What is a front-end developer?

3 years ago

Today's website development world is in a constant state of flux. As new technologies and tools emerge, old ones become obsolete. JavaScript libraries like AngularJS and JQuery have emerged as powerful front-end web development tools, while well-known languages such as C++ are experiencing a decline in popularity.

Where a person's career might have traditionally been confined within one industry, today's web development landscape is one with a much wider scope. 

This has resulted in an increase in demand for specialists across many different industries. The role of the Internet-savvy "front-end developer" has emerged, and is a field that encompasses a number of roles from content management to user interface design, front-end frameworks, and even mobile development.

Front-end Developer Job Description

The job of a front-end developer is to create and maintain the visual appeal of a website. A front-end developer is responsible for creating, maintaining, and enhancing an application's user interface. Front-end developers are responsible for web applications that are written in a programming language (e.g., JavaScript). The code that creates and supports visual elements, such as layout, graphics, and style sheets, in order to create graphics that meet the project requirements. The developer is responsible for creating and enhancing the graphics within a Web application. Front-end developers usually perform technical support as part of their work and are expected to be proficient in programming languages like Java, C++, Ruby, or PHP. They are knowledgeable in CSS and HTML as well as JavaScript

Front-end Developer Skills

Before even having very solid skills in coding, this UX-scientist must above all be creative. Indeed, being creative when building the visual identity of a company, via its digital presence, will make you a good front-end developer.

As for the technical part, you will have to master certain prerequisites ...

The front-end developer absolutely needs to master two coding tools: HTML5 and CSS3. Even if being an expert in these two areas will not be enough, he will not be able to miss it. Certain standards will have to be part of the baggage of this expert developer, such as the W3C standard, which makes the site accessible to users. At the same time, it is unthinkable not to know the different specificities of browsers in order to develop a site that is easy to use.

To differentiate oneself, although here too, mastery of this tool is tending to become the standard in the business, the advanced expertise of JavaScript is a big plus. Its use will allow you to obtain the missions among the best paid.

If you master JavaScript with frameworks such as JQuery, AngularJS, ExtJS, or Backbone, no doubt it will make a big difference. These languages are the most used today to manage interaction with users in a browser. Having knowledge of image processing and DTP software can be rewarding.

Despite the knowledge of these tools, it will be necessary to be on constant watch. The profession evolves quickly, which is why if you want to become a front-end developer, your main quality should be curiosity.

Why become a front-end developer?

The profile of such a developer is increasingly sought after by companies. It is therefore not difficult to find a front-end developer job, provided you are trained and stay constantly evolving. Let's see together what are the positive and negative points of the profession:

• This specialty allows you to work on various projects, which are rarely alike. All the interfaces to be created will have their own particularities
• It is interesting to intervene upstream of a project; the front-end developer and the web integrator can have similar missions. They take a project in the form of an image or HTML mockup and bring it to life until a complete site is obtained, which can be used by Internet users.

On the negative side we could note two things that stand in the way:

• We absolutely have to keep up with technological developments to stay up to date. This means keeping watch and frequently training in new tech tools.
• The front end developer is limited to the visible part of the site, so they will not put their hands internally, which can be frustrating depending on the skills mastered

Front-end Developer Salary

Front-end developers in the U.S. make $66,000 on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This amount could be even higher for those in metropolitan areas that are more expensive to live in, such as New York City and San Francisco. Every state has its own front-end developer salary range, with the median among all states falling at $64,800.

How to become a front-end developer

There are several alternatives available, not only in terms of programming languages, but also in terms of frameworks, tools, and technologies. Many students pursue a bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science, but it is not always necessary.

To work as a front-end developer, you must have a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There are several online courses available that can help you get started. Learning numerous front-end frameworks and programming languages is just one aspect of being a front-end developer; engagement, responsibilities, and roles are also important.

Security, database management, Linux, or apache administration, as well as front-end issues like WAI or ARIA and 503 Compliance, are all available as online or in-person courses. Great front-end developers can never stop studying because the platform is a constantly changing universe.

If you're ready to start your career as a front-end developer, our website is the place to start. We have work openings at all levels of front-end developers (junior, mid, senior). With the hopes that this information will help you on your way.