.png)
Introduction
Front-end development is a crucial aspect of web development, as it is responsible for the interface and user experience of a website. A front-end developer must have a wide range of skills to create visually appealing and responsive designs, as well as to ensure that the website is accessible and usable for all users.
In this article, we will explore the essential skills needed for a front-end developer to excel in their field.
The basics
From the layout of the website on phones and computers to the navigation keys available, the front end developers make it all easy to use for every user who visits their website. In addition, the front end developers can enhance their skill set with the use of the following skills to add accessibility and better user experience.
Hyper Text Markup Language and Cascading Style Sheets (HTML and CSS)
HTML is a must-have when it comes to coding and front end development. HTML and CSS are often used together since the latter helps to present the code a developer makes with HTML. HTML is the most helpful language for creating a basic website.
However, CSS helps build on the simple layout and adds a level of accessibility for the audience. It allows access to different colors and fonts, making it easy to design the page layout. Since every website needs a foundation, it is necessary to know HTML to create the basic structure upon which one can build with CSS and programming languages like JavaScript.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most needed front end developer skills as it helps with increased user interaction. JavaScript makes the experience more memorable since it allows the developer to add videos, games, and primary interactive media like scrolling and page animations. JavaScript is a building block for creating mobile apps. It interacts well with Application Programming Interfaces to help quickly create mobile apps and other interactive features on the website.
The scripting language helps improve the website response time along with the performance of the mobile app. It also helps enable DOM manipulation, which makes a site respond based on the user’s interaction with it. Along with JavaScript, the developer should also have knowledge of jQuery, which is a library consisting of extensions and other plugins. They make complicated code execution easier and faster.
DOM Manipulation
The Document Object Model or DOM is a programming interface that relates to the structure of a website and its content which may include the HTML codes. DOM Manipulation refers to using the Document Object Model to modify how a website responds to the user. Object-oriented programming languages like JavaScript are necessary to interact with DOM.
The Document object Model turns the website into nodes and objects, which makes modification easier for a front end developer. When it comes to front end developer skills that can build websites with the easy direction of the website function as per the user’s need by storing their information for later, DOM manipulation is a must-have.
The Document Object Model works with Application Programming Interfaces to easily manipulate the website for changing the language or the user interaction. For example, a website can even support using a webcam with the help of DOM manipulation and its interaction with APIs. DOM manipulation is an important skill to have because it allows for easy personalization of the web services that any company wants to provide their potential clients.
AJAX
Giving personalized services to clients is at the forefront of front end development, and AJAX works to boost the easy interaction between the web servers of different websites and users across the globe. Asynchronous JavaScript and XML work with DOM to provide users with the best experience by changing the website as per the user’s request without refreshing the page. For instance, if a user requests a piece of specific information, AJAX forwards it to the server and then waits until the server replies to reload the page.
It does not cause an interruption in the browsing experience and also makes the transition smoother. The JavaScript request and DOM manipulation make it possible, and the page adds new information when the server request is completed. AJAX has relevance as it is used in the most popular social networking websites. The data and posts on social media keep on updating based on chronology as the user scrolls up and down. The AJAX interactions help update the new data and merge it seamlessly with the older information.
JSON and MySQL
JSON works closely with JavaScript and shows the web data in simple text format. JavaScript Object Notation works with many website databases that support JSON queries. JSON works to make the dissemination of information more accessible. It is a data format and hence is compatible with different programming languages like MySQL to make the user experience more accessible. Since any interactive site will work by sharing information to and from the user and the back end of the website, JSON is supported by all of them. Whether the information will be stored or processed for further queries, JSON helps easily transfer data.
MySQL helps with easy website data management to store and provide user information as and when required. All the website and user data are stored through MySQL, which is an open source data management system. MySQL is developed by Oracle and functions through tables to efficiently organize the information stored on the database. It also helps developers keep track of all relational data and other connections.
While back end developers primarily use MySQL, it is also helpful for front end developers to make the interaction between the front and the back end better. The front end developer skills work to enhance the response of the website, which ultimately relies on the back end of the website. MySQL works towards saving, storing, editing, and retrieving data which is just as crucial to a front end developer. Even if MySQL is not frequently used for front end development, having the skill in your arsenal would make the user experience reliable. Every user login may interact with the information stored in the MySQL database, so it is important to know how the system works to create better services on the front end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which language is the most frequently used in front end web development?
HyperText Markup Language or HTML is the most used front end web development language because it builds the foundation on which the rest of the layout of the website would be made. HTML was the very first language to be used for constructing websites, and it is still the basic building block for front end developers.
Is SQL used in front end web development?
Structured Query Language or SQL works as a data management system by helping in managing data on a server. It is extensively used in back end development. However, it is a useful skill to possess as a front end web developer because it would allow you to create cohesive solutions for the user.
What are the APIs in the front end of web development?
Application Program Interfaces are important aspects of web development. It saves time and helps in the efficient integration of user interaction with the data stored on the website.
Is learning algorithms necessary for front end development?
Front end developer skills would require basic information on algorithms, especially if they are working on large-scale projects. Algorithms are especially helpful with complex problems, boost critical thinking skills, and give developers a fair chance of progressing in their chosen field.
The Takeaway
The front end user experience depends on the skills like programming languages, libraries, and database management systems. Adding various front end developer skills helps create a diverse portfolio which would provide you enough acumen to create interactive websites with better UI/UX than competitor websites. Along with technical skills like learning languages and database management, one must also be honed in problem solving.
Front end development relies on quick thinking and personalization of solutions to the end user's problems. Whether it is dynamic web development or single page optimization, it is necessary to know all the skills that are prerequisites for working in a framework that would help web development.
The tech world is hard to navigate alone.
We get it. Finding open gaps in your knowledge, refurbishing your CV, finding a job that’s truly worth your skills and expertise - it can be overwhelming to navigate alone. If you’re looking to upskill and really make an international career in tech, we recommend our Plus Fellowship Program, that helps developers get location-independent, full-time roles in high-impact companies.
Excited? Know more about our next cohort here.
