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A web application or website consists of a technical base that we do not see as users, i.e. the back-end. The front-end is the layer visible to every visitor. This is what we’ll be focusing on in order to understand how the content at your fingertips is created.
What is front-end?
The front-end is the part of the project with which the user interacts directly. He sees it, scrolls through it and clicks on the elements on it. Front-end programming includes defining colors and styles for text, images, animations, charts and tables, buttons, colors and navigation menus.
In fact, the front-end layer is responsible for full rendering of the application and the visual layer visible to the user, while working closely with the back-end. It collects data from the user and passes it to the back-end of the website or application in the form of queries.
Developers must also take care of the proper display of the website on devices with different screen sizes, i.e. responsiveness. The website must be legible and easy to navigate on smartphones as well as on tablets and computers.
The front-end developer’s priority is to create a positive user experience. It is based on UI (user interface) projects, which in turn result from well-thought-out UX projects. Front-end is the implementation of designers' plans using interactive elements and graphics.
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How front-end is programmed
In front-end work, HTML and JavaScript languages as well as CSS stylesheets are used.
- HTML is used to tell the browser how to display a web page. It is based on tags and hypertext. Thanks to this, the user can see the structure of the website. A web browser such as Chrome or Firefox will use HTML to find out where specific elements (such as buttons, links, headings, paragraphs, lists) are to be located or from where to download graphics.
- CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. They define the appearance of the website by styling, describing elements such as fonts, colors or the alignment of elements on the page. Thanks to this language, many parts of the website, which were previously downloaded from the server in the form of graphics, can be presented independently by the browser. This applies to shadows or parts of animation, not just basic visual styles.
CSS can be embedded in the HTML code or appear in a separate file, the advantage of which is that it has a possibility to refer globally to many subpages of the website. This saves programmers' work. Pages are also more efficient because the amount of code is reduced and external sheets can be downloaded once and stored in the computer's memory. - JavaScript is a scripting programming language responsible for displaying dynamic elements of a website, such as a slider or interactive graphics. It is used to implement actions that are happening on the browser side, without the need to reload the page.
In this way, interactions are also created, as it enables, among other things, the validation of data entered in online forms. There is also a possibility to use this language to create the back-end part of the application.
Front-end programming uses frameworks such as React, Vue or Angular.
Who a front-end developer is
A front-end developer is responsible for the website code thanks to which the website is displayed to the user. It operates in HTML, CSS, SCSS / LESS and JavaScript languages and uses frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js. He also has experience in using libraries such as Bootstrap or Foundation and using the AJAX technique.
A front-end developer should also be proficient in using APIs. Thanks to APIs, the website can send inquiries regarding the need for specific data. Thanks to this, the responsibility for data processing rests with the back-end programmers who create the API, and the front-end developer, on the basis of the received data, manipulates it accordingly on the visual layer.
The main task of a front-end developer is to transform projects created by UI specialists into a working web application. He is responsible for all the elements with which the user interacts, therefore he must be perfectly familiar with UX / UI issues and have an understanding of graphic issues. If changes appear in the project at a later date, he also implements them.
The front-end developer makes sure that the interaction with the user runs smoothly, and the front-end part of the website works efficiently. His tasks also include usability testing and handling any errors. He also optimizes the website for SEO.
Front-end with WebMakers
In their efforts to optimize the appearance and operation of web applications, front-end programmers are the last link in the chain of specialists. They transform the ideas of designers into a working user interface and make the heart of the application - the back-end - take on a visible shape.
At WebMakers we make sure that front-enders work closely with the rest of the team. Thanks to this, we achieve the effect of creative synergy of people with different competences and experience. This results in projects that are technically advanced and, above all, user-friendly. They also perfectly pursue business goals.
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