If you have just started learning Java or are still wondering which programming language to learn, this text is for you. It's much easier to find motivation when you know the end goal. In the huge world of IT, it’s easy to get confused - the sea of specializations and positions can drive you into a stupor. To prevent this from happening, we are talking about the four most popular areas in development and will tell you which technologies you need to master. We hope this will help you choose your own development path.
Backend developer
A backend developer deals with the part of the application/site/software that is “under the hood”. And this is a lot of different tasks. The essence of the work of such a developer is to create a working “server-application-database” combination by writing code that runs on a server - physical or cloud. The backend developer is responsible for the logic, correct functioning and good performance of the application.
Creation of the platform and core set of functions.
Writing algorithms.
Salary
The average salary of a backend specialist, according to the Dou website , in Ukraine is about $2,380. June receives from 850 dollars, and the signor - about 4 thousand dollars. But in Russia, according to a Habr survey , the average salary of a backend developer is lower, about $1,900.
A frontend developer is a programmer responsible for the visual portion of a website, application, or software. This should not be confused with a layout designer, because the functionality of a frontend developer is much broader. It not only layouts, but also “revitalizes” the designed image through pop-up windows, adjusts the operation of buttons and interacts with the server part of the application. To work as a frontend developer, you need to master languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript. Knowledge of Java will provide the necessary basis for understanding object-oriented programming. In the future, a person who has the skills of a frontend developer can retrain as a backend developer, and subsequently as a fullstack developer. So there is room for improvement.
Technology stack
HTML, CSS, JavaScript languages, SASS and LESS metalanguages, Flexbox (one of the CSS modules), JQuery library, Angular and Vue.js frameworks, Git, Node.js software platform.
Frontend developer tasks
Development of new functionality of a website, application or software and improvement of old ones.
Refactoring code to improve performance.
Review of the code sent to the server.
Technical implementation of a graphical UI/UX layout compiled by a designer.
Monitor application performance.
Fixing bugs.
Salary
According to a survey by the Dou website , frontend developers in Ukraine earn about $2,300 on average. Junes can earn from $750, and seniors about $4 thousand. In Russia, according to a Habr survey , on average frontend girls earn about $1,630.
Fullstack developer
A fullstack developer is a Swiss knife in the world of development, a multifunctional programmer who can cope with both frontend and backend tasks. It is not easy to become such a universal soldier: you need to have extensive knowledge and rich experience. Naturally, a full-stack developer can be a specialist who has worked on both the visual part of the application and the server side. In addition, he must have a good understanding of how these parts interact and what the final project should be.
Technology stack
Java + Java Core; Apache; JPA/Hibernate; Spring (Spring MVC, Spring Boot, Spring REST, Spring Web), Google Cloud, AWS or Azure; JSP (Java Server Pages).
HTML layout language and CSS style language; programming languages JavaScript and TypeScript; SASS and LESS preprocessors; jQuery library; Bootstrap framework; Angular/React/Vue.js; DOM, AJAX, JSON technologies.
Full stack developer tasks
Project planning, management and implementation.
Negotiations with clients.
Testing a ready-made Internet platform and debugging bugs.
Quality control of a website or application.
Technical support for specialists working on a web service.
Working with databases, file systems, cloud storage and network resources.
Creation of visual design.
Salary
The average salary of a full-stack specialist in Ukraine is about $2,300. In Russia, the average salary of such a specialist is about $1,600.
Knowing the Java programming language, you can work as an Android developer. Most large companies have apps as an alternative version of their website. In addition, literally every month dozens of startup applications appear in which you can also get a job. A mobile application developer has many tasks and responsibilities at different skill levels, from working on the internal structure to implementing the interface.
Development of mobile applications for Android OS.
Interaction with databases and APIs.
Testing and finalization of the software product at several stages.
Uploading the finished product to the Google Play application store.
Application support and updates.
Preparation of documentation and instructions for working with the product.
Salary
The average salary of an Android developer in Ukraine is about $2,375. June can expect a salary of $800. In Russia, the average salary of such a developer is about $2,040.
How do programmers work in a team? JavaRush example
We have discussed the specializations of developers, but what does the work of these people in a team look like? Let's tell you how the JavaRush programming team works. First, a little about the JavaRush and CodeGym products. They consist of the following parts (this is a simplified structure):
server;
database;
frontend;
plugin;
Android application;
iOS application (not yet released).
This schematic division of the service into parts is necessary to understand what the developers do, since the JavaRush team includes frontend, backend, fullstack, and mobile. Front-end developers develop the visual part of the service, improve the loading speed of the quest, and add new language versions to the site (for example, Ukrainian and English versions of the interface recently appeared on JavaRush). Backend engineers develop the server part of the product, including adding new functionality to the site. For example, JavaRush recently translated notifications into different languages and began to detect the user’s country during registration. Backend developers also organize the site’s operation in conjunction with three-party APIs. What does it mean? Why write something of your own, spend time and money on writing, testing and support, if there are already written solutions that are suitable for the service, and all you need to do is start using them. In this case, backend developers write code that helps the site interact with third-party APIs ( if the program is considered as a black box, then the API is a set of “handles” that are available to the user of this box and which he can twirl and pull - ed. ) and configure its operation. Full stacks deal with either the tasks of front-end or back-end developers, or tasks that concern everyone, for example, automatic updating of comments - if someone writes a comment on the page, it will be displayed without reloading the page. Android and IOS developers develop and support mobile applications (IOS is not yet released). A tester in JavaRush checks new features, checks bug fixes, looks for errors and monitors the quality of the product. Let us add that although each developer has his own pool of tasks, there is also general planning and discussion of tasks, since the accomplishment of a large goal is always tied to a large number of specialists. Have you already decided what you want to do after finishing your studies? We are waiting for your comments.
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