How to Become a Front-End Web Developer
Front-End Developer has become a common job title in this software development industry. However, if you are new to the industry and want to learn more about this job, I’m gonna share the tips with you about Front-End Developers and where to start.
Front-End Developer Role
Before I start explaining any further, you have to understand the role and responsibilities of a Front-End Developer. Front-End Developer is responsible for implementing visual elements that users see and interact with within a website.
You don’t have to be an expert at Web Design to be a Front-End Developer. You will work with a Web Designer who helps you with Web Design so you can focus on developing the Web Interface.
Even if a Web Designer helps you with Web Design, That doesn’t mean you don’t have to learn about Web Design. You must at least learn the basics about design such as design concepts to identify what’s going on and to properly apply the design to your end product.
Basic Languages for Front-End Development
The languages that will be used in Front-End are interpreted by users' browsers. The languages are HTML (HyperText Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), and Javascript.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is used to create the actual content of the page. For example, content could be structured within a set of paragraphs, a list of bulleted points, or using images and data tables.
While HTML is used to actual content a web page, CSS (Cascade Styling Sheets) is a design language that you use to make your web page look nice and presentable. CSS is responsible for the design or style of the website, including the layout, visual effects, and background color.
Now, if HTML is the markup language and CSS is the design language, then JavaScript is the programming language. JavaScript allows you to make your webpage think and act.
With these basic languages, you can create many websites already. Keep practicing by making more websites. You will be more expert as you practice and get used to it. You can start with cloning an existing website to learn such as the Facebook homepage. You can learn more about these basic languages at W3Schools, It’s free.
Advanced Tools for Front End Development
After you master the basic languages, you can start learning Front-End popular libraries such as Bootstrap 5 and React.js and the frameworks such as Next.js and Gatsby.js.
Libraries and frameworks help your development easier and faster. There are so many tools out there for development so make sure you learn one tool at a time. Don’t rush and end up learning nothing.
Conclusion
You can build an awesome website by only using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Advanced tools for Front End Development are not mandatory for beginners. They will only make the development easier and faster. You can learn it after you master the basic languages.
One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.
— Emily Dickinson
That’s all the tips on how I learned Front-End Development. Good luck with your learning — keep practicing!