Front-End languages: what are the main ones?

Redacción Tokio | 11/11/2022

In a digitalization context involving both clients and companies, the development of mobile applications and websites is essential. For the generation of both websites and mobile apps, a distinction is made between what is visible and what works from the backstage, in what is known as client-server or Back-End and Front-End development. Today we’re focusing on Front-End languages.

We’re going to go through the main programming languages and markup languages for website and app development. However, before jumping into it, we’re going to go through a brief review of what Front-End development means and what professional developers do. Let’s go!

What is Front-End development?

When we talk about Front-End development, we refer to the creation of the part of a website or an app that is visible for users. Front-End languages play a key role in order to create websites and applications that are robust, interactive and attractive for users.

In this context, a Front-End web developer is, in essence, responsible for creating everything that is seen on a page: images, texts, alignment, navigation, colors, etc. Besides, these professionals also work to ensure user experience is as fluid as possible.

A Front-End developer not only works in raw programming, but also helps in depuration processes and design and general appearance of websites.

In general, Front-End development encompasses the part of website development that programs and creates all elements and characteristics seen on a page and which are available for users to interact with them. It includes a wide variety of aspects, from navigational programming and interactivity to the creation of a visual style thanks to CSS, which is part of the Front-End languages.

This is also relevant for the development of mobile applications, although this involves other tools and languages that are used in web development. As a general rule, Front-End languages are three: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. When it comes to mobile apps we find Swift and Kotilin for iOS and Android, respectively.

What are the Front-End languages used in programming?

The main Front-End languages used in web development, as we mentioned above, are three: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. CSS and HTML are not considered programming languages, but a style sheet and markup language, respectively. JavaScript is indeed a programming language and is fundamental for website development.

On the other hand, when it comes to app development for mobile devices, we can find two programming languages which are widely used today: Swift, which is used in iOs and Kotlin, used in Android. Let’s see each of them in a more thorough manner. Let’s go!

HMTL5

The most used among Front-End languages, HTML is a markup language, that is, it’s not a programming language, but serves to tag and provide a structure for a website.

In the end, a website is a document that is executed in a web browser. HMTL, at its raw version, without an CSS or JavaScript, can only show us how the page is structured, what its parts are and where each part fits within the larger structure.

We could say HTML is a text document without a format and visual style, which simply presents a structure and is functional, but it’s lacking the life and dynamism that are achieved thanks to CSS or JavaScript, the other Front-End languages for website development.

CSS

CSS is a style sheet that is used to define the visual aspect that a given HTML structure will have. These are independent documents but they are related and interact with each other.

CSS is the main interface of design language for Front-End development. With this Front-End language, developers can provide a visual style, selecting parts of HTML or HTML as a whole, to determine elements such as typography, colors, font sizes, tables, etc.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language on the side of the client, that is, it’s part of Front-End languages. Its mission is to improve the interactions users experience with websites, improving their experiences during web browsing.

This type of language allows developers to create effects, events linked to buttons, forms, animations, etc. With this layer of interactivity, more dynamic websites can be generated as well as more pleasant experiences for users.

Swift

Swift is a programming language for iOs, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. This is the chosen programming system for the development of apps directed at Apple products and their owners.

It represents a multi-paradigm system created by Apple which is the preferred option for many professionals of app development for Apple devices.

Although it started as a system owned by Apple, it’s now an open code language that presents a multitude of resources for everyone wanting to learn to develop apps using it.

Kotlin

Kotlin is an open-source programming language that admits both a functional programming as well as object-oriented programming. It’s mainly used for Front-End development of Android applications.

This programming system shares some characteristics with Java and presents a similar syntax and concepts to other programming languages, such as C# or Java and Scala.

While many of the APIs used for the development of Android apps use Java, they also sometimes allow the use of Kotlin. This is why it’s quickly becoming one of the preferred Front-End languages for Android developers.

Become a specialized professional in Front-End development!

Now you know some of the main Front-End languages, both for web development as well as for app development for mobile divides. Now it’s the time to find a good training course and improve your career perspectives.

As we said at the beginning, website and mobile development is growing, which can bring you new opportunities for your professional expansion. However, in order to do so, it’s necessary to get adequate training.

At Tokyo School, we’re specialists in training courses around new technologies. We offer our Front-End programming course: HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, which will help you become proficient in the current three main Front-End languages. Got any questions? Get in touch with us and start your training!

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