Frontend and Backend: How are they different?

Web development refers to the building of responsive and functional websites that show up every time you search for something on Google. Nowadays, web development has been one of the most trending skills to acquire for every person in the IT field, due to the surging web traffic and generation of big data. 

 

Web development is undoubtedly a crucial component of information technology as it enables building a bridge between consumer and provider. It makes executing complex tasks automated through different functionalities. 

 

There are two integral components of web development categorized as Frontend and Backend development. Read on to find out how these two are different from each other and how they affect the functionality of a website. 

 

 

About Frontend Development

 

It goes without saying that frontend is what a user can see, interact and experience. Programming or coding the parts of the website and applications that are visible to the user are the elements that are included in Front-end development. 

 

Someone who develops the Frontend is known as a Frontend Developer. A Frontend Developer needs to develop the User Interface and User Experience designs that affect the key factors in the success of a design. 

 

A frontend developer needs to be fully proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as AngularJS, node js, etc. He/she needs to possess adequate knowledge about version control systems like GIT and GITHUB.

 

As a frontend developer is responsible for providing the most appropriate structure that can empower a well-structured workflow, he/she becomes an integral part of web development.  

 

Characteristics of Frontend development 

 

Frontend development covers a whole range of functionalities and exciting features, detailed below: 

 

1. Client-Side Rendering: It allows developers to render the entire website on the browser of the user locally with the help of JavaScript. 

 

2. Server-Side Rendering: It allows developers to render sites directly on the users’ browsers based on the changes requested by the user.

 

3. Optimization: It helps in fine-tuning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript ensuring fast loading of sites for the users. 

 

Also Read | Website analytics

 

Top Frontend Development Languages

 

• HTML

 

HyperText Markup Language better known as HTML is a markup language used for constructing web pages. It includes elements that provide the basic layout for a website. It not only provides a structure to the websites but also renders attractive images or visuals. 

 

Its biggest advantages include simple usage, multiple browser support, and a wonderful combination with other languages. Static nature, security, and huge piles of code are some of the biggest disadvantages of HTML.

 

• CSS

 

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is like the interior design of a website. It narrates the HTML part that gets rendered during the development. Its advantages are multiple browser support, easiness, and speed. While its disadvantages include cross-browser breakage and tediousness for beginners. 

 

• JavaScript

 

It is the most significant, popular frontend development language. It boosts the flexibility and responsiveness of a website. Its advantages include simple nature, speed, and additional or extended functionality like creating dialog boxes, forms, and pop-ups. Some of its disadvantages are difficulty in debugging and browser support. 

 

• Elm

 

It is a simple language used to make swift websites, offering seamless performance.

 

• SASS

 

Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets (SASS) is a scripting language like CSS. It is loaded with unique features that provide a smooth user experience. Its top advantages include reusability and clear codes while the disadvantages are troubleshooting and compilation. 

 

• Jquery

It is a JavaScript library that enhances HTML traversing, event handling, and animations. It is not only concise but also enables shortening the written lines of code.

 

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Some Frontend Frameworks

 

• Vue.js: It is a framework built around JavaScript that helps to build compact web applications. 

 

• AngularJS: It is a web framework built around JavaScript that provides appealing features to the HTML templates and enhances the performance.

 

• React: It is a popular JavaScript framework that improves the User Interface along with providing dynamism to web applications. (From)

 

 

About Backend Development

 

Backend development is behind the frontend. All the user actions are analyzed, fetched, and delivered back by the backend through the codes. Someone who develops the Backend is known as the Backend Developer. 

 

A Backend Developer links every aspect of the Frontend together and with the databases. She/he needs to have in-depth knowledge of Backend languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, etc along with a sound understanding of Database Management System(DBMS) and Application Program Interface(API). Backend development is very important as it provides functionality to an app or website.

 

Characteristics of Backend Development

 

The backend includes multiple features proving to be much advantageous for the developers, as detailed below: 

 

• Databases: It involves storing necessary user data 

 

• Website Architecture: It focuses on understanding the goals needed to develop the application.

 

• Scripting: It includes the proper formatting of the framework. 

 

• API: Application User Interface or APIs are tools that enable seamless communication between machines and deliver the required data. 

 

Some of the Top Backend Development Languages

 

• Python: It is a widely popular Backend developing language. Its advantages include a huge collection of libraries, easy code readability, integrations, versatility, etc. 

 

• PHP: It is also a popular language in Backend development. Its advantages include security, cross-platform compatibility, object-oriented programming features, and integrations with databases. 

 

• Java: Java is widely used in building android and desktop applications. Its advantages include automatic memory allocation, portability, and a one-time compilation. 

 

• Ruby: It is a general-purpose language that includes features such as a large standard library, flexibility, scalability, etc. 

 

Also Read | 8 Differences Between SAS and Python

 

Some Backend Frameworks

 

• Django: It is a high-level web framework that includes built-in plugins. It is best for large-scale, data-driven interactive web applications. 

 

• Flask: It is a microframework based on the python language. It does not need any libraries or tools and is hence suitable for small projects. 

 

• CakePHP: It is a widely used web framework for PHP that is used in the development of both small and big applications as it is easier to configure and provides complete security. (Source)

 

 

Ending Note

 

We have concluded that the Frontend is the interactive part of the website or application. The Graphical User Interface(GUI) enables users to take actions as desired. Users can interact with the Frontend. On the other hand, the backend of a website or an application cannot be seen by the users. It just collects the information from the users, processes, and is responsible for the functionality of the application. It means the development of both the Frontend and the Backend portions of the web application. 

 

A person who is involved in this development is known as a Full Stack Web Developer. They need to develop the Frontend, Backend, database, and debugging all by themselves. Web development is an exciting and promising branch of technology. 

 

Together both Frontend and Backend development make an application look and function in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Frontend development is the go-to option for people who like user interface, sound design, and the visual aspects of creating apps. Back-end development is the best option for people who love to spend time-solving business problems, writing algorithms, working in the cloud along creating services and APIs.