Web Programmer vs Web Application Developer: How to Choose and Become One?

May 24, 2023 7:42 am by Sumit Gour

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Do you love computers and software? Do you want to create websites or web apps? If yes, you might want to become a web programmer or a web application developer. But what are they and how are they different? And how can you start your career in one of these fields?

In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We will tell you the difference between web programmers and web application developers, what they do, what they need, and what they earn. We will also give you some tips on how to become a web programmer or a web application developer with SAND IT SOLUTION, a professional IT company that offers training and certification programs for software professionals.

What is a web programmer?
A web programmer is someone who writes code to make websites work. They use languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Python, etc. to create web pages, web apps, or web services that run on a web browser or a web server.

A web programmer can work on different parts of a website, such as:

• Front-end development: This is making the website look good and work well on different devices and browsers. A front-end developer uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to do this.
• Back-end development: This is making the website do what it needs to do, such as storing data, checking security, improving performance, etc. A back-end developer uses languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, etc. to do this.
• Full-stack development: This is working on both the front-end and the back-end of a website. A full-stack developer knows both languages and technologies used in web development.

A web programmer can create different kinds of websites, such as:

• Static websites: These are websites that have the same content all the time. They are easy and fast to make using HTML and CSS. Examples of static websites are blogs, portfolios, landing pages, etc.
• Dynamic websites: These are websites that have content that changes depending on user input or interaction. They are harder and slower to make using back-end programming to get content from a database or an API. Examples of dynamic websites are e-commerce sites, social media platforms, online games, etc.

What is a web application developer?
A web application developer is someone who creates software applications that run on the web. They use languages and frameworks like React Native, Flutter, AngularJS, Node.js, Laravel, Django, etc. to create web apps that have more features and functionality.

A web application developer can work on different kinds of web apps, such as:

• Single-page applications (SPAs): These are web apps that load one HTML page and update it as the user interacts with it. They offer a fast and smooth user experience like native apps. Examples of SPAs are Gmail, Google Maps, Facebook, etc.
• Progressive web applications (PWAs): These are web apps that can work offline or on low-quality networks. They use service workers and other technologies to save data and resources on the device. They also offer features like push notifications, home screen icons, etc. Examples of PWAs are Twitter Lite, Pinterest Lite, Uber Lite, etc.
• Hybrid applications: These are web apps that can run on multiple platforms like iOS or Android using one code base. They use frameworks like React Native or Flutter to make user interfaces like native apps using web technologies. Examples of hybrid apps are Instagram, Airbnb, Skype, etc.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a web programmer or web application developer?
The roles and responsibilities of a web programmer or web application developer may vary depending on the project and the company they work for. But some common tasks they do are:

• Analyze user requirements: They talk to clients or users to understand what they want from the website or web app they want to make.
• Design software architecture: They plan and design how the website or web app will be structured and built using diagrams or models.
• Write code: They write code using languages and tools to make the website or web app do what it needs to do.
• Test code: They test code using tools or frameworks to make sure it works right and meets the user requirements.
• Deploy code: They deploy code using services or platforms to make the website or web app available online.
• Maintain code: They maintain code using systems or editors to update or fix bugs in the website or web app.

What skills and education do you need to become a web programmer or web application developer?
To become a web programmer or web application developer, you need to have these skills and education:

• Programming skills: You need to know languages and tools used in web development, such as HTML, CSS,

JavaScript,
PHP, Ruby, Python, React Native, Flutter, AngularJS, Node.js, Laravel, Django, etc. You also need to understand web development concepts and principles, such as web standards, responsive design, accessibility, security, performance, etc.

• Problem-solving skills: You need to be able to analyze user requirements and design software solutions that meet them. You also need to be able to troubleshoot and debug code issues and errors.
• Communication skills: You need to be able to communicate well with clients or users to understand what they want. You also need to be able to work well with other developers or team members on a project.
• Creativity skills: You need to be able to create nice and user-friendly user interfaces for websites or web apps. You also need to be able to innovate and implement new features and functionality for websites or web apps.
• Bachelor’s degree: You need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a related field. This will help you learn the theory and practice of programming and web development. But some employers may accept candidates who have a diploma or certificate in web development or who have a portfolio of web projects.

What are the career opportunities for a web programmer or web application developer?
The career opportunities for a web programmer or web application developer are many and varied. According to Indeed.com India, the average salary for a web developer in India is ₹ 3.4 lakhs per year as of January 2023. The salary may change depending on the experience level, location, company size, industry, etc.

Some of the career paths you can follow as a web programmer or web application developer are:

• Web Developer: You can work as a web developer for different companies or organizations that need websites or web apps for their online presence or operations. You can also work as a freelance web developer and offer your services to clients online.
• Web Application Developer: You can work as a web application developer for different companies or organizations that need software apps that run on the web for their products or services. You can also work as a freelance web application developer and offer your services to clients online.