Ryan Kinal
100 E. St. Clair St.
Warren, PA 16365
716.581.1000
ryan.kinal@gmail.com
Ryan Kinal is a programmer and web developer, specializing in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS,
with experience in PHP, SQL, ASP.NET, and graphic design. But beyond being technologically inclined, he is also artistically motivated, through music, lindy hop, and drawing in various media. Combining these interests and talents, he is a skilled developer with an eye for aesthetic design.
Distinctions
Monday, September 14th 2:05 pm
In the world of web, there are many terms for many things. Some of these things are very specific, and some of these things are kind of nebulous, and a lot of the time, the terminology doesn't matter, as long as the idea gets across. However, I feel that there are at least two cases where distinct terms get mixed up, and it results in confusion, especially in job listings on various freelancing sites.
Design vs. Development
While browsing freelance job listings, I often see "Web Designer" and "Web Developer" used almost interchangably. I see a listing asking for a web developer, and upon looking at the description, realize that they are actually looking for a designer, or vice versa.
This can have a few effects. First, people that are looking for design jobs will be less likely to take a closer look at this listing, so the job will get less applications from people who are qualified for it. Second, there will be developers (distinct from designers) applying for the job, so the job is more likely to be filled by somebody who doesn't primarily do design. Third, the job will have less applicants overall: Designers won't look deeper, and developers who look deeper will realize that the job is for a designer, and most won't apply. The solution, of course, is for buyers (clients, employers - actually synonymous, or close to it) to understand the difference between designers and developers.
Web Designers are primarily graphics people. They put together the look and feel of a website. The color scheme, the layout, the navigation, and what cool effects to use on all of these elements.
Web Developers make the parts that make the website work. They do the more technical parts, mostly programming in whatever language is required, or they see fit to use. They take what the designer has come up with, and make it functional.
These are the purest forms of Web Designer and Web Developer. Naturally, there are people that do both, and do both well. There are many people out there who are better at one than the other. (This is where I fit in I consider myself a Developer/Designer, indicating that I'm better at development and coding than I am at designing). There are also Designer/Developers, most commonly people who can create the graphic design of a site, and then code it up and put it on a server for all to see.
So there are gray areas. But it's important for a client to know which combination they want before they start looking for freelancers and employees.
This is already a bit long, but I have one more distinction I want to make:
Java vs. JavaScript
You have no idea how many people do not know the difference between these two languages. Or maybe you do, I don't know. But my point is that there are a lot of people who don't. Here's a quick guide.
JavaScript is:
- Interpreted, not compiled - you write the script, and it will run without any intermediary step.
- Usually run in the browser - Modern browsers understand JavaScript without the user downloading any plugins or additional software
- Current very popular - JavaScript is used all over the web, to achieve all the slick effects you see on Facebook, Twitter, and all of Google's applications.
Java is:
- Compiled, not interpreted - You write your Java code, and it must go through the intermediary step of compiling before it can be run.
- Usually run on the web, but requires the user to have Java installed on their machine, in addition to their browser.
- Fairly Rare on the web - There was a time when Java applets were all the rage - Java games especially. And then came Flash.
- Also used in desktop applications - There are a fair amount of desktop applications written in Java, including the popular IDE Eclipse, as well as filesharing applications such as LimeWire.
There it is. There's no gray area on this one. JavaScript and Java are two completely separate entities, and employers should learn the difference before looking for programmers. I often look at job listings, and see Java and JavaScript in the same listing. Reading the description often helps me figure out what they're looking for (and it's usually JavaScript), but I'm sure there are listings out there that list one or the other, and aren't getting the right programmer for the job.
Language. Jargon. Terminology. What I'm really tring to say is "Know what you're talking about."
- Tchalvak says:
- Heh.