Backend, frontend and full stack – differences and similarities

Although we talk about backend, frontend and full stack in the context of web programming or application development, in a stricter sense they refer to professionals who do this work. Their very names – “front” and “back” – refer to the scope of tasks they perform, as well as the technologies they use.

Frontend vs. backend

The differences between frontend and backend programmers are related to the scope of their duties – but they both meet at one point, which is the final of their joint work. The success of their project is determined by harmonious cooperation.

To simplify things a bit, we can say that frontend developer is responsible for what is on the front (“front”), and backend developer – for what is on the back (“back”). Thanks to the first specialist the website or application looks in a specific way, while the second one works on its operation (his area is servers, databases, etc.). Although a novice specialist already at the start of their career decides in which direction they will go, nothing prevents them from moving to the “other side of the power” at some point. Such a backend developer, who decided to explore the secrets of the frontend, becomes a full stack – a versatile professional, and therefore extremely desirable on the market of IT specialists.

Frontend developer – landscape architect

As you already know, a frontend developer is a person who makes a website or an application look the way you see it. Therefore, we can say that he/she is a professional responsible for the design of a particular service. Among other things, his/her work is the source version of the page in HTML, as well as the styling in CSS. It is also his/her responsibility to make sure that in its final version, the service looks and behaves exactly as intended.

As an expert in the field, a frontend developer should have a black belt in HTML and CSS. JavaScript and React JS and Anguar JS frameworks can’t block them either. To sum up, we can safely say that what kind of front-end developer, such user experience.

Backend developer – efficient mechanic

If the frontend developer gives us what is visible, then the backend specialist works on what is hidden in the backend. They are a highly skilled mechanics who makes sure that the complicated machinery that is the website or the app works according to our expectations. The core tasks of a backend developer are: creating the application interface (API), giving functionality, working with databases (including ensuring communication between them), ensuring that the website or application will work as intended. Moreover, the backend is also responsible for data security and monitoring the performance of the solution.

In their work, backend developer will not do without in-depth knowledge of PHP language – essential for creating a website. Similarly to the frontend, he or she should have JavaScript in the palm of their hand, thanks to which the prepared solution becomes fully interactive. A backend specialist also knows SQL, Ruby and Python. He perfectly knows jQuery library and frameworks, around which the application is built. 

Full stack – multi-instrumentalist

Paraphrasing the slogan from the old cartoon: the combination of backend and frontend skills creates … full stack! So we are dealing here with a specialist of no mean kind. Full stack draws from the knowledge and experience of both backend and frontend developers, becoming useful at every stage of creating a particular solution. It is a professional who knows programming languages necessary for both sides and is familiar with the basics of virtualization. The key to understanding his role is the very name of the position taken up by them. “Stack” is Polish for “heap” or more like “collection” – so we can talk about a full (stack) collection of skills and experiences that make this person a true programming virtuoso.

A career in IT? Try it!

Working in IT is an interesting, inspiring, ambitious and well-paid job. Specialists in this industry take part in projects which often change the face of many market segments – not only those strictly related to IT. If you have the right knowledge, skills and are ready to improve your qualifications, apply for a position at Da Vinci Studio!  

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