9 Front-End Programming Languages to Learn Now

Different programming languages have different uses in coding, depending on what you want to do. Those of you considering a career in either front-end development or full-stack development should learn languages specific to your tasks: graphics, text, and format.

While web developers, software engineers, and other types of programmers may use front-end programming languages daily, the same can be said for UX and UI designers, marketers, e-commerce managers, or someone who wants to create visual elements for any customer-facing assets.

So what does it mean for something to be front-end? What are the best front-end programming languages to learn and how should you go about learning them? And how are front-end languages good for people in roles outside of tech? Let’s dive in.

What is Front-End Programming?

The front-end of software is what users interact with, whether it’s on a mobile app or a webpage. Users perform key actions through this interface like clicking, scrolling, or watching. Front-end programming languages help the developer create different functionalities and sections of the website for users. Front-end developers create what’s known as the user interface (UI) of an app or website. Everything from image placement to text alignment is part of the front-end developer’s job.

Back-end programming, on the other hand, uses a different set of languages to fulfill the requests of the user and take them where they want to go. Effectively, the back-end brings the front-end to life.

Front-end developers need to understand the creative side of how websites and apps will look, as these are what the users see and interact with. They also need an awareness of the way pages look on different devices, i.e., a desktop vs. a phone or tablet. Front-end developers aren’t graphic designers, but they need to be mindful of how the different elements of web design and app creation work together.

Together, they create a seamless experience for the user. While full-stack developers tend to have a working knowledge of both front-end and back-end languages, some developers and engineers specialize in one end or the other. For the more creatively minded, front-end development is a great career path.

Learn More: Front-end vs. Back-end Programming: Why You Should Learn Both

The Most Popular Front-End Languages

There are so many programming languages out there. Not all of them are good for front-end development. We’ve listed the top 6 that can get you started as a front-end developer. Or, if you’re coming from a back-end skillset and want to become a full-stack developer, these are the languages that can help you get there.

HTML

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, refers to the language through which pages are created across the web. It’s an uncomplicated language that’s almost universally understood.

Every webpage has some form of HTML, and it’s an essential part of browsers for loading texts and other elements. HTML is the language that tells the code what to do with fonts, sizes, headers, colors, etc. It is, however, less reliable for displaying dynamic content and creating dynamic pages.

Not only is HTML easy to learn and use, but it also makes it easier for users. Of all programming languages, front-end and back-end, HTML is significantly less complex, which is why it’s such a popular language for web developers.

Read More: Learn HTML & CSS

CSS

CSS works often in conjunction with HTML and other languages. It’s used to convert documents to a usable form for audiences in a way that allows them to be delivered visually, such as on screens, printers, or projectors. CSS makes the stuff done in HTML look presentable.

As with HTML, CSS is standardized across most web pages and browsers. As such, it can be written one time and used multiple times over. In plain terms, if HTML is a group of letters that make up words, then CSS is the sentence structure.

Read More: How Long Does it Take to Learn CSS?

JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most widely used and most popular programming languages for front-end and full-stack developers alike. It’s often called “icing on the cake” because it takes those page elements and makes them even more dynamic. JavaScript has incredible functionality that can create rich, user-friendly interfaces. Anything that plays video, displays graphics, or uses interactivity in any way may use JavaScript.

JavaScript is one of the most in-demand skills for tech roles, but it can also be particularly useful for designers and people who work with customer-facing assets, such as game designers.

Read More: What is JavaScript?

React

Facebook designed React as a way to help developers create user interfaces quickly. It’s a framework, not a language per se, which means it simplifies the language used (more about that below). React may be used to create visual user interfaces and data rendering in browsers. React is simple, and those who know JavaScript can easily pick up React. It’s one of the largest JavaScript libraries for building front-end applications and content.

Swift

Swift is an open-source language created by Apple specifically for Apple products and systems, like iOS. While it’s fairly easy to learn and use, it can only be used for and by Apple systems. Swift includes a feature called Playgrounds, which allows developers to experiment with code and see the results immediately in a visual environment. Even though Swift is used exclusively for Apple systems, it’s a popular language for developers to learn.

JQuery

JQuery is a simple yet flexible and fast language that builds on the JavaScript library. JQuery is super popular right now because of its ease of use and cross-browser support. (It can even be added to older systems!) Developers like it because they can add it to existing script without having to learn new syntax.

AngularJS

Anything that ends in “js” refers to JavaScript. Angular is the front-end framework for JavaScript. (Node is the back-end framework for JavaScript.) It’s a powerful, open-source framework that works in single-page applications. It’s maintained by Google and beloved by JavaScript users all over the world.

Vue

Vue is another JavaScript-based framework that actually builds on JS. It integrates seamlessly with back-end code, making for a more reactive and interactive user experience, thereby optimizing the code it works with. It’s a lot like React, so if you know that framework, you’ll easily pick up Vue.

SASS

Not only is SASS itself a fun name for this language, it’s an acronym for something else fun: Syntactically Awesome Stylesheets. As you may guess from the name, SASS works with CSS. It’s compatible as an extension with all versions of CSS. SASS’s job is to make your CSS better, faster, and stronger.

How to Choose the Best Front-End Programming Language for You

When it comes to front-end web development, the coding languages you choose to learn will depend on the specific projects you’ll be working on as well as what you already know. JavaScript is a popular language for both front-end and back-end coders, making this a great choice for front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers.

HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and SASS are all coding languages. They’re the building blocks you’ll use to write programs. They’re also three of the most popular and common languages used in programming, which is why we teach them here at App Academy. Swift is a language you need to know if you plan to work with Apple products.

Frameworks are like templates for codes and come in libraries. They’re designed to make your life easier so you’re not trying to create something out of nothing. Popular front-end frameworks include Angular, Vue, and React. React primarily works with JavaScript, but can sometimes work with other languages, as well.

In front-end development, languages and frameworks work together to make your side of the program happen. In App Academy’s bootcamp, we not only teach programming languages, but how these pieces of the front-end puzzle fit together to create seamless, user-friendly interfaces in apps, games, and websites.

But learning these 9 languages isn’t just for front-end developers. At App Academy, we teach full-stack development. Learning back-end is a great way to become a full-stack developer, whether you’re just getting started or already know back-end development.

Start Developing Your Skills with App Academy

If you want to get really serious about learning front-end programming languages and using them to find a career, coding bootcamps are the way to go.

A good coding program will teach you both the basics as well as more advanced front-end development skills. For full-stack developers, these languages are an excellent starting point before you move into back-end development.

Learn more about our programs today to see how you can take your skills — and career — to the next level.

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