To all developers out there: What is more fun, front-end or back-end?

Caroline Schmidt
11 replies
Which part of coding do you like more, front-end or back-end? And why? As a full-stack dev myself, I have to admit that front-end is my least favorite part - even with the design given, it can be really annoying to make everything look perfect. The back-end is easy, though; it either gives you the correct results or it doesn't - for me, as a pragmatic thinker, that part gives me the satisfaction I am seeking. How about you?

Replies

I prefer backend as well. But because I have very bad tastes in general haha
Share
Coro
for me, it depends. you certainly know the logic behind the server-side program, and it's simple to implement as there are a limited amount of ways the logic can be done. Just have to handle every edge case, write a ton of tests, benchmark stuff, and load test your server. speaking for the frontend however, you have to try a hundred different ideas on the design part to make it look good and consistent across every browser, ensuring all the colors meet the WCAG standards and implementing workarounds for things that work in one browser but not in others.
Share
Caroline Schmidt
@zignis Well, that's it! It's that consistency part that drives me crazy sometimes. Why do different browsers require different CSS? I also think writing front-end code can be boring sometimes because it is so repetitive.
Share
Coro
@caros It's full of frustration, like when I get the job done for Chrome only to find out it does not work in Safari, such as rounded box shadows on pseudo elements and transparent videos. I have to spend hours making them work. I used to struggle with code duplication, so now I modularize everything. Components are isolated, and I just import them on demand.
Share
Caroline Schmidt
@zignis Oh yes, Safari is the worst! I regularly forget to check things on Safari, and then some days later - boom! Everything looks crappy 🤣 Modularization is the key, good point! But it's still not as much fun as writing methods that do stuff 😋
Share
Debajit Sarkar
I manage both front-end and back-end tasks for projects, and I also interact with a team of front-end and back-end developers. What I've observed is: Developers with artistic inclinations and a passion for user experience find Front End exciting. Developers who value problem solving and building complex systems find Back End more fulfilling.
Share
Caroline Schmidt
@dsarkar Makes total sense. I am more on the problem-solving side - no artistry, just logic. It just makes me happy when complex systems work out 😊
Share
Cara (Borenstein) Marin
I see what you mean! I also tend towards backend but the fun of frontend is that you get to see what you create in a more tangible way (and can more easily show it / explain it to non-technical people too).
Share
Caroline Schmidt
@stash_new That's true! And oh yeah, I didn't even think of that! I always struggle with explaining anything to non-technical people - maybe I should think more about the visual side next time instead of only the logical part. 😁