Want to be a badass Front-end Developer? Read on!
Web development is a very important part of the cyber world and also very lucrative. According to Bitdegree, web developers earn about $90,000 yearly salary.
As a web developer, you’re tasked with programming websites and web applications/software. There are two phases to this: front-end web development and back-end web development. One can either be a front-end or back-end web developer; you can as well be both.
In this post, we shall focus on front-end web development as we’ll be looking at how you can become a badass front-end developer.
Before getting to that, you must understand what front-end web development is all about.
Table of Contents
What Is Front-end Development All About?
When we talk about the front end of a website or web application, we are talking about what the visitors see. This includes colours, texts, shapes, images, and extra perks.
It has to do with object-oriented programming, which involves creating interactive and responsive web elements, and that's why you should definitely learn Java as well so you can understand the full process.
After a web designer or UI designer has sketched out the interface of what a website or web application should look like, the front-end developer then programs the website or application to look just like that.
This programming involves using development or coding languages which in this case are majorly HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
What differentiates front-end from back-end web development is that the former has to do with the server side, the behind-the-scenes, which web visitors do not see.
How To Be A Badass Front-end Developer
Learn
This first step is the most important because it’s the basics of everything. If you want to be a badass front-end developer, you need to learn how to.
To start with, you need to learn the three major front-end developing coding languages. As mentioned before, these include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – ideally, you learn them in this order.
HTML is the easiest of all three as it is just a coding language for e-documents or web pages. It has to do majorly with texts and their formatting.
With CSS, you get into web building and describing HTML pages. Think of it as an adjective and HTML as a noun. It has to do majorly with adding styles like fonts, colours, spacing, etc.
JavaScript is a high-level programming language and, thus, the most advanced. It has to do with object-oriented programming, which involves creating interactive and responsive web elements. On the other hand, you can hire JavaScript developers if you don't have coding knowledge.
It takes quite a time to get a hang of all three languages. JavaScript alone takes about 6 – 9 months so if there’s anything you’ll need, it’s patience.
Practice
Practice might not make you perfect, but one thing it will certainly do is cause improvement. To be a badass front-end developer, you should practice as much as you can.
By practising with the coding languages, your focus is placed on track because practice maximizes training. Also, you can even discover some unique developing techniques on your own by just playing around.
You can purchase a domain & host for testing sake. Use it to try your hands on what you’ve learned so far and see how it goes. There are some code-writing applications you can also download and use, thereby saving money.
While you should practice, you should do it wisely so that you do not go overboard.
Study Other Works
Learning from others is crucial not just in the cyber industry but in every aspect of life. As you begin your journey to front-end development, keep in mind that others have been there, and more are still coming after you.
You can study and learn from others directly or indirectly. Direct involves reaching out to them. If you can reach these other developers, they might be kind enough to reveal their scripts which you can further study.
On the other hand, you can study others indirectly by simply observing and imitating their works. Look up the front end of websites and web applications that other developers have created and try to recreate them.
As you study others, look for their programming strengths and flaws – you learn from both.
Read Also: Top Cybersecurity Trends Every Web Developer Should Expect In 2020
Stay Updated
It is important to know that the cyber world is always evolving. Take HTML, for example; there have been several HTML generations since its inception.
As of 1991, it was just HTML, but now developers utilize HTML 5 and soon enough, HTML 6 will arrive. The same goes for CSS, as we now use CSS 3 while expecting CSS 4.
If you’re going to be a badass front-end developer, you don’t want to stay behind while other developers are going in on the latest trend of these coding languages.
Staying updated is not difficult. You can follow web development blogs or join web development forums, groups, and communities on social media platforms. Likewise, you can follow web designer news as well for the latest information.
Understand Cybersecurity
The websites you develop should be secured which is why you should understand cyber-security. As a matter of fact, front-end security is a unique aspect of front-end web development.
The most common types of cyberattacks targeted at the front end include Cross-site scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and Denial of Service (DOS) attacks.
Ensuring that your front-end codes are well encrypted is one of the best web security implementations you can try.
Additionally, you can make use of web application firewalls like Sucuri WAF, Fortinet FortiWeb, Symantec WAF, Citrix NetScaler App Firewall, Barracuda WAF, Imperva WAF, and others to secure your website.
How To Be A Badass Front-end Developer: Frequently Asked Questions
The path to becoming a front-end master is paved with dedication, continuous learning, and a sprinkle of awesomeness. Here are some FAQs to guide you on your journey:
How can I be a strong front-end developer?
- Master the Fundamentals: Get a solid grasp of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (JS). These are the building blocks of the web, and proficiency in them is essential.
- Deepen Your JS Expertise: Dive deeper into JavaScript, exploring frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js. These will help you build complex and dynamic web applications.
- Embrace Responsive Design: Learn how to create websites that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Responsive design is crucial in today's mobile-first world.
- Sharpen Your UI/UX Skills: Understand user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design principles to create interfaces that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive and user-friendly.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: There's no substitute for hands-on experience. Build projects, experiment with new technologies, and push your boundaries.
How can I improve myself as a front-end developer?
- Never Stop Learning: The web development landscape is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies by reading blogs, attending workshops, and taking online courses.
- Challenge Yourself: Step outside your comfort zone and tackle complex projects. Embrace the struggle; it's how you learn and grow.
- Contribute to Open Source: Contributing to open-source projects is a fantastic way to gain real-world experience, learn from others, and build your portfolio.
- Network with Other Developers: Connect with other front-end developers through online communities, meetups, or conferences. Share your knowledge, learn from their experiences, and build a strong network.
How do I become a high-paid front-end developer?
- Become Highly Skilled: The higher your skillset and expertise, the more valuable you become. Focus on mastering the fundamentals, expanding your knowledge, and staying ahead of the curve.
- Build a Strong Portfolio: Showcase your best work in a well-curated portfolio that demonstrates your abilities, problem-solving skills, and design sense.
- Negotiate Effectively: Learn how to negotiate your salary with confidence. Research average salaries for front-end developers with your experience level in your region.
- Market Yourself: Build your online presence, network with potential employers, and actively market your skills and experience.
What is the hardest part of being a front-end developer?
- Keeping Up with the Pace: The tech world moves fast, and it can be challenging to stay updated with the ever-evolving landscape of frameworks, tools, and best practices.
- Browser Inconsistencies: Different browsers can render code slightly differently, which can lead to cross-browser compatibility issues that add complexity to development.
- Balancing Creativity and Constraints: Front-end developers often need to strike a balance between their creative vision and technical limitations or project requirements.
- Client Feedback: Effectively communicating with clients, managing expectations, and incorporating feedback while maintaining your vision can be a challenge.
Can I learn front-end development in 2 months?
While you can grasp the basics of HTML and CSS in a short period, becoming a proficient front-end developer typically takes longer. It requires dedication, consistent practice, and a willingness to learn new things throughout your career.
What do most front-end developers use?
- Text Editors/IDEs: Most developers use code editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text, or Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like WebStorm for writing code.
- Version Control Systems: Git is a popular version control system used to track code changes and collaborate with others.
- Build Tools: Tools like Webpack or Gulp automate tasks like minifying code, compiling Sass/Less to CSS, and managing dependencies.
- DevTools: Browser developer tools are essential for debugging code, inspecting elements, and analyzing website performance.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a badass front-end developer requires a lot on your part; there’s no easy route to it. The more you practice and take on front-end web-developing tasks and projects, the better you’ll get.
Most importantly, you have to learn and be conversant with the three front-end coding languages – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Know them like your alphabets – A B C – and like your numbers – 1 2 3.
This is just the beginning of your front-end developer journey. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your wins, and keep learning. Remember, the road to becoming a badass is paved with passion and perseverance!
Also, know that you cannot be a badass if you let hackers and other cybercriminals hijack your websites.
You will need to be dedicated and patient in your pursuit. Only then can you be taking home $90,000 salary or more at the end of every year like a badass.
Note: This was initially published in June 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.
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About the Author:
John Raymond is a cybersecurity content writer, with over 5 years of experience in the technology industry. He is passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field of cybersecurity, and is an avid researcher and writer. He has written numerous articles on topics of cybersecurity, privacy, and digital security, and is committed to providing valuable and helpful information to the public.
Daniel Segun is the Founder and CEO of SecureBlitz Cybersecurity Media, with a background in Computer Science and Digital Marketing. When not writing, he's probably busy designing graphics or developing websites.
