How can you explain web development to non-technical people?

Web Development is the task of building an organization's public, interactive face online (or, "interface"). These interfaces are often called "websites," but these days, this software can be so rich and so complex that they tend to be called "web apps." The user-facing side of a web app – what users see and touch – is the "Front-end." In this space, we focus on user experience, design, craftsmanship, security, and accessibility: fulfilling the needs of the business by fulfilling the needs of the user. The business-facing side of the app – the services, the data, the business logic – is the "Back-end." Here, we focus on architecture, organization, data integrity, reliability, and (of course) security. What are you curious about?

I remember a conference I spoke at earlier this year, and someone asked me how I would explain the concept of web development to a 5-year-old or someone not familiar with software development. I replied with the simplest definition: Web development is all about crafting websites and web applications. It involves using different coding languages, tools, and frameworks to shape how a website looks and functions. There are two key parts to web development: front-end, which deals with the visible parts of a website that users interact with, and back-end, which handles the behind-the-scenes data and functionality.

Webdevelopment is like creating a beautiful painting. The only difference is that tools are changed. For base drawing instead of brush we use html. For colors intead of colors we use css For intereaction with painting we have JS Just like for painting there is exhibitions, for website, we put it in a server. And just like for painting we have fancy tools for development we have fancy libraries.

Imagine you're opening a restaurant. Front-end is the dining area, everything the customer sees and interacts with, from the menu to the tables and chairs. Back-end is the kitchen where chefs (servers, databases) prepare the food (data) and handle orders (requests). Web development is the process of building this restaurant, ensuring customers have a pleasant experience, the decor is inviting (UI/UX), and the kitchen runs efficiently to serve meals quickly and accurately.

Front-end development is an exhilarating journey through the digital realm. It's about crafting user experiences that captivate and connect. From the first line of code that shapes a button's appearance to the final touch that brings an interface to life, every detail matters. At the heart of front-end development lies a delicate balance between creativity and logic. It's not just about making things look pretty; it's about making them work seamlessly. It's the art of translating design concepts into responsive layouts, ensuring they adapt flawlessly across devices and screen sizes. It's the thrill of seeing your work come to life, the satisfaction of a perfectly aligned layout, and the joy of users navigating with ease.

FrontEnd development is the client-side development part of web development, it includes coding in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, it is called HyperText Markup because here we have a set of markup symbols inserted into a file intended for display on the Internet. With CSS we can design our web page with only these two we can create static websites but to add dynamic content to our website we need to have JavaScript. With JavaScript, we can add functionalities to our web application, and handle user input and other events. Some of the modern technologies available for frontend development are ReactJS, AngularJS, VueJS, etc.

One way I explain this to non technical people is using the concept of cars. Frontend can be likened to car's body and interiors. it is everything that makes the car beautiful to look at and everything you can see on the car without actually driving the car or looking under the hood. In like manner Front-end development is everything the user can see on their app or browser and how they interact with it.

Front-end development focuses on building the visual and interactive aspects of a website that users directly engage with. Utilizing languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, front-end developers create responsive and user-friendly designs, ensuring the site looks and functions well across various devices. They often employ frameworks and libraries, such as React or Vue.js, to enhance interactivity and streamline development. The primary goal is to provide an intuitive user experience, translating the site's design into code while optimizing for performance and accessibility.

When my mother describes my job as a front-end developer, the answer would be "sitting in front of the laptop thingy, drinking coffee and doing something with the google web". My own answer would be, the creation of everything you see and interactive with on a website. So for customers its bringing a vision to life, for users its creating an intuitive, informative and seamless experience that is responsive on all platforms..... That, and centering divs

Back-end development is like building the infrastructure behind a grand stage performance. It's where databases house crucial data, servers process requests, and complex algorithms ensure seamless functionality. This realm demands an eye for detail and precision, where a single line of code can impact an entire system.Collaboration with front-end developers is a dance of synchronization. Together, we create a seamless user experience, with the front end interacting harmoniously with the back. It's the thrill of seeing a user's interaction trigger a cascade of processes on the back end, and the satisfaction of knowing my work keeps the digital world spinning.

Back-end development is like the hidden kitchen in a restaurant. While you enjoy the menu and delicious dishes, back-end developers use special codes to make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes—like preparing orders and organizing information. They're the chefs behind the website, making sure your online experience is as tasty and seamless as possible.

Think of a restaurant. When you're dining, you see the decor, the waitstaff, and your food. However, behind the scenes, there's a kitchen where chefs, prep cooks, and dishwashers are hard at work. They prepare your meal, manage supplies, and ensure everything runs smoothly. You don't see them, but their work is essential to your dining experience. It involves servers where the data is stored, databases that keep the data organized, and server-side scripts that process user requests. While invisible to the end-user, back-end development is crucial as it powers every function, from user logins to e-commerce transactions.

Back-end development is the invisible part of every websites, it is where most of the magics that amaze people like Facebook suggesting a random person you just met in a random place as friend, the tiktok videos that matches the last thing you imagined, the suggestions for you to buy the same set of things you bought from Amazon a week before, those frustrating personalized ads that follow you around the web and in your sleep originates from. What I'm trying to say is backend dev is the side of websites where the website contents/data are being processed like saving user info, displaying user info, login in, displaying contents, sending notification data, deleting contents, sending and routing real time messages / data and many more

Backend development is where the logic of the business lies. Questions like what data has to be collected , where should it be stored, when should it be retrieved are answered in the backend development. Choice of database and architecture (schema) is dealt with in the backend development. Security of the application is also configured in the backend development. Efficient development process involves reducing the number of interactions between the frontend and backend as this increases the load on the overall system.

Full-stack development is like being a chef who can create an entire meal, from appetizers to desserts. In web development, it means having skills to design the visible parts (front-end) of a website or app, manage the kitchen (back-end), handle ingredients (databases), run the restaurant (server management), ensure food safety (security), and provide a great dining experience (user experience). Full-stack developers are versatile and can handle all aspects of building a digital product.

Full-stack development is like being a jack-of-all-trades for websites. A full-stack developer can handle everything from designing how a website looks to making sure all the behind-the-scenes systems work seamlessly. They're like the architects and builders who can create an entire house, both its design and the hidden infrastructure.

In my opinion, full-stack development is a growing field that involves developing both the front-end and back-end components of a web application. Full-stack developers are skilled in multiple programming languages and frameworks, and can effectively work on all aspects of a web application, from database design and server-side programming to user interface and client-side scripting. This makes them highly versatile and valuable professionals who can handle a wide range of tasks in a software development program

A full-stack developer is the architect of the entire application. Blessed with knowledge of both front and back-end development, the full-stack developer can build applications fully on his own. He's the chef, he's the waiters, he's the entire restaurant crew, building and delivering from the server to the user-interface back and forth

Full-Stack Development as Cooking a Meal: ? Full-stack developers are like chefs. They handle everything—from chopping vegetables (front-end) to simmering sauces (back-end). Just as a chef balances flavors, full-stack developers balance user experience and functionality.

Web development is also the process of using social media as an effective tool for businesses to engage with customers, improve brand awareness, and increase sales. Social media allows businesses to become thought leaders and stand out from their competitors, and has become an incredibly effective way to engage with new, current and prospective customers. It can be a highly cost-effective and personalized way of reaching your customers while providing valuable insights into your brand. Social media marketing offers significant opportunities to organizations through lower costs, improved brand awareness, and increased sales.

As an experienced web developer, I've been involved in a diverse array of projects. I've built responsive e-commerce platforms, enabling seamless browsing and secure transactions. I've crafted content management systems, empowering clients to effortlessly update their websites. Creating interactive dashboards for data visualization and analysis has been another endeavor, offering insights at a glance. I've also developed social networking sites, connecting users globally. These projects showcase my versatility in designing user interfaces, implementing back-end functionalities, and ensuring optimal performance across the digital spectrum.

Web development projects span a wide spectrum, from the cozy nooks of personal portfolio sites to the bustling avenues of e-commerce empires. ---------- Picture a portfolio website, your digital business card showcasing your skills and passions. Then there are the blog havens, where words, images, and videos come together to tell stories. Social media platforms are bustling communities where users connect and share. E-commerce sites transform the web into a marketplace, offering everything from trinkets to treasures. Game websites transport you to worlds of graphics, sound, and animation, while web applications simplify life with tools like calculators or quizzes. Each project is a digital adventure waiting to be crafted and explored.

Web development projects can be compared to different types of construction projects. They include creating websites for businesses, online stores where you can shop, social media platforms like Facebook, and even interactive games you can play online. These projects use web developers to build and design the online spaces and services that people use every day.

1. E-Commerce Website: Building an online store where users can browse products, add items to their cart, and complete purchases securely. 2. Social Media Platform: Creating a social networking site where users can connect, share posts, photos, and interact with others. 3. Blogging Platform: Developing a blogging website where users can create, publish, and manage their own blogs with various features like comments and sharing. 4. Online Learning Platform: Designing a platform for online courses with user authentication, video playback, quizzes, and progress tracking. 5. Booking System: Creating a reservation platform for services like hotels, flights, or event tickets, allowing users to search, book, and manage their reservations.

A lot of people are scared off because they think they are not technical enough. Meanwhile a lot of options exist even for later career professionals or even folks that need full control of their time (remote work) to pivot to web development. Online career change schools such as Careerfoundry can even guarantee placement in a new role after course completion.

To learn web development, start with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals. Online tutorials and platforms like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and MDN Web Docs are invaluable. Practice by building simple projects like personal websites. Gradually, explore front-end frameworks (React, Vue) and back-end technologies (Node.js, Python). Build real-world projects, from e-commerce sites to portfolio pages. Join developer communities (Stack Overflow, GitHub) for guidance. Learn version control with Git. Read blogs, watch video tutorials, and attend meetups. Keep adapting to new tools and trends, and challenge yourself with complex projects.

Learning by doing is a great way: -find a project you can contribute to: an open source project, or your own startup. Begin by finding a goal first -find a course on the principles of object oriented programming, it will help you with almost any language you develop in -use one of the aforementioned resources to understand the principles of a language you want to code in. I like sololearn but codacademy and Udemy are good too. -just start coding against the goal. I suggest using chatGPT or equivalent LLM to write your tests first to define and perfect how the code should behave, then ask it to write code. Where you will really learn is from debugging that code. -apply good coding principles: DRY, SRP and notations will all help.

Learning web development can be approached through various means: Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or freeCodeCamp offer structured courses covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more. Interactive Tutorials: Websites like Codecademy or Mozilla Developer Network provide hands-on learning experiences. Books and Documentation: Reference books and online documentation from sources like MDN Web Docs or W3Schools offer in-depth information. Practice and Projects: Applying knowledge through building projects helps solidify understanding and practical skills. Community and Forums: Engaging with developer communities on platforms like Stack Overflow or GitHub can aid learning and problem-solving.

There are so many ways to answer this. I’ll give my perspective as a self-taught web developer. Taking training courses and programs - there are thousands of programs to choose from to teach you the basics all to way to advance concepts both free, affordable, and expensive like a coding bootcamp. Be sure to do a little research to make sure the training program you are interested in are up to date and not outdated. Stay in the loop - there are great blogs, newsletters, mentors, YouTubers who create great content to set you on the good path. Consider following industry leaders to keep up to date A bit of a shameless plus here, I do occasionally make web dev content here via LinkedIn posts and I run a web mentorship program online.

Becoming a web developer entails more than coding. Understand design principles, user experience (UX), and responsive layouts. Learn to collaborate with designers and communicate effectively. Dive into databases, learn SQL or NoSQL, and grasp CRUD operations. Explore APIs for integrating third-party services. Master version control with Git and use GitHub for collaboration. Understand web hosting, domains, and server management. Prioritize security, learning about authentication and data encryption. Stay curious, adaptable, and updated with industry trends. Build a strong portfolio showcasing diverse projects. Soft skills like problem-solving, time management, and teamwork are equally vital.

A web developer is not just a "one language or technology" developer. Most if not all of the web devs across the world are constantly learning every single day new tools, patterns, and many other layers that support their applications. This requires dedication and hard work, so if you got it, and you're up to the challenge - go learn to be a web dev and create something awsome!

Talking specific to website development, creating a website resembles constructing a digital house. 1. Planning, akin to drafting a blueprint, is crucial for identifying requirements. 2. Designers generate layouts based on specifications. 3. Developers utilize programming languages to construct the website’s structure, functionality, and interactivity. 4. Testing, similar to inspecting a house, ensures functionality before launch. 5. Launching (Move in) makes the website accessible to the users post-completion and testing. 6. Maintenance involves regular updates, security checks, and improvements, akin to house upkeep, to ensure effective operation and utilization of the latest technologies.

If you are looking at web development as a potential career path, do not waste your time trying to "learn everything" (i.e., frontend, backend, DevOps, AWS, etc. ) ... it is practically impossible. Don't believe me? Go ahead and try. Instead, learn the fundamentals of the most popular programming language in your region, then quickly switch your focus to the most popular framework written in that language (e.g., PHP + Laravel). When I and other business owners are searching for developers to hire, we are not looking for a "jack of all trades". We have a specific role on our team that needs to be filled. Whoever has the most experience in the specific technology/framework we need will usually get the job.

Make sure to understand the fundamentals, best practices, and good UX. UX design is a lot like the plumbing in a house. Plumbing might not be the most glamorous aspect of a home, but we can all agree it's absolutely essential. Imagine turning on your stylish faucet for a refreshing glass of water - and nothing happens! Similarly, have you ever visited a website where a button was unclickable? Or the top navigation mysteriously vanished if you didn't hover your cursor in just the right spot? Having a visually stunning website is a great start, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. Functionality and a seamless user experience are vital if you want those visitors to keep coming back to your site.