an easy way to start any kind of web development. Bootstrap is one of the most popular front-end frameworks in the world and is therefore widely used throughout the web. Front-End Checklist: In web development, in addition to the technologies used, it is necessary to follow some rules and standards. Frontend Checklist verifies whether best practices have been used in the development of the frontend on your website. The verification also includes checking the optimization of images or the application of best SEO practices. Vue.js: Vue.js drove the frontend community crazy. This progressive framework helps developers create amazing user interfaces using HTML and JavaScript. The framework is fully supported by the community - both financially and from a development perspective. This is the perfect example of how open sources are born and how they can do great things. This list is just the beginning. Front-end Fundamentals, GitHub, Stack Overflow, etc. are other examples of platforms that are widely used in web development.3. Follow the experts...the right ones
On the web, many people have something to say, but not all of them are really useful to get you on the right path to becoming Frontend Developers. That's why we made a small selection for you. Mike Kus is a UK designer who has specialized in Web/UI Design, graphic design, branding, illustration and photography. His work is regularly published in the design media and he contributes to various design and technology conferences. Wes Bos is a Full Stack Developer, speaker and teacher from Canada. He is a designer, works as an independent web developer and is a co-host of Syntax - a popular web development podcast. Wes has taught more than 500 students in more than 200 classes and has already attended dozens of conferences around the world. If you missed his tutorials go to YouTube, Github or his blog. Stephen Grider was for years the first Frontend Developer when it came to implementing complex JavaScript Frontends for the best American companies. With his innate ability to simplify complex issues, Stephen Grider quickly became a star of the Frontend Developer community. You can get an idea of him by attending one of his highly regarded Udemy courses.
Article updated on: 09 August 2023
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