Difference Between Frontend And Backend

The terms ‘frontend’ and ‘backend’ have become commonplace in the web and software development world, but many people are still unfamiliar with their definitions and how they function in relation to programming. Put simply, frontend and backend refer to two distinct sides of development- one that is visible and accessible to the user, and one that works behind the scenes and is accessible only to a coder. Even those of us who are new to coding can use these two key terms, so let’s dive in and learn a bit more about how frontend and backend relate to one another. 

Frontend development is the process of constructing what is called a user interface (UI). This includes the interface in which a user will interact with a program. Frontend developers bring a page to life with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, and it helps structure the page, determine which elements will be displayed, and decide what content appears on the page. CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, assists in making the page look attractive. CSS is responsible for adding graphics, colors, borders, and elements that make a page visually appealing. Finally, JavaScript is the most popular interactive element used in frontend development, and it is responsible for making the page interactive with the user, incorporating things such as navigation, dropdowns, and other interactive elements.

Backend development focuses on the behind-the-scenes elements of a website or a program. Using a backend language such as Java, PHP, and Ruby, the developer is able to access databases and incorporate server-side logic. Server-side logic typically incorporates authentication and authorization, which enables users to access the application with a username and password. Additionally, it also assists with processing user data, form submissions, and other inputs. Backend development also serves as the engine of a website, processing the inputs, computations, and interfacing with external APIs to serve the user required output. 

To sum up, frontend and backend development are two sides of the same coin, inextricably linked to each other. Frontend development focuses on the user interface, making it visually appealing and interactive, while backend development focuses on the behind-the-scenes elements, such as authentication, authorization, processing user data, and server-side logic. Working together, frontend and backend allow developers to create fully functional web pages, programs, and applications.