Wednesday 27 July 2022

How Much Does a Full Stack Developer Make in 2022?

When you’re considering a future in web development, there are many different paths you can choose. If you’re hoping for long-term stability, the career options and salary outlook of each unique development role may influence your decision. Therefore, you might be wondering how much a full stack developer makes.

As with any profession, there are a handful of important factors that can influence how much a full-stack developer earns. This includes their location, technical skills, and experience level.

In this post, we’ll explain what a full stack developer does and the necessary skills and education to become one. Then, we’ll do a deep-dive into the salary data for full stack developer roles, including averages for different skill levels and years of experience. Let’s jump in!

What Does a Full Stack Developer Do?

Full stack development is a term used to describe web developers who work with both the front-end and back-end of a website. Front end developers are responsible for the design and layout of a website, while back end developers handle the server-side web components and their functionality.

However, full stack developers have a broad knowledge of software development. They are able to create, test and deploy websites and applications on both the front and back-end.The advantage of being a full stack developer is that you have a better understanding of how the entire website or application works.

This means that you can troubleshoot problems more effectively and build websites and applications that are more robust. In addition, as a full stack developer, you will be able to take on more responsibility for a project, since you understand both the front-end and back-end.

how much does a full stack developer make?

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Full Stack Developer?

In order to be a successful full stack developer, you will need to have strong skills in both front end and back end development languages. To comfortably navigate the front-end, you should be proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Moreover, PHP, Ruby on Rails, or Nodejs  are useful when working on the back-end.

Furthermore, you’ll likely need to have a strong understanding of databases, server-side architecture, and web hosting. Additional responsibilities include:

If you’re interested in becoming a full stack developer, the best way to start is by learning the basics of front-end and back end development. You can do this by taking online courses or attending coding bootcamps.

Once you have a strong understanding of both front end and back end development, you can start working on projects that require both skills. As you gain experience, you can specialize in either the front-end or back-end, or continue to work as a generalist.

How Much Does a Full Stack Developer Make in 2022?

As we mentioned, there are a handful of important factors that can influence how much a full stack developer makes. Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and company.

For example, a full stack developer in New York city will almost certainly make more than someone in a similar position in a small town or in a different country. Similarly, full stack developers at large companies may get more competitive salaries than their peers working at small startups or as freelancers.

Based on research by salary.com, the salary range for full stack developers typically falls between $84,136 and $111,417 per year. The exact numbers vary slightly based on different websites. According to Indeed, the average base salary for a full stack developer in the United States in 2022 is $100,318:

how much does a full stack developer make?

On top of this, there is also an average $5,000 cash bonus per year, as well as 401(k) benefits.

With less than a year of experience, the starting salary is $82,335 per year. However, after only three to five years of working, that number jumps to as much as $121,415.

Glassdoor reports similar salary estimates. The site says the national average for entry-level full stack developers is $89,980 per year and $107,970 overall.

According to Indeed, these are some of the U.S. cities with the highest salaries for full stack developers:

  • San Francisco, California ($131,364 per year)
  • Austin, Texas ($117,677 per year)
  • New York, New York ($116,034 per year)
  • Denver, Colorado ($112,579 per year)
  • Atlanta, Georgia ($110,075 per year)
  • Chicago, Illinois  ($108,367 per year)
  • Seattle, Washington ($106,832 per year)
  • Los Angeles, California  ($105,772 per year)
  • Brooklyn, New York ($105,191 per year)

The majority  of full stack developers also seem to report high levels of job satisfaction. More specifically, 65% of full stack programmers in the U.S. think their salaries are sufficient for the cost of living in their area.

Full Stack vs. Front End Developer and Back End Developer Salaries

To better understand the pay for full stack developers, it may help to compare it to programmers with similar expertise. According to Indeed, the average salary for front end developers in the U.S. is $102,177 per year, whereas the average salary for back end developers is $116,420 per year.

Full Stack Developer Salaries By Role

As with most other fields, your earning potential as a full stack developer will depend on your experience level. The further you progress along your career path, the more opportunities there are to earn a higher income.

Below are the average salaries for full stack developer roles by years of experience:

  • Full Stack Engineer: $120,742 per year (2-4 years of experience)
  • Senior Full Stack Engineer: $150,326 per year (2-4 years of experience)
  • Lead Full Stack Engineer: $158,538 per year (5-7 years of experience)
  • Principal Full Stack Engineer: $173,930 per year (8+ years of experience)
  • Vice President of Full Stack Engineering: $183,154 per year (8+ years of experience)

According to Glassdoor, 83% of people working as a Full Stack Engineer have earned a Bachelor’s Degree. Also, the majority (58%) of full stack developers have between 2 and 4 years of experience.

However, it’s worth noting that a lack of formal education in web development specifically probably won’t hold you back if you want to become a full stack developer. That’s because there is a long history of self-taught programmers and plenty of credible coding bootcamps you can attend.

Full Stack Developer Salaries By Programming Language

The salaries for full stack developers can also vary by programming language. We looked up some of the most popular types of full stack developers to see what the average yearly salary was:

Again, these estimates can vary slightly depending on which resource you use. However, you can find similar results on sites such as Indeed.

What Is the Job Outlook for Full Stack Developers?

In addition to the average yearly salary, you’re probably also wondering about job security. We have good news. It’s probably no surprise that web developer demand and salaries have grown considerably over the last two decades. According to research by CodeSummit, the average salary for programmers in 2000 was $60,970.

Between 2001 and 2007, the mean salary for application programmers increased from $72,370 to $106,710. In those seven years, the total number of employed web developers increased by 31%, with average wages increasing by 21%.

Therefore, the job prospects and career outlook for full stack developers is solid. What’s more, the demand for web developers is expected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Full Stack Developers Make a Comfortable Income

Now is an excellent time to pursue a career in web development. However, when you’re trying to figure out which career path to take, it helps to understand the job outlook and potential salary you’ll be looking at.

As we discussed in this post, full stack developers are tasked with managing both the front-end and back-end of websites and application development. They make an average annual salary of about $100,000. The exact pay can vary depending on technical skills, experience, and location.

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Monday 25 July 2022

How Much Does a Back End Developer Make in 2022?

Becoming a back end developer requires a specialized skill set and a significant time investment. Before starting down that path, you may want to know if the end result will be worth your time.

The good news is that back end developers in the United States can expect to reach six figures, with an average annual salary of about $116,000. Still, not every job in this field is the same. Factors like location, years of experience, and coding knowledge all influence how much you’ll earn.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a back end developer does, talk about the future prospects of this career path, and explore how much money a back end developer can make in 2022 based on several sources. Let’s get started!

The Duties of a Back End Developer

For those outside of the computer science and engineering fields, it’s easy to assume that all computer programmers or web developers are the same. As you’re probably aware, however, there are countless coding languages, specializations, and areas of technical knowledge.

Back end developers primarily focus on server-side script writing for apps and websites. In other words, these developers are responsible for the flow of data that happens behind the scenes in order for mobile applications and web pages to function accurately and efficiently.

As a result, back end developers spend a lot of time with databases, and can specialize in a variety of coding languages. Some common coding languages used by back end developers include:

Back end developers often work within frameworks such as Laravel, Django, and Node.js, depending on the programming language they are using. Since these developers spend most of their time working with databases, they will also be familiar with the details of management systems like Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. Knowledge of API and ORM interfaces is also important.

This may sound overwhelming, but most people start with a narrow focus and learn more as needed. For example, a programmer skilled in JavaScript may brush up on their PHP as required to complete a particular project. In most cases, you only need to master a few common skill sets to get started as a back end developer.

How Much Does a Back End Developer Make?

While factors like education, experience, and location all affect the final number, back end developers can expect to earn a salary of just over $100,000 on average.

Indeed reports an average pay of $116,605 per year for back end developers in the United States, with a few outliers reporting higher salaries as much as 50% more to double that amount. Glassdoor shows very similar results, reporting an average salary of $116,222.

Salary.com provides a range of $91,303 to $117,112, which is a little lower but still aligns with the other two sources:

average back end developer salary

In a general sense, average earnings for back end developers are strong when compared to similar roles such as web developers, app developers, and even front end developers. Those fields are broader, and generally require less specialization. Working with databases on the back end of websites and apps is also less appealing to many programmers when compared to more hands-on work, making it a more niche focus.

The benefits in this field also tend to be impressive, since competition for skilled back end developers encourages companies to attract and retain them for long-term careers. These developers commonly report perks such as 401(k) plans, remote work options, commute compensation, continued education assistance, comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, and stock options.

In other good news, the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that this field will grow by 13% over the next five years. This is partly due to the reasons mentioned above, as well as an increase in demand corresponding to the continued growth of popularity for mobile devices and the eCommerce industry.

How Experience Level Affects Back End Development Salaries

As with most jobs, experience is one of the biggest factors when it comes to compensation. This is especially true for developers who spend years honing their skills, learning tricks of the trade, and expanding their knowledge to new coding languages and software platforms.

ZipRecruiter reports an average salary of $76,685 for entry-level back end developers, while senior-level back end developers make roughly 40% more, with an average salary of $107,812. These numbers are a little lower than what is reported from other sources, but helps to illustrate the effect experience has on total earnings.

Knowledge of specific skills also has a notable impact on how much back end developers can make. More common skills like Python, C++, and data structures can give a small boost of around 10%, while specialized skills such as XSLT, Pig, and Haskell can result in jumps as high as 20-50%.

Experience tends to correlate with a broader range of knowledge for back end developers, so the more you know, the more valuable you are, and the more you can qualify for different opportunities and projects. You can see the list earlier in this article for common skill sets that benefit back end developers, while specialized knowledge in rare niches can make you even more valuable to the right employers.

How Location Affects Back End Development Salaries

While the above numbers reflect pay in the United States’ market, earnings vary considerably by country and even from state to state within the U.S. ZipRecruiter provides a breakdown by state that can give you an idea of where there is more demand and if it would be worth relocating.

There is a stronger overall earning potential in the west, including states like California, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Arizona, and Wyoming. Meanwhile, southern states such as Texas, Louisiana, and the Carolinas report a lower average salary for back end developers:

back end developer salary by state

Note that pay is likely to fluctuate from company to company as much as state by state, and the highest salaries may reflect higher costs of living.

In addition to the U.S., Australia has a similar demand and slightly higher average salaries of around $123,839. Other high-earning countries include Switzerland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

A Growing Field

Back end developers are in high demand, as more and more business goes digital. Not only that, but technology continues to become more interconnected with the rise of online gaming, mobile devices, and cloud storage. All of these industries need to hire back end developers to keep the data flowing, making this a solid career prospect for the foreseeable future.

Back end developers can expect a strong salary potential, with a median income around $100,000 plus or minus 20%. With a healthy outlook and good salary relative to other programming fields, back end developer is a solid choice for those interested in a computer science career that is in high demand.

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Friday 22 July 2022

How to Learn React… Fast

If you’re interested in building User Interfaces (UIs), you’ll likely want to learn React. However, figuring out where to start can be challenging. There are multiple levels ranging from beginner to advanced. What’s more, there are a handful of elements that make it different from other libraries and frameworks.

The good news is that there are plenty of resources out there that can help simplify the learning process. With the right knowledge, tools, and guidance, you can gain a sound understanding of React. That way, you can start using it in your development projects.

In this post, we’ll explain what React is and discuss the benefits of learning it. Then, we’ll go over some skills and topics to review before you can explore React. Finally, we’ll provide you with information and resources that you can use to learn React as fast (and affordably) as possible. Let’s jump in!

An Introduction to React

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces and front-end applications:

React website

It lets you create reusable components so that your code is easy to read and maintain. When paired with a tool like Webpack, React can be used to build single-page applications and static websites.

It’s also important to note that React is declarative. That means it uses a more natural way of describing what should be displayed on the screen. This makes your code easier to debug. Additionally, since React is component-based, you can more easily manipulate and reuse small, independent pieces in different parts of your application.

Furthermore, there are a number of features that make React suitable for building UIs. One is JSX, a syntax extension to JavaScript that lets you write HTML-like code inside your JavaScript files. This makes your code even more readable and even easier to work with.

Another is virtual Direct Object Modeling (DOM). The virtual DOM is a representation of the actual DOM in memory. React uses this to figure out which parts of the UI need to be updated when state changes occur. It makes React applications more performant than those that use the full DOM.

Why You May Want to Learn React

React is a popular choice for building UIs for a handful of reasons. It offers a number of benefits, including that it:

  • Produces clean, readable code
  • Is easy to debug and find errors in your code
  • Makes it simple to create reusable components
  • Offers an excellent way to structure your code

Moreover, React is different from other frameworks or libraries because it uses a declarative paradigm instead of an imperative one. In React, you describe what your UI should look like, and React takes care of updating the UI when the underlying data changes.

This approach makes it easy to create complex UIs without having to write much code. It also makes it easy to reason about your code. This, as we mentioned before, makes debugging and maintenance simpler.

Furthermore, React is designed to be extensible, so you can create your own custom components and use them in your application. It’s also open source, so you can use it for free.

What to Learn Before React

Before learning React, there are a few things developers should have a working knowledge of first. Let’s take a look at some of the most important:

  • JavaScript: React is a JavaScript library, so it’s important that you learn JavaScript have a good understanding of the language before you start.
  • HTML and CSS: Learning HTML and CSS is strongly recommended for learning React since its applications are typically written in HTML and CSS.
  • Git: React applications are often stored in a Git repository, so it’s important to understand how to use this version control system.
  • Webpack: As we mentioned, Webpack is a tool that can be used to bundle your React application into a single file for deployment.
  • Babel: Babel is a tool that can be used to transpile your React code into JavaScript that can be run in the browser.
  • React Router: This is a library that you can use to manage the routing in your React application.
  • Redux: This library can help you manage state in your React application.

These are just a few of the elements that developers should understand before they start learning React. At a minimum, a solid grasp of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS is needed.

It’s also helpful if you’re experienced with common programming concepts such as functions, objects, arrays, and classes. However, the more familiar you are with all of the above, the easier it will be to get the hang of React.

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How to Learn React Fast (8 Useful Resources)

If you’re interested in learning React, there are a handful of resources available that can help streamline the process. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most useful and inexpensive options you can use.

1. React Official Website

The React official website contains a wealth of information about React, including important documentation, tutorials, and examples. It also has a community forum where you can ask questions and get help from other React developers.

On the website, there’s a link to the React repository on GitHub, where you can find the source code for React. To get started, you can navigate to the website and select the Tutorial tab:

React website tutorial

Here, you’ll find an introductory lesson on React. It starts by walking you through the process of building a small game. Throughout it, you’ll learn the fundamental techniques needed for constructing a React application.

It’s an excellent option if you’re someone who learns by doing. In addition to teaching you the fundamentals (components, props, and state), it will also cover the most important React development techniques and provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the React benefits.

Under the Docs tab on the website, you can also find tons of helpful resources, tools, and article guides. You can browse them based on specific topics and goals, such as adding React to a website, using it to create an app, and learning advanced concepts.

2. Codecademy

Codecademy is a website that offers interactive courses on various programming languages, like React:

Codeacademy website

The courses are self-paced, so you can work through them at your own speed. More specifically, Codecademy offers a Learn React course on building front-end applications:

Codeacademy Learn React courses

The Codecademy React course covers the basics of React, including how to create components, props, and states. Additionally, the course teaches you how to use React with JavaScript and how to build a simple front-end application with React. After you’ve completed this course, you should be able to build simple React applications.

The course is free to take, but it does have a monthly subscription fee if you want access to the full range of features. With the pro plan, you can earn a certificate upon completion. It takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

3. FreeCodeCamp.org

Free Code Camp is another great resource for developers who want to learn how to code without spending any money. It offers a Learn ReactJS – Complete Roadmap guide on building front-end applications with React:

Alt text: The Freecodecamp.org website.

This is a great option for beginners, since it goes over what to learn before. It can also help you progress from being an intermediate React developer to an advanced one. You can use this guide as a map of your learning experience. It is also packed with helpful tutorials and resources for every step of the learning journey.

4. Udemy

Udemy is a popular platform that provides a wide range of online learning paths on various subjects. It has over 3,000 courses on React:

Udemy website

Some are a bit outdated and particularly short. However, there are plenty of solid options worth checking out, such as React JS Frontend Web Development for Beginners:

Udemy ReactJS framework course

This free course will teach you the basics of hooks and working with external Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). It can also show you how to make AJAX requests and how to build a news app.

Udemy’s free courses all include nearly three hours of online video content. However, paid memberships are also available. With a paid plan, you can get a certificate of completion, plus instructor Q&A and direct messages.

5. Egghead.io

Egghead.io is great resource for learning React:

egghead.io website web developer courses

It offers a number of video courses that cover various topics related to React. One of the most popular is The Beginner’s Guide to React:

egghead.io beginner's guide to React course

This is a free, hands-on course that teaches you how to build smart websites with ReactJS. The course is composed of 28 parts, with each lesson in a single index.html file. This provides a distraction-free learning environment that lets you develop your skills in a focused, streamlined manner.

The course begins with a blank file, then gradually grows more complex as you progress through the lessons. At the end, you’ll learn how to move to a product-ready environment and deploy your application.

Additionally, the course teaches you what problems React can solve and how to work them out. It also explains what JSX is and the role it plays in standard JavaScript objects and function calls. In this course, you’ll also learn how to manage state with hooks and build forms.

6. Coursera

Another popular online learning platform to consider for learning React is Coursera:

Coursera website

The professional courses on this website are created by highly accredited universities across the globe. One of the most helpful React courses is Front-End Web Development with React:

Coursera front end web development with React course

This premium course teaches you fundamental concepts as well as more advanced methods, such as React routing, designing single-page applications, how to use the REST API, and using Redux for client-server communication. Offered by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, this course is a bit more formal than other options.

However, it delivers comprehensive, detailed lessons that can help you advance to the next step of your React knowledge. By the end of the course, you’ll be familiar with client-side JavaScript application development and the React library. You’ll also be able to:

  • Use various React features including components and forms.
  • Implement a functional front-end web application using React.
  • Utilize Reactstrap for designing responsive React mobile applications.
  • Use Redux to design the architecture for a React-Redux application.

You also have multiple options for joining the course. As a standalone course, you can pay a monthly fee. However, if you join Coursera Plus, the course is included. You’ll also receive a professional certificate upon completion and unlimited access to other courses.

7. Scrimba

Scrimba is a powerful platform for learning how to code:

Scrimba website

It offers thousands of paths and courses that can help you learn React Native, React app building, and much more. One of the courses we recommend is Learn React:

Scrimba website learn React for free course

This interactive course is an excellent resource for beginners. It teaches the basics of modern React and offers lessons that require you to solve more than 140 coding challenges. You’ll build eight projects and explore 147 screencasts across four modules.

Throughout the course, you can take multiple paths. For example, you can learn how to build a React information site in two and a half hours. You can also learn how to build a meme generator or create an AirBnB experience website.

8. Facebook Create-React-App

Facebook’s create-react-app is a tool that can be used to create a boilerplate React application:

Facebook create-react-app

Available on GitHub, this resource for developers lets you get started with React quickly. It teaches you how to create a new app and develop apps bootstrapped with it, with no build configuration.

You can use it on macOS, Windows, and Linux. In addition to being completely free, you also don’t need to worry about installing or configuring tools such as Webpack or Babel. You can simply create a project to get started.

Start Learning React Today

React is an excellent JavaScript library that is useful if you’re interested in front-end programming. It offers a simplified approach to building complex UIs without having to write a lot of code. Fortunately, there are plenty of platforms and resources available to help you learn React for relatively cheap (sometimes even free).

As we discussed in this post, once you have JavaScript, HTML, and CSS experience, there are a handful of ways you can learn React. Some of the most popular resources to check out include the React official website, Codecademy, and FreeCodeCamp.org.

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Thursday 21 July 2022

Decoding WordPress: Block Patterns

When WordPress released WordPress 5.5, “Eckstine,” on August 11, 2020, many of the refinements focused on three major areas: speed, search, and security. The release also offered new features for the Gutenberg Block Editor, and perhaps none were more exciting and creatively promising than block patterns.

In this blog post, we’ll look at what block patterns are (and refresh your memory of block basics), their benefits, and how they’ve evolved — particularly as it relates to the releases of WordPress 5.9, which introduced Full Site Editing, and WordPress 6.0, which introduced the Block Editor among other features. We’ll also show you how you can start building and using custom block patterns now.

Even if you’re not a pro WordPress developer and you’re just starting to learn how to work with WordPress, creating and using block patterns is well within your reach!

Let’s roll!

What Is a WordPress Block Pattern?

A WordPress block pattern is a pre-made, ready-to-use layout made of WordPress blocks in a certain layout or design. This grouping of WordPress blocks gives users more design flexibility and allows them to create complex yet attractive and professional layouts by only clicking a few buttons.

WordPress Block Patterns hero section

Once a block pattern has been selected (see above), it gets inserted into WordPress site pages and posts. It can then be edited and modified, which includes the ability to easily customize individual components within the block pattern such as color options, images, media, and other content. All the blocks work just like regular Gutenberg blocks.

A block pattern can be reused countless times on your site, much like a template, eliminating the need to manually create page layouts one block at a time. You can even insert multiple copies of a single pattern onto a post or page, increasing the volume and diversity of your design options as you build your site.

The Basics of WordPress Blocks

Now we know what WordPress block patterns are, but what are the WordPress blocks that they’re made of?

Blocks have been a fundamental aspect of WordPress since late 2018. Version 5.0 of WordPress replaced the classic editor with a new WordPress block editor called Gutenberg.

A block is a specific element that you can add to your site. For instance, there are blocks for images, headings, lists, paragraphs, and more. This system provides users with a simple and intuitive way to create a unique website.

WordPress Quote Block

Each block comes with a set of customization options, such as alignment, color, and size. Additionally, blocks can be moved around via a drag-and-drop editor, facilitating a simpler page-building process.

Block Patterns: What’s in Them For You?

As we mentioned earlier, a WordPress block pattern — which resembles a quilt layout — can be modified by customizing its individual blocks, and it can be reused like a template.

WordPress Block Patterns hero section

Let’s look now at the key benefits that come with using block patterns on your site.

  • Create your own block patterns. Creating your own custom block patterns allows you to give anyone who works on your site control over content without sacrificing control over layout and design.
  • Use pre-made patterns created by professional designers. Block patterns created by professional designers can also be modified and used. This brings a wider variety of options when creating a post or page.
  • Save patterns that you use often. When you create or select block patterns and save them, you enable a consistent design and presentation on your site.
  • Save time. Using pre-made block patterns created by either yourself or other designers when developing your WordPress site, you save time and increase productivity.
  • Flexibility and customizability. Prebuilt block patterns aren’t “chiseled in stone.” Their look can be modified and tailored to your specific design and functionality needs. Find a block pattern in the pattern directory that appeals to you and change it however your creativity guides you.
  • Avoiding frustration through theme-independence. One of many benefits of custom-built block patterns is that they’re not bound to any one particular theme. If you change your WordPress site’s theme at a later time, your patterns won’t change as a result.
  • Flexible page and post layouts. Designing your WordPress site using blocks and block patterns means that your site’s content will be properly optimized when you view it on different devices like smartphones or tablets.
WordPress Block Pattern Library

A New Chip Off the Old Blocks: Evolution of Block Patterns

Ever since their introduction in the August 11, 2020, release of WordPress 5.5 “Eckstine,” block patterns have evolved through subsequent releases to become even more user-friendly and functional.

In WordPress 5.9, ready-to-go block patterns could be copied and pasted directly into the Full Site Editor.

Over the long term, this also means that the nature of block themes may change. They’ll likely become broader, more feature-focused, and visually non-specific (providing more of a “blank slate” to work with).

In WordPress 6.0, block patterns were improved even further in several ways.

  • Block patterns were easier to find in template editing because the quick inserter would only display block patterns when they were accessed at the top level of a template. This would be the case, for example, when a block you intend to add is a direct descendant of the document.
  • Theme developers could add recommended patterns to the theme.json.
  • Implicit pattern registration meant that themes could implicitly register patterns by categorizing them as PHP files under a new /patterns directory at the root of the theme.

The Building Blocks of Patterns: Creating Custom Block Patterns

So far, we’ve learned what WordPress block patterns — and blocks — are, why they can be useful to you, and how they’ve evolved over time. But how do you create and use custom block patterns so that your site fully embodies your aesthetic preferences, the functionality, and the purposes that you’re pursuing?

Here’s how to create block patterns in Gutenberg in five easy steps!

Step 1: Create a Draft Post in Gutenberg

To build a custom block pattern, start by creating a draft post or page in your WordPress dashboard. A draft is recommended because it won’t have any existing or new content like text, images, and other content cluttering it, and it’ll be easier for you to work with in designing the block pattern.

In this step, you’ll add blocks for paragraphs and text, columns, images and galleries, video and audio media, separators, and other content.

Once you’ve added your blocks, you can now style them with color palettes, fonts, and more.

Step 2: Select and Copy Blocks

Once your blocks are created and styled how you want them to appear, you need to get their source code. Fear not! Getting the code is easier than it seems!

Here’s how. Manually select all of the blocks that you want in your block patterns. To do so, click the first block, press and hold the ALT key on your keyboard, then click the last block you want to appear in the pattern.

Lastly, click the “More Options” button (three vertical dots) at the top of your editor. Then click “Copy.” This step copies all of the source code from every one of your selected blocks.

WordPress copy Block

Step 3: Format Block Pattern for Your Theme’s functions.php File

Once you’ve copied your blocks’ source code in the previous step, you’ll need to format (encode) your chosen theme’s functions.php file with it. This is a very important step that’s done in a JSON Encoder. This causes the HTML output to be escaped and allows it to work with the Block Pattern API.

Access the Encoder and paste your HTML code into the “Enter the String” box, then click the Escape button.

Next, copy the Result String code that populates in the second box.

FreeFormatter.com

Step 4: Register Your Custom Block Pattern

Now you’ll register your block pattern with the WordPress platform. With the Block Pattern API, you have two choices where your custom block pattern can be registered:

  • Custom plug-in: Allows you to use the pattern even if you change your theme later.
  • Your theme’s functions.php file: This option may also be recommended if you’re building numerous block patterns and don’t want a lot of additional plugins installed. Do note that using functions.php will tie your block pattern to the theme you’re using and may cause issues should you decide to switch themes in the future.

To register your Gutenberg block pattern in your chosen theme’s functions.php file, go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Tools → Theme File Editor, and paste the Result String HTML source code that you got in Step 3. Click “Update File.” Then, you can go to “Theme Functions” and find the theme PHP file.

Editing the WordPress functions.php file

Step 5: Insert Your New Custom WordPress Block Pattern

Finally, on the Gutenberg page, search for a new pattern. Look for “Uncategorized” by clicking on the “Pattern” tab. Your new Gutenberg block pattern will be stored successfully.

The last step is to click on the new WordPress block pattern and insert it into your Gutenberg editor.

Using Custom WordPress Block Patterns

Now it’s time to get creative by using your custom WordPress block patterns in the design of your site! And it’s super-easy.

When you’re ready to apply your custom block pattern from the Pattern Directory, click it once, and it’s then inserted into your page at the location of your cursor on the page.

Once you’ve inserted your pattern, you can change the content at will. To do this, click on any block to add or edit content, including text and images, within that block.

Something to keep in mind about images: images provided within block patterns and page layouts created by other designers are typically referenced from external sources and aren’t added to your site’s media library, so it’s possible for them to change or be removed at a future point. If you’re using a block pattern that contains images you like, this can be disconcerting when they suddenly change or disappear.

Therefore, it’s advisable to always use your own images, photos, and graphics. If you’re a graphic designer and/or photographer, you can use content you’ve created. You can also source content in WordPress from a library of over 40,000 copyright-free — and free to use — photos that are provided by Pexels.

Still Not Convinced?

Even though we have total confidence in your ability to develop your WordPress site and to build and use your own custom block patterns, we get that you still might not be convinced that you can do it on your own.

If you’re lacking that confidence and feel like you need help, we’re here to save your day. Our DreamPress managed WordPress hosting service offers hassle-free, high-performance WordPress. It includes unrivaled DreamHost features like: extreme speed with built-in caching; powerful tools like email, staging, and backups; free WordPress migration; and 24/7 expert WordPress support.

You can choose from DreamPress, DreamPress Plus, and DreamPress Pro. To get started, simply click the link below.

Do More with DreamPress

DreamPress Plus and Pro users get access to Jetpack Professional (and 200+ premium themes) at no added cost!

Managed WordPress Hosting - DreamPress

The post Decoding WordPress: Block Patterns appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.



source https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-block-patterns/

Tuesday 19 July 2022

Product Updates: DNS Control Panel Improvements

An Enhanced DNS Configuration Experience

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. When someone types your website’s address into a browser, DNS is what translates that memorable domain name into the much-less-memorable internet protocol (IP) addresses that web servers use to load your site’s content.

With multiple DNS record types that serve different purposes, and settings that need to be exactly right for a website to operate as expected, DNS setup can be a complex and sometimes daunting experience. Fortunately, DreamHost handles this for you whenever possible. For most websites, everything “just works.”

But, for those with more advanced or bespoke web hosting needs, sometimes it’s necessary to lift the hood and adjust DNS settings on your own. The Manage Websites section of the DreamHost Panel provides full access to view and update your site’s DNS records as often as needed.

Based on suggestions and feedback from those who frequently tinker with their site’s settings, we’re proud to announce a number of improvements to the DNS control panel. These updates are designed to enhance your DNS configuration experience, simplify common tasks, and clarify the communications you receive from us related to your domain.

Let’s take a look at them!

Custom Records on ‘Fully Hosted’ Domains

DreamHost DNS Panel custom records on fully hosted domains

We’ve improved the alerts and helpful guidance you’ll see when creating custom DNS records for domains that are already connected to a DreamHost hosting plan. If there’s a potential DNS conflict with a hosting service on your account, you’ll be able to see what’s causing the problem, with a straightforward way to resolve the issue in just a few clicks.

Notifications for Missing ‘Companion’ Records

DreamHost domain notifications for missing companion records

Most websites are designed to load whether visitors type the www or not. If your domain is missing one of these important www or non-www companion records, you’ll receive a set of in-panel notifications that will show how to add it so you don’t miss out on site traffic.

Custom Record Distinction

DreamHost custom records

Some websites rely upon a combination of system-generated DNS records (usually from a hosting plan such as Shared Hosting, VPS, or DreamPress) along with custom records you’ve manually defined. We’ve improved the way these groups are organized in the DNS page of the panel. Custom records now appear in a separate, dedicated section at the top of the page, so they’re easier to locate and update.

Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) Previews

fully qualified domain name previews in DreamHost panel

When manually typing the hostname for custom DNS records, the completed record preview now updates inline as you type, so it’s immediately clear what the final record will look like before clicking ‘Save.’

Improved DNS Record Descriptions

DreamHost improves DNS record descriptions

Do you know your A record from your CNAME? We’ve added more helpful descriptions in the list of available record types shown while configuring DNS settings, so you’ll know both the technical details and why each record matters for your website.

DreamHost is honored to be the partner in your online success journey! We’re committed to continually improving our technology and services, like the ones we’ve discussed here, that help you keep your domain and your site functioning in top form.

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The post Product Updates: DNS Control Panel Improvements appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.



source https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/dreamhost-milestones-q3-2022-dns/

How Much Does a Front End Developer Make in 2022?

If you want to become a front end developer, it’s important to know the average salary of this position. This way, you can successfully negotiate your pay during job interviews. Otherwise, you might not gain a fair wage for your extensive skillset.

As a front end developer, the average salary in the United States is between $96,881 and $102,120. However, this amount can vary, depending on your experience level, coding knowledge, and location.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at front end development and what this job entails. Then, we’ll discuss how much front end developers can make in a year. Let’s get started!

An Introduction to Front End Development

front end developers play a key role in the development of websites and apps. They work on a website’s front end, which is the content that users interact with.

When you visit a website or open an app, everything that you can see was designed by a front end software engineer. These professionals combine design, technology, and programming skills to make a website easy to use.

Here are some common tasks for a front end developer:

front end development is different from back-end development. While front end developers improve the visual elements of a page, their back-end counterparts focus on optimizing the server. This can involve managing the database, coding programs, and debugging server-side issues.

Usually, different developers work as a team to create a dynamic, well-functioning website. If you know both front end and back-end code, you can even become a full-stack developer. In this position, you can oversee the entire web development process.

Job Requirements for a Front End Developer

As a front end developer, you’ll need to be knowledgeable in web design principles. Ultimately, you’ll be responsible for making a website as visually appealing as possible. This can involve choosing the right color scheme, decluttering the layout, and updating the typography.

In this role, you will also focus on usability. By solving navigation issues, adding accessible features, and focusing on inclusivity, you can enable any user to access and interact with your content.

To perform these front end development tasks, it can help to know a few common coding languages:

  • HTML: this is used to build the structure of a website.
  • CSS: it controls a site’s style and format.
  • JavaScript: this language controls the behavior of the website.

You may also need to be familiar with JavaScript frameworks and REST API. Additionally, front end development can involve running A/B tests to maximize performance.

When it comes to soft skills, front end developers should be creative and communicative. Even if you look for a remote option, you’ll still have to be willing to work with a global team.

How Much Does a Front End Developer Make in 2022?

The average front end developer salary can vary due to a variety of factors. Depending on your location, years of experience, and employer, you can make anywhere from $96,881 and $102,120 per year.

According to Indeed, the current average base salary for front end developers in the United States is $102,000. This is an estimate based on 5,028 entries from anonymous front end developer employees:

Front End Developer salary

The most common benefits for this position are health insurance, paid sick time, and unlimited paid time off. These front end developers also claimed that they received a $5,000 cash bonus every year.

However, other job board websites report slightly lower front end developer salaries. On Glassdoor, the base pay is listed as $82,669 per year. With additional pay, this comes to a total of $101,092:

Front End Developer salary

Meanwhile, ZipRecruiter lists a national average salary of $96,881 for front end developers. This is about $46.58 per hour, or $8,073 a month:

Front End Developer salary

As a freelance front end developer, your salary will depend on the number of clients you work with. However, freelancers can make an average of $85,940 per year:

Freelance Front End Developer salary

As you can see, it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact front end developer salary. To help you determine whether this is the right career path for you, let’s dive into some additional factors.

Front End Developer vs. Back End Developer Salary

As we mentioned earlier, back-end developers work on the server-side of a website. Since they have to be familiar with database technologies like MySQL, these developers often have slightly higher salaries.

In the United States, the average base salary for a back-end development job is $116,605. This is around a $14,000 increase from the front end salary:

Back End Developer salary comparison

Glassdoor reports a similar national average, listing back-end development salaries at $116,267 per year. This includes average additional cash compensation, commissions, and profit-sharing:

Back End Developer salary comparison

On the other hand, ZipRecruiter notes that most back-end developers only make $102,750 per year. However, this is still higher than the recorded $96,881 for front end developers:

Back End Developer salary comparison

In general, back-end developers can make more than front end developers. This is mostly because they have advanced coding skills and experience.

Front End Developer vs. Full-Stack Developer Salary

A full-stack developer can perform the same duties as front and back-end developers. Since they have a broader skillset, they tend to earn more than other developers.

ZipRecruiter reports a national average income of $111,519. According to these statistics, you can make about $14,600 more as a full-stack developer:

Full Stack Developer salary comparison

On Glassdoor, you’ll see that the average total pay for full-stack developers is $107,666. This is about $6,500 more than front end development:

Full Stack Developer salary comparison

However, Indeed places the average base salary for full-stack developers at just $100,967. This is lower than the $102,000 that front end developers make:

Full Stack Developer salary comparison

Expanding your skills into full-stack development can boost your income. However, the pay increase likely won’t be much higher than a back-end development position.

How Experience Level Affects Front End Developer Salaries

Like with any job, your experience level can affect your income. As an entry-level front end developer, you’ll be paid less than someone with years of development experience.

For junior front end developers, Indeed reports an average base salary of $52,921 per year. ZipRecruiter records a similar national average of $59,781. This equates to about $29 per hour.

As you progress through your career, you can get pay raises and gain more opportunities for advancement. According to Glassdoor, senior front end developers can make around $125,014.

Plus, developing new skills can help you increase your income. Even if you’re a new front end developer, it can be helpful to know AWS, machine learning, enterprise software, and other advanced technologies. Whether you are self-taught or have a college degree, these skills can help you negotiate a higher salary.

How Location Affects Front End Development Salaries

Your income as a front end developer can also be affected by your location. In the United States, front end development salaries can vary from state to state.

From the anonymous posts on Indeed, we know that the highest paying locations for front end development are the following states: California, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts. In fact, both Washington and California pay about 20% more than the national average salary:

Front End Developer salary by state

Indeed also reports that some of the highest-paying cities are San Francisco, New York, and Dallas. In San Francisco, front end developers can make around $141,262 per year:

Front End Developer highest paying cities

Although the United States is one of the best places to find a well-paid development job, other countries can offer similar benefits. In Australia, the average base salary lies at $123,721, while in Switzerland front end developers can make CHF 96,375 ($100,233) per year.

Launch Your Career in Front End Development

Whether you want to hire a developer or become one yourself, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the job requirements and average salary. Since front end developers focus on user experience, they play a crucial role in making online content aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. In the United States, front end developers can expect to make around $100k with added benefits.

However, a front end developer’s salary can be affected by a variety of factors. If you live in a state like California, you can expect higher compensation rates. Plus, any extra knowledge of coding can help increase your annual salary.

Do you want to start a career in web development? You can subscribe to the DreamHost blog to learn more about learning coding languages, design tips, and more!

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The post How Much Does a Front End Developer Make in 2022? appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.



source https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/front-end-developer-salary/

Creating and Mastering GA4 Explorations

In the switch from Universal Analytics (UA) to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) — which will go fully into effect July 2023 — a lot of things have...