You’ve probably thought, “Learning to code seems super hard...” or “Where do I even start?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone. A lot of people feel lost when they’re just getting into programming.
But here’s the truth: the world of coding isn’t as scary as it seems, as long as you know where to begin.
Now, imagine this:
You open your favorite app—maybe Instagram, Tokopedia, or Netflix. You scroll, tap buttons, view pictures, even watch videos. But have you ever wondered, “Who made all of this work so smoothly?”
Well, the answer lies in two key parts of programming: frontend and backend.
These two work like a perfect pair—each doing their part so the app runs smoothly and looks good too.
But... hold up. What exactly are frontend and backend?
And why do so many people say learning fullstack is the best way to start?
What Is Frontend?
Imagine you're walking into a restaurant. As soon as you enter, you notice the stylish interior, cozy lighting, neatly arranged tables and chairs, and a menu that looks nice and easy to read.
All the things you see and feel right away—that’s the frontend.
In the world of apps and websites, the frontend is everything you can see, click, tap, or scroll through. From colors, text, and buttons, to images and animations that change when you swipe—yep, that’s all frontend work.
Examples:
- The "Like" button on Instagram
- The search bar on Tokopedia
- The playlist view on Spotify
- The login form when you're signing into an account
Basically, if you can see it and interact with it, it’s part of the frontend.
Who Builds All That?
The person behind it is called a Frontend Developer. They usually work with tools like:
- HTML – to build the structure of the content
- CSS – to style things (colors, shapes, sizes, etc.)
- JavaScript – to make things interactive (like when a button shows an animation when you click it)
But don’t worry—you don’t need to understand the technical stuff just yet.
What matters now is knowing this: frontend is the outer layer of a website or app—the part users see and use directly.
Now that frontend’s starting to make sense, let’s move on to the part you don’t see but is just as important: the backend.
What Is Backend?
Earlier, we talked about the front of a restaurant—now let’s head into the kitchen.
Picture this: you're sitting in a cozy restaurant. You order your food from the menu (that’s the frontend), but after that... you don’t see how the food gets made, right?
Well, that behind-the-scenes cooking process—that’s what we call the backend.
The backend is the part of an app or website that you don’t see, but it’s what makes everything actually work behind the scenes.
Examples:
- You log into your account → the backend checks if your email and password are correct.
- You click “Buy Now” → the backend processes your order and stores the data.
- You open your profile page → the backend grabs your info from the "storage room" (aka database) and sends it to the frontend to display.
The frontend gives you a nice interface, but the backend is what makes everything actually function.
Who Builds the Backend?
The person handling all this is called a Backend Developer. They usually work with things like:
- Servers – where the app runs
- Databases – where the data is stored
- Popular backend languages: Python, Node.js, PHP, Java, and more
What Is Fullstack?
We’ve talked about frontend (the part you see and interact with) and backend (the behind-the-scenes part that makes everything work).
Now imagine someone who can do both.
They can cook in the kitchen and serve the food directly to the customer.
That’s what we call a Fullstack Developer.
A Fullstack Developer is someone who can handle both frontend and backend.
This means they can create the user interface you see and also build everything behind the scenes to make it all work smoothly.
Imagine you’re building a simple note-taking app:
- You design the interface to make it look nice (frontend work).
- You build the system behind it so the notes can be saved, edited, or deleted (backend work).
If you can do both, congratulations—you’re working as a fullstack developer.
Fullstack Is Great for Beginners
This is super important if you’re just starting out with coding:
Learning fullstack first helps you understand the “big picture” of how a complete app is built from scratch.
You’ll get to know:
- How the interface is made
- How data is stored
- How everything connects and works together
And from there, you can decide for yourself:
- Maybe you want to focus on frontend because you enjoy design and user interaction
- Or maybe you prefer backend because you love logic and working with data
- Or you might stay as a fullstack developer because you like doing it all
Which One Should You Choose? Here's Our Advice for Beginners
Now that you know the difference between frontend, backend, and fullstack, you might be wondering:
So... where should I start?
Should I just pick one, or try everything first?
The answer is: try everything first—start by learning fullstack.
Why?
Because learning fullstack at the beginning helps you see the big picture.
It’s like learning how to build a house—you don’t just learn how to install a door or wire the lights. You learn the full process, from foundation to rooftop.
Learning Fullstack First Helps You:
- Understand how an app works from front to back
- Be more flexible when building your own projects (you don’t have to rely on others)
- Communicate better with your team later, since you understand both sides of coding
And once you’ve tried both, you’ll usually start to feel what suits you best:
- “I actually enjoy designing and working with users!” → You might focus on being a Frontend Developer
- “I prefer working behind the scenes and solving logical problems.” → You’re probably more of a Backend Developer
- Or maybe you enjoy both and feel at home as a Fullstack Developer
All of these are valid paths—and yes, they’re all solid career options.
Here’s the Simple Path:
Start with fullstack → learn the basics of frontend and backend → then focus on what you enjoy most.
You don’t have to decide everything right away. The most important thing is: just start—and enjoy learning step by step.
Just Start
Learning programming can definitely sound intimidating at first—especially when you hear terms like frontend, backend, and fullstack. It feels like stepping into a whole new world filled with jargon and confusion.
But trust me, you’ll understand it all, little by little, as long as you’re willing to start.
You don’t need to “get it all” before you begin. In fact, the more you try, the more it’ll make sense.
Tips for Getting Started:
- Begin with small, simple projects like:
- A to-do list app (great for light frontend + backend practice)
- A basic note-taking app
- A personal portfolio website
- Use beginner-friendly tools like:
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript (for frontend)
- Node.js or Python + simple databases like SQLite (for backend)
- There are tons of free tutorials and communities out there to help you. You’re not alone.
And Finally:
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. In the world of programming, everyone runs into errors. What matters is learning from them.
Frontend, backend, or fullstack—they all come with their own unique challenges and rewards.
But your first step is the most important one. And guess what? You already took that step by reading this article.
So… go on, start learning. Coding isn’t just for geniuses—it’s for you too.
Top comments (2)
can you please give me a tutorials.
what kind of tutorial do you need?