web development

Progressive Web App

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)? Benefits and Getting Started

Businesses constantly seek innovative solutions to engage users, enhance experiences, and optimise costs. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) stand out as a revolutionary approach, blending the best features of web and mobile applications. PWAs deliver seamless performance, accessibility, and flexibility, transforming how organisations connect with their audience. This guide explores the concept of PWAs, their functionality, benefits, and actionable steps to adopt them effectively. What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)? A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that uses modern web capabilities to deliver an app-like experience to users. Unlike traditional web applications, PWAs can be installed on a device’s home screen and accessed offline. They utilise technologies like service workers, web app manifests, and advanced caching techniques to provide a reliable, fast, and engaging experience. In essence, PWAs blur the line between websites and mobile apps, offering features such as push notifications, offline functionality, and responsive design, making them a versatile solution for businesses. How does PWAs Work? Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) leverage a combination of modern web technologies to deliver an app-like experience on a web browser. Here’s a breakdown of the key components and technologies that power PWAs: Service Workers. These are scripts that run in the background, enabling offline capabilities, push notifications, and resource caching. They act as intermediaries between the network and the browser, ensuring that essential assets load even without an internet connection. Web App Manifest. These are JSON files that provide metadata about the app, such as its name, icons, theme color, and how it should appear when “installed” on a user’s device. This allows PWAs to mimic native apps in appearance and functionality. HTTPS Protocol. PWAs require secure connections (HTTPS) to ensure data integrity and security. This also enables advanced features like geolocation and service workers. Application Shell Architecture. This design pattern loads the app’s basic structure (shell) instantly, ensuring a smooth user experience even when the network is slow Benefits of PWAs Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are gaining popularity due to their ability to deliver a seamless user experience while being cost-effective for businesses. Here are the key benefits of PWAs: 1. Improved Performance and Offline Capabilities PWAs leverage caching and service workers to load content quickly and provide offline access. Cached resources allow PWAs to load instantly, reducing bounce rates and keeping users engaged. Meanwhile, users can access essential features and content without an internet connection, making PWAs reliable for regions with inconsistent connectivity. This ensures a smooth user experience regardless of internet connectivity. 2. Cross-platform compatibility PWAs work seamlessly across devices and operating systems. Unlike native apps, which require separate versions for Android, iOS, and desktops, PWAs run on a single codebase, saving development time and cost. Moreover, PWAs adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring a flawless experience on mobile, tablets, and desktops. This provides a consistent experience for users regardless of how they access the app. 3. Cost efficiency in development and maintenance PWAs are a budget-friendly alternative to native apps. It requires fewer resources to build and maintain. Developers create one PWA that works across platforms, reducing costs associated with developing and maintaining multiple apps.  Likewise, PWAs don’t require app store submissions, avoiding fees and streamlining updates directly through the web. 4. Enhanced user engagement and conversions Features like push notifications and home-screen installation improve user engagement and retention. The seamless and fast experience provided by PWAs can also lead to higher conversion rates, as users are less likely to abandon slow or unresponsive platforms. 5. Better SEO and Discoverability Unlike native apps, PWAs are indexed by search engines, making them more discoverable to potential customers. Businesses can leverage this feature to drive traffic and improve their online visibility. 5 Popular Examples of PWAs Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) have been adopted by leading businesses across various industries, showcasing their ability to deliver exceptional user experiences. Below are five successful examples of PWAs: 1. Pinterest Pinterest rebuilt its mobile web experience using a PWA, focusing on speed and engagement. The new platform addressed issues of slow loading times and low conversion rates on mobile devices. Key Features: Faster loading speeds and smoother scrolling. Responsive design ensures a consistent experience across devices. Push notifications to re-engage users effectively. 2. Starbucks Starbucks developed a PWA to improve accessibility for users in areas with poor network connectivity. The app allows customers to browse the menu, customise their orders, and add items to their cart even without an internet connection. Key Features: Offline ordering capability. Lightweight design for devices with limited storage. Seamless synchronisation of offline and online orders. 3. AliExpress AliExpress, one of the largest online retail platforms, launched a PWA to improve its mobile shopping experience. The app was designed to address slow loading speeds and low conversion rates on mobile devices. Key Features: App-like experience with fast loading times. Push notifications to encourage repeat visits. Offline functionality to keep users engaged in low-connectivity areas. Getting Started with PWAs: Steps for a business looking to adopt PWAs Adopting a Progressive Web App (PWA) is a strategic move that can transform how your business interacts with its audience. PWAs offer fast, reliable, and engaging user experiences that work seamlessly across devices.  Below is a step-by-step guide to help your business transition to using PWAs, complete with valuable resources for deeper understanding and implementation. Step 1: Evaluate Your Business Needs Before diving into development, it’s crucial to assess how a PWA aligns with your business objectives. Ask yourself the following questions: Do your users primarily interact via mobile devices? Does your business require offline access or push notifications? Are you looking to reduce the costs associated with native app development? Step 2: Define Clear Objectives Set specific and measurable goals to guide your PWA project. Common objectives include: Improving mobile engagement and retention. Increasing conversion rates for e-commerce platforms. Enhancing website performance for low-connectivity users. Clear goals will help you prioritise features and measure the success of your PWA. Step 3: Choose the Right Development Team Selecting

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ReactJS and TypeScript

ReactJS and TypeScript: The Perfect Duo for Scalable, Error-Free Applications

The differences between ReactJS and TypeScript complement one another and create a valuable method in software development. Providing error-free coding that’s scalable and with better maintenance is the dream for any developer after all. But how do the two actually provide support in creating applications? That’s what we will be talking about today. Along with defining what ReactJS is, what TypeScript is, and the benefits that you can get from utilising this iconic duo. What is ReactJS? Before anything else, we should first discuss what ReactJS is in the first place. ReactJS in development is the key to streamlining operations in the future. ReactJS, also known as React JavaScript, is a library with flexible, efficient, and interactive user interfaces for applications and websites.  User interface elements like buttons or search bars are reusable under ReactJS, making it maintainable and optimises production. Think of these reusable elements like blocks you can add piece-by-piece to create your whole user interface. The goal of ReactJS is to help developers separate complex interfaces instead of dealing with it as a whole. By doing so they can create functional web applications in a more optimised and efficient manner. What is TypeScript? ReactJS and TypeScript are all about integrating seamlessly with efficiency and effectiveness. We can’t learn about ReactJS alone without understanding what TypeScript is. TypeScript is also an open-source language. However, unlike ReactJS, it includes syntax to the JavaScript which helps catch errors that could lead to bugs and setbacks when utilising your applications. Think of TypeScript as an assistant or proofreader. While you create your maintainable code, any errors within your programming will be notified by TypeScript for your editing purposes. It’s utilised by frontend developers, backend developers, and full-stack developers. TypeScript is recommended when multiple collaborators team up for developing a code. Thanks to its ability to spot-check, collaboration runs more smoothly and allows you to organise your thoughts without interfering in the progress of developing your application. TypeScript documentation is available online, but the best one is from their actual website which upgrades information on the newest enhancements of the open-source language. Why Combine ReactJS with TypeScript? So, how do you take advantage of ReactJS and TypeScript’s differences? A react typescript tutorial is one thing, but why would anyone consider utilising it? Below are the best benefits you get from combining this iconic duo and how it will help your business’s growth. Any react typescript project experiences safety for its code structure and a significant reduction in errors. One of TypeScript’s specialties is that it can alert developers of any errors after they have defined the variables, values, and parameters to prevent misconceptions.  This ensures that your developer can speed up the creation of your application or website without any setbacks caused by common errors and issues. Enhances IDE Support and Code Maintainability Another benefit of combining ReactJS and TypeScript is that it’s supported by a large number of IDEs. IDE, which stands for Integrated Development Environment, refers to software applications that assist programmers in developing code.  IDEs are software that programmers use to combine tools in a singular platform to lessen their time in creating code. A great example of IDE is Visual Studio Code. When combining TypeScript with IDEs, programmers can expect to navigate through the code and check errors while running more quickly thanks to the platform while being spotted by TypeScript. Because of that, maintenance of the code structure is less difficult and even enhanced. Integration on Ecosystem Another bonus when combining ReactJS and TypeScript is the ability to create seamless integration within ecosystems. ReactJS has a wide range of libraries and tools compared to other programming languages. Because of this, developers utilising ReactJS with TypeScript can take advantage of the said libraries with their TypeScript. As a result, seamless integration is produced and removes compatibility errors that other programming methods come across.  Scalability for Large Applications It’s common for ReactJS applications to grow. Every programmer would know that with growth comes complexity and an increase in maintenance demands. The best part of combining TypeScript with ReactJS is that it creates an organisation for improved scalability. While scaling your code, TypeScript can help you organise the elements within the codebase to ensure your navigation while scaling is organised. Furthermore, maintenance of any elements within your code can be easily found. Faster Development Cycle Last but not least, ReactJS and TypeScript provide an overall better development experience for programmers when collaborating with other developers. Since TypeScript helps with organising and spotting errors, developers can easily rely on the system for suggestions and to catch potential bugs. When to Use Combined ReactJS with TypeScript There are plenty of projects available when utilising the create-react app TypeScript. A common misconception when deciding whether or not to utilise ReactJS with TypeScript is if it’s applicable to your project. What you should look into instead is your developer’s priorities. Are you looking for type safety or scalability? How about an overall better developer experience? These are the things you should consider.  Not only that, it’s imperative that you ensure what your developer prefers. Some developers prefer creating code without TypeScript, while others prefer having it. In the end, it all boils down to which is more preferred and what your developer has knowledge of. Projects That Benefit From ReactJS and TypeScript There are many Programming Languages that are suitable for different types of projects. The ones that benefit the most from ReactJS combined with TypeScript are projects involving mobile applications, blogs, book applications, trackers, and quiz applications. These types of projects are used daily by a wide variety of people and need ones that are user-friendly, easy to navigate, and organised enough that they won’t be overwhelmed. That’s exactly what ReactJS with TypeScript can give.  Conclusion We hope you enjoyed learning all about combining ReactJS and TypeScript. Tech leads, development managers, product managers, and CTOs are now exploring the benefits of using ReactJS for scalable applications. Join them in the future and

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Web development trends

11 Web Development Trends To Watch Out For In 2023

There are so many exciting web development trends in 2023. These emerging technologies provide plenty of opportunities to set up your website, engage with users in different ways, and even stay ahead of your competition.  With the fast-paced change we are witnessing right now, it can be hard to keep up. Luckily, we listed the latest web development trends and web tools you should pay close attention to this year.  Top 11 Web Development Trends In 2023 To Keep An Eye On Progressive web apps (PWA) PWA is a type of web application that provides web users with an almost full native mobile app experience. In short, it functions as an app but is a website.  It is one of the front-end web development trends that web developers should keep an eye on. In fact, in 2020, decision-makers of e-commerce brands in Europe and the US were planning to invest in PWA.  Now, a lot of e-commerce companies have already started using PWA. Some well-known brands are also using them, such as Lyft, a ride-sharing platform, and Starbucks, one of the largest coffee house chains in the world. Given the advantages that PWA can provide for companies, it is unsurprising that they are implementing it.  Uses fewer data and operates in slower networks Easier to update Cost-efficient since it functions on any operating system which makes it easier to develop and maintain App-like user interface (UI) Safe since it can only be accessed through HTTPS sites Accessible on the web and app stores Augmented Reality (WebAR) Augmented reality is a technology that has been around for quite a while. In the past couple of years, we have seen new applications of this particular trend broaden as well. Until recently, we saw it in education, healthcare, and gaming. WebAR is fast becoming one of the e-commerce web development trends to watch. Its interactive capabilities lead to a 94% higher conversion rate. While implementation can be challenging, this can be a big boon for e-commerce brands. Here is something to consider: Back in 2021, its market size was estimated to be around 9 billion USD. In a recent report, it will grow to USD 100 billion by 2026.  This indicates that WebAR’s applications will further broaden in the following years as we enter Web3. But businesses do not have to wait that long. Big brands like Amazon, Sephora, and IKEA have already jumped on this trend.  In short, WebAR is an investment that is worth considering.  No need to download and install a mobile application. No need for additional hardware or software. Can be used across different operating systems with just a Web browser. Easily access WebAR content through a hyperlink or a QR code. Track customer engagement metrics through robust Web analytics. Can easily outsource for web developers to implement WebAR app development and other creative services like 3D modelling. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistants In the past couple of months, there has been plenty of buzz around AI. Even so, it can potentially be one of the biggest web development trends that enhances the user experience. By integrating AI assistants into a website, businesses can provide more personalised and interactive experiences for web visitors. As a result, this leads to higher engagement and customer satisfaction. AI assistants can significantly lower customer complaints by 15%. Consequently, this can ultimately lead to increased sales.  Recently, 58% of B2B companies have already implemented AI-powered chatbots on their websites. Close behind them are 42% of B2C companies. The majority of these businesses invested in this trend because of its ability to provide 24-hour service and quick response times. With that said, implementing AI-powered assistants for customer-related functions on a website provides plenty of benefits, including:   Cut costs and boost revenue Provide a universal experience Increase customer loyalty Boost overall efficiency Provide convenience for customers Optimised Voice Search Since its introduction in 2011, voice search has become a popular tool for a lot of people, especially mobile device users. It is so widely used that it is projected to grow by USD 11.2 billion by 2026.  For businesses, one thing to take note of is that voice-assisted searches are equal for both the male and female populations. In the US alone, 72% of consumers engage with voice search through digital assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and Cortana.  In addition, optimising a website for voice search can yield plenty of benefits. Increase organic website traffic Build brand awareness & visibility Increase footfall for local searches Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) Page speed can impact whether or not people decide to buy. In fact, in a 2019 report, almost 70% of consumers base their willingness to make a purchase on a website’s page speed alone.   Since its initial launch in 2015, AMP has been providing mobile web users with lightning-fast digital experiences. While there has been a downtrend in its usage in recent years, it still makes up more than 34% of mobile usage for the entire internet. While Google has explicitly stated that AMP pages are not being prioritised, a quick search on a mobile device will show that they are indeed ranking higher in the search results. In addition, it also provides a couple of benefits:  Faster page load times Improved user experience Reduced data usage Easy implementation Enhanced security Single-Page Application (SPA) When it comes to web development trends, Javascript-based SPAs are the most recent and most popular right now. In fact, a lot of web users visit SPA applications already, like Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Trello, Gmail, and a few more Google applications. Not surprising, since its overall performance is comparably better to some others and it works quite well on any device. In addition, it also provides a couple of benefits that make it a popular choice for businesses and web developers.  Loads faster than traditional websites Provides a great user experience Takes less time to build Makes it easy to debug Works and performs well even offline or with lower bandwidth. Serverless

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Outsourcing Web development Philippines

Tips From Flexisource IT: Outsourcing Your Web Development Team in the Philippines

If you are carefully considering whether or not you should opt to outsource web development Philippines services, then this article is for you! Here at Flexisource IT, we understand that you need a  good web development team to create a great website. So we put together a couple of tips to help you choose the best web development services in the Philippines and outsource your offshore team. Our first Pro Tip: You can outsource your dedicated web development team with Flexisource IT! Get in touch with us today, and we will help you assemble your team from our pool of top-calibre IT talents. Outsourcing Climate in the Philippines  Before we jump right into the core of this article, let us first take stock of the outsourcing climate in the Philippines.  In simpler terms, the future of the outsourcing industry in the Philippines is looking bright. This is a bold statement, given the complications and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic.  But, according to a 2022 report by Colliers, the archipelagic nation is poised to capture a bigger slice of the outsourcing industry’s global market pie.  This is further affirmed by the fact that there were 1.44 million full-time employees and 29.1 billion USD worth of revenue in the first half of last year, as recorded by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP). This is attributed to the higher confidence in remote work and the increased demand from multiple companies from around the world. Looking back, within three (3) decades, these developments showcase a significant growth spurt in the outsourcing Philippines industry.  At the turn of the century, in the year 2000, it only accounted for barely 1% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). Now, even during the height of the pandemic, the industry remains robust. It contributed around 7% to the economy, alluding to the country’s ability to weather the drawdowns caused by COVID-19.  Furthermore, according to the United States International Trade Administration, this upward trend will continue. Stable demand to outsource Philippines services will drive the information and communications technology (ICT) sector to grow further.  8 Tips To Outsourcing The Best Web Development Philippines’ Team With that said, the current climate shows outsourcing web development services from the Philippines is a good business move.  The country is renowned as a premier outsourcing destination across the globe. Benefits, such as affordable labour costs, make the Philippines a highly attractive option for startups, small to medium businesses (SMBs), and even well-established corporations.  So, to help you outsource the best web development Philippines’ team, here are eight (8) tips that you should always remember.  Specify project goals and requirements Before you start searching for a reputable IT outsourcing agency, you must specify your project goals and requirements. These will serve as the general parameters that will guide you later on.  In addition, having a specific list will make the search and decision-making process easier and take less time. It will also help you stay on budget and lessen the chances of being swayed to pile on additional services that you do not necessarily need at present.  Define the tech requirements With that said, you should also define the technical requirements you will need for your web development project. Here are a couple of questions to keep in mind:  How many web developers are needed to help with the project? What are the necessary skills that every member of the team should possess? Consider project long-term needs  When outsourcing, you should also carefully consider the long-term needs of the project to fully maximise your website development Philippine team.  That means, aside from considering the immediate needs of the web development project, you should look ahead and factor in the potential needs down the road. This is one way to make the most of your investment and future-proof your website.  Select a reputable outsourcing web development Philippines agency Once you are equipped with your project’s needs and requirements, searching for an outsourcing web development agency in the Philippines is a lot easier.  Plenty of outsourcing companies are available, and each has a specialisation or niche. So, finding the company relevant to your project needs is pretty straightforward.  In addition, a good rule of thumb is to opt for a well-known and reputable IT outsourcing agency. This is because they already have a proven track record and have partnered with other companies before.  Review portfolio It is strongly encouraged to also check the portfolios of the website development Philippines agencies you are considering. This enables you to get a better idea of the quality of their service and where their expertise lies, and at what level.  Check the agency’s process Once you have a better idea of the web development outsourcing companies’ domain expertise, you should also consider taking a close look at their process. This encompasses the start of your partnership, assembling your dedicated web development team, customer support, and troubleshooting capabilities.  Moreover, some IT outsourcing companies also offer a trial period. This is a way to better understand your outsourced team’s performance, process, and synergy with your in-house staff without having to commit to a partnership right away fully. Compare prices Of course, another determining factor in your decision-making process is cost.  This does not necessarily mean you should consider the labour costs and the average web developer Philippines salary. A big plus provided by outsourcing agencies is that you do not need to go into the nitty-gritty of these things.  With that said, you should compare the price of the services provided by the outsourcing agencies versus the quality of their service, timely delivery, process, and after-sales support, to name a few.  Shortlist the best web development Philippines agencies The last tip is to create a shortlist of the potential web development Philippines agencies that are best suited for your project’s needs in the short and long term.  To make it easier, you can tabulate the information each agency has shared and what you

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Hosting service

7 Deciding Points in Choosing Your WordPress Hosting Service

WordPress makes it a lot easier to create any type of website you want. It gives you the freedom to design it however you want. But, now that you finished designing it, you are now faced with choosing the WordPress hosting service provider. There are plenty of hosting service companies available on the internet. It is dizzying to choose! Plus, there are loads of pros and cons of web hosting platforms that you need to factor in carefully.  To help you decide, here are some key points you should always consider before you decide on a WordPress hosting service. What Is A WordPress Host? We all know WordPress. But, what exactly is a WordPress host? A WordPress host, or a web host, is a company that is responsible for maintaining and managing the software and hardware where your WordPress website is located. They take care of the technical stuff, both inside and out. That way, website owners like you do not have to worry about every little detail that goes into creating and maintaining your website. In short, they offer hosting services to make your website visible on the internet. How Does Choosing A Hosting Service Affect Your Business? At this point, we all know that your website is your virtual storefront. How good it looks and performs, as well as what you offer, are the things your web visitors always consider.  All these depend on the quality of your WordPress host’s hosting service. If they perform well, your website can potentially have more web visitor traffic and convert them into paying customers. However, if they do not, then you are essentially losing money. 7 Decision Points To Help You Choose The WordPress host you choose will make a difference for your website and your business. The question is: How to choose the right hosting provider for you? To help you out, here are deciding points you should consider: Point 1: Price How much of your budget will you allocate for WordPress hosting service?  Every web host has different offers and packages for their services. It is important to identify how much you are willing to pay and stay on budget.  However, it is not wise to just choose the cheapest options available. Opting for the bare minimum is a recipe for trouble. You can potentially encounter more problems, resulting in losing website traffic and money. Instead, carefully weigh the price of the hosting service packages offered by web hosts. These should cover the essentials and do not have any hidden or additional costs upon subscription. Point 2: Speed The performance of your website is crucial. If any web pages lag or load too slowly, it impacts the web visitors’ experience, which can result in a high bounce rate. This affects search engine optimisation (SEO) performance.   Many factors influence your website’s performance. One of these is the server speed—which falls under the responsibility of the hosting service company. Here is how you can check the server’s performance:  Time To First Byte (TTFB). It is how long it takes for a request to be sent by a browser and to receive the web page’s first byte. The ideal estate should be less than 200 milliseconds or near it. Component Loading Time. It measures the time for the server to load the cached content. It should not take longer than a few milliseconds to complete.  Point 3: Storage & Bandwidth Storage is the space in the server where the files and data, such as images, videos, and other contents of your website, are stored. On average, a web page size is up to 2MB. However, keep in mind that your website’s data will get bigger as you add new content.  On the other hand, bandwidth is the limit of data transfer of a website within a specific period. There are two categories of bandwidth offered by any hosting service: Metered Bandwidth. A hosting service company sets a monthly limit on the traffic generated by a website. If it goes beyond the limit, there is a possibility that the site might crash and become inaccessible to web visitors. Opposite to this is Unmetered Bandwidth. There is no cap on the monthly usage and traffic. The limit is only up to the server capacity as covered by the subscription plan provided by a web host.  Luckily, most companies, including WordPress hosting agencies offer unmetered bandwidth already. A rule of thumb when considering web hosts and plans is to choose the one that offers more than 50% more resources than what your website currently needs.  Point 4: Scalability That said, it would be better if your potential WordPress hosting provider has scalable subscription plans. A web host should be able to adapt to the growing needs of your website. However, the reality is only a few only offer this—and for a reasonable price. Point 5: Security Iron-clad security is a must. There should be no compromises or cut-arounds when it comes to the security of your website. Make sure they provide these security measures: Firewalls Virus scanning DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection Brute force defence Server hardening SSL Domain Privacy That said, it is important to check the scope of security that a web host will provide based on the plans or packages they offer. A rule of thumb to remember is that the more you pay, the less responsibility you have to shoulder for your website’s security. Point 6: Customer Support Aside from good security features, a hosting provider should also have rock-solid customer support. Like it or not, the moment you pay a web host, they are now responsible for your website. The well-being of your website rests in their hands – which can be a critical factor to your business.  As such, check if your web host has superb customer support first. Reach out before you subscribe to a hosting plan. Ensure they pass all the things below:  Are they easy to reach or contact? Do they respond fast? How

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Becoming Full Stack Developer: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, you want to become a full stack developer? That is a great choice!  In this digital era, a full stack developer is highly sought after by many companies. Your skills as a front end developer and back end developer make you a versatile jack-of-all-trades. Basically, that makes you consistently in demand regardless of the industry you are in.  So, how does one start to become a successful full-stack web developer? In this article, we will share an easy step-by-step developers’ guide and a couple more tips and advice to help you along the way. What Is A Full Stack Developer? But before we share our developers’ guide, let us clear up one thing first: What exactly is a full stack developer? A full stack developer is a developer that has both the knowledge and skills to be two things: a front end developer and back end developer.  Basically, they can design, create, and optimise all visible and interactive components. Furthermore, they can also build, maintain, and improve software, databases, and servers. Full stack developers have what it takes to build websites, web pages, and web apps. Step By Step Guide To Becoming A Full Stack Developer Next up, how to become a full stack developer. This is a developers’ guide that you can use as a road map:  Step 1. Understand Your Experience Level Take a pause for a minute, before you start learning everything you need to know. First, you need to take a list of your capabilities. What do you know right now? Imagine there is a pop quiz on stuff about front end developers or back end developers. What score will you get? In any case, it is crucial to determine at what level you are right now. That way, it would be easier to identify what you will need later. Choose which one are you: Beginner — You have no idea at all. Or, you might know just a smidge. Amateur — You know enough. You are familiar with coding languages and know how to use the right tools. Expert — You already have experience either as a front end developer or back end developer. Now, you are looking to complete the package and improve yourself. Step 2. Decide Your Goal Or Path First Next, the road you will take to get to your destination.  If you think about money, that is already a given. Developers are in high demand. You already have plenty of options later.  Think of your goals. What do you hope to achieve? What kind of life are you aiming to have with your career as a full stack developer? Once you identify these, staying inspired and motivated throughout your journey will be easier. Step 3. Know Tools & Skills You Need To Learn For Full Stack Developer Much like when you were still in school, you will need the right equipment and a syllabus.  Basically, you will need these:  Good computer Text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Preferred web browser Terminal Design tools (Optional, but a good skill to have in your pocket) Now that you are properly equipped, here is an outline of what you will be learning:  1. Basics of web programming.  Start with HTML and CSS and understand the fundamentals of web programming. Once you get this, you should be familiar with the following:  Responsive web layouts to adapt to desktop and mobile view Custom Reusable CSS Components CSS Frameworks User Interface Design JavaScript 2. Learn the essential programming tools Since you are learning to be a full stack developer, you will need to learn what front end developers and back end developers use. For front end development:  Bootstrap Angular.js Foundation Python JavaScript Elixir HTML and CSS For back end development:  Django Ember.js Lodash React D3.js Package Managers Databases 3. Basic front end deployment You need to learn the ins and outs of front end development and how to launch a website. Here is a list you need to know: Enrol the domain name Website Hosting Email Hosting SSL certifications Tools to adapt the website to smaller apps 4. Front end framework and management There are plenty of frameworks to choose from, so it is best to focus on the most used and popular. These are the go-tos right now: React Vue Angular Svelte For front end management, it is good to also learn public administration as well. 5. Study TypeScript It is a specialised version of JavaScript that ensures your programs are reliable and easy to perform. Businesses use it a lot, so it would be helpful for you to learn this. 6. Server-side coding language It helps to be familiar with all coding languages. But, in reality, you might not have time for that. So you just need to learn what is popular and most used right now:  NodeJs Python Java PHP Ruby C# Kotlin 6. Server-side framework Once you have settled on your chosen coding language, you can pair it with these frameworks: NodeJs Python Java PHP Ruby C# Go 7. Database Anything online, especially programs, has data. Data needs to be stored. For back end developers, managing this data storage is a must. Here are a couple of platforms that you can choose from to focus on: RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) PostgreSQL MySQL MS SQL MongoDB CouchDB Elasticsearch Firebase Microsoft Could DB AWS Redis SQLite 8. Testing This is a skill that will save you time and effort and simplify your job as a full stack developer. You can use any testing framework to execute the following tests: End-to-End Tests Unit Tests Integration Tests 9. Content Administration Whether you are a freelancer or work for a company, you will be asked to deal with and manage the content management systems (CMS) of the business.  10. Deployment and DevOps Similarly to that, even if you are not part of a tech firm or team, it is good to have knowledge of DevOps. But it is completely up to you if

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PHP for web development

8 Reasons Why PHP is Still the Best Choice for Web Development in 2022

1. It’s Free and open source PHP is open source. Compared to other scripting languages, PHP does not require any paid hosting and licenses to use. There is no restriction. More than that, most CSM where you can use PHP does not require premium plans. So, developers can use PHP for free web development and its documentation! 2. Work well with a lot of CMS Developing a website is always an ongoing process. You just don’t make and launch it as it is. There will always be a need for managing, updating, and editing if you want your business to get ahead of the competition. And this means that developers will not be working alone in web development. Experts such as SEO, PPC, and content manager sooner or later will have to update the website on their own. However, not everyone has the specialized technical skills or knowledge to handle a code. Likewise, using CMS is vital in web development. Luckily, PHP works well with various content management systems such as WordPress. This programing language is compatible with the topmost CMS in the world wide web, including Magento, Drupal, Shopify, Joomla, and more CMS powered by a PHP-based framework. And since PHP works well with CMS, you can even use PHP for web development and create a well-customized website that is not available in CMS. 3. Compatible with several OS and platform When building a website or web app, developers need to ensure that it can cater to different types of customers and their devices. It is essential to ensure that your website is compatible with various browsers, OS, devices, and platforms. Likewise, you should choose PHP for web development because of its compatibility with different operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and more. In addition, the programming language’s interface is perfect with MySQL and Apache servers. Thus, it covers all major operating systems existing in various platforms. Likewise, PHP is also great for creating cross-platform web applications. You can make web apps that can be used on both desktop and mobile, making web development convenient and hassle-free. 4. Highly scalable Businesses need changes – either to your expanding company or new ventures. A successful website or application should seamlessly and efficiently accommodate this changing need. As such, scalability should always be in a developer’s mind. They need to create a scalable and flexible website that can handle an increase or decrease in a program without disrupting the end-users. PHP has been used by developers to create flexible web applications for over two decades. It is highly scalable, and it is easy to build dynamic web pages. No matter your point in the software development life cycle, you can modify your code anytime with PHP. Programmers do not need to rewrite the code or command function again.   Moreover, the scripting language can handle high traffic loads and handle multiple requests simultaneously. 5. Effortless and flexible database connection Together with technology, data has become a necessity in our lives. It runs our world, decision, and market. The world is slowly turning into data-driven society. As such, databases are becoming more part of web development. These days, the database is the most crucial part of any website because it stores all the information about your business, its products, and customer information. It is where you house most of the confidential data such as an address, trade secrets, and more. Thus, when developing a website, you need to ensure that you use a compatible programming language and integrate with databases. Luckily, PHP for web development makes it easier to connect your website to almost any kind of database. This gives the developers more freedom to choose which database they can use based on what suits best for the application. 6. Fast and can be secured A website reflects the company, and an unprotected webpage can be a liability. The importance of security in any website cannot be emphasized enough. The company’s data and information are at risk, leading to financial losses and customer dissatisfaction. Other security risks are not so well-known but just as essential to protect against. These include social engineering scams, denial-of-service attacks, and data leaks. Though many believe that open-source languages are vulnerable to attack, PHP has different built-in security features that protect the website from threats. In addition, the programming language has significant community support for the creation of Web Development Tools, frameworks, and best practices that help fix vulnerabilities and increase protection.   7. Tried and tested throughout the years One significant benefit of using PHP for web development is that the programming language has been around for decades. It has been tried and tested for various real-life developments. Most bugs have already been found and fixed, making the language reliable and trusted by many developers. In addition, its frameworks and tools have been made over time, giving developers more secure and adequate resources. There are also tons of tutorials, FAQs, tips, and guidelines for new PHP developers that the PHP community made. 8. Plenty of resources As mentioned earlier, PHP made a loyal community of developers that created resources, tools, and some best PHP Frameworks for everyone to use over the years. Likewise, another advantage of using PHP for web development is that it offers many resources and tools to the developers. It is handy for new and veteran PHP developers who want to add specific functionalities to their websites but do not know where to start. In addition, these resources include new ways to build a solution in web development. Many PHP forums and websites offer an ocean of resources covering almost all kinds of topics related to PHP. You don’t need to worry about facing an issue and not finding a solution with PHP. PHP is here to stay Given the above mentions potential and benefits of PHP, it is reasonable to assume that PHP is efficient and capable of handling big and extensive projects while being inexpensive and easy to use. More than that,

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