So, keep reading to learn what are their technology stack and why do we need one to build a mobile app, website, or an IoT app development solution.
Above all, a complete solution is achieved by the perfect synergy between the Frontend and Backend Programming Languages & Frameworks.
Stack Overflow did a developer survey for 2019 & 2020, in which over 81,000 developers from the world took part. So, here are the 15 most popular programming languages among developers around the world:
That’s what you’ll learn in this front end vs back end blog.
So, let’s start from the base and grow our way up to their differences, skills required, development potential, career and salary of frontend and backend developers for 2020.
What is Front End Development?
Front End of Websites & Mobile Apps
Front end for mobile apps is the same as the website. For instance, the content, buttons, images you see in a mobile or web application are part of the frontend. Moreover, the mobile screens are touch-responsive, so when the application responds to all the gestures that you do like pinch zoom in/out, double-tap, swipe, etc. that is frontend in action.
Ionic, Swift, Kotlin, Bootstrap, Angular, Vue, jQuery, React.js are few of the tools and technologies that are used for Frontend development. We’ll talk more about these technology stacks further in the blog.
Front End of IoT
IoT devices don’t have a frontend per say, but the devices house a firmware that acts similar to frontend as in a mobile app. Further, this firmware can be written in programming languages like C, C++, Lua, Python, and JavaScript.
There’s UI/UX designing and implementation for IoT devices too.
The most popular frameworks among the 81,000 surveyed developers:
What is Back End Development?
Back End of Websites & Mobile Apps
Just like frontend, the mobile app backend development is in every way the same as the website backend. further, The options for you to set up a backend server for your mobile app are: a cloud computing ( AWS, Firebase) a custom server, or MBaaS (Mobile Backend as a Service).
Back End of IoT
If we talk about advanced IoT solutions, the backend development can be powerful and compatible with capabilities like AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning).
The backend technologies used for IoT projects are Amazon IoT, Google Cloud, MQTT Broker, IFTTT, and many more.
Frontend Vs Backend What’s The Difference?
Frontend | Backend | |
---|---|---|
Expertise | The front-end web developer need to be well versed with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. | The back-end developers should have the working database, Server, API, etc. |
Job Description | The front-end developers team design the look and feel of the website, and keep modifying it through testing. | The back-end developers team develop software and build database architecture that supports the front-end. |
Stand-alone Development Service | The frontend service can't be offered independently unless the website is a static one with simple working. | The backend services can be offered independently as BaaS (Backend as a service). |
Project Goal | Front-end developers’ goal is to make sure that the website or app is accessible to all users, and responsive in all views - mobile and desktop. | Back-end developers’ goal is to to build an application around the front-end and provide all the support that it needs, and make sure that the site or app always functions properly. |
Backend Vs Frontend Technology Stacks
Frontend | Backend | |
---|---|---|
Programming Languages | HTML, CSS, JavaScript | PHP, Python, SQL, Java, Ruby, .NET, Perl |
Frameworks | Angular.JS, React.JS, Backbone.JS, Vue.JS, Sass, Ember.JS, NPM | Laravel, CakePHP, Express, CodeIgniter, Ruby on Rails, Pylon, ASP.NET |
Databases | Local Storage, Core Data, SQLite, Cookies, Sessions | MySQL, Casandra, Postgre SQL, MongoDB, Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server |
Servers | - | Ubuntu, Apache, Nginx, Linux, Windows |
Others | AJAX, AMP, Atom, Babel, BEM, Blaze, Bourbon, Broccoli, Dojo, Flux, GraphQL, Gulp, Polymer, Socket.IO, Sublime Text | - |
Here are the most in-demand programming languages in the world:
Frontend Vs Backend: Who’s The Best?
If aesthetics and the feel of the product are essential to you, then your inclination is towards front end technologies as a career and specialty. On the other hand, if you are concerned with the improving efficiency and responsiveness of the website, app, or software, your calling is towards back end development.
A big part of what frontend designers do is to make everything that the user sees on a mobile or PC screen look amazing and also easy to use. On the contrary, the only time back end developers are concerned with aesthetics is when it comes to writing clean code.
If you start to think that in Frontend Vs Backend, any one of the two, is superior to the other based on what we talked above, then it’s a false assumption. The two disciplines are very unique and equally important to build a website or application.
It’s just that some people have a natural talent for the visual aspects, while others are good with the logic and technical problem-solving. Apple became what it is because of Steve Jobs (the front-end visionary) as well as Steve Wozniak (the back-end genius).
Front End Vs Back End Developer
Go through these points to be thoroughly informed about the capabilities of backend and frontend developers.
Back End Vs Front End Developer: Job Titles
Frontend Job Titles:
- Front End Developer
- Front End Web Designer
- Android Developer
- iOS Developer
- Front-End Dev. Ops
- Front End JavaScript Application Developer
- Frontend User Interface (UI) Developer
- HTML/CSS Developer
- Front End Testing/QA
- Front End SEO Expert
Backend Job Titles:
- Backend Developer
- Junior Backend Engineer
- Web Developer
- DevOps
- Software Engineer
- WordPress Developer
- Cloud Developer
- REST API Experts
- Server/System Administrator
- Database Designer /Architecturer
- Java Developer
- Python Developer
- PHP Developer
The image below represents the percentage of developers out of the 81,000 who believe they fall in below job profiles.
Front End Vs Back End Developer: Required Skills
Skills Required in a Front-end developer | Skills Required in a Back-end developer |
---|---|
Good understanding of aesthetics, art and design | Thorough understanding of 3rd party add-ons |
Knowing various CMS like WordPress, Joomla or Drupal | Critical understanding on how to debug code |
Intuitiveness to the user's needs | Translate client’s business requirements into functional code |
Knowledge of PHP and OOPs (Object Oriented Programming) | Knowledge of web server configurations |
Expertise in quality assurance | Compatible working with outside systems (payment processors, social media sites) |
Knows to use design tools like PhotoShop, Sketch or Figma | Critical thinking skills |
Basics of web hosting | Designing user interactive systems |
SEE ALSO: Most In-Demand Developer Skills For 2019
Front End Vs Back End Developer: Roles & Responsibilities
Roles & Responsibilities of Frontend Developer | Roles & Responsibilities of Backend Developer |
---|---|
Ensure visibility of the site remains the same throughout various browsers. | Understand the client’s goals with the website or application and provide effective development solutions. |
Building a site or app visually appealing and also enticing the user to interact. | Storing data securely and ensuring that it is displayed to that user when requested. |
Understanding of cross-browser testing. | Developing payment processing systems, securely storing payment info, and making payment charges. |
Skillful with tools like Flash and Dreamweaver. | Manage and build (if necessary) API resources that work across devices. |
Basic understanding of SEO. | Building architecture of a system and Data science analyses. |
Designing for easy usability. | Organize the logic of the system that runs efficiently across several devices. |
Good in interacting with clients and implementing their feedback. | Skills for solving system related problems and implementing algorithms. |
Front End Vs Back End Developer: Salary Comparison
What is a Full Stack Development?
Learning or hiring full stack developer has its own benefits and drawbacks. The number of developers reduces to half, but the level of expertise also reduces. The developer specialized in either frontend or backend development will always know more about the single discipline than the one who knows both.
There are various other stacks similar to full-stack like MEAN Stack, LAMP Stack, .NET Stack, Python-Django Stack, ROR Stack, etc. A developer can become an expert in any of these technology stacks.
Frontend or Backend: What Will You Choose for 2020?
If you are looking for the best frontend and backend developers to build your website, app, or software; get in contact with our tech experts. Talk to us and bring your search to a satisfactory end.