Technology has played a significant role in the lives of everyone during times of lockdown. Every application and website that we used to contact our friends, relatives, and co-workers was created by the developers. Hence, the need for skilled web developers is increasing.
In this guide, we will not only explain what is web development but also all the essential skills you need to become a full-fledged web developer.
Even though various platforms come with ready-made themes and drag-and-drop functions, only an expert developer can provide you with a custom website. A web developer knows everything about this fascinating industry and can easily make the website stand out.
In this article, we will start by looking at the basics of web development before explaining the key skills and tools in detail. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has brought a huge change in the world of job seekers, we will examine how it has impacted web developers.
Is This The Right Time To Become a Web Developer?
Before making the move into a completely new career field, you must understand the demand for the skills in the future. Are you aware of the industries that provide job opportunities to web developers? How likely you are to get hired as full-time employment after graduation?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, every company used to follow the traditional method of hiring. However, the education system, as well as the job market, has seen a significant change due to the lockdown. Web development is one of those fields that doesn't require direct contact with the clients. Keeping this plus point in mind, let's look at the rise of the web development industry in 2022.
Are Companies Looking for Web Developers?
One thing you might have noticed while using social media apps and ordering products online is that these platforms are continuously updated by the developers. Since every career field is somehow connected to the website and application, every company wants to be contacted to stay ahead of its competitors.
Consumers want to access the most convenient and time-saving applications and they only contact companies that can instantly help them. Hence, the majority of companies look for web developers. Since big companies don't want to risk losing their data, they avoid hiring freelancers.
Organizations hire a team of skilled web developers who can regularly maintain their websites and remove any bugs. Web developers must be aware of the software and tools that are used to build websites and applications. In 2022, compared to all the tech skills, web development is considered the most in-demand skill.
We know that all the companies around the world know the importance of staying updated with the latest technologies. They have to make their products and services reach their target audience through the help of websites and applications. Therefore, they need someone with the ability to do full-stack web development and remove outdated features from their website.
Before moving ahead, you must do good research on the demand of web developers in your area or your preferred location. Let's explain the role of a web developer in detail.
Who is a web developer?
A web developer is a person who builds apps and websites that can be accessed through the internet. He can also create websites and applications that can only be accessed through a private network. Compared to web designers, a web developer doesn't focus on the look of the website but his main job is to include all the features and functions using his coding and programming knowledge.
A full-stack web developer can not only build static web pages but also e-commerce websites. With the help of a team of web developers, he can create social media platforms and content management systems that we use daily.
Web Development vs Software Engineering
Although the terms "web developers" and "software engineers" are quite self-explanatory, various people get confused and don't know the difference. Software engineers or developers have to work and improve the entire operating system like Windows and Linux. Web developers need to work on websites and applications that can be accessed through the internet.
Since both software engineers and web developers know similar programming languages, the terms can be used interchangeably depending on the location and industry. Hence, before applying for any job, you must check the technologies and software that you must be aware of in the job description.
Types of Web Development
We can divide the web development task into two segments: frontend and backend. Let's understand the two segments in detail.
Frontend or Client-side
Frontend development can be done by web developers without much coding knowledge. However, client-side coding is extremely essential because it focuses on everything from the layout to menus and contact forms. To become a good frontend web developer, you have to understand how to make the website responsive on every screen size.
Backend or Server-side
A backend developer works behind the scenes to make the website run smoothly. He is responsible for making the users able to find the products, subscribe, and comment on the website. If the frontend developer is deciding the color and font for the subscription form, the backend developer is ensuring the users successfully subscribe and visit the preferred landing page.
Programming languages, libraries, and frameworks
To become a web developer, you must have basic knowledge of the languages, libraries, and frameworks. Without practical work, you might not gain a good knowledge of these languages. However, before getting any practical work, you have started with the most simple tools that are used by web developers.
What are languages?
In the life of programmers, languages are used to build websites, apps, and software. There are various types of languages and a web developer must have good knowledge of some of them.
Programming Languages
There are various types of programming languages. All these languages give a set of instructions that makes the browser or computer produce the desired output. As a programmer, you have to use high-level language to make it easier for other developers to understand.
However, if you are required to make the code hard to copy, certain words and symbols can be used within the language. High-level languages like C++ and Java are first saved in text form so that other programmers can understand them. However, you can only run the source code on the computers after converting it to a low-level language.
Most software engineers used compiled high-level languages to create applications. PHP and Perl are interpreted languages. You don't have to compile them. An interpreter can easily run these codes. Web developers usually create websites using these languages.
Markup Languages
Since most of the website is consumed by the content, you have to make sure every headline, subheading, paragraph, and image is written in a certain way. Markup languages are important because it ensures the text can be edited within a short time. XML and HTML are widely used markup languages.
Even before using any other programming language, a web developer has to create a markup language file to create the desired layout.
Style Sheet Languages
Style sheet language is another language you must learn as a frontend developer. You can think about an HTML file as a set of objects without desired color, size, and font.
Using CSS language, you can not only select colors, size, and font but also choose the position of every object. Moreover, you will be able to change the look of the web pages for different screen sizes.
Database Languages
Without database language, even if you can make the website function, you won't be able to get content and email stored within a website. SQL is the most popular database language that is used to get the data stored.
What are libraries and frameworks?
Most web developers use libraries like jQuery and frameworks like Bootstrap to save their time and effort. Without these prewritten codes, you might have to write different codes and link them with one another.
If you want to make the navigation menus and subscription buttons look the desired way without using CSS, then Bootstrap can be extremely helpful. jQuery can help you save a lot of time on writing long JavaScript codes.
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