Types of Web Development: A Triad of Approaches
Have you ever considered the backstory behind a website? When users click on an article to shop, add it to the cart, and proceed to checkout, this entire process is facilitated through coding, which instructs the website on how to execute these actions.
Web developers are tasked not only with crafting the aesthetic and user experience of these interactions but also with the functional mechanisms that drive the website. There exist three distinct types of web development:
- Front-end website development – This area of development focuses on shaping the visual appearance and user experience of a website. It involves determining how images and icons are displayed, selecting color schemes, and ensuring optimal presentation across various screen sizes. Front-end developers utilize programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to achieve these objectives. They also prioritize website optimization, security, and staying abreast of current trends in design and development.
- Back-end website development – This aspect of development is responsible for constructing and maintaining the underlying code that powers the website’s functionality. It ensures seamless communication between the website and the server, facilitating the proper flow of data. Back-end development employs languages such as Java, PHP, Python, Golang, and databases like MySQL to achieve its goals.
- Full-stack website development – This encompasses both front-end and back-end development responsibilities. Full-stack developers oversee all aspects of a website, including server-side operations and user interactions. While they possess a comprehensive skill set, they may still choose to specialize in one area of expertise.
This piece will explore the trio of web development classifications and the technologies associated with each. Each classification plays a distinct role in website construction. Let’s delve into each category individually.
Front-end web development:
Front-end web development, also known as client-side web development, involves creating and styling the user interface of a website using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The primary goal of front-end development is to present visitors with easily accessible content that boasts visually appealing aesthetics. To craft an efficient user interface, front-end developers must stay abreast of the latest trends and techniques, ensuring that the website remains optimized and secure. Each coding language utilized serves distinct functions within front-end web development. Let’s delve into these functions below:
HTML
According to research conducted by Statista, HTML stands out as one of the most frequently utilized coding languages. Front-end web designers leverage HTML to craft the framework and arrangement of website elements. This language is particularly adept at designing engaging and interactive web pages, albeit it is predominantly employed for static content.
CSS (Cascading style sheet)
HTML serves to elevate the structure and visual appeal of websites, while CSS complements this by shaping their appearance. Designers and developers primarily rely on CSS to stylize webpages, ensuring a polished and visually cohesive user experience.
JavaScript
JavaScript is instrumental in enhancing website interactivity, facilitating dynamic user experiences. For example, when a visitor interacts with elements on Google, such as clicking the search button, JavaScript orchestrates the subsequent page changes. This programming language plays a pivotal role in elevating user engagement and interaction levels.
Back-end web development:
Back-end web development, often termed server-side web development, involves the creation of the functional backbone of a website. Back-end developers are tasked with coding the underlying mechanisms that power website functionalities and establish its core infrastructure. Their focus lies predominantly on back-end logic, server operations, database management, and API integration. While visitors may not directly perceive the intricate workings behind a website, it’s the craftsmanship of back-end developers that enables its seamless functionality. By harnessing both front-end and back-end technologies, developers can craft top-tier websites and web applications. Let’s now explore the programming languages commonly utilized by back-end web developers and designers:
Java
It is employed in the creation of websites, applications, games, and software solutions.
PHP
It is primarily utilized for database management, handling dynamic content, tracking, and facilitating eCommerce functionalities within websites. It seamlessly integrates with databases such as Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
SQL
It serves as a language for querying databases to process substantial volumes of data.
Python
This programming language is employed in constructing the structural framework of websites. Prominent social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest rely on Python for their operations.
.Net
This language is utilized in the development of software applications, often incorporating other languages like C#, C++, and VB.NET for enhanced functionality.
Angular
It is used for developing web applications.
Full-stack web development:
Full-stack development encompasses the dual duties of front-end and back-end web development. The full-stack developer shoulders the significant responsibility of mastering web design and development, debugging websites, and handling databases. They possess expertise in crafting both client-side and server-side web applications and are proficient in database management. A full-stack web developer is well-versed in coding languages like HTML and CSS, alongside programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Python.
