Everything you see on the freeCodeCamp home page was made possible by front end web developers. They use coding languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript to create user interfaces that look as good as they function.
Besides knowing the basics of these programming languages, front end devs must also understand the latest best practices. This includes responsive design and cross-browser compatibility.
Responsive Design
Website users visit websites from a wide variety of devices, all with different screen sizes and resolutions. Front end developers must design websites that are responsive for each device so they look their best and provide a seamless user experience.
One way to achieve this is through the use of CSS and JS frameworks like Bootstrap, Angular, Ember, Vue, and React that make it easier for web designers to create UI components with the same fidelity and functionality as the final product. A front-end engineer can then apply these components to the site’s design and build out a responsive layout.
Responsive design also includes best practices such as minimalism and a clear hierarchy of content to improve the overall usability of the site. For example, a minimalist UI is more likely to be easy to navigate for users on smartphones with small screens. A site that focuses on user experience will likely see longer time-on-page and increased customer conversions.
Front-end development has shifted away from being a pure creative role to more of an engineering discipline, especially since the rise of mobile. This shift has led to a front-end renaissance that brought better tools, frameworks, and libraries, as well as more demand for knowledge of computer science theories and software development. It has also pushed the profession towards a more engineering-focused field of work that prioritizes a deep understanding of JavaScript over UI skills.
Cross-Browser Compatibility
As different browsers display web pages differently, it is vital that front-end developers ensure their websites are compatible across the many platforms used to access them. This is known as cross-browser compatibility.
This involves testing and ensuring that the site functions and displays correctly on all browsers. The different browsers use their own rendering engines and interpret HTML, CSS and JavaScript code in their own way. This can lead to discrepancies in how the website looks and behaves on each browser, so it is important that QA teams test for these differences.
There are some issues that are easy to spot, like a webpage that has text displayed incorrectly or images that don’t appear in the correct place. However, some of the more complex issues are harder to pinpoint and can cause problems with user experience. For example, some form elements, such as the
Developers can fix these problems by using polyfills, which are pieces of JS code that add modern browser functionality to older browsers. However, this can introduce new bugs into the system, so it is important to test for these as well. The best way to do this is by using a tool such as Telerik Test Studio, which allows testers to automate their cross-browser tests easily and quickly.
API Integration
Front-end development teams rely on APIs to integrate web and mobile applications with existing back-end systems. This allows developers to build applications using tested and reliable solutions that reduce the time required for full stack application development. This increases productivity and enables businesses to release new features faster.
A front-end developer can use various types of APIs to add functionality to applications, including REST and JSON. These APIs provide a standard method for exchanging data between decoupled components. They also allow for more flexible design, allowing developers to work on specific parts of the application without having to worry about connecting the rest. API integration also helps with performance and security.
Web platform APIs are commonly used by web applications that run on browsers, but they can be used to create native-like applications running on popular operating systems like iOS and Android. For example, an e-commerce business can use a REST API to connect with its payment gateway, offering customers more choice and improving the user experience.
In addition to web platform APIs, front-end developers also use APIs that are specifically geared towards UI/UX and graphical elements of the application. These APIs can be used to create complex animations and video games. They are often based on JavaScript, which is a scripting language that can be used to manipulate the DOM and make network requests.
User Experience
The user experience is one of the biggest responsibilities of front end development. This includes the design and code that makes a website or application aesthetically pleasing, as well as how easy it is for users to navigate. The user experience also relates to how much time someone spends on a website or application.
Front-end developers often have to test and debug their work, which requires great problem-solving skills. This is especially true when they have to work with different browsers and devices. In addition, a good front-end developer knows how to work with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Most front end developers use various code editing tools to write their work. These can be as simple as Notepad or as complex as Visual Studio or Eclipse. It is important to find a tool that works best for you, as the choice will affect how quickly and accurately you can write code.
Front-end development is a growing field with many career opportunities. You can work as a full-time employee for an established company or start your own freelance business. In addition, the flexibility of this type of job offers you the opportunity to travel and work from anywhere in the world. With an influx of mobile device users, it is increasingly important for websites to be mobile-friendly. To accommodate these new trends, most front-end developers utilize responsive and mobile designs.