You might want to try out web development if you’re easily fascinated by beautiful websites. The first web page went online in 1991. Thirty years later, we have nearly two hundred million active websites.
Web developers are in great demand. Moreover, web development is becoming more complex, giving plenty of room for improvement. You can expect stable work opportunities if you master web development tools and reach senior level.
This article overviews 7 things a web developer should know. We hope it will help you decide whether this discipline is for you and guide you through the process of creating your first websites.
1. Text Editor
When writing code, you will spend most of your time in the text editor. You will write thousands of lines of code, which need to be readable. Text editors assist by providing valuable features, such as:
- Syntax visibility. Different code elements will have different colors for better visibility.
- Shortcuts. They will automate everyday tasks like opening a file, duplicating lines of code, opening a terminal, etc.
- Auto-completion. Most text editors suggest completing the names of code classes, variables, and keywords.
There are many JavaScript text editors to choose from. Spend some time reading through reviews to pick the one you find most comfortable.
2. HTML
HTML stands for Hypertext markup language. HTML is the bones of the website. It designates website elements’ structure, placement, and features. Knowing HTML is crucial because it forms the fundamental structure of the website.
3. CSS
CSS stands for cascading style sheets. Often you will learn HTML and CSS at the same time. CSS allows a more extensive website design, adding fonts, layout, color, and other design elements. Nowadays, it’s essential to use CSS for responsive design. Most contemporary websites run on PC, mobile, and tablets. Web designers must ensure they look good on all devices.
4. JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages. A vast majority of web designers specialize in JavaScript. Right now, 98% of websites use JavaScript for client-side programming. Moreover, it is regularly updated with new libraries and frameworks, expanding capabilities. You need to know JavaScript in and out to work alongside the best web designers. Luckily, there are many awesome web development courses and books teaching JavaScript. For example, “Eloquent JavaScript” is an excellent online book with valuable exercises.
5. Writing Clean Code
Learning to write clean code is essential for any programmer. Firstly, your code will be deployed to production. When other people inspect your code, they need to make sense of it. Moreover, you will debug your code easier after you learn to write clean code. After writing tens of thousands of lines of code, it’s essential to have a system to navigate it.
6. Writing Secure Code
Cybersecurity knowledge will significantly help you to stand out. Cybercrime is rising, and companies expect their developers to write code that is secure. It does not mean you need to specialize in cybersecurity. However, knowing JavaScript vulnerabilities will assist you in working with CySec departments.
Furthermore, you will be using additional tools. Many developers use Cloud storage for cross-device information accessibility. Make sure you use secure cloud storage that provides file encryption. It’s essential if you store the code there.
7. Additional JavaScript Libraries
Once you master the basics, choose an additional JavaScript library. They provide tons of valuable extra features. For example, Meta provides ReactJS, an open-source JavaScript library. It allows for building interactive web applications and user interfaces with less code and more efficiency.
Final Words
Regarding web development, it might feel that the more you learn, the more you don’t know. Don’t let that intimidate you. Online communication is a complex topic. However, studying and patience can make you an outstanding web developer. These highly paid specialists regularly receive the most lucrative job opportunities.
