Is a Web Developer a Programmer?

Web developers have the responsibility of designing, creating and modifying websites. They also analyze user needs to implement necessary website graphics, content, performance and capacity. Sometimes they also integrate websites with computer applications and convert written, audio, video and graphics components to compatible web formats using software created specifically for the creation of web and multimedia content. On a daily basis, web developers design, build and maintain websites using scripting or authoring languages, management tools, content creation tools and digital media.

One of the main responsibilities of a web developer is to evaluate code and ensure that it’s valid, it is properly structured, it is compatible with browsers or operating systems, and that it meets industry standards.

Differences Between Web Developers and Programmers

These titles are often used interchangeably in the coding world. However, there are some key differences in their responsibilities. Here are just a few of them.

Although both professionals write code to make things happen on computers, their focuses are different. While programmers vary in what they create, they typically create computer applications or add more features to existing software. On the other hand, web developers deal with building and maintaining websites. A web designer designs a mock-up of a website and even plans its features. However, these professionals don’t write any code to accomplish their tasks. They use programs such as Adobe Dreamweaver or build a model in Photoshop.

Web developers act as a bridge between web designers and programmers. The web designer comes up with the idea for the website, and the web developer builds it to meet all specifications. The role of the programmer is to create tools that can help process the visitor’s requests. Eventually, a programmer will move on after creating the application. However, the web developer is responsible for maintaining and updating the site.

There is also a key difference in their professional work. Sometimes programmers are tasked with the task of expanding proprietary software that has been used for a long time. This means that they can spend a lot of time trying to figure out the code used in the older application before they can add the new features. However, when it comes to web development, there are rare cases of surgically adding new parts when a company wants a new website because it’s more efficient to start from ground up.

Use Different Languages

There are several programming languages, and all of them have different purposes and strengths. A programmer building a mobile app will use a totally different language compared to a programmer building a web application. Web developers use CSS to customize how texts display and HTML to organize the text.

Both HTML and CSS aren’t true programming languages. They use PHP for server-side behavior, for instance, to search for terms entered by the user, and JavaScript for client-side work. There are several other languages that web developers use, such as Ruby among others. On the other hand, programmers use different languages to build the applications they need. Programmers can use C++, C. C#, and Python or other languages to build an application.

Because programmers have to make use of different languages, they have to regularly keep up with the changes in languages. This means that programming resources written two years can be outdated, especially due to the rapid developments in programming languages. This explains why most web programming and web development classes are often taught via online resources instead of books. However, some languages rarely change for instance C language.

Benefits of Studying Web Development

While there is a wide variety of online resources that can help you in web development to equip yourself with the necessary skills from scratch, only a structured course can help you get a good start. Formal education in web development means:

You will obtain recognized certification after successfully completing your course: A certificate is an authentic document that justifies your skills. Most employers begin by scanning your certificates to determine whether they will give you an opportunity.

Exposure: Most web development training institutions will expose you to several projects and give you the chance to learn from these opportunities.

A well-structured course will give you a strong foundation: This won’t only last but also be useful in different positions during your career. Foundational knowledge cannot be self-taught or looked up online. Remember that your work will be purely on technology which means that you should get the basics right.

During the learning process you’ll make mistakes along the way: If these mistakes aren’t corrected at the right time, then you’ll have a faulty foundation. However, a college or university will help you overcome the common hurdles effectively.

Are you interested in web design and development? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Software Development - Web Design and Development Track, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated rate. For more information and to sign up today, connect with a friendly admissions advisor.

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