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Do you prefer frontend or backend of your Computer Science oriented job? Why?

I am asking this because I am trying to discern which one I will prefer. I do not have very much knowledge or resources regarding which one will be more beneficial to what I would want to do. #computer-science #computer #japan #java #python #javascript

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Kaela’s Answer

I prefer backend engineering for many of the reasons already given by others, but also because I am not great at knowing when things look beautiful/good. I also enjoy working closely with data and backend tasks, it is more logic based. Another reason why I like backend development is because front-end languages change very quickly, making it more difficult to become an expert in the domain space. I like that the technology in the backend doesn't change as often, allowing me time to become more of a domain expert.
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Miriam’s Answer

Hi! I have done both front-end and back-end development and I liked both of them. When designing the front end I had to think about how the user is going to interact with the screen, what will make sense to them and be easy for them to use. When designing the back end I had to think about the logical workings of the system. How do I make this happen? I also had to make sure my code was written really clearly so that the next developer to read my code could understand it. I think you have to think about what is most interesting to you - the user interface or the logic? Or maybe get an internship at a small company and get the opportunity to do both! frontend backend computer-science
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Joanne’s Answer

When I was in school, I was trained to be a programmer, however, my first job had me more on the 'operations' side of computer science, and honestly, I strongly prefer operations .. first line support .. even help desk .. because I feel like I make a difference.


One of the clues which may help you lean towards one side or the other are the personality profile tests (myers-brings .. what color is your parachute, etc ....).


All of those tests that I took indicate that I like to 'firefight' ... basically provide help as needed to make the computer world a better place.

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Umme habiba’s Answer

We need to consider a few important points here.

* Front-end include the Network, Browser, HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

* Back-end includes Network, Database, and JavaScript.

Now, based on your choice, you can select any of them.All the above are basic learning.

Once you select any of the domains, then you can go to the next level, which is framework work 

Frontend Framework - Angular, Reactjs or vue.js
Backend - Nodejs with Express framework

Angular Resource - https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-guide-to-angular-2/?LSNPUBID=JVFxdTr9V80&ranEAID=JVFxdTr9V80&ranMID=39197&ranSiteID=JVFxdTr9V80-u7G32jhPiwXk9NsDS9JK3g&utm_medium=udemyads&utm_source=aff-campaign

Reactjs
Free Resources -
1. Scrimba React
2. Egghead "Start Learning React" and "Beginners guide to learn React"
3. Learncodeacedemy YouTube React videos

I would suggest you go with Reacts, learning curve is lower than Angular.

Happy Coding :)

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Tawkir’s Answer

Before jumping to answer your question, I would say whatever you choose before that you should learn and expertise in basics of programming because that is what minimum required for both Frontend and Backend. Now, to decide which one you should choose you have look into the details of each in terms of learning curve, future scope, programming language, complexity etc. and then see where you are getting interested.
Moreover, for both frontend and backend there are many languages and frameworks are available, you have to pick one of those to start. And there are some which you can use for both frontend and backend development like javaScript.

Apart from that, I think there are lot of information available in other answers.

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Domenica’s Answer

Hi! I have done both front-end and back-end development and I liked back-end development . because it needs more logic thinking and I'm a mathematician .
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Ryan’s Answer

There is a high demand for programmers with both frontend or backend skills; even full-stack developers that know both! For me, backend development has been more enjoyable, although I like them both. I feel like I solve more complex and algorithmically challenging issues with backend development. However, there is a more visible impact with frontend development as you can see how the end-user interacts with your work. Overall, I'd suggest not limiting yourself to frontend or backend development; try both and if you enjoy one significantly more then focus on that.
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shibani’s Answer

I preferred front end development as you can do the following:
prioritize user experience
bring an idea to life with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
create tools that enhance interaction with the site in any browser
test the site for usability and fixing any bugs
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Tsutomu’s Answer

For front side, you need learn more about HTML/Javascript/CSS and also need sense of "Beautiful" or design. For back end, you need more logic thinking, understanding program language , database and so on.
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Nancy’s Answer

The current trend nowadays is the demand for a FULL STACK developer, one who can build software for both front-end and back-end. If you are proficient in both areas, don't limit yourself by focusing only on one vs the other; this is especially more important in agile software development and smaller teams.
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Hanish’s Answer

Frontend focuses on the client side of things, the UI that a user interacts with the software is the client side. The backend focuses on dealing with requests on the frontend side, accessing and updating information on a database. This paradigm is called REST. Popular frontend technologies and frameworks are React, Angular, Vue, Javascript, Typescript, CSS, HTML, etc. Popular backend tech springboot, mongodb, oracle sql, postgresql, etc.
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Melissa’s Answer

I have started my career as a full stack engineer, so I get to do both frontend and backend. As I work further, I prefer frontend as I get to work on the visual components and more collaborations with designers. In saying that I also know plenty of engineers that prefer backend as they don't need to work on the visuals as much and get to do more of the "behind the scene" aspects such as databases.

In terms of career opportunities, I see high demands on both frontend and backend. In the beginning of the career though, I'd say knowing both will widen your opportunities as you will be able to work as either frontend, backend or a full stack engineer. As you progress in your career, you might find that you prefer one over the other.

If you just starting to learn software engineering, I would suggest try the steps below:

Melissa recommends the following next steps:

Watch 2 videos, one is on how someone build a backend system and the other is how to build frontend UI
Try out tutorials on frontend and backend development
See which area that you leaning more towards, if no strong preference, keep learning both
When you get work experience opportunity, try both ends and you might get clearer preference
If you still like both, it's also great to continue work as full stack engineer!
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Amy’s Answer

As others have said ... I like both! I think of the whole thing like just solving puzzles.

On the backend (which I would include on the server, in the cloud, or in the database) you're mostly dealing with enforcing a workflow, storing data, retrieving data, or doing calculations. Often you end up either trying to do it really carefully (using lots of checks and balances) or doing it really fast (using a lot of computer resources in a big network).

On the frontend (which I think of as a user using a browser, an app, a device), you're very human-oriented and that's hard and messy. Sometimes you're just making things look nice and fun, sometimes you're trying to slow people down because there's something important (like submitting your credit card info or committing to a buying decision), sometimes you're trying to describe something really complex (like deep navigation links), and sometimes you're just trying to capture information correctly (e.g. web forms, validation, voice input).

Both of these are great careers. And there's many universes within each. I think the question you might ask yourself is: do I like solving problems between machines (backend) or between humans and machines (frontend). It's OK to love both, but it's very hard to do both well.
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Ramya’s Answer

I had an opportunity to work on both frontend and backend and both are equally challenging. I enjoy working more on backend because of logical complexity and I enjoy working close to data. In my view frontend would require a bit of creative mindset which would make the UI user friendly whereas backend would require more of logical way of doing. So based on what a person is more inclined to we can choose.
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Shivangi’s Answer

Hi
I prefer doing backend as it's more algorithmic-ally intensive , you got to crunch a lot of logic to solve the problem at hand , Object oriented concepts are highly used and its fun to actually work at the backbone of the software ; the very core of it.
So if you have a strong background in algorithms and in programming languages like Java/ C++ , also if you love going around thinking for solutions and like playing with logic and have a hunger to make your code better in less lines , BACKEND is your thing.
If you like the beautification part of the software , frontend be your thing ! :D
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