In order for the digital to work correctly we need that codebreakers and designers work in harmony. Yes, today we speak about the eternal (but necessary) battle: Front end vs Back end.
Quevedo and Gongora. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Sherlock and Moriarty. The story and the fiction have demonstrated that our adversaries make us better. This also applies in the tech world, Front end and Back end are opposites but complementary. They couldn’t live without one another… nor could the internet exist as it does now.
Front end makes reference to the interphase, the visible part. Back end makes reference to the server, apps and database. The “invisible” face of the web.
In this article we are going to talk about similarities between these two tech profiles, and the qualities that make them unique.
- Defining concepts: Front End vs Back End
- What similarities do these tech profiles have?
- Qualities that make Front End unique
- Qualities that make Back End unique
Defining concepts: Front End vs Back End
Backend development consists in improving the functioning of a database that organizes information, an application that channels the data and a server that provides them. Better said, everything we dont se, all the logic structure of a web product so it works correctly. We can say that…
Backend developers are in charge of what executes a website, but the final user does not see or interact with
Frontend developers polish the visual components of a website. Starting with animations, optimization of the page, to the complete interaction of the website, mobile app and other digital channels. Often their work area overlaps with graphic and web design, but don’t get them confused (they don’t like it, believe me).
Frontend developers are in charge of making users experience and interaction with the website easier.
Let’s not forget about Full Stack developers. These tech professionals evolve in the part of the server and the visible face of the web. It has different abilities that makes them the perfect mediator.
But for now, let’s focus on the Front and Backend, because they also have qualities that unites them more than what we think.
What similarities do these tech profiles have?
- Vocabulary they use: Both know the general and specific concepts of web development
- Importance of development: Although one works in the visible face and the other one in the gear, they both know the importance of the final product they achieve by joining forces
- Soft Skills: Especially the ones related to communication, teamwork and adaptation (not frustration) of change.
- Development language: Though it is more of a daily basis for a Frontend, Backend can also use Javascript, sharing one of the most on demand skills right now.
We have now finished the similarities of both profiles, although it is convenient to remember the second bullet, because the synergy they achieve couldn’t be possible if they both were not experts in their own field.
Qualities that make Front End unique
Page styles, html code, UX and UI are concepts that we rapidly associate to this professional.
A Frontend developer can be capable of programming perfectly in HTML, CSS and Javascript. For the last one mentioned, it will also use one of its two associated tools: Angular or React. You surely know the battle that these two have going on.
If you didn’t know…
HTML or HyperText Markup Language is the main format to publish a WWW. It defines all of the content that will show in the interphase. For example, it defines an image.
CSS or Cascading Style Sheets is a language of graphic design that defines the appearance of the interphase that describes HTML. For example, define its colors and backgrounds on the previous image.
Javascript is a language of development centered in the interactivity and dynamism of webpages. It executes directv in the navigator.
Qualities that make Back End unique
Page styles, html code, UX and UI are concepts that we rapidly associate to this professional.
In this particular battle of Frontend vs Backend, we’re now with the second one. In this case, the Backend developer mainly specializes in Java programming language. PHP and Python are the most habitual ones. They also have different frameworks depending on the project: Django, Laravel, Ruby on Rails. They can also use different databases depending on the objective, the most popular one is MySQL though.
In case you didn’t know…
Java is not the same as Javascript. Speaking the truth, this language is oriented to objects and it a multiplatform, making it one of the most versatile of the backend environment
Python is the principal language of the Big Data specialists, machine learning and artificial intelligence. This is why it has more followers.
Ruby is a lenguaje interpreted and oriented to objects. Its dynamic and open code, it’s getting popular due to its simplicity and easy lecture.
We close this article reminding you that the joint effort (synergy) is greater than the sum of individual efforts. In the Tech sector, and in this Front vs Backend, too.
Sources: Conceptatech, BBVA, Medium
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