While searching something on the Internet, you usually open a browser tab and type a specific URL or the keyword and then press enter. The website loads instantly. It nearly takes your breath away with its ultra-clean layout, well-constructed pages, and exciting web pages. Do you know the people behind and responsible for every part of this experience? The front end, back end, and full-stack Web developers.

Websites are now a crucial element for businesses to stay competitive and exist in the market. Web development trends and practices may change, but web development can never go out of practice. Even you can scale up your business by hiring dedicated programmers who can give you an edge over your competitors.

Do you know who is a web developer? A web developer is a programmer eminent in developing a World Wide Web application or an application that runs from a web server to web browsing.

To be precise, three types of web developers exist in the sphere of web development. Some work on the front end, while others work on the back-end, and the rest of them go for a full stack which is a combination of both front end and back end. Now, before you move on to what are the differences, lets figure out what each of them is?

Front end developers:

Who are front end developers? 

The front end of the website is the part which the users sees and interacts with. It is the client-side and the front end developers work on the front end development. When you navigate all around the Internet, whatever you see is done by the front end developer. All the fonts, images, colors, and logos used on the website is done and managed by the front end developers. The front end creation involves HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

When it is about the website style and user interface, it is about front end developers. Three languages are used by the front-end developer to understand and create the real design of the website.

Skills of front end developers

The front end developers design the website that is created by the back-end developer. They work on the user experience and user-facing experience. To be precise, a front end developer has to know about three languages, in particular, HTML, JavaScript, and cascade style sheet. Not only the basics, but a front-end developer is very well versed with these programming languages.

Apart from these frameworks, if you want to go for a detailed list of skills, then a front-end developer needs to be fluent with other frameworks as well. Namely Bootstrap, AngularJS, Foundation, Backbone, and the Ember Js. These languages particularly work on the design and creativeness of the website. The content of the website looks exclusive and excellent no matter on which device it is found. 

Apart from programming languages, the front end developers also know certain libraries. Libraries like jQuery and The LESS makes coding very easy and useful. Additional knowledge of Ajax is also a part of the front end developer.

Role and responsibilities of a front-end developer

The front end developer particularly focuses and stresses on the website layout. They work on user interaction and user interface. They create virtual features and layout that is directly used by the users when they work on the website. The front-end of the website is used by the users and the front-end developers include everything accessed by the website visitors.

So, whatever you see or touch and click on a particular website, it is all done by the front-end developer. Also, the user interface and UX are created by them. The wireframes are translated from the designers to user interfaces by evolving the links, pages, buttons, and images which ensures efficient functioning so that the users have a great experience while working on the website.

• Get feedbacks from the customers directly
• Monitor functioning and performance of the application
• Rectify and trafficking drip or usability issue
• Create mockup and high-quality graphic standard
• Optimization of the application for scalability
• Design new website features
• Designing and creating an attractive website
• Improve usability by constantly working with the back end developer
• Design new features by constantly updating the old features

Full-stack developer

Who are the full stack developers? 

Full-stack developers are professionals who are skilled in both front-end and back-end development, meaning they work on all layers of a web application. They are proficient in creating a seamless user experience and handling server-side operations. Unlike front-end developers, who focus mainly on the look and design of a website, full-stack developers are responsible for both the client side and the server side, including databases and integration.

Dedicated full stack programmers possess a diverse set of skills that allow them to manage everything from the database and server management to client-facing interfaces. Their comprehensive expertise makes them valuable assets to an organization, as they can handle a wide range of tasks, bridging the gap between front-end and back-end development.

Overall, their ability to work across the full stack makes them crucial for developing robust and efficient web applications.

Skills of full stack developer

If you are aiming for the skill set of the full stack developer, it is a combination of both back-end and front-end developer skills. A full-stack developer should have eminent knowledge about all the skills they need in the front end and back-end. They represent the best of two worlds and have the perfect knowledge to manage the back-end and front-end of the website.

Comfortable in both hats, they must have the skills to develop every layer of the website. It is just not about front end designing, but also the back-end development of websites. A Full Stack developer knows the front-end technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and cascade style sheet. They also know the libraries like jQuery, LESS, Angular, and React JS. These skills help them to conduct the front end designing. In terms of development languages, a full stack developer knows at least one programming language. They know Python, Java, .Net, or Ruby.

In terms of database management and cache, a full stack developer has a lot of knowledge. MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle, and SQL server are some of the databases widely used by the full stack developer. For caching functions, knowledge of varnish, Redis and Memcached are important.

For a full stack developer, designing skills cannot be ignored. They should have designing knowledge along with a basic user interface and prototype. Knowledge of web servers, application programming interface, and creations are very essential.

Roles and responsibilities of a full stack developer

A full-stack developer is on both sides of development and manages two hats, backend and frontend. They develop and design the websites, both in a handy way. They not only design the client-side but also the server-side. They work on software, applications, debugging, databases, and application programming interfaces. Be it an appealing website design or a backend development, a full stack developer is meant for working on all the layers of the website. 

• Design new website features
• Designing and creating an attractive website
• Improve usability by constantly working with the back end developer
• Design new features by constantly updating the old features
• Architecture and implementation of new websites
• Manage and coordinate new projects with the clients
• Backend development of the websites
• Coding for Ruby, Java, PHP, Python languages, and libraries
• Optimized coding for HTML and JavaScript
• Debug, create, and manage databases
• Creating an application in support of websites
• Troubleshooting web applications for faster resolution

Which developer you should go for?

Developers are the most essential part of any organization, as websites have been a crucial element of every business. If your work is regarding the client-side, which involves designing and user interface, a front end developer will be ideal. However, if you aim for a jack of all trades, a full stack is the right pick.

A full-stack will get your work done, no matter what is the requirement. If the work is not just about the front end or backend specifically, a full stack will be the ideal pick. However, a full stack developer charges much more than a specified front end and backend developer. Also, if you want to make a smart choice, choosing a full stack will be cost-effective, in place of two separate developers handling their stacks.

Wrapping up

Developers are very essential for every organization. A front-end will fulfill all your needs which enrich your users’ experience and the look of the website. The full stack developer will look after designing and developing the website. Each of them has their own set of skills, but a full stack will have the common skills of the frontend. If your need is front end specific, you must go for a front end developer. However, for all-round development and designing of websites, a full stack developer plays the right role.