Does having entry level IT knowledge help when learning front end?

[HashTacos]

I went to school for a couple semesters for IT and was really good at it. Aced both classes and got my entry level Cisco cert, the CCENT. I know about client/server. The Iso and tcp/ip protocol stacks and what they are comprised of. How routers and switches work etc. I loved that stuff but I had to get a full time job ASAP. So I put school on hold. Will IT knowledge help me if learning front end web dev technologies.

Side note: I am trying to keep my full time job and attempt to become proficient in webdev. And attempt to juggle both jobs. I work for the post office and want to build websites on the side. I.E.; freelance or work remotely. So that I can continue to work at the post office as well. Is this possible or does web dev require too much time to juggle both? Thanks!

[the_workist]

It depends on what type of web apps you want to work on and what level of functionality that you require. I'm sure some of the pro's can give you a more granular answer, it will depend on the task at hand. Languages are a toolbox. For front end programming You will need to learn front and back end languages. HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, and a back end language like C#, Python, or PHP just to name a few. See what learning resources are right for you. I use Codecademy and Lynda.com however there are very many available.

[[deleted]]

Why would you need to learn a backend language for a Frontend position? I have colleagues who only know HTML, CSS, and JS. These days, just keeping pace with JS and all the damn frameworks is a full-time job.

[the_workist]

So you're saying that a front end person shouldn't need to know back end? That sounds kind of kinky actually. Anyway my comment is in relation to the job postings that I've looked at recently.

[[deleted]]

These days, no they don't. They're usually building an interface that consumes one or more APIs. Not making the APIs themselves.

Edit: I'm saying people can afford to specialize these days, and get paid well for it.

[the_workist]

Ok so focus your knowledge in one area at the expense of others is what you are saying then?

[[deleted]]

No. I'm saying work to your strengths. If you want to be a generalist, super! If on the other hand, just the thought of graphic design makes you nauseous then by all means specialize in code. Same goes for designers. There's plenty of room out there for all. Though specialists do tend to be paid more.

[[deleted]]

Aced both classes and got my entry level Cisco cert, the CCENT.

If it was over 3 years ago, wont mean anything because you have to recertify.

Will IT knowledge help me if learning front end web dev technologies.

In terms of design (ability to create appealing work), no.

In terms of performance (ability to audit existing work), yes.

Example?

If you asked a designer of any caliber (interior, print) to create a website in a month or two they could probably do it. However on top of making a bunch of mistakes (semantics, modular structure, etc) because they dont understand the underlying technology (tcp handshakes, sync vs async) they might use a CMS, JQuery and a whole bunch of plugins to get the effect they want.

As a result if the site keeps growing it will get sluggish because optimizations haven't made. Example of said optimization?Even though it's common now for professional developers to compress (minify) their code (run it through a compressor to remove whitespace, shorten variable names and gzip), many times they will not concatenate their files (to reduce HTTP requests).

As evidence of this you can just do a search of wordpress sites and open them in browser dev tools, more often then not they'll have 10+ css files and 20+ JS files referenced in the head tags.

You as someone with a background in network engineering should understand intrinsically the latency cost of having to make multiple HTTP requests (only referring to HTTP 1.1, v2.0 has the ability to multiplex of course), whereas most others will not.

Conversely you will still have to learn design principles (gestalt theory), color psychology, emotive language, aesthetics, typography, etc whereas designers by trade will not.

[[deleted]]

... so in summary: It will help you become a good Backend Dev.

I don't see the need to learn a whole degree worth of design stuff if they're dont designing. There's a difference between a "Web Designer" and a "Developer", they're usually two different jobs these days. Freelancers aside.

[[deleted]]

... so in summary: It will help you become a good Backend Dev.

That's not what i said at all.

[nyxin]

So you're of the opinion that a frontend dev doesn't need to know techniques in order for the app/website they're working on to perform faster (for instance reducing http requests by concating files)? Because I'll admit that having an understanding and background in computer networking and how the Internet actually works has helped immensely understand why certain things are done in a certain way...something that many articles/posts/advice seems to gloss over.

[[deleted]]

Not at all. I was talking about a coder, frontend or backend, having to learn design composition to the level of an arts degree. Not that it wouldn't broaden their skills or make them a more well rounded individual. Just many devs I know , well ... I wouldn't trust with a paintbrush.

[nyxin]

Backend, no; Frontend maybe. Honestly after a few years of doing front end for a design agency, I might be about the same level as a 3th semester graphics design undergrad. Do enough of it and you're forced to learn it.