A website developer is an up-and-coming and in-demand profession. It involves creating new resources and maintaining existing ones. Web developers write code, test and evaluate the results. They work not only with ordinary websites but also with online banks, social networks and marketplaces, which are resources with a more complex structure and functionality. Their work is well paid, especially if the specialist is listed on the staff of the company.
Varieties of web developers
There are several varieties of web developers:
- Front-end developer;
- Backend developer;
- Full-stack developer.
Representatives of this specialty are engaged in web-design, page layout, work with the client and the server side. The professional field is conventionally divided into several areas.
A frontend developer creates the visible part of the Internet resource. When a person enters the site of a taxi call, he sees a form for selecting a fare, making a route. All this is the result of the frontrunner’s hard work. His main task is to translate the finished design layout into code, ensuring the correct operation of the site, its adjustment under the user’s device.
Backend developer is responsible for the server side. Thanks to his work sites properly respond to the actions and requests from users. He makes sure that the resource when you enter the first letters when calling a taxi (for example) offered auto-complete options. This information is passed to the system from the server.
A full-stack developer is a versatile IT person, able to implement a personal web project without outsourcing. He also provides technical support for the finished resource or application.
What a web developer needs to know
A web developer must be proficient in a number of computer programs, the most popular among them: HTML, Java Script, CSS, PHP, React.
It is primarily a standardised language for hypertext markup, allowing web pages to be viewed in a browser.
New software products with tools regularly appear in this field. Sketch, for example, can be used as an alternative to Photoshop. It is a new graphics editor with a wide range of functions.
LiveStyle is used to edit CSS.
To successfully perform their tasks, frontend developer must master HTML, which is used to position text on the page.
In addition, he needs to know how to render the text using CSS style sheets.
Programming language JavaScript is needed to ensure the interactivity of sites.
A mastery of another programming language, TypeScript, which extends the capabilities of the previous one, is also a must.
A web developer should have an understanding of frameworks for the required language.
Of great importance is the ability to work with Bootstrap and Tailwind CSS – sets of ready-made elements that simplify the process of making simple pages.
A web developer will also need to understand the structure of the HTTP protocol, which is a set of guidelines for the exchange of information on the web. This gives users the ability to browse the web.
A skilled web developer should be able to work in graphics editors, export images and search for image dimensions.
They will need to know how to work with asynchronous requests, which ask the server for missing information and add it to the page.
The web developer must also understand the basics of network security, how to maintain it and how servers work so that sites work smoothly and keep in contact with their users.
Productive work as a web developer is impossible without knowledge of databases, the SQL query language, without the ability to use packet managers – special utilities that allow you to add third-party libraries to the site, expand functionality.
Prospects for the profession
The salary of web developers is more than decent. Its size depends on the experience of a specialist, in the state he works or on a freelance basis. Full-time employees usually get more.
The average salary of a web developer is 3000-5000 euros per month.
The profession is clearly a promising one and the salaries of specialists in this field grow as they develop their skills and gain experience. You can look quickly at a career, heading up the IT department of an organisation.
Employees of large international companies earn up to 8000 euros.
How to become a web developer
Training to become a web developer can be either paid or free. The best option is to graduate with a degree in web development. But that will take you as long as five years.
It is easier and faster to complete special courses, in which case the training will last a few months. You can find a lot of offers online from sites specializing in further education. Many learn from notes, books, take part in webinars with a teacher.
The most popular option is online courses. On such platforms, it is realistic to get the knowledge you need for your first job. Students in such courses are helped in writing their CVs and preparing for job interviews. Thanks to them, you can understand the basics of web development.
You can learn the programming languages on your own if you like.
At the end of the course, students will put together a portfolio of projects and start working in the specialty after 6 months of training.
If you decide to study on your own, you should find an experienced mentor, ideally a working developer. Special attention should be paid to practice, it is practiced by means of a book or simulator, which can be used to execute small projects. It is important to immerse yourself in the role of a web developer as much as possible, so you understand whether the profession is really the right one and whether it is worth developing further.