The method employed to create a website is known as web development. It is a lengthy process involving several tasks, including sitemap creation, preparing wireframes, developing dynamic UI/UX designs using photoshop documents, implementing a wide range of features depending on the client’s needs, coding, testing, and deployment.

Apart from designing and developing a web application, this process may also include hosting a website on identified servers, domain assignment, monitoring, and maintaining the application with respect to various performance parameters once a web application is deployed. Some ad hoc activities web developers may need to take up include digital marketing techniques such as search engine optimization to enhance the website’s rank for better search results. 

Overall if the web development process is employed successfully, it can result in a dynamic and versatile web application. One requires a team with unique skill sets and a variety of tools to complete all tasks with high efficiency and accuracy. In fact, a variety of roles are defined to carry out different steps of the web development process, such as full-stack developer, front-end developer, and back-end developer, among others. It is noticed that people are also taking training courses, like the 100% Job Guarantee Full Stack Java Developer Course, to take their careers ahead in the field of web development.

The current article will try to identify two of the most popular roles in the web development domain, namely front-end developer and full-stack developer roles, and a detailed comparison between them. 

Front-end developer 

Websites can be divided into two parts front-end and back-end, also commonly referred to as client-side and server-side of the web application, respectively.  The front-end or client-side of the application can be defined as all visible and accessible elements to the user on-screen. All the content, such as text, animations, videos, etc., is part of the front-end. The back-end or server-side of the application is primarily used to store and manage data. It is not directly visible to the client; however responsible for providing any data required at the front-end. Both front-end and back-end must work in the tendon and allow users to access various features and functions on websites effortlessly.  

As discussed, Whenever one visits any website, anything visible is the work of a front-end developer. A significant responsibility of a front-end developer is to ensure that visitors have smoother interaction on the website. Developers use good blends of innovative designs, basic coding, and the latest techniques to arrive at a contemporary website’s appearance. In addition, to building, they also work on extensive debugging to ensure effortless operation. 

Front-end developer – responsibilities

The exact responsibilities of a front-end developer usually depend on the type of organization, and some variations can be seen across different organizations. However, some common responsibilities, in general, can be listed as follows. 

• Design, development, and optimization of the appealing user interface.
• Ensure exceptional user experience. 
• Ensure proper implementation of designs on different platforms such as desktop, mobile, etc.
• Test and debug application for optimum performance.
• Use all essential tools such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to transform requirements into innovative designs.
• Effective software workflow management. 

Front-end developer – skills

Front-end developers work mainly on HTML, CSS, and Javascript. HTML is used for building how the structure of the application must look. At the same time, CSS covers the structure with the outermost shell, whose graphics and designs are selected, keeping the client requirements and the website in mind. Javascript is required when one needs highly interactive applications. Hence one should have a sound knowledge of the above three languages. Apart from these, developers need to understand various libraries and frameworks such as AngularJS, jQuery, REACT, Bootstrap, SASS, etc.

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Full-stack developers

A full-stack developer works on both the front-end (client) and back-end (server) sides of the web application. A full-stack developer is expected to have combined skills sets of both the front-end and back-end developers. The full-stack development role encompasses all the aspects to build modern-day, cutting-edge, robust web applications.

A full-stack developer requires to be familiar with all concepts of web development and in-depth knowledge of any specific area. Full-stack developers are similar to all-rounders and highly valued in any organization. Developers need to be highly collaborative, motivating, and easily approachable. This role is promising as one gets to work on all layers of the development, however very demanding.  

Full-stack developer – responsibilities

• Develop a dynamic, appealing, and creative application.
• Convert customer requirements into attractive applications. 
• Manage and guide a team of employees working in different capacities to ensure seamless delivery.
• Explore new tools, techniques, and frameworks to stay ahead of the competition.
• Ensure product with cross-platform compatibility.
• Resolve critical issues, bugs in the testing and production environment.
• Focus on continuous improvement.

Full-stack development – skills

The skillset of a full-stack developer includes project planning and execution, database management methods, creating dynamic user interfaces, defining data structure and format, resolving critical issues and bottlenecks. All the activities require extensive knowledge of a variety of tools at each step of the development. A full-stack developer must have good script knowledge, a strong understanding of databases, web development processes, and project management. Some of the tools used by full-stack developers are listed below.

Client Side : HTML, CSS, W3.CSS, JavaScript, ES5, JSON, HTML DOM,  XML, Angular, jQuery, Backbone.js, React, Ember.js, Storybook,  Redux, GraphQL, Meteor.js, Grunt, Bootstrap, Gulp

Server Side: C++, C#, Java, Python, ASP,  PHP, Node.js, Express.js, GO, SQL, Ruby,  REST, MongoDB, Sass, Firebase.com, Less, Parse.com, PaaS (Azure and Heroku)

Conclusion 

Comparing all the factors, we can conclude that full-stack developers and front-end developers both are equally important for web development. It is upto the interest and passion of an individual to select any role. While the front-end role is specific to one aspect of web development, Full stack is more of an all-rounder role that requires knowledge in multiple aspects. At times both roles can be challenging as one requires in-depth knowledge and creativity while the other requires both technical and project management skills. One may start with a front-end role and gradually understand the other aspect to transition into a full-stack developer role at the later stage of the career. One has to opt as per their requirements and capital. If a house has a structure but does not have proper functionalities, never be called a home.