Web development, also known as website development, refers to services related to creating, developing, and managing browser-based websites and web apps. However, it can also include web design, programming, and database administration.
Web development is closely related to designing the website’s features and functionality (web design). The term development is usually reserved for the actual development of these things (programming of sites).
The main tools associated with web development services are programming languages called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript. However, many other programs “manage” or facilitate the creation of sites that must be built from “scratch” by writing code. WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, TYPO3, Adobe Content Manager and many other content management systems (CMS) fall into this category.
What is Web Development?
Web development is concerned with designing the features and functions of websites and applications (often called “web design”). However, the term “web development” is often used for website design and programming.
Think of all the web pages that have been around for years. Web developers have designed those sites, ensuring they functioned properly and performed in ways that allowed for an outstanding user experience. Developers do this by writing lines of code using different programming languages depending on the role and platform they are working on.
Web Development vs. Web Design
While there is some overlap, there are significant differences between web development and web design. Let’s take a closer look.
Web Designers:
Create everything which a user sees in the content of your website or software product. This includes all visual elements, colors, typography, and usability.
Work directly with clients to create designs or develop a client’s vision to work as a part of a team.
Knowledge of programming languages or some coding skills may be required. Or you should at least be familiar with common languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript.
Construct wireframes and prototypes to test design concepts and offer input on logo design, branding, and company style guides.
Web Developers:
Write the code that makes a website function, working on the front-end or back-end (server-side).
Create or implement designs as requested by clients or created by our design team.
Professional knowledge of various programming languages, including HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS, PHP, and JavaScript, is required, but other languages (Ruby, C/C++, Python), frameworks, and libraries are also supported.
Create a rare website template; choose typography or color palette.
Which Programming Languages Are Most Used?
The most often used programming languages for web development are:
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
JavaScript
Types of Web Development
Front-End Development, Back-End Development, and Full-Stack Development are the three primary types of web development.
What is Front-End Development?
The “customer-facing” aspect of web development is handled by front-end development. This means that front-end development refers to the part of a website, app, or digital product that users see and use. As such, front-end developers are responsible for the look and feel of digital products, which is why they are often referred to as Atlanta web designers.
Front-end web developers specialize in translating website designs and visual ideas into code. Front-end software developers take design ideas created by others on the web development team and bring them to life, serving as a bridge between design and technology.
Programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and frameworks like React, Bootstrap, Backbone, AngularJS, and EmberJS are typically important to front-end developers. The responsibilities of a front-end developer include:
- Creating a responsive website (that looks great and works well on any device).
- Testing the website and fixing any bugs found during the web development process.
- Ensuring that the website’s structure conforms to best SEO practices.
Front-End Web Development Jobs
Unlike back-end development, various job titles involve knowledge and experience in front-end development.
- Front-End Developer
- Front End Engineer
- CSS/HTML Web Developer
- Front-End Web Designer (this generally means roles with higher business and visual design needs)
- Front-End Users Interface Developer (including interaction design skills)
- Mobile Front-End Web Developer
- Front-End SEO Specialists (usually developers experienced in integrating SEO techniques)
- Front-End Accessibility Expert
- Front-End Development Ops
- Front-End QA (unit tests, performance tests, user tests, and A/B tests)
What is Back-End Development?
If Front-End developers are responsible for the design of digital products, while Back-End Developers focus on digital functionality. The back-end developer builds the website’s basic framework and makes the website perform as expected, including database interactions, user authentication, server configuration, networking and hosting, and business logic. Back-End Developers work behind the scenes or on the server side and are concerned with the systems and structures that allow computer applications to function as intended.
The back-end developer’s main responsibility is ensuring the website’s functionality, such as flexibility and speed. To do this, back-end developers need to know how to build servers using modern frameworks (including building custom APIs, serving websites, and static files) and how to organize databases and data in a web server.
Back-end developers typically use server-side programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python, and tools such as MySQL, Oracle, and Git.
What is a Full-Stack Development?
A full-stack developer is someone familiar with both front-end and back-end development. Full-stack developers are typically familiar with multiple programming languages because their versatility allows them to take on more leadership roles in projects than developers specializing in web design. They are common people and can handle and understand all levels of development. According to an indeed study, employers want to hire Full-Stack Developers; they are the fourth most in-demand job in tech.
With this understanding, the number of technical professionals considering themselves Full-Stack developers is growing. A recent Stack Overflow survey of Developers shows that 48.2% of people consider themselves full stack developers.
It is unclear whether developers are now expected to have broader skills or if they are responsible for understanding front-end and back-end roles. However, it is increasingly common for novice developers to have a foundation in both.
The demand for developers is expected to increase by 15% (24,400 new jobs) through 2026, faster than the average US employment growth rate. This is the best time to follow and learn more about each step of web development.
Conclusion
Web development refers to the work involved in creating a website, usually hosted internally or on the Internet. The development process includes web design, content development, client/server scripting, and network security configuration.
In general, web development includes all the activities, updates, and manipulations to create, maintain and manage a better site for performance, user experience, and speed.
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