Quick Overview: Front-end and back-end are the popular buzzwords in the web development domain. They are also a source of confusion for non-technical users. Front-end is what a user interacts with and is visible. On the contrary, the back end is what goes on behind the scenes. Although, they are different in many ways but work in collaboration. This blog will address your pain points while deciding which web development services suits your demands.
Imagine you own an e-commerce store. It has the perfect user interface with interactive visuals and aesthetics. Still, you are frustrated because your payments get stuck and inventory glitches frequently. This is a more than once-in-a-blue-moon situation for an e-commerce store owner. However, every new and non-technical user gets stuck in this annoying condition.
More so, this new venture holds significant value for you. You are trying to create an online space for your brand and products but need help with the technical details. These issues have no end unless you go for dedicated web development services. But there’s a catch to it!
What type of web development services are you looking for? Is it front-end or back-end development services? This is where the ongoing discussion is heading.
In this blog, you will learn what is front-end and back-end web development. What type of technology works behind these buzzwords? Why are they both talked about in separation? Why is a collaborative use of both frameworks paramount for a seamless web experience? Let’s dive into it one by one without overwhelming you.
Major Differences: Front-End vs. Back-End Web Development
Let’s start with a simple explanation. A website is like a restaurant. The dining space, waiters, and menu are the front-end – things that are interactive and visible. In the website space, the menu, buttons, text, and images are front-end. Front-end as a service gives you a friendly user experience and makes your visit enjoyable.
On the flip side, the back end includes your kitchen and everything that goes around behind the scenes. Data storage, processing, calculations, and security are the back-end development services.
The infographic table below highlights the major differences between both web development services.
Technologies and Languages Used by Front-End and Back-End Developers
The next step is to deep-dive into the toolboxes employed by both types of developers. These can be categorized into the following:
- Frameworks/Libraries
- Languages
- Databases
Frameworks: Front-End vs Back-End
Frameworks act as building blocks. They help companies expand quickly and avoid the hassle of starting from scratch. These frameworks help both front-end and back-end developers to accelerate their work. Some of the back-end and front-end frameworks are as follows:
Infographic (Back-end Frameworks)
Infographic (Front-end Frameworks and Libraries)
Languages: Front-end vs Back-end
The frameworks and libraries discussed above require programming languages to function effectively. These building blocks of frameworks are held by languages as essential units of the whole structure.
A back-end or front-end developer must know the programming languages to ultimately use the framework to build a website or app. Language becomes a text and changes into a machine script for the computer to process and produce the required results.
Why are Front-End and Back-End Services Separated in web development?
Here is the major reason why front-end and back-end are dealt with separately:
- With their entirely different development processes, languages, and frameworks these are completely different interfaces.
However, the question remains valid, why don’t we call them by a similar name and kill the noise? The answer is there are single terminologies used for both these web development services. Development and full stack development means both the front-end and back-end.
Constructing a place or building a website is similar in many ways. A person can build a whole house but will it be reliable? The rational answer is, No, it won’t. Similarly, exclusive skills and abilities are the factors that make front-end and back-end separate entities. They are smaller but specific parts of the web development framework.
Importance of Collaboration Between Front-End and Back-End Web Development
Despite the uniqueness and exclusivity of the roles, front-end as a service and back-end development services work in complete synergy. Why this collaboration is fundamental, here are some logical arguments:
Conflict Resolution
Bugs and errors are common during the development phase. The cooperation between the front-end and back-end developers is essential for conflict resolution. Moreover, a smooth resolution process minimizes reaction time and hinders major disruptions.
Consistency
Collaborative efforts both by front-end and back-end developers maintain consistency in the functionality of applications. It also makes the design look cohesive and provides a friendly user experience.
Long-term Scope
The combined effect of front-end and back-end web development results in long-term scalability. Back-end developers make sure servers work at their full capacity and front-end developers enhance user experience. The results are fascinating and the growth is significant. For more insights on the future of e-commerce, you can read about the future of quick commerce.
Bottom Line
In essence, the collaboration between the front-end and back-end developers acts as the backbone for a long-performing and result-oriented end product. More so, when looking for front-end a service and back-end development services, consider one provider. In this way, things will remain organized and collaboration will be easy to navigate. If you’re unsure which type of developer to hire, check out our guide on choosing the right type of developer for your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which programming is hard, front-end or back-end?
It depends on your interest and background. Both demand a willingness to learn and problem-solving abilities. However, back-end programming is considered more complex and hard to navigate, for a beginner. For a detailed comparison, you can read our article on front-end vs. back-end web development.
How does front-end and back-end communication work?
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) act as a bridge to enable communication between both entities with their specific protocols and rules.
Can a development company work as both a front-end and back-end developer?
Of course, a development company can provide both front-end and back-end development services under one roof. It is also essential that you get these services from a single provider.
