In a previous article, we talked about Web Development and how to choose the right CMS based on your UX design and website needs. We also learned that there are different programming and coding languages you can use to build your website. Today, we will go through these server-side languages and front-end languages in depth.
What Are Server-Side Languages
From the name itself, a server-side language is a hidden code. This code won’t be visible to your website visitors and won’t be shown on your website.
These web coding languages will determine how your website works and communicates with your chosen web server as well as your computer. In this article, you will learn about the most famous server-side framework for each language, and how to choose the right one.
What Are Front End Languages?
On the other hand, we have the front end languages which are coding or programming languages that are interpreted and executed in the user’s browsers as opposed to on the webserver. These front end languages are also referred to as “client-side” languages.
With today’s advanced technology, web users and website audiences expect rich, interactive experiences online. One way you can provide your audience that is by creating an interactive website interface.
Most of the time, these experiences range from simple animations, slideshows on your webpages and etc. by using a highly responsive interface that require input from the user. Thankfully, today’s advanced technologies allow you to create these elaborate user experiences. As expected, each one comes with its own set of opportunities and challenges. The key is finding the right one for your website.
Similar to server-side languages, you also need to consider a few properties of the front end language you want to use. It is also important to remember that both server-side and front end languages are often used together. This is because front end languages are needed for the development of all web projects.
Things to Consider When Choosing Server-Side Languages
Now that you know what server-side languages mean, you need to be informed of the things to consider before you choose the right one. Check them out below.
Cost
The cost of each server-side language varies. This depends on the language you choose for your website or your web development project. Why? Well, simply because the language you choose will influence the salary of the developer directly.
Web developers are trained to do different programming languages, but each has their own expertise. For instance, if the information is processed where your website is housed, the cost increases. Additionally, on-going website management and maintenance are also required for some languages. This means that there is an additional cost to consider if you choose these languages.
LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP SOLUTION TO YOUR GROWTH NEEDS?
Scalability
As we mentioned in previous articles, you need to consider scalability when you’re planning for web development. For those projects where this is a factor, it is a must to consider whether there are web developers who are readily available to develop in this language.
Additionally, you also need to find out if there are supporting libraries and frameworks that are available that suit your specific project. Talk to your chosen web developer if they can manage the project and if they will be able to scale if needed.
It is also advisable to ask a web developer their opinion regarding which server-side language they think is best for your project. Some of the most common and popular server-side languages are Java, .NET languages, PHP and Java.
Things to Consider When Choosing Front End Languages
Just like in choosing server-side languages, there are also things you need to consider when choosing front-end languages. Check them out below.
Cost
Compared to server-side languages, the cost for front end languages are relatively low. Of course, the cost still varies from language to language.
Features
We briefly discussed the front end and open source languages in a previous article. The most common front end languages are HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
The coding languages mentioned above are open source languages. They are often used together. These languages are also compatible with most hardware and software, making them the go-to front-end languages by developers.
More importantly, the content developed in these languages are more search engine friendly. Each one comes with its own features. For instance, Flash is known for its video, animation and interactive multimedia capabilities. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other languages.
You can also achieve similar results with languages such as CSS, HTML and Javascript. At the end of the day, the most important consideration will always be what your audience be able to view.
Scalability
The scalability of your project when it comes to front end languages depends on the capabilities of the device used. For instance, certain features may not be available for one user if they are using an outdated device.
Similarly, certain codes may run slowly on other devices. So the front end code needs to take every device into account when choosing the right language. Which leads us to our next point:
Browser and OS support
The browser and operating system support must also be catered by the front end languages. Remember that a website’s interface will look different in each browser and operating system.
This is why when testing the website’s design, you need to factor in how it will look like on mobile (consider different screen sizes, too), on a laptop or desktop web browser, on tablets and etc. So, if a feature cannot be displayed under certain conditions or in a different browser, edits, and workarounds on the coding need to be implemented.
Proprietary Software
Proprietary Software are owned and the use is restricted. On the other hand, there are open-source software where any developer can create addons for improvement. Using open-source software can be more affordable to use.
When it comes to front-end languages, there are different options to choose from. As we said, the most common ones are HTML, CSS, and Javascript. By far, most developers use HTML in conjunction with the other two.
© Image credits to Amber Lamoreaux