Have you ever wondered why your favorite website is set up the way it is, how the buttons react when you click them, or any other aspect of the site and thought to yourself, "I wonder how complicated that is?" or "I wish I could do that?" All of those visible site features are created using front-end development and the people who create them are known as front-end developers.
Front-end development can be considered an art form. Developers can use code to build platforms that transmit meaning and function. To be successful, developers, like any other creative line of work, require a specific set of Skills and abilities. But, in order to be successful in the tech world, what are the Front-End Development skills you need?
The HTML and CSS markup languages
The nuts and bolts of a website are hypertext markup languages (HTML) and cascading style sheets (CSS). While HTML provides structure to web pages, CSS assists in the styling of HTML components such as color, fonts, and typeface.
JavaScript
Because HTML and CSS are primarily static, they are ideal for a text-only website. JavaScript is a valuable tool for creating responsive websites. This client-side programming language allows you to add interactive features to a website, such as polls, slideshows, and forms. It also has support for dynamic components such as page animation, scrolling, audio, and video, among others.
Frameworks and libraries
Frameworks are code modules for popular website elements like login and search interfaces that have already been created. They're simple to use and can be reused. AngularJS, Ember, and ReactJS are examples of popular JavaScript frameworks. Libraries are a collection of plugins and extensions that can be used to add readymade features to a website. A countdown timer on a retail website is a nice example. jQuery is a popular open-source JavaScript library that allows for a lot of customization.
Version control
A version control system is a piece of software that tracks changes to code over time. Developers can use this program to compare prior versions of code to an older version, commit to changes, and restore the previous version. Version control systems can also serve as backups of original source code, facilitating cooperation. Multiple developers or teams can upload or download source code updates using the Git version control system, for example.
Device and cross-browser testing
The appearance of a website may vary between browsers depending on a variety of factors. To solve this problem, developers employ browser extensions. Developers can use browser tools to test and fine-tune webpages so that they are optimized for a specific browser. Additionally, responsive design approaches are used by developers to adapt the layout and style of a site depending on the type of device used to view it. A desktop website, for example, employs more screen real estate and small fonts than a mobile website, which uses larger text and less screen real estate.
Improving the performance of your website
A website that takes a long time to load can substantially impair user engagement. Through automation technologies, website performance optimization approaches assist assure faster loading times. Grunt, for example, optimizes images and lightens page components according to the device without impacting website functionality.
Search engine optimization is number seven (SEO)
The method of improving organic traffic to a website through search results is known as search engine optimization. In most cases, SEO tactics are overseen by a distinct team. Knowing the basics, on the other hand, can help you figure out where to put titles, meta descriptions, and text on a website so that search engines can locate them easily.
What does the future hold?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of web development jobs in the US economy is expected to grow by more than 8% between 2019 and 2029. This is a considerably quicker rate than all other jobs are predicted to increase, thanks to the growing popularity of mobile devices and e-commerce platforms. The most obvious path into web development is through computer science, IT, and software engineering degrees, but you might also consider enrolling in a UI or UX design boot camp to jumpstart your career. These boot camps are ideal for coders or programmers who want to change careers without having to go back to school.
When it comes to refining your abilities as a front-end developer, obtaining experience on the frontline is critical, just as it is in many other professions. As a result, you may begin by designing simple websites with HTML and CSS before moving on to more complicated methods like JavaScript programming. Making a landing page could be a good place to start, and working on open-source projects can help you stay on top of how the market is changing.
