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Digital Literacy

why are there several programming languages for front-end programming?

Would it be easier to have a all in one languages for front end programming.

1 Answer

Jason Anders
MOD
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,860 Points

Hey Marcus. Welcome to Treehouse.

Having an all-in-one language, in my opinion, would probably make things more complicated and confusing when creating for a front-end developer.

You have three primary languages for Front-End Development: HTML, CSS, and Javascript, and each has a pretty specific role in the development process.

HTML provides the base structure. CSS provides the styles. JavaScript provides the functionality/interactivity.

With the languages being different, I feel you are able to more finely focus and create exactly what you want. I kind of see it as a new house being built... you have the "framer" (HTML), the "painter" (CSS), and the "electrician" (JavaScript).

If you end up working for a design company that takes on big projects, the projects could also be broken up much easier with the different languages. One person could be coding the HTML. Someone else could be doing the styling or the CSS. And, others could be coding the functionality of the site/project (JavaScript). Because the languages are separate, they can all work independently, but still be part of an highly interlaced team. As the HTML is being structured, the CSS can begin targeted styling, and the JavaScript can start building the User Interfaces. If there was just one language, each one would need to know exactly what the others were doing and probably many toes would be getting stepped on.

Another reason would be the ability to work on different parts out-of-order from the production flow. JavaScript could begin and complete all the user interfaces needed without actually having any of the HTML or CSS code written. If you're told what is needed, you could probably complete that part and then just pass on the specifics (eg. IDs and/or Classes) to the HTML/CSS. There is much more freedom and specificity with multiple languages that you would lose if it was combined into one.

Although the languages all work and need to be together to create the final project, each is separate and easily modified if something needs to be changed. One language may work, but I think it would complicate the process and restrict you to a fairly specific production flow.

I hope this makes sense, and it is just my opinion.

Keep Coding! :)