What Software Do Front End Developers Use?

While knowledge in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential for becoming a Front End Developer, skills in a variety of software that facilitate coding and programming languages for web development are also important. Training to learn JavaScript frameworks and libraries like Angular, React, Stencil and Vue are crucial for finding work in the profession.

While skills with coding and programming languages are required to qualify for becoming a Front End Developer, learning software that facilitates functions and coding is also expected. This “software” includes applications designed to help implement coding, programming, and other functions that help users perform specific tasks.

Front End Developers use coding to build websites as the front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers. For example, while a few Front End Developers write their own detailed code, many use software like code editors for helping with accelerating the task of developing and building web pages. Front End Developers employ a variety of software to help create responsive websites for different screen sizes on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

What is a Front End Developer?

Becoming a Front End Developer involves building websites and applications using common front end web development languages. The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other coding languages. 

Web development includes creating websites and apps from scratch. This means applying front end, back end, and full stack web development procedures. Front end development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back end development concerns the functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome and Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those functions.

Skills needed for becoming a Front End Developer can also qualify you for working as a Web Developer or Web Designer.

Read more about what a Front End Developer does.

What Software Do Front End Developers Use?

Noble Desktop provides learning options through a variety of front end web development related courses, bootcamps, and programs that train individuals in the software that is relevant for the profession. These courses focus on skills with coding or JavaScript libraries, which are essential for becoming a Front End Developer:

Front End Boilerplates

While some Front End Developers build their own coding from scratch, many use boilerplates, which are code templates used for initiating web content development. Boilerplates provide sets of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that allow Front End Developers to spend less time setting up coding when building websites.

However, even if Front End Developers use boilerplates, they must still possess a thorough knowledge of coding. Noble Desktop provides a variety of courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide training in the coding skills needed for becoming a Front End Developer. This includes the opportunity to get the Front End Web Development Certificate that emphasizes training in JavaScript libraries.

JavaScript Libraries

JavaScript may be the most important skill a Front End Developer can possess and is especially important in landing entry-level positions within the profession. Part of having skills with JavaScript includes knowledge of JavaScript libraries, which are a collection of code that supports browser operation, including adding effects and animation.

Noble Desktop offers courses for training in JavaScript libraries, which includes in-person and live online React courses for learning skills in building user interfaces. Although React was created and is maintained by Meta, React is a free and open-source front end JavaScript library.

Code Editors

Front End Developers use code editors for writing the code that they use to build websites. Code editors provide a plain text format for coding that gets interpreted into functioning web pages. An example of code editing software is Sublime Text, which is a shareware cross-platform code editor that supports several coding and programming languages.

Noble Desktop offers live online Coding Classes that provide training for building the front end for websites, which is what users see and interact with on their web browsers, and the back end, which runs on and controls the web server for interacting with databases. 

Node.js

Would-be Front End Developers must also learn Node.js, a cross-platform, open-source JavaScript runtime environment that can run on Windows, Linux, Unix, or macOS. Node.js is mainly used with back end web development for multiple tasks involved in creating web applications that Front End Developers can also use with front end web development.

Noble Desktop offers a Software Engineering Certificate that provides training in coding for the front end with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React as well as building the back end with Python, Django, and Node.js.

Flexbox, Grid, & Bootstrap

CSS Flexbox and CSS Grid provide software options for manipulating layout content on web pages. Flexbox and grid controls responsive elements within a website to automatically adjust to the screen size for any device (large screens or smartphone screens). Bootstrap is a free and open-source CSS framework specifically geared toward front end web development for mobile devices. With the overwhelming use of smartphones these days, the importance of making information readable no matter the screen size is vital.

Noble Desktop offers the Flexbox, Grid, & Bootstrap course, which trains participants in using flexbox and grid to layout, align, and reorder content on websites that adapt to whatever screen size a user is facing. In a world where most people depend on their smartphones for performing routine functions, making purchases, paying bills, or gathering information, possessing skills with CSS Flexbox and Bootstrap is a necessity for any Front End Developer.

WordPress

Front End Developers use WordPress for building certain types of websites but may not use the content management software for most of their work. However, knowing WordPress provides another option especially for someone possessing expert coding knowledge.

Noble Desktop offers the WordPress Bootcamp that enables Front End Developers to create websites without needing to use code. Because Front End Developers depend on knowledge in coding, many of them like having the option of being able to manipulate with greater control using WordPress websites.

How to Learn Front End Web Development Software

People have several options for learning the software skills required for becoming a Front End Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time, hands-on instructions for learning Django and the JavaScript library, React. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses that include training in software geared toward front end web development.

For example, with hardly any coding experience, an individual can get the Front End Web Development Certificate, which trains participants in JavaScript libraries for inserting interactivity or animation. This course also provides training in Git, a distributed version control system that tracks code changes, especially convenient when collaborating on projects with Web Developers.

If you want to learn about designing websites or designing your own email programs, you can train for the Web Design Certificate, which teaches students about how to build websites using WordPress and Figma, which is a web application used for web design interface.

While you may be considering learning software that enhances your skills as a Front End Developer, finding the right path could be difficult. Noble Desktop has the Front End Development Learn Hub, available for giving individuals choices in finding the right approach. You can find a playlist of front end web development video tutorials on YouTube. There is also a free Intro to Front End Web Development seminar available for learning the fundamentals with building the client-side of a website.

Other Skills Needed to Become a Front End Developer

While possessing skills with a variety of software is essential for becoming a Front End Developer, having soft skills and non-software related abilities are also important. Soft skills involve the ability to interact, understand, and work with others. Soft skills for front end web development are critical for effectively getting work done as a Front End Developer.

Front End Developers must be able to communicate well with managers, clients, and coworkers. Communication skills include, of course, being able to speak and write well but also using the various avenues for communicating available through modern technology. Of course, there are smartphones that allow people to instantly connect with others through calling, texting, and emailing or using social media platforms like Slack and telecommunication software like Zoom.

Front End Developers typically work on time sensitive projects that have deadlines. Therefore, effectively working as a Front End Developer also requires good time management skills. The ability to juggle schedules and assignments is crucial for a Front End Developer to get work done.

It is also important that Front End Developers have a drive for self-learning. It’s a good idea for Front End Developers to constantly update their skills as well as keep up with the latest methods for working with technology.

Best practices are continually changing with today’s perpetually evolving digital environment, so constantly learning new information is a career requirement. Front End Developers have options for finding full-time or part-time employment with either working in an office location or remotely. Many prefer the freedom of working freelance, which is a viable option.

Learn the Skills to Become a Front End Developer at Noble Desktop

People have several options for learning to become a Front End Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time hands-on instruction. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses.

For example, with hardly any prior coding experience, an individual could complete the Front End Web Development Certificate and get headed in the right direction for their new career with training in how to build the user side of a responsive website. This course aims to keep class sizes small so that students can receive tailored advice and guidance from their instructors.

If you would like to learn about designing websites or email programs from coding with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, you can train for the Web Design Certificate. In addition, this course will teach you how to build websites using WordPress.

If you would like to learn about more options for building websites or apps from scratch through skills in front end web development, Noble Desktop provides information on their Learn Front End Web Development page, which can guide you through learning about several options for becoming a Front End Developer, including what free resources are available and career advice.