Do you want to be a front end developer? What about a back end developer? Do you know?
A career in front or back end development can be extremely fulfilling. However, they each tackle distinct components of website and app development and mean being fluent in very different sets of coding languages and digital tools. Coding bootcamps are exceptional ways to build the fundamental skills needed for either of these dynamic roles.
What Front End Development Tackles
Front end development can be thought of as working on the pieces of a mobile or web experiences that users actually interact with. This means developing and tweaking the code that impacts the visual design of digital experience and considering ways to make an experience easier and simpler to use. At its core, front end development is all about the look, feel and design of the site.
It’s one reason why good front end developers need to have a core understanding of the users who will engage with the sites or apps they’re creating. After all, being able to emphasize with users is crucial for building applications that they’ll enjoy using. If you want to always be thinking about users and how they’re using a site or app, then selecting a front end bootcamps could be the best fit.
Typical Languages & Tools Used by Front End Developers
When evaluating front end coding bootcamps, keep an eye on programs that include the following languages and tools:
- HTML: One of the core building blocks of the web, HTML is key for creating structured, formatted text. With HTML, you’ll define how text should be treated, including headings, paragraphs and bullet points, and you’ll also be able to pinpoint where images and other visual elements should be.
- CSS: CSS is what brings HTML to life. It controls how content is presented by defining layouts, colors and fonts and other elements that bring liveliness to an app or website.
- JavaScript: The “glue” that holds HTML and CSS together, JavaScript is the key for truly dynamic experiences. Everything from drag-and-drop, infinite scroll, and video functionality are controlled with JavaScript.
- React: Once you understand JavaScript, you’ll be able to learn React which is a JavaScript library that lets developers create web experiences that never have to be reloaded. This means creating sites that run quickly and smoothly.
- React Native: If you’re doing front end development, this means keeping mobile apps in mind too. React Native gives developers the same power as React but oriented toward mobile devices. It’s what developers need to package apps that can be published in Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
What Back End Development Tackles
Back end developers put the nuts and bolts of a mobile or web experience together to enable the front end experience. After all, something can look great on the surface. But, if it’s constructed poorly, no one will end up using the application. That’s why back end development is frequently called server-side development. After all, this is where you get to control how the site or app actually works.
Back end development means having a handle a variety of components like frameworks, software architecture and databases. Being able to manage abstract concepts, the interconnectivity of digital components and challenging logic is at the heart of a good back end developer.
Typical Languages & Tools Used by Back End Developers
When evaluating back end coding bootcamps, or coding bootcamps that blend front and back end (called full stack coding bootcamps), keep an eye on ones that include:
- NodeJS: This is a core backend language that governs server-side scripting. It lets developers control everything from user authentication and application logic to database operations.
- MongoDB: All websites and apps are based on the storage and usage of data. All of that data needs to be stored and still be made accessible. This is where MongoDB comes in. It allows data to be stored flexibly so that websites and apps run smoothly.
- GitHub: Developers generally work as a team, and GitHub lets them merge their code smoothly. It’s a widely-used tool that lets users add their individually-created code to the larger code base.
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