Understanding Web Development: Who are Web Developers, What Do They Do?

Shalom Solomon 27th February, 2021

A web developer is also a programmer.

Web developers are kind of a big deal now, they are the big boys and girls of this age. According to Nigerianinfopedia, a beginner web developer in Nigeria earns an average of N100k to N180k monthly without bonuses and benefits. For more experienced developers, it's around 1.5 million or more per month.

Programming as you might have guessed is not child's play, it requires writing lines and lines of codes to achieve a desired result. This though, I've heard repeatedly from web developers: you can learn programming for free if you want with the vast resources on the internet, but it will require your time, effort and work. In essence, you have to be dedicated, focused and doggedly study in order to become a web developer.

So, who is a web developer?

A web developer is a programmer who turns the designs of a web designer into a running website. Basically, a web developer builds a website from scratch using lines of codes to convert a designer's concepts into what you see in a website.

For this to happen, the web developer would work on the back-end of the web site which is the engine that the website runs on and the front-end of the website too which is the part you can see and interact with.

Basically, he/she coverts human language like English to a language the computer can understand such as HTML, CSS or Python; these are known as programming languages.

Now, What Exactly Does a Web Developer Do?

We have to an extent answered this question in the previous section. From what you've read above, we can deduce that the function of a web developer is centered on two aspects. Can you remember?

front end development
back end development

So, the job of a web developer or programmer depends on the type of web development he/she works on.

Types of Web Developers

There are basically three types of web developers.

1. Back-end Developer

Back-end developers deal with the server side of the website. They create lines of codes that interact with the front-end of the website and send messages that are displayed on the webpage. These lines of codes and programs control the server, database and any applications that the website contains.

The role of the back-end developer is vital and difficult as well because they are responsible for creating the engine that powers the website. They do this while ensuring that the website has the required speed, scalability and it is secure.

Common programming languages that back-end developers use are PHP, JavaScript and Python.

So, to become a back-end developer, you should be able to create both static and dynamic websites and different programs with an in-depth knowledge of the programming language you use.

2. Front-end Developer

The front-end developer creates the part or layer of the website that interacts with the user. The part of a website that you can see like the text you are reading presently is made possible by the work of a front-end developer.

Front end developer is responsible for creating the UI and UX of a website be it static or dynamic using graphics and basic programming languages like JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Any decent front-end developer worth his/her salt must be able to use at least these three programming languages.

Although not as difficult as back-end development, front end Development is also as important. This is because the User interface is the part of the website the the users can use and see. It is the manifestation of the web developer's work and as such, he/she works together with the web designer's concept to achieve the end result.

3. Full-Stack Developer

Being a full-stack developer should be the aim of any web developer. A full stack developer is a representation of a web developer.

The full-stack developer performs the function of both the front-end and back-end developer. Two in one.That means he/she can create a website from start to finish without external assistance.

Most front-end and back-end developers transition with time to become full-stack developers.

Moreso, there are bigger job opportunities for full-stack developers. They can work as either front end or back-end developers, they are most likely assigned to oversee a team of developers on a project and as such recieve higher pay.

Conclusion

Web development is a bit as difficult as it sounds, but you wouldn't know if you are capable of doing it if you don't start.

A journey of a thousand miles they say, starts with a step.

If you wish to learn in an environment that supports and builds as well as train you in the latest and top-notch web development, then Extrigs! is just the place for you.

Good luck...