There has never been a more opportune time to delve into the realm of web development. With a median annual compensation of approximately $73,000, web development recently earned the prestigious title of the ninth-ranking tech career according to U.S. News and World Report.
Surpassing the average growth rate across all professions, the demand for proficient developers is projected to surge by 13% in the upcoming decade, as outlined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This forecast translates to the creation of nearly 25,000 additional job opportunities by the year 2030.
Mastering coding skills has become an essential requisite for pursuing a career in web development or even for crafting side applications. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the most widely utilized tools and frameworks used in website creation, along with insights into their functionalities.
Which Language for Web Development? A Comprehensive Guide
Web developers use a wide variety of computer languages to create the wide variety of sites they do:
The “front end” or “client-side” is where some computer languages are used. Web pages’ buttons and image interfaces are all examples of front-end development. Front-end languages include common web standards like HTML and CSS.
Languages like Python and Java, on the other hand, are better tailored for the backend of websites. Referred to as “server-side languages,” they facilitate communication between the user interface and essential backend components such as databases and web servers.
A proficient full-stack developer possesses the skillset to write code for both the frontend and backend aspects of a website or application. Typically, developers initially familiarize themselves with front-end languages like JavaScript.
JavaScript
For the eighth consecutive year, JavaScript maintained its position as the leading programming language in StackOverflow’s 2022 Developer Survey of Popularity. Alongside CSS and HTML, JavaScript constitutes one of the trio of primary languages employed in website development.
Among the scripting languages, JavaScript stands out. It eliminates the necessity for translating its source code into machine code prior to execution.
Predominantly recognized for its front-end applications, JavaScript is also a comprehensive full-stack language.
Its capabilities encompass the creation of dynamic content for websites, exemplified by functionalities like:
- Interactive tabs
- Images featuring pinch-and-click zoom functionality
- Embedded media within web pages
Some of the internet’s most prominent platforms, including LinkedIn, Amazon, and Facebook, have harnessed JavaScript to construct their user interfaces.
Beyond frontend uses, JavaScript finds a place in the domain of server-side applications built upon Node.js. This framework enables developers to produce JavaScript applications compatible with diverse platforms, spanning Linux, macOS, Windows, and even Windows Phone.
Benefiting from an extensive user community and abundant documentation, JavaScript offers an enjoyable and accessible programming experience. As you master its foundational principles, you can leverage its libraries and frameworks to elevate your programming endeavors.
React.js and React Native
Both React.js and React Native are free tools for creating user interfaces.
React.js is a framework for creating, arranging, and displaying modular code. Because of this, creating apps is easier and more manageable. Changes may be made without having to directly modify the primary interface since React.js employs a virtual document object model (DOM).
Although some programmers have used it to create desktop applications, React Native is primarily a framework for creating native mobile ones. Using React.js as its foundation, it expands upon that framework with the help of other languages like Java and C++.
When it comes to creating cutting-edge websites, many developers turn to the React framework.
AngularJS
AngularJS is an open-source structural framework for dynamic app construction. It uses HTML as its template language but extends the available syntax so you can build and scale Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). An RIA gives web apps more interactivity and visual appeal by integrating elements of graphical desktop applications.
AngularJS creates single-page applications (SPAs). A SPA loads a single document and updates the content of that document using JavaScript. This fast-tracks the loading process and improves app performance.
AngularJS improves the SPA build process by providing:
- Unit testability
- Reusable code components
- Data binding for a more responsive experience
- JavaScript-powered controllers for HTML views
More functionality with shorter code
As a cross-platform framework, AngularJS works on all major web browsers and can create mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Python
Python is a general-purpose language that’s intuitive to learn and capable of creating highly advanced programs. In 2021, Python topped the list of most popular programming languages for the first time.
Most famous as the go-to programming language for machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science, Python is also one of the best languages for web development. Primarily used on the back end, Python is an excellent language for beginners. Its syntax is simple and highly readable, even if it’s your first coding language.
Python is also an object-oriented programming language; it divides your code into self-contained units that you can transfer between projects to avoid redundant, from-scratch programming.
Most importantly, Python boasts an extensive and growing collection of modules, libraries, and frameworks collections of pre-written code that let you scale app and software development quickly.
Django
Django was developed to meet the fast-paced needs of a newsroom, and it shows. This open-source framework speeds the creation of functioning, scalable web applications, so you can build a functioning app in a matter of hours.
With Django, you get almost every structural component you might need “out of the box,” letting you build out the details of your app without wasting time on parts that have already been built. You also get pre-packaged solutions for common web development tasks, including user authentication and site mapping.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the most popular markup language in the world, and it is a must-learn for front-end web developers. Compared to languages like JavaScript and Python, HTML is relatively simple.
HTML is a declarative markup language. It defines the elements of a web page through labeling—it does not process logic, manipulate data, or take inputs and produce outputs like a scripting language would. It is strictly used for page structuring and templating. Most beginning front-end developers start by learning HTML, and the format that web pages take when stored on servers.
It’s impossible to code a functioning website without HTML. In fact, if you right-click on any web page (not on a link) and select View Page Source, you can see the HTML for that site.
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) work hand-in-hand with HTML. CSS is a styling language—a special kind of declarative language that describes what HTML code should look like on-screen.
PHP
PHP, short for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a server scripting language. This language creates scripts on web servers that create customized responses for each user’s request—unlike what you’d get with a website that looks the same to everyone.
Learning PHP lets you create web pages that have customized user interfaces. One well-known example is WordPress, which uses PHP to structure and display thousands of different websites to visitors. PHP is why your WordPress site looks different than your colleague’s, and why you and other WordPress users have different dashboards.
What is the best programming language for web development?
If there were one simple answer to this question, there wouldn’t be so many languages on this list. JavaScript is a stellar language for front-end development, but you still need to know HTML and CSS to make it shine. And if you want to code on the back end, you’ll need something like Python under your belt.
Think of your programming knowledge as a toolbox. Every language you learn is a tool in that box. Being a successful developer means having command over several languages and knowing which to draw on in a particular situation.
What web development languages are best for beginners?
If you’re a beginner at web programming, it can be tough to choose which language to learn first. Remember, most web development students start learning at the front end. Look for a course in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
Python is also easy for beginners to learn. There’s nothing wrong with starting there if you’re interested in the back end or software development more broadly.
Where can I learn web development?
Man on computer happily using his programming and development skills.
Once you have an idea of where you want to start, check out the courses available. edX has high-quality web development courses and programs from some of the world’s top institutions. Full Stack Open is also a popular free resource that covers many of the basics of modern web development.
Key Takeaway
Finally, don’t feel like you have to learn everything about web development all at once. It’s a process, so take it step by step and enjoy every new skill you pick up. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to code your first web page.
A well-thought-out decision on the language to employ for web development is what opens the way for creativity, efficiency, and a fantastic user experience.
For your next project in web development, which language will you use?