It can appear overwhelming to the uninitiated, confusing, and difficult field. To assist you in understanding what it takes to be a web developer, we have produced the definitive handbook on web development. This guide will cover the basics of web design in great detail.
We'll also show you the tools and skills needed to enter this industry. You have decided that web development is right for you. The next step is to learn those skills in this free short course for beginners. We'll first look at the web development company in 2023 and decide if it is a good career choice.
Is it a Good Time Now to be a Web Developer
Thinking about the future before you embark on a new career is crucial. Is your industry offering stability and ample opportunities? What are your chances of getting hired after completing your boot camp or program? These questions have become more pressing than ever in the wake of the last two years. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on both the economy and the job market.
In 2020, the pandemic caused a hiring slowdown. Global lockdowns were in effect at that time. According to a report that the vaccine rollout and economic rebound led to a significant increase in hiring. However, the rate of decline towards the end of the year was only slightly due to the report.
However, tech hiring continued to increase throughout as workers moved towards more "covid-proof" industries that are less vulnerable to recession. Let's now look at what the web development industry will look like in 2023.
Are Web Developers in Demand Right Now?
No matter what is happening, technology is always present in our lives. Technology is essential for most of our daily activities. This includes checking out social media, reading the news, and paying online. This technology is the work of a group of web developers who created it and maintained it constantly to ensure it works perfectly.
In today's technologically driven world, web developers are essential. This is evident in the current web development job market.
This is despite the many twists and turns over the past two years. Web developers have been able to weather the storms quite well. Based on the salary and employment rate, web developers were ranked 6th in tech. Software developer came 2nd!
The average salary for a web designer in the United States at the time of writing is $77,623 annually. Many factors can affect the salary of a web developer, such as where you live, how long you have been working, and what key skills you have. Please take a look at our guide to see how much you could make as a web designer.
According to a study, the software engineer ranked seventh on the list of best jobs. Back-end developers and C++ programmers also made it into the top twenty. This trend is expected to continue through 2023. Just search the internet for the most sought-after tech-demand skills. You'll find web development, web engineering, cloud computing and DevOps.
You can search on websites like indeed, glassdoor and LinkedIn for "web developer" or full-stack developers roles in your local area to find out the current demand. We performed a quick Google search for web developers in the United States. At the time of writing, we found more than 135,000 vacancies. Web developers are still in high demand despite, or perhaps more because, of the coronavirus pandemic. How did Covid-19 impact the web development industry? Let's take another look.
What has Covid-19 Done for the Industry?
Many industries have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and continue to struggle. However, the tech sector has not only survived but thrived.
Many companies rely on digital tools to allow them to work remotely. This has led to many organizations putting even greater emphasis on technology and those who create it. Covid-19 has brought about the most significant change for aspiring and experienced web developers.
If you are looking for your first job in the field, it is important to be able to work remotely at minimum some of the time. According to the survey, 62% of respondents work completely remotely, while 83% work at most half the time.
Web development is a career that can be done remotely. Learn more about working as a remote developer by reading our guide. Employers will continue to be attracted to full-stack development.
As a result of the most in-demand products and services, we expect that web developer jobs in certain areas will rise. To reflect the changing consumer behavior and needs in a socially-distant environment, sectors such as healthcare, media and entertainment, and remote banking will continue to expand.
Overall, Covid-19's impact on the tech sector and web developers has been negligible compared to other industries. Even though the situation is still evolving, web developers who are new to the field can be confident that their careers will not be in jeopardy.
Do You Want To Be A Web Developer By 2023?
What's the verdict? Is it a good time for web developers? It is quite clear that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has a very clear picture of the current job market and the projected growth in employment. This is a great time to be a web developer.
Technology is now more important than ever in our lives. It's how we shop, work, communicate with loved ones, get healthcare, and access other services. We encourage you to join this industry and help build tomorrow's technology. Tech has also proven to be "Covid-proof" and a relatively recession-proof industry.
Let's start with the basics. What is web development, and what do web developers do? Continue reading to learn more.
What is Web Development?
Web development refers to the creation of websites and applications that are used on the internet or in a private network called an intranet. Web development does not concern the design of a website. It's all about the coding and programming that allows the website to run. Developers have created all the tools that we use daily via the internet, from static websites to social media platforms and applications to e-commerce websites and content management systems (CMS).
Software Engineering Vs Web Development
The jargon and buzzwords for web development services can be a barrier to many trying to learn how to do it. Many people call themselves software engineers, web developers and software developers. Are there any major differences?
Software engineers are likely to focus on operating systems, while web developers work on internet-based technologies. However, reality can be different. Both roles use the same programming languages and technologies. The choice of which term is used will depend on where you are located, what industry you work in, and how large your company is.
This graph from Google Ngram Viewer gives you an idea of how popular these terms have fluctuated. We have created a complete guide that shows the similarities between web developers and software engineers.
It's not important to forget that web development and software engineering boot camps teach the same technologies and tools. When you are ready to enter the job market after graduation, don't forget to examine the job title and the technologies used to create it.
Read More: 5 Web Development Techniques Every Beginner Must Know
Different Types Of Web Development
You can break down web development into three layers: client-side coding (front-end), back-end (serverside), and database technology.
Let's look at each layer in greater detail.
Client-side (Frontend)
Client-side scripting (or front-end programming) refers to all that an end user directly experiences. Client-side scripting is executed in a web browser. It directly affects what users see when they visit websites. Front-end controls layout, fonts, colors, menus and contact forms.
Server-Side (Back-end)
Server-side scripting or back-end programming is about what happens behind the scenes. The back-end is the website portion the user does not see. It stores and organizes data and ensures that the client side runs smoothly. It communicates with the front end to accomplish this.
The browser sends a request back to the server when something happens on the client side, such as when a user fills in a form. The server side responds with pertinent information in the form of front-end code, which the browser can interpret and display.
Database Technology
Websites also use database technology. Database technology stores all files and content necessary for a website's functionality. It is organized to make it easy for users to access, edit, save, and organize. Most websites use a relational database management system (RDBMS) to run the database.
Web Development Vs Web Design: What Is The Difference?
You might hear "web development" and"web design" interchangeably, just like in software engineering. However, these are two different things.
Imagine a web designer working with a web developer to build a car. The developer would handle all the technical components like the engine, wheels, and gears. At the same time, the designer would oversee the visual aspects, such as how the car looks, the layout, the design of the seats, and the overall user experience, which could include whether it is smooth or not.
Web designers create the look and feel of a website. Web designers design the website's layout, ensuring it is logical, easy to use, and enjoyable.
They look at all visual elements and ask questions such as:
- What fonts and color schemes will you use?
- Which buttons, drop-downs and scrollbars should you include?
- What interactive touchpoints can the user use to get from A to B?
Web design includes the site's information architecture, which determines what content should be included and where it should go. Web design is a broad field. It will often be broken down into roles like User Interface Design, User Experience Design and Information Architecture.
The web developer is responsible for transforming this design into a fully functional, live website. The front-end developer takes the web designer's visual design and builds the website using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The back-end developer creates the more complex functionality of the site, such as the checkout function for an e-commerce website.
What is a Web Developer?
Web developers are responsible for building and maintaining websites. Web developers can be employed or freelance. The specific tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on the type of web developer. You will need to choose whether you would like to be a front-end, back-end or full-stack web developer if you want to learn how to do so. Full-stack web developers are experts in both front and back-end. We'll discuss what a full-stack designer does later.
Web developers are responsible for building a product that is both user-friendly and meets the needs of clients. Web developers work with clients, stakeholders, and designers to help them understand the vision. How should the final website look? Web development is largely about fixing and identifying bugs to improve websites and systems. Web developers are problem solvers who constantly develop workarounds and solutions to maintain a website or system in good shape.
All web developers can be proficient in certain programming languages. Depending on the job title and their area of expertise, developers may work in different languages. Let's look at the various layers of web development and the tasks that go with them.
What Is A Front-End Developer?
The front-end developer is responsible for coding the application or website front-end. This is the area that the user interacts with and sees.
They will take back-end data, making it understandable, visually appealing, and functional for everyday users. They will employ HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to bring the web designer's designs to life.
Front-End Developer Tasks
Front-end developers implement the website's layout and interactive elements, such as scrollbars and buttons, images and content, and create internal links (links that allow users to navigate between pages within the same website).
Front-end developers also ensure optimal display across all browsers and devices. The front-end developers will code the website to be responsive to different screen sizes. This ensures users have the same experience on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Front-end development will also conduct usability testing and fix bugs. They will also consider SEO best practices and manage software workflows. They will also develop tools to enhance the user's experience with websites in all browsers.
What Is A Back-End Developer?
The back-end (or front end) is the brain of the front end. The back-end developer is responsible for developing and maintaining the technology required to power the front-end. It consists of three components: a server and an application. Back-end developers write code to ensure all front-end developers' work is functional. The back-end developer's job is to ensure that the database, server, and application communicate with one another.
How do they do it? They first use server-side languages like PHP, Ruby and Python to build the application. They then use tools such as MySQL, Oracle and SQL Server to search, save, or modify data and return it to the user using front-end code.
Back-end developers work in the same way as front-end developers. They will communicate with clients and business owners to learn their requirements. These will be delivered in various ways, depending on the project details.
Back-End Development Tasks
Some of the most common back-end development process tasks are:
- Create, integrate, and manage the database.
- Back-end frameworks are used to build server-side software.
- Implementing and managing content management systems (e.g., a blog).
- Working with operating systems, web server technologies, and API interaction.
Back-end developers are also responsible for testing and debugging back-end elements within a system or an application. You can learn more about the role and what it entails, as well as how to get there, by reading our complete back-end developer guide.
What Is A Full-Stack Programmer?
Full-stack developers can understand and work across the entire technology stack, i.e., both the front end and the back-end. Full-stack developers can be experts at every stage of web development. They can guide and provide advice on best practices and strategies.
You can watch my video explanation of full-stack programming skills. Full-stack developers are seasoned professionals who have worked in many different roles over the years, which gives them a solid foundation for all aspects of web development.
Full-stack developers can work in front-end and back-end languages and frameworks and in server, network, and hosting environments. They also have a good understanding of user experience and business logic.
Mobile Developers
Software engineers and web developers may also be skilled in developing mobile apps for iOS or Android. iOS developers create apps that work with the iOS operating system, which is what Apple devices use. iOS developers are fluent in Swift programming, which Apple specifically created for their apps. Android developers create apps that work with all Android devices. Java was the official programming language of Android. However, Kotlin has taken its place.
Frameworks, Libraries, And Programming Languages
Web developers use languages, libraries, and frameworks to create websites and apps.
Let's look at each one in more detail.
What is a Language?
Languages are the building blocks of web development. They allow programmers to create apps, websites and software. Many types of languages are available, including markup languages, programming languages, stylesheet languages, and database languages.
Programming Languages
Programming language is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to produce a particular output. To write source code, programmers use "high-level" programming language. High-level languages are easy to understand and use symbols and logical words. You can categorize high-level languages as either interpreted or compiled languages.
C++ and Java are high-level languages that are compiled. The source code is saved in a text-based file that can be understood by human programmers but cannot be read by computers. To allow the computer to run the source codes, they must be converted to a lower-level language (i.e. machine code. Software applications are often created using compiled languages.
The compilation is not required for interpreted languages such as Perl or PHP. An interpreter, a program that can read and execute code from these languages, can run source code. Interpreted languages can run scripts such as those that generate dynamic website content.
Low-level languages can directly be recognized and executed by computer hardware. They don't have to be translated or interpreted. Low-level languages include machine language and assembly language.
The most used programming languages in 2023 are Python, JavaScript and C++.
Languages for Marking Up
To specify the formatting of a text document, markup languages can be used. A markup language is a way to tell the software how the text should look. The markup language is fully eligible for the human eye. They contain standard words, but the markup tags are not in the final output.
HTML and XML are the most used markup languages. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is used to create websites. HTML tags are added to plain text documents and describe how the document should appear in a web browser. Let's look at the bold tags to understand how HTML works. This is the HTML version:
This is what the browser sees when it reads it. It knows to highlight that sentence in bold. This is what the browser sees. XML is an acronym for eXtensible Markup Language. It is a markup language that is very similar to HTML.
HTML was created to display data, with a focus on its appearance. In contrast, XML was intended to store and transport data. Unlike HTML tags, XML tags can be created by the author. XML aims to make data sharing, transport, platform changes, and availability easier. It provides a software- and hardware-independent way of storing, transporting, and sharing data.
Style Sheet Languages
A style sheet is a collection of stylistic rules. Style sheets languages can be used to style documents written in markup languages. A document written in HTML but styled with CSS (Cascading Style sheets), a stylesheet language, can be considered. The HTML controls the structure and content of the web page. CSS is responsible for how the content should be presented visually.
CSS can be used for styling forms, color changes, font settings, borders and backgrounds, and inserting backgrounds and borders. The CSS language is used to make web pages responsive, adapting to the user's device.
Database Languages
Languages can be used to build websites, apps and software. They are also used to manage databases. Databases can store large amounts of data. Databases are used to store large amounts of data. For example, the Spotify music app uses databases to store music files and user preferences. Social media apps such as Instagram also use databases to store user information. The database will also be updated every time a user updates their profile.
Databases don't understand the same programming languages as apps, so it is important to have a language they can understand, such as SQL, the standard language for accessing, manipulating, and retrieving relational databases.
Structured Query Language is the name of SQL. This is what we explain in our beginner's guide. It uses its markup and allows programmers to interact with data stored in a database. To help you get started, we have created a cheat sheet.
What Are Libraries And Frameworks?
Web developers also use frameworks and libraries. Despite the misconception, they are not the same thing. However, they both help developers make their job easier. Frameworks and libraries are prewritten codes. Libraries are smaller and are used for specific purposes. A library is a collection or code that can be used later. A library allows developers to achieve the same goal with less code. Let's look at JavaScript, the language and jQuery, the JavaScript library.
Instead of writing ten lines in JavaScript code, the developer can use the condensed, rewritten version from the jQuery library to save time and effort. Frameworks contain ready-made components that allow developers to write code faster. Many frameworks also include libraries. The framework gives developers a structure from which to work. Your website or app will be built largely by your chosen framework, so it is important to decide what framework to use.
Angular, Rails and Bootstrap are some of the most popular frameworks. It is easiest to visualize yourself building a house. The framework is the foundation and structure. It also contains instructions and guidelines for how to complete certain tasks.
You could buy the components separately and make the oven yourself or purchase a premade oven at a store. You can either write the code yourself or use pre-written code in a library to insert it.
Conclusion
Next, you will need to prepare for the additional rounds of interviews. This includes being able to answer both technical and common questions asked by web developers. You will also be practicing coding questions and preparing your questions for potential employers. After you have all this knowledge, you can start your exciting new career as a web developer.
