Frontend vs. Backend Development: Key Differences Explained

Everybody talks about digital development, regardless of size, scope, and tech stack. It’s because technology has truly taken the world to the next level at lightning speed. Take yourself two decades back. Could you ever have imagined the technology-driven, automated world we live in today? With technology, there’s no end to the spectrum of possibilities.

Every business should have a digital platform today; if not, it is advised to build one. However, while developing a digital platform like a web app or website, there’s supposedly a cold war of frontend vs. backend developers to decide who plays a more important role in web development. You may think it’s just the different programming languages that they use. However, only a full-stack developer or a developer who knows both frontend and backend development can tell you the exact differences.

What is Web Development?

Web development, in layman’s terms, refers to creating websites and software applications by means of programming. It includes the features, logic, designs, compatibilities, algorithms, and functionalities. However, the developmental tools, techniques, tech stack, expertise, and above all, the future scope of the idea need to be analyzed according to market demands before giving a kick-start to a project.

Every website you visit is a result of both frontend and backend development. Smart businesses are aware of the cruciality of owning a digital platform to bring more power and value through customer retention and a better conversion rate.

Difference Between Frontend and Backend Development

Frontend Development

The front end is the interactive part of a website or web app, which allows users to interact with it. It includes (and/or requires) aesthetic interactive design, buttons, navigation menus, illustrations, icons, and other interactive elements. The core elements the front end is built on are HTML, CSS, and JS while utilizing different modern frameworks like React, Angular, Ember.js, Vue.js, jQuery, and so forth.

The point to note is that every frontend developer argues about the frontend design; however, users or customers care about the UX because when user experience succeeds, your business proceeds. So, at the end of the day, interactive design that forms the basis of the user experience should be the focal point during frontend development.

You would like to read: How to hire a full-stack developer?

Backend Development

The back end is what you can’t see but saves data, renders requests, processes information, and so on. In other words, it works behind the scenes. If you fail to communicate both ends properly, your website would be nothing less than a car without wheels – useless!

As the back end allows a website to be a WEBSITE through connecting to databases and managing user connections, quality backend development and the robust infrastructure are key to a successful, effective website, especially for businesses that highly rely on websites. According to Statista, the recent number of worldwide users is estimated to be 4.9 billion who have connected digitally – thanks to the websites that provide an opportunity to bring feasibility in connecting businesses with clients from all over the world.

The back end comprises cloud computing integration, web server technologies, operating systems, API integration, security and hacking-related operations, databases (integration and management), etc.

How Does the Back End Interact with the Front End?

Both the front end and back end are built on different  tech stacks and specifications, and when both ends meet with each other, they make a compelling website. However, the website is built on the MVC called Model-View-Controller design pattern, which provides the concept for connecting display or UI workflow (View) to the logical backend workflow (Controller) and allows storing and managing data or business logic (Model). However, in web frameworks like AngularJS and Ember.js, MVC architecture is implemented differently.

When a user interacts with the web and clicks on some link or feature, s/he makes a request (GET or POST). Once the request is processed to the back end, it enables the request accordingly. Knowing the destination – method, port, domain, and endpoint, the back end passes the request to the web and fetches out information or takes the user to that particular destination. However, the front end communicates with the back end through HTTP verbs.

To that end, the front end can’t provide the final result to the users of what they want, nor can the back end work without a user’s interaction. In other words, the back end obeys what the front end asks. However, there’s a pool of knowledge to understand how the front end interacts with the back end because expertise comes from experience.

A side note: As websites are built on keeping the user requests and interests upfront, it is better to develop the front end first as it will provide you with the feasibility to test and understand what the end-user seeks before you head to building the performing ability of the website – the back end. Otherwise, it would be a mess.

Different Types of Web Developers

Frontend Vs. Backend Developers

Today, people influenced by emerging technology want to make a career in tech-related areas. However, if you’ve landed here to find out how to become a frontend developer or backend developer, here’s what you need to know and start practicing immediately:

Frontend Developer

Showcases creativity and sales pitch through UI. 

If you have decided to kick-start your career as a frontend developer, you will likely build your expertise in one of the many frontend frameworks present and used by expert developers in the market. The popular frameworks include React.js, jQuery, Angular, Vue.js, Ember.js, Semantic-UI … you can name the rest.

Moreover, being a frontend developer, you need to be proficient with CSS, HTML, jQuery, and JavaScript. You’ll also need to understand the server-side CSS and should be well-familiar with SEO principles. As websites require a neat and state-of-the-art crafting approach, frontend developers must possess hands-on expertise to build web architecture and design. Because, as mentioned earlier, successful websites offer incredible user experiences with captivating user interfaces.

Backend Developer

Deals with the messy yet fun side of the web

The back end makes the web render on the server side, whereas the front end handles rendering on the client side. Backend developers use programming languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, C#, NodeJS, etc. However, a survey shows that the most adopted backend development language that has edged out Java is Python, which was used by more than 90,000 tech-savvies in 2018. Moreover, Python has become a rapidly-growing programming language due to its high compatibility with most of the currently implemented technologies, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence. Python offers the best libraries and frameworks for AI and ML.

Being a backend developer, you’ll need to understand the core backend activities like data processing and business logic. Moreover, data mining, testing/debugging the back end, developing service-side logic, ensuring the functionality of requests, designing APIs, solving performance issues, and analyzing other bottlenecks in website development would be part of your job. Moreover, the back end also encompasses the data storage solutions that add value to the digital products built for eCommerce platforms.

Full-Stack Developer

Build webs like a pro. 

A full-stack developer is an all-rounder who has the expertise and experience to handle frontend as well as backend development. To be a full-stack developer, you will need to gain expertise in both areas, from designing an attractive UI to integrating an API. Being a full-fledged developer, you work independently without relying on anyone and can efficiently develop an entire website/web app all by yourself.

How Does Cubix Excel in High-Ranking Website Development?

Considering your business website as a representative of your business work, promise, and credibility, Cubix has a large team of seasoned developers that craft unique and appealing websites. To do that, the development team works tirelessly and harnesses trending technologies while keeping your business nature in mind. The company’s portfolio is testimony to its expertise and experience in website development.

Wrap-Up

Technology keeps evolving, and so should businesses to keep up with it. The website of your business is the face of your business, and just as women need to visit a beauty salon every now and then to look attractive, your business website is always in need of an adept developer to make it look attractive.

So, make sure your business has a website that looks good and delivers a good user experience. Feel free to hit us up for all your development needs.