MySource Matrix Section Name

Some history..

Front-Engineering is quite a new discipline. Just a few years ago, all web applications were very simple. The interface was boring, really nothing special, with a couple of links (in blue), a heading and some content. That's it. Just take a look at these examples:

Back then everyone was really excited about the Internet. Beautiful designs were being implemented using tables, no CSS, no JavaScript (unless it was a funky snow falling or jingle bells songs)..

Since then, internet applications have evolved. Thanks to front-end engineers and their creativity and passion for finding new solutions designers are now feeling free to design fantastic web apps without limitations. Yes - it's now up to front-end specialists to make the user interface work... in all browsers, accessible to wide audience, on different platforms, different text-size and dimensions, taking care of performance, usability, security, internationalization, portability and ... - hold on, let's stop here for a moment. What does it really mean to be a front-end engineer?!

What do the front-end developers do?

The answer is relatively simple: we write software in JavaScript, CSS, HTML and more. We need to know a lot, not only about JS, CSS and HTML, but also browsers, (that is MSIE, Firefox, Opera, Safari, MSIE 6.0), DOM API, JavaScript libraries like Prototype, YUI, jQuery, data formats like XML, JSON, CSV. It's not only theory and implementation, but also bugs and best practice. Sounds good? Well, there is some more: usability, internationalization, visual design, accessibility, information architecture, security, build processes, performance, benchmarking, devices, portability...

The front-end engineer needs to know all of these areas. Back-end jobs look pretty easy now! PHP, Java or .Net developers have excellent tools, whereas front-end specialists can't compile, can't trust, can't predict, can't install or store, and can't hide anything!

Why are front-end engineers so important?

Again, the answer is simple. If you have a web application and want success, you need professional front-end engineering. That's right. A good back-end system, even such good as best in class MySource Matrix - is not enough these days. It's the front-end that makes your website accessible to your audience. It must be professional and meet high standards, otherwise you just simply can't succeed. Usability without a professional front-end developer? No way. It just doesn't work. At all.

I hope that's a good introduction to the front-end engineering world. Next time I'll take you through fundamental rules for front-end Engineers..

Let me know if I've missed anything! Or if you have any questions about frond-end engineering roles at Squiz. Yes, we're hiring, so be quick and get in touch!

Author: Rafal Zrobecki
Published: 04 Jun 2008 4:19pm

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