Becoming a front-end developer is easier said than done, but if you want to become one in 2022, know that there is an abundance of resources to get you started! For one, you should read this article to understand the basic prerequisites of achieving this desire of yours. Front-end developers have perspective, it is a prosperous career path, and an interesting one. You will need to learn about various tools, programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and it will take time, but the effort will pay off, so let’s get started!
The Skills You Should Master First
Note that skilled front-end developers are highly sought after, but here are the basic explanations of some essential skills you will need to learn in order for employers to consider you as a serious candidate:
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
The HyperText Markup Language is a tool that defines the organizational structure and layout of a website’s content. It is a programming language with two main uses. The first use is linking web pages on-site or off-site. The second use is marking content with markup tags. Every web page is stored as an individual HTML page containing HTML characteristics divided by tags. The tags are names of elements enclosed by less-than and more-than signs (< and >). For example, paragraphs can be tagged with ‘<p>’, and this tag will be placed before and after a paragraph of text. Furthermore, the actions and design of the paragraph can be customized in detail with further tag definitions (type, class, name, or identifier of the said paragraph).
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Cascading Style Sheets is a scripting language based on sheets that are used to change an HTML element’s appearance on web pages. CSS is used by front-end developers to directly reference HTML elements, including blocks, paragraphs, buttons, etc. CSS is an excellent tool that can modify an infinite number of HTML tags that hold the same names, types, or identifiers. The key to properly using CSS is the placement of the code, no matter its size. With the right placement, you can change the font, spacing, background, color, and other visual elements of a website, which will significantly improve its appearance, resulting in an enhanced user experience.
JavaScript (Java)
JavaScript is a tool that adds interactivity and dynamics to various web page elements or buttons. This scripting language is light and robust, and it adds a lot of functionality and value to web pages. Front-end developers use Java to control the visual and sound effects of websites, animate content such as images, alter the content in various ways, and handle user input. Java is what makes all the clickable buttons on the website have a proper function and allow website users to order products, sign up for a newsletter, open the About Page of a website, etc. More than 94% of all sites in the world use Java, so it is definitely on the first-to-learn list if you want to be a successful front-end developer.
Document Object Model (DOM) Manipulation
DOM is used as a base for every HTML page. DOM is an object representation of a web page that helps developers manipulate certain objects using scripting languages such as Java. These objects include premade groups of programming data and functions. DOM resembles a tree that corresponds to an HTML page. The elements of this tree are HTML tags, which may be modified with Java. DOM manipulation allows for user input on websites, such as leaving comments. In summary, DOM, HTML, and JavaScript are all co-dependent, and as a front-end developer, you will need to use these tools in unison.
Node.js (Node)
Node.js is a library integrated with Java that is used to construct network applications with scale and capacity to handle huge user inputs and traffic. Node helps developers run Java code externally (not within a browser) and relay information from the server and client-side scripts. Node allows developers to construct real-time apps, such as dynamic pages, flash games, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX)
AJAX is a bread and butter tool for front-end developers. It is a common framework that utilizes integrated XMLHttpRequest (XHR) objects to obtain data from web servers. After the fact, the acquired data is used or displayed by Java or DOM. AJAX saves resources by allowing web pages to be rendered without reloading. The result is better user experience, decreased loading time, and better optimization.
Structured Query Language (SQL) and Not Only SQL (NoSQL)
SQL and NoSQL are essential tools used by front-end developers to access permanently stored data. SQL is used to interact with relational databases such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL, and Oracle, which are all used to structure data in tables.
NoSQL is used for non-relational databases, i.e. it permits data access not based on standardized structure. SQL is slower and better for smaller databases, while NoSQL frameworks are more suited for sizable databases.
The Best Ways To Acquire The Knowledge
Now you know about the necessary skills you need to acquire, but what are the best ways to learn? Thanks to living in modern times, your options are nearly unlimited. You can learn from books, paid courses, boot camps for coding, and of course, by doing research on the internet.
Basically, there are two options, you can pay for the knowledge, or get it free, depending on what is more available to you, time or money. If you have money, you will probably learn about becoming a front-end developer much faster than you would for free. Check for local courses, e.g. the ones offered by your local programming college or university. You can also find many excellent paid front-end developer courses online. If you are really dedicated to becoming a front-end developer, you may also consider joining a university for a full education, but know that you will need to commit to several years of learning.
The free option is still fantastic, albeit it may take more time and effort. Still, you can become a self-taught front-end developer simply by attending free courses, reading about programming tools at your local library, listening to front-end developer advice podcasts, or watching YouTube videos dedicated to the matter at hand.
Final Advice
As a last bit of advice, we suggest checking out Audible, Skillshare, Goodreads, and Front-end Masters for any newbie front-end developers to be. All of these platforms are inexpensive and a great starting point for any aspiring developer. Note that you will need to input a lot of time and effort into becoming a front-end developer in 2022, but your hard work and effort will pay off. This profession is becoming progressively popular, and it will always be in high demand, not to mention, the salaries in this sector are rather decent in most countries. Hopefully, our advice will help you seek out your dreams and make them a reality, good luck!
