How, Where, & When to Find a Mobile App Company For Development
To make an app, a company needs to come up with a concept, conduct market research, design the wireframe and graphics, and strategize the launch.
All of this is usually done with a team of people, but the app developer is one of the most important players.
In fact, in 2018, Tim Cook announced that there were 20 million registered iOS developers catering to the 500 million weekly visitors to the App Store alone. Additionally, there are about 2.6 million Android and 2.2 million iOS apps.
Suffice it to say, the app developer is an important role. That's why it's critical to hire the right one for your app.
Let's review how, where, and when to find an app developer for your business.
How to Find an App Developer
Finding an app developer can seem like a daunting process. We know that there are a lot of developers out there, but that doesn't mean they are all quality ones who will understand your business or needs.
Before you can begin looking for mobile app company like GoodCore Software for development, it's important to ask yourself this question: "Do I want to hire an in-house team or a freelancer?"
To answer this, consider your business needs. For example, are you at an established company that wants to automate your process? An in-house team might work well for you. On the other hand, if you work at a startup, an expert specialist who can get in and get out quickly and cheaply might be the way to go.
Additionally, if you anticipate building more than one app, an in-house team would work well. However, if you're just creating one app, a freelancer would work.
An in-house team will usually consist of a group of developers who have a deep understanding of your company, culture, and product or service. However, this team will be costly because you have to consider salary, benefits, and equipment. Additionally, you'll need to have set systems and processes to ensure productive, quality work.
Alternatively, a freelancer or an app agency, consists of expert specialists who can work quickly. Plus, it's often cheaper because you're only paying for the project, and not each person's salary and equipment. The only downside is that you'll have to manage the communication and most likely project management as well.
No matter which route you decide to go, it's important to find the right person or team. That's why we've created a list of tips to help you find an app developer.
1. Do some research.
Before you can hire an app developer, it's important to understand the basics of their job. What programming languages are used? What are the average rates? Having an understanding of the profession gives you the context you need to have productive meetings and interviews.
2. Look at experience.
Just like you wouldn't want a pilot who hasn't flown a day in their life, you probably don't want an app developer who hasn't ever developed an app. Be sure to ask about their experience and look at the work they've done.
3. Focus on communication.
Your app won't get created well if there isn't crystal clear communication. That's why rapport is important to focus on in the first meetings. In addition to qualifications and experience, see how you and potential app developers get along and understand each other.
4. Be clear about your business needs.
When you're meeting with app developers, make sure you're clear about the app concept and your target market. The clearer you are about your business's needs and goals, the easier it'll be to create an app.
5. Use set criteria to judge each developer.
It's important to have a list of criteria you're using to judge each developer or agency you talk to. That way you can have productive meetings and get your questions answered.
Consider criteria such as:
- Reviews and references
- Experience
- Speciality
- Programming tools
- Development process
- Legal process/contracts
- Project management
- Communication
These are all important areas to discuss in your first meetings. Additionally, you might consider writing down a few questions about these topics.
A few questions you could ask are:
- Do you have reviews and references of past and current customers I could read and/or reach out to?
- How much experience do you have? Can I see samples of your work?
- What type of apps have you worked on in the past?
- What programming tools do you use to create an app?
- What is the development process like for you?
- How do you handle project management?
- How will we communicate during the development process?
- What are your fees?
Where to Find an App Developer
Now that you've started thinking about finding an app developer and what that process looks like, you might be wondering, "Where will I find this person or team?"
In actuality, it's a pretty simple process.
You can begin your search for an app developer or agency in a few places:
1. Freelance websites.
If you're going the freelance route, looking at top freelance sites like Toptal and Hired is the way to go. Sites like these will have the best candidates because they're fully vetted. In fact, Toptal only accepts 3% of applicants. Additionally, these sites have clear rates, so you can see how much a freelancer will cost from the get-go.
2. Tech blogs.
Blogs like Wired, The Verge, and TechCrunch are a great resource when you're looking for an app developer. They'll typically have articles about app development and the whole process, so you go into the process educated.
3. Creative communities.
There are communities online where designers and developers will upload portfolios and samples of their work, like Dribbble or Behance. If you find someone you like, you can reach out and get to know them more.
4. B2B directories.
If you're going to hire an agency, consider looking at B2B directories where companies have information, reviews, and ratings listed. Sites like Clutch.co, B2B Marketing, and Relevance are all good options.
5. Colleges.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that colleges have a lot of top talent. Reach out to professors in the computer science department to see if they know of any student developers.
6. Your network.
Another place that's easy to forget about is your own network. Ask around. See if anyone you know can think of an app developer they're in contact with.
7. Google.
Lastly, the holy grail. The only issue with Google is that you have to be careful and thoroughly vet people or companies you find on here.
To recap, we've gone over tips on finding an app developer and where to begin your search. Now the only question is when do you start this process?
When to Find an App Developer
Once you have a concept and you've done your research, you can begin looking for an app developer.
For instance, at this point, you've usually identified a problem your target market has and come up with an app concept that will be a solution to that problem. Then, you might've outlined some ideas for the app and even put together rough wireframes of what you want the app to look like.
When you get to this point, it's probably time to find a developer to work with.
Finding an app developer is a big task. But as long as you thoroughly vet your candidates and are organized with your search, then the process should be fairly straightforward.
Content Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-find-app-developer
Here's How You Can Become A Web Developer And Everything You Need To Know
To the outside eye, it can seem like a complicated, confusing and somewhat inaccessible field. So, to shed some light on this fascinating industry, we’ve put together the ultimate introduction to web development and what it takes to become a fully-fledged web developer.
In this guide, we’ll go through the basics of web development in detail, and show you the most essential skills and tools you’ll need to break into the industry. Let’s get some background first, though — we need to learn to walk before we can run. If you’re already familiar with the basics of web development and its history, just click the anchor link to skip straight to a later section.
1. What is Web Development? Web development is the process of building websites and applications for the internet, or for a private network known as an intranet. Web development is not concerned with the design of a website; rather, it’s all about the coding and programming that powers the website’s functionality.
From the most simple, static web pages to social media platforms and apps, from ecommerce websites to content management systems (CMS); all the tools used by web developers of London and worldwide.
Web development can be broken down into three layers: client-side coding (frontend), server-side coding (backend) and database technology.
Let’s take a look at each of these layers in more detail.
Client-side Client-side scripting, or frontend development, refers to everything that the end user experiences directly. Client-side code executes in a web browser and directly relates to what people see when they visit a website. Things like layout, fonts, colours, menus and contact forms are all driven by the frontend.
Server-side Server-side scripting, or backend development, is all about what goes on behind the scenes. The backend is essentially the part of a website that the user doesn’t actually see. It is responsible for storing and organizing data, and ensuring that everything on the client-side runs smoothly. It does this by communicating with the frontend. Whenever something happens on the client-side — say, a user fills out a form — the browser sends a request to the server-side. The server-side “responds” with relevant information in the form of frontend code that the browser can then interpret and display.
Database technology Websites also rely on database technology. The database contains all the files and content that are necessary for a website to function, storing it in such a way that makes it easy to retrieve, organize, edit and save. The database runs on a server, and most websites typically use some form of relational database management system (RDBMS).
To summarize: the frontend, backend and database technology all work together to build and run a fully functional website or application, and these three layers form the foundation of web development.
The Difference Between Web Development and Web Design You might hear the terms web development and web design used interchangeably, but these are two very different things.
Imagine a web designer and web developer working together to build a car: the developer would take care of all the functional components, like the engine, the wheels and the gears, while the designer would be responsible for both the visual aspects — how the car looks, the layout of the dashboard, the design of the seats — and for the user experience provided by the car, so whether or not it’s a smooth drive.
Web designers design how the website looks and feels. They model the layout of the website, making sure it’s logical, user-friendly and pleasant to use. They consider all the different visual elements: what colour schemes and fonts will be used? What buttons, drop-down menus and scrollbars should be included, and where? What interactive touchpoints does the user interact with to get from point A to B? Web design also considers the information architecture of the website, establishing what content will be included and where it should be placed.
Web design is an extremely broad field, and will often be broken down into more specific roles such as User Experience Design, User Interface Design and Information Architecture.
It is the web developer’s job to take this design and develop it into a live, fully functional website. A frontend developer takes the visual design as provided by the web designer and builds it using coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. A backend developer builds the more advanced functionality of the site, such as the checkout function on an ecommerce site.
In short, a web designer is the architect, while the web developer is the builder or engineer.
2. A Brief History of the World Wide Web The web as we know it today has been decades in the making. To help understand how web development works, let’s go back to where it all started and consider how the internet has evolved over the years.
1965: The first WAN (Wide Area Network) The internet is essentially a network of networks, connecting all different WANs. WAN stands for Wide Area Network, a telecommunications network that spans a large geographical distance. The first WAN was established in 1965 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later on, this WAN would be known as ARPANET. It was initially funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Department of Defense.
1969: The first ever internet message In October 1969, UCLA student Charley Kline sent the first ever internet message. He tried to send the word “login” to a computer at the Stanford Research Institute via the ARPANET network, but the system crashed after the first two letters. However, about an hour later, the system recovered and the full text was successfully delivered.
1970s: The rise of the LAN (Local Area Network) The early 70s saw the development of several experimental LAN technologies. LAN stands for Local Area Network, a computer network that connects nearby devices in the same buildings — such as in schools, universities, and libraries. Some notable milestones include the development of Ethernet at Xerox Parc from 1973–1974, and the development of ARCNET in 1976.
1982–1989: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), the Domain Name System and Dial-Up Access In 1982, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) emerged as the ARPANET protocol, and TCP/IP remains the standard internet protocol today. In 1983, the Domain Name System was established, providing a more user-friendly way of labelling and designating websites (i.e. careerfoundry.com instead of a series of numbers). In 1987, Cisco shipped its first router, and in 1989, World.std.com became the first commercial provider of dial-up internet access.
1990: Tim Berners-Lee and HTML In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) developed HTML — HyperText Markup Language. HTML became, and still is, a fundamental building block of the internet.
1991: The World Wide Web Goes Mainstream With the rise of the visual internet browser, the World Wide Web made its way into the mainstream. As of 2018, there are more than 4 billion internet users around the globe.
3. What Does a Web Developer Do? The role of the web developer is to build and maintain websites. Web developers can work in-house or freelance, and the specific tasks and responsibilities involved will vary depending on whether they’re working as a frontend, backend or full stack developer. Full stack developers specialize in both the frontend and backend; we’ll go into more detail about what a full stack developer does later on.
Web developers are responsible for building a product that meets both the client’s needs and those of the customer or end user. Web developers collaborate with stakeholders, clients and designers in order to understand the vision: how should the final website look and function?
A large part of web development also revolves around identifying and fixing bugs in order to constantly optimize and improve a website or system. Web developers are therefore keen problem solvers, regularly coming up with solutions and workarounds to keep things running smoothly.
Of course, all web developers are proficient in certain programming languages. However, different developers will work with different languages depending on their specific job title and area of expertise. Let’s take a look at the different layers of web development and the associated tasks in more detail.
What does a frontend developer do? It is the frontend developer’s job to code the frontend of a website or application; that is, the part of the website that the user sees and interacts with. They take the backend data and turn it into something that is easily comprehensible, visually pleasing and fully functional for the everyday user. They will work from designs provided by the web designer and bring them to life using HTML, JavaScript and CSS (more on those later!).
The frontend developer implements the website’s layout, interactive and navigational elements such as buttons and scrollbars, images, content and internal links (links that navigate from one page to another within the same website). Frontend developers are also responsible for ensuring optimal display across different browsers and devices. They will code the website in such a way that makes it responsive or adaptive to various screen sizes, so that the user gets the same experience whether they’re visiting the website on mobile, desktop or tablet.
Frontend developers will also carry out usability tests and fix any bugs that arise. At the same time, they will consider SEO best practices, maintain software workflow management, and develop tools that enhance how the user interacts with a website in any browser.
What does a backend developer do? The backend is essentially the brains behind the face (the frontend). A backend developer is therefore responsible for building and maintaining the technology needed to power the frontend, consisting of three parts: a server, an application and a database.
The code that backend developers create ensures that everything the frontend developer builds is fully functional, and it is the backend developer’s job to make sure that the server, application and database all communicate with each other. So how do they do this? First, they use server-side languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python and Java to build the application. Then they use tools like MySQL, Oracle and SQL Server to find, save or edit data and deliver it back to the user in frontend code.
Just like frontend developers, backend developers will liaise with the client or business owner in order to understand their needs and requirements. They will then deliver these in a number of ways depending on the specifics of the project. Typical backend development tasks include creating, integrating and managing the database, building server-side software using backend frameworks, developing and deploying content management systems (for a blog, for example), as well as working with web server technologies, API integration and operating systems.
Backend developers are also responsible for testing and debugging any backend elements of a system or application.
What does a full-stack developer do? A full stack developer is someone who understands, and can work across, the “full stack” of technology: i.e. both the frontend and the backend. Full stack developers are experts in every stage of the web development process, meaning they are well-equipped to get hands on, but can also guide on strategy and best practices.
Most full stack developers have gathered many years of experience in a variety of different roles, giving them a solid grounding across the entire web development spectrum. Full stack developers are proficient in both frontend and backend languages and frameworks, as well as in server, network and hosting environments. They are also well-versed in both business logic and user experience.
Mobile Developers Web developers may also specialize in mobile app development, either for iOS or Android.
iOS developers build apps that run with the iOS operating system — the one used by Apple devices. iOS developers are fluent in Swift, the programming language that Apple created specifically for their apps.
Android developers build apps that are compatible with all Android devices, such as Samsung smartphones. Java is the official programming language for Android.
4. Programming Languages, Libraries and Frameworks In order to build websites and apps, web developers work with languages, libraries and frameworks. Let’s take a look at each of these in detail, as well as some other tools that web developers use in their day-to-day work.
What are languages? In the world of web development, languages are the building blocks that programmers use to create websites, apps and software. There are all different types of languages, including programming languages, markup languages, style sheet languages and database languages.
Programming languages A programming language is essentially a set of instructions and commands which tell the computer to produce a certain output. Programmers use so-called “high-level” programming languages to write source code. High-level languages use logical words and symbols, making them easy for humans to read and understand. High-level languages can be classified as either compiled or interpreted languages.
C++ and Java, for instance, are compiled high-level languages; they are first saved in a text-based format that is comprehensible for human programmers but not for computers. In order for the computer to run the source code, it needs to be converted to a low-level language; i.e. machine code. Compiled languages tend to be used to create software applications.
Interpreted languages like Perl and PHP do not need to be compiled. Instead, source code written in these languages can be run through an interpreter — a program that reads and executes code. Interpreted languages are generally used for running scripts, such as those used to generate content for dynamic websites.
Low-level languages are those that can be directly recognized by and executed on the computer hardware; they don’t need to be interpreted or translated. Machine language and assembly language are some common examples of low-level languages.
Some of the most popular programming languages of 2018 include Java, C, C++, Python, C#, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby and Perl.
Markup languages Markup languages are used to specify the formatting of a text file. In other words, a markup language tells the software that displays the text how the text should be formatted. Markup languages are completely legible to the human eye — they contain standard words — but the markup tags are not visible in the final output.
The two most popular markup languages are HTML and XML. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is used for the creation of websites. When added to a plain text document, HTML tags describe how this document should be displayed by a web browser. To understand how HTML works, let’s take the example of bold tags. The HTML version would be written as follows:
Make this sentence bold!
When the browser reads this, it knows to display that sentence in bold. This is what the user sees:
Make this sentence bold! XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. It is a markup language very similar to HTML; however, while HTML was designed to display data with a focus on how it looks, XML was designed purely to store and transport data. Unlike HTML, XML tags are not predefined; rather, they are created by the author of the document. The point of XML is to simplify data sharing and transport, platform changes and data availability, as it provides a software and hardware-independent means of storing, transporting and sharing data.
Style sheet languages A style sheet is basically a set of stylistic rules. Style sheet languages are used, quite literally, to style documents that are written in markup languages.
Consider a document written in HTML and styled using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a style sheet language. The HTML is responsible for the content and structure of the web page, while CSS determines how this content should be presented visually. CSS can be used to add colours, change fonts, insert backgrounds and borders, as well as to style forms. CSS is also used to optimize web pages for responsive design, ensuring they adapt their layout to whatever device the user is on.
Database languages Languages are not only used for building websites, software and apps; they are also used to create and manage databases.
Databases are used to store huge volumes of data. The Spotify music app, for example, uses databases to store music files, as well as data about the user’s listening preferences. Likewise, social media apps like Instagram use databases to store user profile information; every time a user updates their profile in some way, the app’s database will also update.
Databases are not designed to understand the same languages that apps are programmed in, so it’s essential to have a language that they do understand — like SQL, the standard language for accessing and manipulating relational databases. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It has its own markup, and basically enables programmers to work with the data held in a database system.
What are libraries and frameworks? Web developers also work with libraries and frameworks. Despite much confusion, they are not the same thing — although they are both there to make the developer’s job easier.
Libraries and frameworks are essentially sets of prewritten code, but libraries are smaller and tend to be used for more specific use-cases. A library contains a collection of useful code, grouped together to be reused later. The purpose of a library is to enable developers to reach the same end goal while writing less code to get there.
Let’s take the example of JavaScript, the language, and jQuery, a JavaScript library. Rather than writing, say, ten lines of code in JavaScript, the developer can take the condensed, prewritten version from the jQuery library — saving time and effort.
A framework contains ready-made components and tools that enable the developer to write code faster, and many frameworks also contain libraries. It gives the developer a structure to work from, and the framework you choose to work with will largely dictate the way you build your website or app, so choosing a framework is a big decision. Some popular frameworks include Bootstrap, Rails and Angular.
The easiest way to understand libraries and frameworks is to imagine you are building a house. The framework provides the foundation and the structure, as well as instructions or guidelines for completing certain tasks. Say you want to install an oven in your new home: you could buy the separate components and build the oven from scratch, or you could pick a ready-made oven from the store. Just like building a website, you can write the code from scratch or you can take pre-written code from a library and simply insert it.
Other web development tools Web developers will also use a text editor, such as Atom, Sublime or Visual Studio Code, to write their code; a web browser, such as Chrome or Firefox; and an extremely crucial tool: Git!
Git is a version control system where developers can store and manage their code. As a web developer, it’s inevitable that you’ll make constant changes to your code, so a tool like Git that enables you to track these changes and reverse them if necessary is extremely valuable. Git also makes it easier to work with other teams and to manage multiple projects at once. Git has become such a staple in the world of web development that it’s now considered really bad practice not to use it.
Another extremely popular tool is GitHub, a cloud interface for Git. GitHub offers all the version control functionality of Git, but also comes with its own features such as bug tracking, task management and project wikis. GitHub not only hosts repositories; it also provides developers with a comprehensive toolset, making it easier to follow best practices for coding. It is considered the place to be for open-source projects, and also provides a platform for web developers to showcase their skills. You can learn more about the importance of GitHub here.
What Is A Web Developer: Understanding What Is Web Development
Since its beginnings at the end of the 20th century, the internet has grown exponentially. In the modern world, pretty much everyone has internet access of some form and a huge percentage of people use the internet every single day. Web development is quickly becoming one of the most attractive and best-paid career choices in the modern world. But what does a web development company in UK or anywhere else exactly does?
You may have thought about learning a programming language or two and becoming a web developer. Luckily for you, we understand that aspiring web developers will have questions about the profession, which is why we have put together this comprehensive guide, which aims to answer the above questions and more.
We will look at the types of web developers, and we will look at the web design vs web development debate. We will also cover some of the most popular programming languages for aspiring web developers, including Python, JavaScript, and HTML.
What is the Priority of a Web Developer?
To answer the question “What is a web developer?”, we must first look at what a web developer does and how they do it.
A web developer or programmer is someone who takes a web design – which has been created by either a client or a design team – and turns it into a website. They do this by writing lines and lines of complicated code, using a variety of languages. Web developers have quite a difficult job, because they essentially have to take a language we understand, such as English, and translate it into a language that a computer understands, such as Python or HTML.
As you can imagine, this can take a lot of time and effort and requires an intricate understanding of various programming languages and how they are used. Different types of developers specialize in different areas, which means that large web projects are usually a collaboration between several different developers.
What Types Of Web Developers Are There?
Unfortunately, the question “What does a web developer do?” doesn’t have one simple answer. As noted above, there are some different types of web developers, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the creation of a website.
To understand what is a web developer it is crucial to know that the three main types of developers are front-end, back-end, and full-stack. Front-end developers are responsible for the parts of a website that people see and interact with, back-end developers are responsible for the behind the scenes code that controls how a website loads and runs, and full-stack developers do a bit of everything.
Front-End Developer
A front-end developer is someone who takes a client or design team’s website design and writes the code needed to implement it on the web. A decent front-end web developer will be fluent in at least three programming languages – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML allows them to add content to a website while splitting it into headings, paragraphs, and tables. CSS lets a decent developer style the content and change things like colors, sizes, and borders. JavaScript allows the inclusion of interactive elements, such as push buttons. We will go into more detail about these languages later.
So, what do web developers do when they work on the front end of a website?
- What is a web developer responsible for is that they make sure that all of the content that is needed for the website is clear, visible, and found in the right place. In some cases front-end developers may also have content writing skills, allowing them to create the content for the website as they go.
- They make sure that the right colors are in the right places, especially concerning text colors, background colors, and headers. Some of the best front-end developers are also very good designers, allowing them to tweak things as they go.
- They make sure that all outbound links are correctly formatted, that all buttons work properly, and that the website is responsive and attractive. Mobile design is usually a big part of the job, while it is also important to make sure that a website will display correctly on all web browsers.
As you can see, the answer to the question “What is a web developer?” certainly isn’t simple. Even front-end developers have it tough, and this is probably the simplest of the three types of development to learn.
If you want to become a front-end developer, though, head to our article, which can tell you the secrets of becoming an entry level front-end developer.
Back-End Developer
While it may seem like front-end developers have a difficult job making sure that a website looks great, works well, and contains the correct content, back-end developers have it much worse. While front-end developers are responsible for client-side programming, back-end developers have to deal with the server-side.
This means that they have to create the code and programs which power the website’s server, databases, and any applications that it contains. The most important thing as a back-end developer is the ability to be able to create a clean, efficient code that does what you want it to in the quickest way possible. Since website speed is a major consideration when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), it is a large factor when developing the back-end.
To fully explain what is a web developer it is essential to know that back-end developers use a wide range of different server-side languages to build complicated programs. Some of the most popular languages used include PHP, Python, Java, and Ruby. JavaScript is also becoming increasingly widespread as a back-end development language, while SQL is commonly used to manage and analyze data in website databases.
Since different websites have different needs, a back-end developer must be flexible, able to create different programs, and they absolutely must have a clear, in-depth understanding of the languages that they use. This is very important to make sure that they can come up with the most efficient method of creating the required program while making sure that it is secure, scalable, and easy to maintain.
Full-Stack Developer
If you are looking for a quick, simple answer to the question “What is a web developer?”, then a full-stack developer is probably the closest thing that you’re going to get. Full-stack developers understand both front and back-end strategies and processes, which means that they are perfectly positioned to oversee the entire process.
In the case of small websites that don’t have a huge development budget, a full-stack developer will often be employed to build the entire website. In this case, it is extremely important for them to have a complete, in-depth understanding of both front and back-end development and how they work.
Learning full-stack development techniques has a huge range of benefits, including:
- You will end up with the knowledge to be able to create an entire website on your own. This makes you a lot more employable, increasing your job security in the future.
- As a full-stack developer, you will understand the connections between the front and back-ends of a website, allowing you do build efficient and effective programs for all parts of the website.
- Full-stack developers are often employed to oversee large projects for big web development companies. Positions like this are likely to be paid more than standard web development positions, making them more attractive to developers. Full-stack defines what is a web developer.
Although most developers start with either front or back-end specializations, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider branching out and learning both. It will make you a lot more employable, will give you a greater understanding of the whole concept of what is web development, and will make it easier for you to create entire websites on your own.
How To Be A Web Developer
Now that we have started to answer the question of “What is a web developer?”, it’s time to start looking at how to be a web developer. While a lot of people do their research, decide on programming languages to learn, and have a good go at learning web development, the majority of them fail due to a distinct lack of direction.
If you are serious about building a career for yourself as an experienced web developer, then you need to make sure that you start with a clear vision of how you are going to achieve this. The following steps should help guide you:
- Start by deciding what sort of developer you want to become. The languages and techniques that you learn will depend on whether you want to focus on front or back-end development, to begin with.
- Choose a decent course. Next, you need to choose a course or a couple of courses that will teach you the basics of web development. BitDegree offers many introductory web development courses, including their Interactive Coding for Beginners course, which introduces CSS, HTML, and web development. If the financial situation is tough, be sure to check out BitDegree’s micro-scholarship program to help you finance your online classes.
- Create a learning plan. Everyone needs a bit of motivation from time to time, otherwise, we simply don’t do the things that we need to. As you start on your journey towards understanding what is a web developer, you need to start building a bit of a learning schedule. Set aside a certain amount of hours per week for your courses, and make sure that you set yourself realistic goals.
As you can see, it isn’t that hard to become a web developer. Sure, it will take a lot of time, effort, and work, but you can do it if you want. Once you have come to a clear understanding of ‘what is web development’ and ‘what does a web developer do’ it will only get easier.
Web Design vs Web Development
Now, we need to digress for a moment to address an important point that often comes up when people start talking about web development – the web design vs web development debate. Are they different? Are they the same thing?
The answer is no, web design and web development are not the same, but of course, it depends on how you define ‘design’ and ‘development’. For our article, we have assumed that it takes different knowledge to understand what is a web designer and what is a web developer. These professions are different and they have the following roles:
Web Designer:
The web designer is the person or group of people who are responsible for the creation of the website concept. They might decide that it needs to be a certain color, with certain content and pages. They may do things like creating infographics, logos, and videos, and they tell the developer where these things have to be put on the web page. However, they don’t take part in the construction of the website or the underlying code.
The web developer takes the designer’s concepts and creates the code that is used to turn them into a website and bring them to people like you and me. It is important to realize that, although the web developer and the designer may be the same person – there is almost always some overlap between design and front-end development – the roles are different.
If you want to be a designer, you won’t necessarily have to learn any code at all. Likewise, a developer doesn’t need to have any graphic design skills at all. From this, it follows that ‘designing a website’ is not part of the answer to ‘What is a web developer?’.
Popular Languages For Web Development
Now, it is very important to realize that there is a range of different languages that are used for web development. As noted above, front and back-end developers will need to learn different languages, while full-stack developers will need a working knowledge of all the major web development languages.
With this in mind, we have put together a list of some of the most common languages for web developers to learn, along with an explanation of what they are used for and how you can learn them.
HTML
HTML is an essential language if you want to understand what is a web developer and how to become a front-end one. To explain it fully, I need you to do something for me:
Right-click on your browser window, and select ‘view page source’.
You should be taken to a new tab containing all of the information which goes into the creation of this webpage. What you are seeing is mainly HTML code. It tells the website what content to display and to some extent, how to display it. At the top of the page, on the first line, you will see the <!DOCTYPE html> command. This tells your web browser to expect HTML code.
If you explore further, you will start to recognize things on the page. You will see some commands that you understand, such as ‘link’, ‘image’, or ‘video’. These are all content commands which tell your browser what to show, where to get the content from, and how to show it.
HTML is a very easy language to learn, and it is usually the first one learned by new programmers. If you are interested in exploring HTML, having a deeper look at what is a web developer, and front-end web development, consider enrolling in the HTML Coding for Beginners Course or the Comprehensive HTML5 Tutorial.
CSS
CSS is the second of the essential front-end languages and is also one which every front-end developer must be fluent in. The CSS code is used in conjunction with HTML. While HTML tells the webpage what content to display, CSS tells the webpage how to display the content – it’s a ‘styling’ language.
Once you have learned CSS, you will be able to do a wide range of things, including:
- Changing colors. CSS allows you to change the color of pretty much everything from your paragraph text to your background to your table borders.
- Changing fonts. CSS also lets you choose the fonts that you are going to use on your website and where you are going to use them.
- Positioning elements. One of the key elements of what is a web developer capable to do is arranging everything you see in the website. HTML lets you add images and videos to your webpage, but CSS lets you tell the browser how big to make them and where to display them.
- Changing text size. Are you building a website designed for people with poor eyesight? If so, you will need to use your knowledge of CSS coding to make your text larger.
As you can see, CSS plays a big role in web development, especially to front-end developers.
If you would like to learn CSS, try the CSS Coding for Beginners course, which will teach you the basics of CSS in under an hour. Alternatively, try Interactive Coding for Beginners, which will give you an insight into the basics of HTML, CSS, and responsive web development.
What do web developers do? Well, most web developers take a programming language like Java or HTML and use it to create a component of a website. JavaScript developers are no different, except they create very specific content. So, for JavaScript, what is a web developer exactly?
Most JavaScript developers work on the front-end of a website. They build small snippets of JavaScript code that make your website responsive, interactive, and attractive to your visitors. These JavaScript snippets are often embedded in the HTML source code for a website.
Although it has traditionally been a front-end language, and one which is vital for any front-end developer to learn, JavaScript is becoming increasingly popular for back-end development as well. A lot of front-end developers are beginning to find work as full-stack developers due to their knowledge of JavaScript, which means that its usage and popularity is skyrocketing.
BitDegree offers two separate JavaScript tutorials. The first, A Video JavaScript Tutorial, will teach you the basics of the language and how it is used in just over an hour of video lectures. The second, the Interactive JavaScript Tutorial, will go into more depth about JavaScript uses, syntax, and functions.
PHP
Historically, PHP has dominated definitions of what is a web developer. Known as the language of the internet, it is currently used in some form on over 80% of websites in existence. Although it is slowly decreasing in popularity, PHP is still a great language for any back-end web developer to learn.
If this sparks your interest, consider taking an online PHP course. Note that it is very important to take an up to date course, like those offered by BitDegree, as older versions of the language are quite different from the modern version (PHP7).
Java
The last of the languages on our list, Java, has been a major part of what is a web developer for years. It is an old language and is popular for a variety of different programming uses. From a web development sense, Java is used to create responsive, scalable web apps that are used for responsive, fast website design.
If you would like to have a go at learning Java, have a look at the interactive Java course. This course will teach you the basics of how to code with Java, what Java is used for, and how to build server-side (back-end) programs.
On Your Path to a Web Developer
If you would like to become a web developer, you must first choose between front-end, back-end, and full-stack development. You will need to learn the relevant languages, and you will need to practice building websites and the applications which run them.
Good luck, have fun
Content Source: https://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/what-is-a-web-developer/
How, Where, & When to Find an App Developer for Your Business
To make an app, a company needs to come up with a concept, conduct market research, design the wireframe and graphics, and strategize the launch.
A few years ago, I was on the myVEGAS app playing the slot machines. This is one of my favorite apps because I can play a game for free and redeem rewards like free hotel rooms and free buffets in one of my favorite places — Las Vegas.
As I was getting some free spins, I thought to myself, "I wonder how this app was made … "
Now, as a marketer, I understand how much work must've went into the making of myVegas.
To make an app, a company needs to come up with a concept, conduct market research, design the wireframe and graphics, and strategize the launch.
All of this is usually done with a team of people, but the app developer is one of the most important players.
In fact, in 2018, Tim Cook announced that there were 20 million registered iOS developers catering to the 500 million weekly visitors to the App Store alone. Additionally, there are about 2.6 million Android and 2.2 million iOS apps.
Suffice it to say, the app developer is an important role. That's why it's critical to hire the right one for your app.
Let's review how, where, and when to find an app developer for your business.
How to Find an App Developer
Finding an app developer can seem like a daunting process. We know that there are a lot of developers out there, but that doesn't mean they are all quality ones who will understand your business or needs.
Before you can begin looking for expert moble app development agency, it's important to ask yourself this question: "Do I want to hire an in-house team or a freelancer?"
To answer this, consider your business needs. For example, are you at an established company that wants to automate your process? An in-house team might work well for you. On the other hand, if you work at a startup, an expert specialist who can get in and get out quickly and cheaply might be the way to go.
Additionally, if you anticipate building more than one app, an in-house team would work well. However, if you're just creating one app, a freelancer would work.
An in-house team will usually consist of a group of developers who have a deep understanding of your company, culture, and product or service. However, this team will be costly because you have to consider salary, benefits, and equipment. Additionally, you'll need to have set systems and processes to ensure productive, quality work.
Alternatively, a freelancer or an app agency, consists of expert specialists who can work quickly. Plus, it's often cheaper because you're only paying for the project, and not each person's salary and equipment. The only downside is that you'll have to manage the communication and most likely project management as well.
No matter which route you decide to go, it's important to find the right person or team. That's why we've created a list of tips to help you find an app developer.
1. Do some research.
Before you can hire an app developer, it's important to understand the basics of their job. What programming languages are used? What are the average rates? Having an understanding of the profession gives you the context you need to have productive meetings and interviews.
2. Look at experience.
Just like you wouldn't want a pilot who hasn't flown a day in their life, you probably don't want an app developer who hasn't ever developed an app. Be sure to ask about their experience and look at the work they've done.
3. Focus on communication.
Your app won't get created well if there isn't crystal clear communication. That's why rapport is important to focus on in the first meetings. In addition to qualifications and experience, see how you and potential app developers get along and understand each other.
4. Be clear about your business needs.
When you're meeting with app developers, make sure you're clear about the app concept and your target market. The clearer you are about your business's needs and goals, the easier it'll be to create an app.
5. Use set criteria to judge each developer.
It's important to have a list of criteria you're using to judge each developer or agency you talk to. That way you can have productive meetings and get your questions answered.
Consider criteria such as:
- Reviews and references
- Experience
- Speciality
- Programming tools
- Development process
- Legal process/contracts
- Project management
- Communication
These are all important areas to discuss in your first meetings. Additionally, you might consider writing down a few questions about these topics.
A few questions you could ask are:
- Do you have reviews and references of past and current customers I could read and/or reach out to?
- How much experience do you have? Can I see samples of your work?
- What type of apps have you worked on in the past?
- What programming tools do you use to create an app?
- What is the development process like for you?
- How do you handle project management?
- How will we communicate during the development process?
- What are your fees?
Where to Find an App Developer
Now that you've started thinking about finding an app developer and what that process looks like, you might be wondering, "Where will I find this person or team?"
In actuality, it's a pretty simple process.
You can begin your search for an app developer or agency in a few places:
1. Freelance websites.
If you're going the freelance route, looking at top freelance sites like Toptal and Hired is the way to go. Sites like these will have the best candidates because they're fully vetted. In fact, Toptal only accepts 3% of applicants. Additionally, these sites have clear rates, so you can see how much a freelancer will cost from the get-go.
2. Tech blogs.
Blogs like Wired, The Verge, and TechCrunch are a great resource when you're looking for an app developer. They'll typically have articles about app development and the whole process, so you go into the process educated.
3. Creative communities.
There are communities online where designers and developers will upload portfolios and samples of their work, like Dribbble or Behance. If you find someone you like, you can reach out and get to know them more.
4. B2B directories.
If you're going to hire an agency, consider looking at B2B directories where companies have information, reviews, and ratings listed. Sites like Clutch.co, B2B Marketing, and Relevance are all good options.
5. Colleges.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that colleges have a lot of top talent. Reach out to professors in the computer science department to see if they know of any student developers.
6. Your network.
Another place that's easy to forget about is your own network. Ask around. See if anyone you know can think of an app developer they're in contact with.
7. Google.
Lastly, the holy grail. The only issue with Google is that you have to be careful and thoroughly vet people or companies you find on here.
To recap, we've gone over tips on finding an app developer and where to begin your search. Now the only question is when do you start this process?
When to Find an App Developer
Once you have a concept and you've done your research, you can begin looking for an app developer.
For instance, at this point, you've usually identified a problem your target market has and come up with an app concept that will be a solution to that problem. Then, you might've outlined some ideas for the app and even put together rough wireframes of what you want the app to look like.
When you get to this point, it's probably time to find a developer to work with.
Finding an app developer is a big task. But as long as you thoroughly vet your candidates and are organized with your search, then the process should be fairly straightforward.
Content Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-find-app-developer
Top 10 Software Development Trends for 2020 You Need to Know
Every day people use Artificial Intelligence-enabled programs like Gmail, Google predictive searches, personalized product recommendations even without noticing this.
Many logistics and manufacturing companies are already using robots to automate operations and optimize costs. Everyone has heard of cryptocurrencies that were a totally new concept when Bitcoin was launched in 2009. Now, almost 11 years later, there are over a thousand of them. Mobile apps, online shops, social networks have become irreplaceable tools to buy, sell, and promote goods/services.
In this article, we’ve collected 10 software development trends that will take the center stage in 2020-2021. See them below!
1. Internet of Things
IoT growth is one of the main technology trends in 2020. By connecting sensors, devices, machines, vehicles, it has a great impact on our world. There are many IoT use cases across different industries involving:
- connected cars
- remote equipment/inventory tracking
- traffic/environmental monitoring
- bedside telemetry
- remote patient health management
- connected oil field exploration
- construction machinery management
- digital signage
- supply chain traceability
- smart home automation
- water/energy consumption monitoring
- other.
Statista predicts the global IoT market revenue will reach about $1.6 trillion by 2025. Construction, telecommunication, healthcare are those sectors that will see the fastest compound annual growth rates (CAGR), with 15.0%, 14.2%, and 13.6% respectively (IDC report).
IoT can offer various advantages, allowing businesses to collect large data amounts, accelerate different processes, prevent equipment breakdown, ensure inventory management without losses, reduce operating costs.
2. Artificial Intelligence
MarketsandMarkets forecasts the global Artificial Intelligence market will reach $190.61B by 2025 from $21.46B in 2018, at a CAGR of 36.62% during the indicated period. Such quick growth is mainly explained by factors like increasing big data amounts, growing cloud usage, increasing demand for workflow automation, and wide adoption of personal digital assistants.
There are various AI applications: robots, chatbots, machine learning algorithms, image/text recognition software, data filtering, data analytics, sales forecasting, etc.
AI provides businesses with numerous benefits, allowing them to significantly streamline operations, reduce costs, boost productivity, improve customer service, increase performance, etc. Furthermore, AI has been already employed in art and content generation. Yet today, AI can paint pictures and create beautiful images.
3. Blockchain
While nobody knew what blockchain was until its appearance as the technology behind Bitcoin, now it’s being widely adopted in various areas. Representing a decentralized digital data record, it provides safe information storage and enables secure transactions without third-parties.
Although it may seem that blockchain solutions are mainly used in banking and finance, their applications spread across almost every sector. Healthcare, logistics, insurance, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, automotive, stock trading, crowdfunding, etc. are those industries that can benefit from using them.
It also introduced Ethereum (it is an open-source blockchain-based distributed computing platform) smart contracts—self-executing contracts containing agreement terms between two parties and written directly into the code. Automatically monitoring its completion and removing intermediaries, they can also be employed in the above-mentioned fields.
Blockchain market predictions for the coming years:
- Market Study Report informs the worldwide blockchain market which amounted $708 million in 2017, is projected to grow to $60.7 billion in 2024.
- By 2025, 55% of healthcare applications will have integrated blockchain solutions for commercial use (Statista).
- U.S. spending on blockchain initiatives is anticipated to reach about $4.2 billion in 2021, making it a regional investment leader (Statista).
- The global blockchain market value in the food and agriculture industry is predicted to amount nearly $1.4 billion by 2028, from $32.2 million in 2017 (Statista).
Yet today, organizations are adopting blockchain to protect from counterfeit, enable supply chain traceability, safely store and exchange data. Since spendings on it are rapidly growing, it will be one of the most important technology trends 2020.
4. Big Data
As Statista reports, the worldwide big data market is anticipated to reach $103 billion by 2027. Just imagine: internet users generate nearly 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day (according to Data Never Sleeps 5.0)
Increasing big data employment is one of the top technology trends of 2020. Allowing to capture, store, analyze, and visualize large amounts of raw and unstructured data, they transform it into valuable information.
Data can be taken from almost everywhere: video/audio records, emails, smart devices, web/mobile apps, social media channels, reviews, polls, surveys, transcripts, call logs, corporate sources, online archives, etc.
Being used in different industries, big data processing tools can provide advantages like predictive analytics, efficient risk management, deep insights into customer behavior, enhanced lead generation, improved advertising campaigns, customer experience management, and accurate credit scoring.
5. Mixed Reality
Representing the merging of real and virtual worlds, comprising both AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), Mixed Reality forms immersive environments with either physical or digital objects interacting in real-time.
According to Juniper Research, published in 2019, the mobile MR market value will amount over $43 billion by 2024, growing from $8B in 2019. 75% of MR-enabled applications are expected to be delivered via mobile by 2024. This research also predicts that 40% of MR solutions will be for social media.
Combining AR and VR technologies, Mixed Reality is transforming industries such as entertainment, simulation-based learning, art, healthcare, retail, remote working, historical reconstruction, and military training.
6. Continuous integration + continuous deployment
Continuous integration + continuous deployment (CI/CD) will continue to be one of the latest software development trends in 2020. Representing one of the best practices, it enables IT services vendors to streamline programming processes and improve the end-solution quality.
CI allows specialists to speed up app assemblies due to instant error detection and code changes. What’s more, they are empowered to put their code into a shared repository with each check-in being verified. Thanks to this, bugs and errors are immediately found and can be fixed much more quickly.
The key task of continuous deployment is to accelerate application updates’ delivery. In the CD, every change in the code goes through automated tests to assemble builds and move to production through multiple production deploys.
Hence, a CI/CD approach enables teams to release apps much faster. Software development companies like GoodCore, basically employ to reduce time-to-market, increase app quality, and provide more frequent updates. Due to saved time, this practice lets specialists focus on more complicated tasks.
7. 5G
Being an innovative wireless communication technology, 5G provides smartphone users with better mobile broadband, improved experiences, as well as faster download and upload speeds. By 2021, the number of 5G-enabled connections is anticipated to grow to 20-100 million (Statista). The global spending on 5G mobile infrastructure is projected to reach about $2.3B by 2021.
5G is intended to ensure enhanced data security. Furthermore, VR and AR development will also improve due to better connections, speed, and experiences.
8. Progressive Web Apps
Progressive web apps are another trend that you should know about. A PWA is a mix of a website and mobile application functionality acting as a native solution. Offering users an immersive full-screen experience, it can be installed directly from the site and live on the smartphone’s home screen. Therefore, you don’t have to open the app store.
Enhanced performance, engaging UX (user experience), faster loading time, less data usage are the key PWA advantages. Many world-famous companies and projects such as Forbes, Twitter, AliExpress, Pinterest, Lancôme, Flipkart, BookMyShow, and MakeMyTrip have already integrated PWA solutions.
A few years ago, AliExpress, a popular e-commerce website, decided to build a progressive web app for providing customers with seamless user experience and fast loading speed. Due to PWA integration, the company achieved outstanding results: 104% increase in conversions for new users, 82% increase of the conversion rate for iOS users, 2x more pages seen per one session, 74% increase in time per session.
9. Cybersecurity
According to forecasts by Cybersecurity Ventures, by 2021 damage inflicted from cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion annually, which exceeds the damage caused by natural disasters. In today’s era of cyberattacks and threats, the establishment of strong safeguards has become especially important. This encourages everyone—government entities, corporations, small/medium-sized businesses—to integrate security solutions.
Statistics on the cybersecurity market:
The worldwide cybersecurity market will amount $248.26 billion by 2023 (Statista) and $300 billion by 2024 (Global Market Insights)—from $120B in 2017.
Global spending on security digital products is anticipated to grow from $103.1 billion in 2019 to $133.8 billion by 2022 (IDC report).
In order to prevent fraud, information leaks, malware, ransomware, phishing, and social engineering, different organizations across the globe are investing in cybersecurity. In the near future, new protection ways will emerge involving hashing protocols, machine learning algorithms for fraud detection, blockchain-based solutions.
10. IT outsourcing
As IT outsourcing offers qualified engineers at a lower cost across different regions and specializations, more and more organizations worldwide are choosing it instead of in-house developers. According to Technavio’s predictions for 2018, its market size will reach $409B by 2022.
Technavio’s research also revealed that increasing demand for business process optimization will become one of its major drivers during 2020-2021.
Since mobile and web development requires professionals in different IT spheres, companies are looking for not only programmers but testers, solution architects, UI/UX designers, business analysts, consultants, marketers, and project managers.
Conclusion
The technological world is rapidly developing, changing the way we live and work. Mobile and web apps, IoT platforms, AI-enabled programs, 5G, blockchain-based systems, and many other tech products are being adopted to solve different business challenges.
Offering many benefits, they also help companies meet industrial-specific needs and reduce costs. In the coming years, we’ll see the fast adoption of various innovative technologies.
Content Source: https://hackernoon.com/top-10-software-development-trends-for-2020-you-need-to-know-as293690
What Does A Software Developer Do?
Software developers are responsible for designing the computer programmes and operating systems that we use in everyday life. From word processors, games and websites, software developers are the people that design these systems so we can use them easily and more efficiently.
Software developers will work with a company to:
- Identify a challenge which requires a computer programme
- Design the programme and say how it should look and feel for the end user
- Liaise with a programmer who will write the code
- Test the final product before it is passed to the customer for use
- On an ongoing basis may be responsible for providing regular software updates and maintenance checks too
Demand for Software Developers
Now is an excellent time to get into software development. As more aspects of our lives become reliant on computer software, there is an ever growing demand for software developers.
In some parts of the world, the actual number of software developer vacancies are expected to rise by up to 30% by the year 2020, according to Computerworld.
Furthermore, the demand for software developers means that there is upward pressure on software developer salaries, and many UK businesses are forced to try and find suitable candidates from all over the world to fill positions.
Importance of software development in business and specialist staff
The software that companies utilise to manage their business operations is becoming more of a source of competitive advantage. The ability to be able to analyse significant amounts of data quickly and efficiently to provide the business with information and management systems can save time and help spot sales opportunities. For some sectors, this type of software is integral to operations.
Take financial services for example. In the financial services industry and investment banking industry, in particular, systems are required to analyse data in an efficient and time-sensitive manner to allow traders to make important decisions quickly. The software is clearly a source of a competitive advantage here, and many banks choose to outsource the provision of such software to specialist agencies in the field, this allows them to remain ahead of the competition.
Across many industries candidates who develop a niche in understanding the importance of software for a particular sector will find that such skills are in high demand.
Day to day role of a Software Developer
The software developer has many duties integral to the function of their role, these include:
From the client perspective, the software developer will meet with customers to analyse their needs and understand exactly what the software needs to do.
Once the criteria are identified, then the software developer will get to work on designing the software, this will include developing various components of the software and getting them to work together. As part of this process, the developer will generate different models of how the software will work and look.
The software developer will liaise with numerous people in the development of the product. Once they have created the design, they will pass responsibility to programmers who will then start to write the codes which allow the software to function. The software developer will effectively project manage the process communicating with clients and other key stakeholders as necessary.
In the final stages, software developers will then support the company when integrating the software into a business. After that, they will provide ongoing management support and recommend system updates while ensuring that the programmes are still usable while maintenance work is taking place.
Typical challenges of a Software Developer
Software developers can encounter numerous problems and difficulties in their jobs, here are three of the main challenges:
- Communication. The software developer is central to ensuring that projects are completed on time and requires the input of several stakeholders. Problems arise when key people struggle to communicate effectively.
- Technical. Software developers will have some programming capability however as the industry is consistently changing the modern codes today may not necessarily be the same as those used tomorrow. The software developer will be required to keep ahead of the game and identify the appropriate technology for any system.
- Operational. As well as the communication, dealing with technical information, generating creative ideas for new software, maintaining operations, faults and meeting clients to discuss the software developer has to do all this within set time frames while managing conflicting interests, this in itself is a key challenge.
How Software Developers tackle challenges
To meet all the challenges, they face software developers need a broad range of managerial and technical skills. They require communication, customer service and interpersonal skills to liaise with various stakeholders.
To complete software packages on time and within set budgets, they need project management, time management and resource allocation skills.
Finally, the actual job of designing innovative and functional software for a range of clients requires creative flair, the ability to think logically and problem solve on a regular basis.
Tips for advancing in a software development job
As a software developer in the early stages of your career, much of your role will be focussed on the design, maintenance and implementation of technology.
As the career develops, you will move away from many of the day to day aspects towards project management and strategic roles. 3 Tips to grow into such positions would include:
- Take opportunities to develop your communication and client facing skills. The ability to manage such relationships are vital throughout the career.
- Although you will not be able to develop in-depth skills for all technical aspects of software development it is important you have at least an understanding of the various parts to manage projects effectively.
- Regarding project management, there are methodologies which would prove useful such as Agile, Scrum and Waterfall. Exposure to all of these would support your career development.
Content Source: https://jobs.telegraph.co.uk/article/what-does-a-software-developer-do/
How To Become A Web Developer — Everything You Need To Know
Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, from the simplest of apps to the most groundbreaking inventions. Every website or piece of software that we encounter has been built by a web developer — but what exactly is web development, and what does a web developer do?
To the outside eye, it can seem like a complicated, confusing and somewhat inaccessible field. So, to shed some light on this fascinating industry, we’ve put together the ultimate introduction to web development and what it takes to become a fully-fledged web developer.
In this guide, we’ll go through the basics of web development in detail, and show you the most essential skills and tools you’ll need to break into the industry. Let’s get some background first, though — we need to learn to walk before we can run. If you’re already familiar with the basics of web development and its history, just click the anchor link to skip straight to a later section.
1. What is Web Development?
Web development is the process of building websites and applications for the internet, or for a private network known as an intranet. Web development is not concerned with the design of a website; rather, it’s all about the coding and programming that powers the website’s functionality.
From the most simple, static web pages to social media platforms and apps, from ecommerce websites to content management systems (CMS); all the tools we use via the internet on a daily basis have been built by web developers.
Web development can be broken down into three layers: client-side coding (frontend), server-side coding (backend) and database technology.
Let’s take a look at each of these layers in more detail.
Client-side
Client-side scripting, or frontend development, refers to everything that the end user experiences directly. Client-side code executes in a web browser and directly relates to what people see when they visit a website. Things like layout, fonts, colours, menus and contact forms are all driven by the frontend.
Server-side
Server-side scripting, or backend development, is all about what goes on behind the scenes. The backend is essentially the part of a website that the user doesn’t actually see. It is responsible for storing and organizing data, and ensuring that everything on the client-side runs smoothly. It does this by communicating with the frontend. Whenever something happens on the client-side — say, a user fills out a form — the browser sends a request to the server-side. The server-side “responds” with relevant information in the form of frontend code that the browser can then interpret and display.
Database technology
Websites also rely on database technology. The database contains all the files and content that are necessary for a website to function, storing it in such a way that makes it easy to retrieve, organize, edit and save. The database runs on a server, and most websites typically use some form of relational database management system (RDBMS).
To summarize: the frontend, backend and database technology all work together to build and run a fully functional website or application, and these three layers form the foundation of web development.
The Difference Between Web Development and Web Design
You might hear the terms web development and web design used interchangeably, but these are two very different things.
Imagine a web designer and web developer working together to build a car: the developer would take care of all the functional components, like the engine, the wheels and the gears, while the designer would be responsible for both the visual aspects — how the car looks, the layout of the dashboard, the design of the seats — and for the user experience provided by the car, so whether or not it’s a smooth drive.
Web designers design how the website looks and feels. They model the layout of the website, making sure it’s logical, user-friendly and pleasant to use. They consider all the different visual elements: what colour schemes and fonts will be used? What buttons, drop-down menus and scrollbars should be included, and where? What interactive touchpoints does the user interact with to get from point A to B? Web design also considers the information architecture of the website, establishing what content will be included and where it should be placed.
Web design is an extremely broad field, and will often be broken down into more specific roles such as User Experience Design, User Interface Design and Information Architecture.
It is the web developer’s job to take this design and develop it into a live, fully functional website. A frontend developer takes the visual design as provided by the web designer and builds it using coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. A backend developer builds the more advanced functionality of the site, such as the checkout function on an ecommerce site.
In short, a web designer is the architect, while the web developer is the builder or engineer.
2. A Brief History of the World Wide Web
The web as we know it today has been decades in the making. To help understand how web development works, let’s go back to where it all started and consider how the internet has evolved over the years.
1965: The first WAN (Wide Area Network)
The internet is essentially a network of networks, connecting all different WANs. WAN stands for Wide Area Network, a telecommunications network that spans a large geographical distance. The first WAN was established in 1965 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later on, this WAN would be known as ARPANET. It was initially funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Department of Defense.
1969: The first ever internet message
In October 1969, UCLA student Charley Kline sent the first ever internet message. He tried to send the word “login” to a computer at the Stanford Research Institute via the ARPANET network, but the system crashed after the first two letters. However, about an hour later, the system recovered and the full text was successfully delivered.
1970s: The rise of the LAN (Local Area Network)
The early 70s saw the development of several experimental LAN technologies. LAN stands for Local Area Network, a computer network that connects nearby devices in the same buildings — such as in schools, universities, and libraries. Some notable milestones include the development of Ethernet at Xerox Parc from 1973–1974, and the development of ARCNET in 1976.
1982–1989: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), the Domain Name System and Dial-Up Access
In 1982, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) emerged as the ARPANET protocol, and TCP/IP remains the standard internet protocol today. In 1983, the Domain Name System was established, providing a more user-friendly way of labelling and designating websites (i.e. careerfoundry.com instead of a series of numbers). In 1987, Cisco shipped its first router, and in 1989, World.std.com became the first commercial provider of dial-up internet access.
1990: Tim Berners-Lee and HTML
In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) developed HTML — HyperText Markup Language. HTML became, and still is, a fundamental building block of the internet.
1991: The World Wide Web Goes Mainstream
With the rise of the visual internet browser, the World Wide Web made its way into the mainstream. As of 2018, there are more than 4 billion internet users around the globe.
3. What Does a Web Developer Do?
The role of the web developer is to build and maintain websites. Web developers can work in-house or freelance, and the specific tasks and responsibilities involved will vary depending on whether they’re working as a frontend, backend or full stack developer. Full stack developers specialize in both the frontend and backend; we’ll go into more detail about what a full stack developer does later on.
Web developers are responsible for building a product that meets both the client’s needs and those of the customer or end user. Web developers collaborate with stakeholders, clients and designers in order to understand the vision: how should the final website look and function?
A large part of web development also revolves around identifying and fixing bugs in order to constantly optimize and improve a website or system. Web developers are therefore keen problem solvers, regularly coming up with solutions and workarounds to keep things running smoothly.
Of course, all web developers are proficient in certain programming languages. However, different developers will work with different languages depending on their specific job title and area of expertise. Let’s take a look at the different layers of web development and the associated tasks in more detail.
What does a frontend developer do?
It is the frontend developer’s job to code the frontend of a website or application; that is, the part of the website that the user sees and interacts with. They take the backend data and turn it into something that is easily comprehensible, visually pleasing and fully functional for the everyday user. They will work from designs provided by the web designer and bring them to life using HTML, JavaScript and CSS (more on those later!).
The frontend developer implements the website’s layout, interactive and navigational elements such as buttons and scrollbars, images, content and internal links (links that navigate from one page to another within the same website). Frontend developers are also responsible for ensuring optimal display across different browsers and devices. They will code the website in such a way that makes it responsive or adaptive to various screen sizes, so that the user gets the same experience whether they’re visiting the website on mobile, desktop or tablet.
Frontend developers will also carry out usability tests and fix any bugs that arise. At the same time, they will consider SEO best practices, maintain software workflow management, and develop tools that enhance how the user interacts with a website in any browser.
What does a backend developer do?
The backend is essentially the brains behind the face (the frontend). A backend developer is therefore responsible for building and maintaining the technology needed to power the frontend, consisting of three parts: a server, an application and a database.
The code that backend developers create ensures that everything the frontend developer builds is fully functional, and it is the backend developer’s job to make sure that the server, application and database all communicate with each other. So how do they do this? First, they use server-side languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python and Java to build the application. Then they use tools like MySQL, Oracle and SQL Server to find, save or edit data and deliver it back to the user in frontend code.
Just like frontend developers, backend developers will liaise with the client or business owner in order to understand their needs and requirements. They will then deliver these in a number of ways depending on the specifics of the project. Typical backend development tasks include creating, integrating and managing the database, building server-side software using backend frameworks, developing and deploying content management systems (for a blog, for example), as well as working with web server technologies, API integration and operating systems.
Backend developers are also responsible for testing and debugging any backend elements of a system or application.
What does a full-stack developer do?
A full stack developer is someone who understands, and can work across, the “full stack” of technology: i.e. both the frontend and the backend. Full stack developers are experts in every stage of the web development process, meaning they are well-equipped to get hands on, but can also guide on strategy and best practices.
Most full stack developers have gathered many years of experience in a variety of different roles, giving them a solid grounding across the entire web development spectrum. Full stack developers are proficient in both frontend and backend languages and frameworks, as well as in server, network and hosting environments. They are also well-versed in both business logic and user experience.
Mobile Developers
Web developers may also specialize in mobile app development, either for iOS or Android.
iOS developers build apps that run with the iOS operating system — the one used by Apple devices. iOS developers are fluent in Swift, the programming language that Apple created specifically for their apps.
Android developers build apps that are compatible with all Android devices, such as Samsung smartphones. Java is the official programming language for Android.
4. Programming Languages, Libraries and Frameworks
In order to build websites and apps, web developers work with languages, libraries and frameworks. Let’s take a look at each of these in detail, as well as some other tools that web developers use in their day-to-day work.
What are languages?
In the world of web development, languages are the building blocks that programmers use to create websites, apps and software. There are all different types of languages, including programming languages, markup languages, style sheet languages and database languages.
Programming languages
A programming language is essentially a set of instructions and commands which tell the computer to produce a certain output. Programmers use so-called “high-level” programming languages to write source code. High-level languages use logical words and symbols, making them easy for humans to read and understand. High-level languages can be classified as either compiled or interpreted languages.
C++ and Java, for instance, are compiled high-level languages; they are first saved in a text-based format that is comprehensible for human programmers but not for computers. In order for the computer to run the source code, it needs to be converted to a low-level language; i.e. machine code. Compiled languages tend to be used to create software applications.
Interpreted languages like Perl and PHP do not need to be compiled. Instead, source code written in these languages can be run through an interpreter — a program that reads and executes code. Interpreted languages are generally used for running scripts, such as those used to generate content for dynamic websites.
Low-level languages are those that can be directly recognized by and executed on the computer hardware; they don’t need to be interpreted or translated. Machine language and assembly language are some common examples of low-level languages.
Some of the most popular programming languages of 2018 include Java, C, C++, Python, C#, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby and Perl.
Markup languages
Markup languages are used to specify the formatting of a text file. In other words, a markup language tells the software that displays the text how the text should be formatted. Markup languages are completely legible to the human eye — they contain standard words — but the markup tags are not visible in the final output.
The two most popular markup languages are HTML and XML. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is used for the creation of websites. When added to a plain text document, HTML tags describe how this document should be displayed by a web browser. To understand how HTML works, let’s take the example of bold tags. The HTML version would be written as follows:
<b>Make this sentence bold!</b>
When the browser reads this, it knows to display that sentence in bold. This is what the user sees:
Make this sentence bold!
XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. It is a markup language very similar to HTML; however, while HTML was designed to display data with a focus on how it looks, XML was designed purely to store and transport data. Unlike HTML, XML tags are not predefined; rather, they are created by the author of the document. The point of XML is to simplify data sharing and transport, platform changes and data availability, as it provides a software and hardware-independent means of storing, transporting and sharing data.
Style sheet languages
A style sheet is basically a set of stylistic rules. Style sheet languages are used, quite literally, to style documents that are written in markup languages.
Consider a document written in HTML and styled using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a style sheet language. The HTML is responsible for the content and structure of the web page, while CSS determines how this content should be presented visually. CSS can be used to add colours, change fonts, insert backgrounds and borders, as well as to style forms. CSS is also used to optimize web pages for responsive design, ensuring they adapt their layout to whatever device the user is on.
Database languages
Languages are not only used for building websites, software and apps; they are also used to create and manage databases.
Databases are used to store huge volumes of data. The Spotify music app, for example, uses databases to store music files, as well as data about the user’s listening preferences. Likewise, social media apps like Instagram use databases to store user profile information; every time a user updates their profile in some way, the app’s database will also update.
Databases are not designed to understand the same languages that apps are programmed in, so it’s essential to have a language that they do understand — like SQL, the standard language for accessing and manipulating relational databases. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It has its own markup, and basically enables programmers to work with the data held in a database system.
What are libraries and frameworks?
Web developers also work with libraries and frameworks. Despite much confusion, they are not the same thing — although they are both there to make the developer’s job easier.
Libraries and frameworks are essentially sets of prewritten code, but libraries are smaller and tend to be used for more specific use-cases. A library contains a collection of useful code, grouped together to be reused later. The purpose of a library is to enable developers to reach the same end goal while writing less code to get there.
Let’s take the example of JavaScript, the language, and jQuery, a JavaScript library. Rather than writing, say, ten lines of code in JavaScript, the developer can take the condensed, prewritten version from the jQuery library — saving time and effort.
A framework contains ready-made components and tools that enable the developer to write code faster, and many frameworks also contain libraries. It gives the developer a structure to work from, and the framework you choose to work with will largely dictate the way you build your website or app, so choosing a framework is a big decision. Some popular frameworks include Bootstrap, Rails and Angular.
The easiest way to understand libraries and frameworks is to imagine you are building a house. The framework provides the foundation and the structure, as well as instructions or guidelines for completing certain tasks. Say you want to install an oven in your new home: you could buy the separate components and build the oven from scratch, or you could pick a ready-made oven from the store. Just like building a website, you can write the code from scratch or you can take pre-written code from a library and simply insert it.
Other web development tools
Web developers will also use a text editor, such as Atom, Sublime or Visual Studio Code, to write their code; a web browser, such as Chrome or Firefox; and an extremely crucial tool: Git!
Git is a version control system where developers can store and manage their code. As a web developer, it’s inevitable that you’ll make constant changes to your code, so a tool like Git that enables you to track these changes and reverse them if necessary is extremely valuable. Git also makes it easier to work with other teams and to manage multiple projects at once. Git has become such a staple in the world of web development that it’s now considered really bad practice not to use it.
Another extremely popular tool is GitHub, a cloud interface for Git. GitHub offers all the version control functionality of Git, but also comes with its own features such as bug tracking, task management and project wikis. GitHub not only hosts repositories; it also provides developers with a comprehensive toolset, making it easier to follow best practices for coding. It is considered the place to be for open-source projects, and also provides a platform for web developers to showcase their skills. You can learn more about the importance of GitHub here.
