What is Web Development - Web Development & Web Design Company

Web development means building and maintaining websites; It is the work that takes place in the background and that allows a website to have an impeccable appearance, fast operation and good performance to allow the best user experience. Web developers are like elves with powers: you never see them, but they are the ones that make everything right and work quickly and efficiently.

The knowledge and skills linked to web development are the most demanded and also the highest-paid. It is a race with many possibilities and exits. Here you can learn more about how to become a web developer and get an official degree through the OpenClassrooms Web Development Program - Frontend.

 But how to achieve it?

Web developers do it through various programming languages. The language they use at each moment depends on the type of task they are doing. Web development is generally divided into Frontend (the client part) and Backend (the server part).

Frontend, Backend or Full-stack, who is who?

A Frontend developer takes care of the composition, design and interactivity using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The Frontend developer takes an idea and makes it a reality. What you see and what you use, such as the visual aspect of the website, the drop-down menus and the text, are created by the Frontend developer, who writes a series of programs to give structure, shape and interactivity to these elements. These programs are then run through a browser.

The Backend developer takes care of what is not seen, that is, where the data is stored. Without data there is no Frontend. The Backend consists of the server that hosts the web, an application to run it and a database. The Backend developer uses computer programs to ensure that the server, application and database have regular joint performance. In addition, it analyzes what the company needs and provides efficient programming solutions. To do this amazing job, use a series of server-side languages, such as PHP, Ruby, Python and Java.

If you are interested in both Frontend and Backend, you should consider becoming a Full-stack developer . The Full-stack developer is in charge of both the Frontend and the Backend, and needs to know how the web works at all levels to determine how the client part and the server part will be coordinated. To achieve this level of experience, more time is needed, of course, since there is more to learn.  

' Whatever aspect of web development attracts you, we have courses and paths that can help you reach your goals. ' Emily Reese, Web developer and Teacher at OpenClassrooms.

First steps

Don't worry if at first the word development intimidates you. You don't have to learn everything at once and now it is possible to learn to program without going to college.

' I have never actually worked with a web developer who studied computer science at university! They all came from different backgrounds - Philosophy, Math, Art History - which results in a very diverse and multifaceted web development eco-system. ' Emily Reese, Web developer and Teacher at OpenClassrooms.

You have to be the one who decides which aspect of web development interests you most, and once you are clear, start learning a programming language. For example, if you are interested in Frontend, you can start studying HTML and CSS and, once you have learned the basics, carry out projects where you apply the acquired knowledge. At the same time, you can increase your knowledge by studying new programming languages ​​such as JavaScript, to make interactive and original websites. If you still don't know him, we recommend the Learn to program with JavaScript taught by Pablo course.

Join OpenClassrooms!

There are many online resources that allow you to study all aspects of web development. OpenClassrooms has several free online courses for you to start in web programming and, in addition, it has a Web Development Program - OpenClassrooms Frontend , which will allow you to get an official degree.

It also helps to join a discussion group or a developer community, so you can share ideas and answer questions. Therefore, in OpenClassrooms you become part of our community once you enroll in one of our programs. 

Emily Reese, developer and teacher at OpenClassrooms, tells us how she came to web programming: “ I studied Art History and Architecture and that was when I decided to become a developer. It was while working at Kickstarter that I discovered how the web can complement creativity in art. This happens in many areas, probably also where you work. "

The advantages of becoming a web professional

“Becoming a web professional allows you to work in almost any field, because currently the web is present in all professional fields. You can be a web developer and specialize in the art world or in the automobile industry. ” Says Emily Reese . The developers are generally well paid. And the good news is that, in addition, it is one of the most demanded careers in the labor market. To this is added the fact that it is an easily accessible profession, that is, you do not need to train at the university because the quality of your work speaks for itself.

We hope you now have clearer what web development is. If you would like to turn programming into your profession, check out our Web Development Program - Frontend .