Other Details
Introduction
Computer programming was first introduced in the 19th century, when Ada Lovelace programmed the analytical machine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008), one in every 106 workers in the United States is a computer programmer or software engineer. (Seibel, 2009). Today programming has evolved to the level of art and science. From the sequential processing of COBOL we have come to Relational Databases and Cloud Computing. Programming today is almost completely written for the World Wide Web.
Web Programming
Web programming was first introduced in 1989 when Tim Berners-Lee attempted to create a giant HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) project. This project later came to be known as the World Wide Web. (Berners-Lee, 2012). Since then web programming has evolved into a specialized skill. Web programming involves not only writing programs to manipulate data, it also requires good presentation, strategic marketing techniques, writing unique content that will get the attention of the user, and above all analytical and problem solving skills. It also requires a great deal of attention to detail.
Web programming can be broadly classified into two parts, the front end which the user will see, and the back end which involves the technicalities of programming. User interface is defined as the interaction between the computer and the person using it. It is the part of the website that is viewed by the visitor and the actions of the user while navigating the website. This is a very important part of web programming and is called web designing or front end development. Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) is the script used to design the front end. (Long, 2012).
HTML is a standard programming language used to write code which can be read by web browsers. It is used to create web pages. HTML uses tags to code text. These tags are interpreted by web browsers and the text embedded within these tags is displayed in the proper structure. (Berns-Lee). In this paper, we focus on the front end programming that is programming the user interface.
Front End Programming Skills
Web designing or front end programming requires a unique set of skills. The first of these is attention to detail. HTML code is written using tags. Each tag represents a structure on a web page. It is extremely important to put the correct text in the correct tag.
Problem analysis is another skill required by front end programmers. Web programmers need to understand the requirements of the customer and break it down to smaller elements so that they can be presented in a proper manner on the website. Analyzing the requirements and giving due weightage to each component is an important part of good front end programming.
Web programmers are often requested to rewrite code written by others. The programmer is required to understand the code of existing websites, and modify it to suit the new requirements. For this, the programmer must possess the ability to read code written by another programmer.
Often web designers are asked to incorporate a feature which the programmer may not have imagined. Web programmers take this as a challenge and make every effort to find a way to incorporate the desired feature. To do this they have to keep abreast of the advances in web development techniques.
Web designers often allow their own personal limitations to affect their work. Designers who can perceive the website from different perspectives prove to be good designers. Ignition and keeping an open mind play a major role in the life of a web designer.
Benefits and Challenges
Besides being well paid, seeing ones creation online is probably the biggest gratification for a web designer. If one has a creative bent of mind, the work is not too difficult. Online developer communities and forums provide support to web designers. HTML is a versatile language which allows the web designer to give free rein to his imagination and create beautiful and unique web pages. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) tools are now available to make the job of a web designer easier. Fulfilling the dreams of the customer puts the skills of the designer to test. Satisfying the customer by providing him with a website of his dreams is the best gratification a front end developer can achieve.
Besides being gratifying, a front end developer’s job is also challenging. Designers use scripting languages like Java and PHP. Earlier the challenge was cross browser programming. The front end developer now faces the challenge of compatibility between devices rather than browsers. The web designer has to stay abreast of the advances in technology. Front end developers, who take their work seriously, put in long hours at their computer looking for new ways to meet their clients’ needs. The job of a web designer is not merely a job; it is a life of challenge and gratification.
Conclusion
With rapid advances in technology, the scope of work of a web designer has changed dramatically. Programming has moved from the sequential programming of COBOL to the dynamic programming of Oracle and cloud computing. While at one time programmers worried about porting programs from one machine to another, today programmers write programs that can run effectively on multiple devices. Keeping track of where the data comes from where it goes and how it is manipulated is nothing short of a juggling act. This is the challenge that the programmers of today are facing. The career of a programmer which at one time was considered a profession for “nerds” is today one of the most attractive careers which every student dreams of pursuing.
References
Seibel, P. (2009). Coders at Work: Reflections on the Craft of Programming. mclean: Apress.
I Don’t Speak Your Language: Frontend vs. Backend September 25, 2012 Josh Long Retrieved From http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/i-dont-speak-your-language-frontend-vs-backend
Tim Berners-Lee, "Design Issues" Retrieved From http://www.w3.org/DesignIssues/Uses.html
