How is frontend different from backend?

Most memes about the frontend and backend give a general idea of the specifics of these areas: the former are usually depicted beautifully and smoothly, the latter intricately and brutally. But is it really that simple? To explain the difference, we’ve broken down the facts about the two professions on memes.

What is frontend and backend?

meme frontend backend

Frontend is the client part of the product (the interface with which the user interacts). In the case of a website, it is generated and displayed by a browser that works with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Backend is the internal part of the product, which is located on the server and is hidden from users. A variety of languages can be used for its development, for example, Python, PHP, Go, JavaScript, Java, C#.

What is the difference between frontend and backend?

To understand how backend and frontend development differ, let’s look at what they are responsible for. Let’s say a user clicks the “Read More” button on a music festival website. Immediately after that, a new page is loaded, on which, in the right order and with a given design, information about the event program is displayed. The layout and interaction with the backend was configured by the frontend developer.

The backend developer makes sure that the server generates a response and sends it to the correct computer. Many do not even think about actions in the backend – for them, the page loads by itself.

What languages do frontend and backend use?

Frontends use the HTML markup language, which defines the layout of elements on the page. CSS is responsible for the appearance of the content – font, color and padding. JavaScript is for dynamic elements: animation and user interaction.

The backend developer uses PHP to pass information from the database to the frontend. With frameworks (toolkits for rapid development) in this language, a lot of the backend developer’s chore can be cut down.

Go is used to develop microservices and high-load projects where a large number of users interact with the product at the same time. Java, C# and Python are also suitable for backend development.

How do backend and frontend interact?

The inscription on the sheet: Error 500 (internal server error). Source

500 Internal Server Error is a common error that appears due to a frontend and backend disconnect. It means that the server cannot process the user’s request, and the browser cannot tell what exactly went wrong.

The reason may be an error in the code or script of the site or an elementary lack of RAM. In order to correct such situations or avoid them at all, it is important to build interaction between frontend and backend specialists. This is often done by DevOps engineers.

When the frontend understands how the server side of the site works and what errors can occur, and the backend has an idea about how the interface works, this greatly simplifies teamwork. But this does not mean that they should understand the details and fulfill each other’s duties (especially if they are not paid extra for it).

Translation: When your company does not have a frontend developer and you are asked to write in CSS (frontend markup language) / I have a question. To God. FOR WHAT? Source

Frontend and backend developers are equally infuriated when employers do not distinguish between their functionality. This problem arises from the “you programmer” stereotype, when the backend developer is asked to fix the button on the site, and the frontend is asked to deal with the error on the server. A competent project manager who knows exactly the area of responsibility of each specialist in the team and addresses the right people with tasks helps to get rid of this problem.

Is it possible to be a frontend and backend developer at the same time?

Yes, this is called full stack development (full stack = full stack). Fullstack developers are different: some combine frontend and backend and additionally do mobile development. Others may combine development with, for example, UI/UX design.

Becoming a good full-stack developer who can adequately compete with several specialists at the same time is quite difficult. But such developers more often become team leads, because their activities cover the full cycle development process and give them a greater understanding of the whole process.

Frontend developer

What does he do?

Frontend developer is responsible for beautiful and clear interfaces. It turns a static layout into an attractive and functional page on the Internet, where you can click buttons, buy products, etc. In this case, the page will be displayed correctly in all browsers and on different devices.

tech stack

To be a successful front-end developer, you need to master HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The “skeleton” of the page is written on HTML, colors, fonts and its internal content are set on CSS. After mastering static web pages, the developer learns the JavaScript language, which allows you to add dynamic elements to the site: sliders, calculators, animations.