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Frontend Development

▾ 4 MINUTE READ — CLOSE

Frontend development requires much more than writing code. Like other aspects of technology, the goals of frontend development have changed over the last decade. Under this topic, we discuss frontend development and its benefits, challenges faced by developers, and new trends The New Stack watches out for in software development. 
What Is Frontend Development?
Frontend development, also known as client-side development, is the implementation of the vision and design concept of web pages or applications through code. 

A fascinating aspect of frontend development is the emergence of new architectures in the early 2020s. We track closely two of them: 

Web3 (blockchain combined with web architecture) 
Metaverse (a yet-to-be built 3D version of the internet, supported by Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and others) 

There are increasing opportunities for frontend developers to make an impact in both Web3 and the metaverse. 
What Does a Frontend Developer Do? 
All developers must know how to wrangle data. From APIs and databases to the new paradigm of decentralized storage in Web3 — we cover it all. Machine learning is also increasingly important to developers, in particular with the programming language Python.

A frontend developer is in charge of executing design and content directions through code. These developers enable interfaces to look pleasing on all devices — phones, tablets, and computers. Frontend developers aim to provide the best user experience for customers and ensure that the overall software layout is consistent. 
Programming Languages for Frontend Developers
To develop client-facing sections of software, a developer needs to be familiar with these three main languages:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

Knowledge of libraries, frameworks and other relevant tools can come after mastery of the core programming languages. 
The Rise of Low-Code Solutions
Low-code is fast becoming a viable method of creating applications — for enterprises and governments alike. We track the impact of low-code and visual programming in general on the wider frontend development industry.

The frontend development world is dominated by JavaScript, including popular frameworks such as React, Vue, and Angular. We cover all the latest developments in JS frameworks, including ways to potentially route around them — for example, with Web Components, an HTML-native alternative to using JavaScript. 
Frontend vs. Backend vs. Full Stack Development 
Software development is the process of creating, deploying, and delivering computer code. There are different aspects of software development, each with its own approach. 

Frontend development as stated earlier is the codification of design concepts to create a satisfactory user experience. 

Backend development, also known as server-side development, deals with the more technical aspects of creating software. Backend development revolves around databases, APIs, backend logic, and servers. 

A backend developer aids communication between browsers and databases and writes code to store, update, retrieve, and delete data depending on the user’s desired action.   

Full stack development is the combination of both client-facing and server-side development activities. Full stack developers work on both frontend and backend to design complete web applications. 
Why Frontend Development Is Important 
As more businesses compete for customers’ attention, the ability to stand out among similar organizations is essential to a company’s success. Frontend development activities result in the first touchpoints for many clients or customers and can be the determining factor in organizational performance. 

Here are some of the reasons why frontend development is vital: 
Successful Branding 
The execution of a good frontend development plan results in powerful branding. When all logos, colors, and elements reflect an organization’s beliefs and values, customers are able to easily associate the software with the brand. This prevents a disconnection in sales processes and increases conversions. 
Brand Confidence 
A web application with a clean layout and clear focus portrays a brand as competent and capable of delivering quality products and services. The proper implementation of design through software development also builds customers’ confidence in an organization. 
Optimized Navigation
Frontend development makes navigation around a website or application easy. Users are able to find what they are looking for easily leading to a better experience and visitor retention. 
Frontend Development Challenges 
Frontend development is advancing at a pace that is difficult to keep up with. However, there are certain recurring challenges that surface in spite of the new direction of frontend development.

Some challenges faced by software engineers and other specialists in the frontend development space are:

Balancing long-term and short-term design decisions. As design preferences change throughout the years within organizations, maintaining a balance between core design principles and new trends may be slightly challenging. 
Understanding and communicating search engine optimization (SEO) concepts. Asides from providing a great user experience, getting web pages seen is a priority for organizations. Ensuring that frontend development activities follow best SEO practices can be challenging. especially when other teams are not aware of its importance. 
Coding JavaScript in a robust way. In the past, JavaScript wasn’t a dominant programming language, and many solutions were not JavaScript intensive. Now, many web applications require that JavaScript is working and maintained on all browsers. 
Selecting the right tools. Given all the many libraries, frameworks, and programming languages existing today, it can be a challenge to choose the right tools for your project. Each tool has its perks and drawbacks.  
Ensuring that all user interface (UI) elements work as intended. As frontend developers implement design directions, ensuring that all flips, movements, and other elements appear as intended may be difficult to achieve. 

Explore Software Development News on The New Stack
At The New Stack, we keep tabs on emerging frontend development languages and tools such as Svelte. We also monitor the incorporation of web animation, motion designs, APIs, and CSS animations in frontend development. As part of our coverage, we explore the technical foundations of emerging platforms such as Web3.

Tracking technical progress on the web platform is also a key part of our coverage — browser technology, web standards, and cross-platform mobile technologies such as Flutter and React Native. We occasionally look into mobile internet development, too, but we have a keen interest towards reporting on open web technologies.


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jellyfish
API Management / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
The Shape of Things to Come: GraphQL and the Web of APIs
7 Mar 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
NFTs
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
Can NFT Technology Expand Beyond Digital Apes and Punks?
28 Feb 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
RSS3
Data / Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development
RSS3 Brings Syndication Feeds (and FriendFeed) to Web3
21 Feb 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
The Graph
API Management / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
APIs in Web3 with The Graph — How It Differs from Web 2.0
14 Feb 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Dfinity
Cloud Services / Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development
Internet Computer: Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Clouds
7 Feb 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
copypasta
Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
Solana Uses Rust to Pull in Developers and Avoid Copypasta
31 Jan 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Nader Dabit Web3
Data / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
The Web3 Stack: What Web 2.0 Developers Need to Know
24 Jan 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
web3 dev ecosystem
Cloud Native Ecosystem / Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development
Web3 Developer Ecosystem Is Tiny, but Steep Uptake in 2021
18 Jan 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Omniverse robot
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Nvidia Announces Expansion of Omniverse to Consumer Internet
10 Jan 2022 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
5 Internet Technology Predictions for 2022
27 Dec 2021 11:17am, by Richard MacManus
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
Top 5 Internet Technology Stories of 2021
20 Dec 2021 7:00am, by Richard MacManus
2021
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Top 5 Internet Technologies of 2021
13 Dec 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Andrew Bosworth
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
Meta and the Metaverse: It Better Not Be Mobile Internet 2.0
6 Dec 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
elephant
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
PHP Has Survived for 26 Years Because It Keeps Evolving
29 Nov 2021 8:28am, by Richard MacManus
OpenSea NFTs
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
It’s a Web3 World Now — How the Hype Compares to Web 2.0
22 Nov 2021 6:53am, by Richard MacManus
Shopify Hydrogen
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Tools
Dynamic by Default: Shopify’s Hydrogen, a New Take on React
15 Nov 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Una Kravets presenting at Chrome Dev Summit 2021.
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Chrome Dev Summit: It’s a Web Evolution, Not Revolution
8 Nov 2021 7:00am, by Richard MacManus
Guillermo Rauch
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Tools
How Next.js 12 Connects to Low-Code and Visual Design Tools
1 Nov 2021 7:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Why Outdated jQuery Is Still the Dominant JavaScript Library
25 Oct 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Web Apps vs. Native Apps: The Growth of Progressive Web Apps
18 Oct 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Is Web3 Really Decentralized? A Look at Alchemy and BitClout
11 Oct 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Culture / Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology
Web3 Architecture and How It Compares to Traditional Web Apps
4 Oct 2021 7:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development / Technology
Apple’s Browser Engine Ban Is Holding Back Web App Innovation
27 Sep 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Microservices / Open Source / Software Development
Why Decoupled Architectures Now Make Sense for WordPress
13 Sep 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Open Source / Software Development
Frontity and the Future of WordPress as a Dev Platform
7 Sep 2021 6:00am, by Richard MacManus
Frontend Development / Software Development / Technology / Tools
A Look at Omniverse Kit, Nvidia’s Metaverse SDK
23 Aug 2021 9:00am, by Richard MacManus
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