Frontend developer is a job in the form of programming that manages and develops the appearance of an application or website.
Frontend developers usually combine design techniques, technology, and programming to produce an attractive, interactive website appearance and handle debugging (problems).
They’re responsible for ensuring that visitors can easily access and use an application or website. For example, whenever you visit a website, whatever you see, click on, or use is the work of the frontend.
Starting from design/layout, content, buttons, images, navigation, and internal links.
Frontend developers often use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to develop websites or web applications. So that users can see and interact with the product directly.
Let’s take a closer look!
1. HTML
HTML, an abbreviation of Hypertext Markup Language, is a programming language for creating electronic documents referred to as pages featured across the web. Every page has multiple connections to hyperlinks or links to other pages.
All web pages across the Internet have been crafted by the use of some form of HTML. It is an essential requirement for browsers to learn how to display texts or perform the loading of different elements.
Features
- Easy learning curve and easy usability
- Platform-independent
- Facilitates the easy addition of videos, images, and audio content
- Can be used for adding hypertext content to sections of text
- A markup language and a lot less complex than other languages.
Advantages
- Easy to learn and use
- Free
- Offers support for multiple browsers
Disadvantages
- Not Enough for Dynamic Pages
- Limited for Displaying Content
HTML is a popular language used for creating web pages and is supported by most widely used browsers. It is easy to learn and use, free, and platform-independent.
However, it has its limitations, such as not being enough for dynamic pages and limited for displaying content.
Developers may need to rely on other languages such as JavaScript, PHP, or ASP to add dynamic content and use CSS to make HTML page content more visually appealing.
2. CSS
CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a programming language used for styling and layout of documents, such as those written in markup languages like HTML.
It is used to present documents in an attractive and usable form for audiences, particularly when viewed through browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Some of the features of CSS include selectors, which are tools used to pick and handle different elements on a web page, text effects and layout adjustments, and first-letter and first-line pseudo-classes for character spacing and drop caps.
- Advantages to using CSS,
- Time-saving by only having to write the code once
- Easy maintenance for making global changes
- Recommended for compatibility with future browser releases.
Disadvantages:
- Cross-browser compatibility issues
- Confusion due to the multiple levels of the language.
3. JavaScript
Besides HTML and CSS, JavaScript is the best programming language to learn if you are interested in web front-ends. 97.8% of all websites use JavaScript for their client-side scripting, making it the most popular language for development.
This scripting language is often used to increase the interactivity of web pages. Web developers can add dynamic elements to their landing pages, such as animated graphics, clickable buttons, and mouseover effects.
Then apart from that, JavaScript is a suitable language for developing web applications because it offers an intuitive design.
So, overall, JavaScript is relatively easy to learn, so it can be the right choice for those who plan to become web developers. JavaScript developers can also try their luck as UI/UX designers, full-stack developers, and software engineers.
Advantages
- Open-source.
- Client-side JavaScript is very fast because it doesn’t require compilation.
- It is compatible with other best programming languages.
- Great for enhancing the experience and engagement of website users.
Disadvantages
- Security issue.
- Unstable cross-browser performance.
4. Swift
Swift is one of the newest programming languages in the industry. When it was first released, Swift became an alternative to Objective-C, the primary language for Apple products.
Developers are turning to Swift because it offers modern features like concurrent programming and automatic memory management. Swift is also easier to write and faster than Objective-C.
So, Swift is the best programming language in Apple product development and one of the fastest-growing languages.
If you are interested in developing Apple products, choose Swift as the first language you learn.
Additionally, expertise in iOS app development is currently in high demand as Apple continues to be the most significant profit and revenue generator in the smartphone business.
Advantages
Easier to read because the code is clean (neat and easy to read).
Interoperable with Objective-C.
Less memory footprint.
Disadvantages
Often considered an immature programming language despite its rapid development.
Lack of support for older versions of iOS.
5. React
React is a powerful programming language created by Facebook that is designed to create high-performance and responsive web user interfaces. It is one of the most popular JavaScript libraries for building web front-ends and is a great option for full-stack development.
React allows for the creation of visually appealing user interfaces and efficient data rendering for web browsers, making front-end web development more manageable and streamlined. Its core features and advantages are also worth exploring.
Features
JSX, a syntax extension of JavaScript, is used in conjunction with React Native to create a visually appealing user interface. It allows developers to create HTML structures within the same file as their JavaScript code.
The virtual DOM, a lightweight version of the DOM, is also stored in memory by React. This allows for faster adjustments and changes to the interface without the need for redrawing the screen.
Advantages
- React is an easy-to-learn language and also quite easy to use due to ample documentation, online training resources, and tutorials. Developers who are familiar with JavaScript are able to gain a thorough understanding of React in a short time.
- Virtual DOM is one of the key perks of the React programming language. When an application is centered around user interactions and has regular data updates, developers are able to optimize the structure to get the right performance.
Disadvantages
- Dynamic technology – ReactJS is a popular development choice but is also changing all the time. It raises the bar for developers who have to put in the time and effort to learn new changes.
- Poor documentation – Some developers struggle to keep up with the frequent updates of React documentation and tools with each update. Updating oneself can be difficult if the latest documentation is not available for specific tools, leading to issues with development.