Ask HN: From WebDev to JsDev | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: From WebDev to JsDev

1 pointofcapl_4 comments

Hi everyone, I'm a Web Developer, focused mainly on frontend part. Currently I encounter with more and more job offers, which are focused on plain javascript app development and salary higher than I could ever expect as webdeveloper.

My question is - how complicated can be a switch from a job where most tasks are based on DOM manipulation, ajax requests and jQuery animations to plain javascript app development? Can You suggest some example apps which I should try to develop before making decision to switch? What additional tools should I master?

Is here any webdev/jsdev who have gone through similiar specialization switch?

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There's definitely a huge difference between supplementing your HTML with some JavaScript and writing a JavaScript application.

JavaScript as a server side language is a new playing field, with different trade-offs, obstacles and design. I built an API service last year using Koajs (alternative to express), Gulp (alternative to grunt) and a bunch of other things.

Recently I've been looking into isomorphic JavaScript single page applications and have been learning a bunch of new things, such as webpack, yahoo isomorphic flux stack (fluxible, routr etc.) and application structuring.

You'll be surprised by how little you really know about JavaScript as a programming language till you start with server side and SPA development. I'd suggest you start off with building a traditional web application in Node.js (with gulp) before attempting SPA development. Also take a look at React and Babel.

thank You for the answer.

As WebDeveloper you start with the HTML and build your end product. As JsDeveloper you start with an JSApp and integrate the HTML Templates (or only the structure).

It's a complete different work model - try to start with a react or angular app based on commonJS.

thank You for the tip - btw. I have also some experience with Meteor.js so I think it can be handy.

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