Times Change for Web Developers - 6 Tips to Survive

The context of this post about changes for web developers, I see many developers who are “stuck”, especially in .NET.
If you have not started to improve your art and adapt to changing trends, you should start today.

Think about developing web applications properly. Use common sense to mix and match based on these tips.
And now 6 tips for web developers to stay on top of what you are doing.

1 - Learning to write better Javascript and CSS

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If you do not own perfect JS and CSS - you are dead.

• learn about the best sides of javascript
• decisiveness in advanced javascript

Get to know a higher level of abstraction of the language to write Javascript after you have mastered basic Javascript:
CoffeeScript or TypeScript .

In addition, learn the common Javascript libraries:

• JQuery - You should already be familiar. Is not it so?
• Require.js - file / modular bootloader.
• Underscore.js is an incredibly convenient JavaScript library.
• modernizr - learns that the user's browser is able of HTML5 and CSS3
• history.js - History State / APIs

same:

• Frequently used JS libraries and jQuery plugins
• Crockford's Javascript Resources

and more, start learning TypeScript if you are using Microsoft technology / C # background.

On the CSS side, master SASS and / or Less - fluent CSS3 techniques ,
Watch out for support for CSS3 properties in browsers . Understanding responsive layout and using media queries .

2 - Introduction to the Responsive frameworks

Nowadays, the use of the web is more and more on mobile devices, so there are more and more expectations for web sites to see their support for various default permissions.

If you do not want to constantly use media queries, it is better to read several Responsive framework.

The goal of responsive web design is website versatility for various devices. In order for a website to be conveniently viewed from devices of various resolutions and formats, it is not necessary to create separate versions of the website for certain types of devices using adaptive web design technology. One site can work on a smartphone, tablet, laptop and TV with Internet access, that is, on the full range of permissions

My personal preference is Twitter Bootstrap and Zurb's Foundation .
I have done quite a lot of work with Bootstrap, and I am impressed with the possibilities.

It is important to read:

• Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte
• Comparing frameworks

3 - Learning Frequently Used Javascript MVC Framework

Be a first-class Javascript developer. There are plenty of Javascript MVC frameworks for server-side development, but check out at least five:

• Backbone.js
• AngularJS
• Spine.js
• KnockoutJS (MVVM)
• Ember.js
• YUI

To compare and match them, take a look at TodoMVC - I found this quite useful.

The project, which offers the same Todo application, is implemented using the MVC concept in most of the popular JavaScript MVC frameworks today.

4 - Understanding REST and HTTP

Understand Restful services and master server-side technologies.
For example, Node.js.
If you're in .NET, start with Web APIs .
Moreover, understanding the properties of REST. Understanding Hypermedia. Link your REST services with one of the above MVC and create something useful.

Required reading:

• WOA is here to stay
• Richardson Maturity Model - Article from Martin Fowler
• REST in Practice
• Hypermedia and Forms

These articles should help to get started. Also, keep track of the implementation, such as Meteor, SignaIR, etc,
that can use web sockets ,
as soon as they are ready.

5 - Understand HTML5 Beyond the Buzzword

HTML5 standards are not yet approved and remain in progress, but this does not prevent their widespread adaptation. During the development of sites
Many interesting development tools are available (such as Phonegap), this will allow you to compress your browser-based HTML5 applications, for example into an application
for mobile devices (hybrid applications), and distribute them as much as native ones.

HTML5 (English HyperText Markup Language, version 5) is a language for structuring and presenting content for the world wide web, as well as the main technology used on the Internet. This is the fifth version of the HTML standard (originally created in 1990 and the latest version of which was HTML4, standardized in 1997 [1]) and is under development as of November 2012. Its main goal is to improve the language that supports the work with the latest multimedia applications, while maintaining the ease of reading code for a person and clarity of performance for computers and devices

There are many good articles about HTML5:

• Step by step with Nettuts with examples
• Smashing Magazine's article is a pretty good starting point.
  to understand more about the design philosophy and process of thought.
• Top 25 HTML5 Properties

Get to know the most useful and interesting HTML5 Javascript APIs and functions. Such as Web Sockets, Application Cache, Canvas API, Video / Audio, etc.
Start using the HTML5 boiler plate as a baseline. www.initializr.com

HTML5 Property Overview
Use something like http://html5please.com/ or CanIUse ,
Stay up to date with updating HTML5 properties that you can use to improve use cases based on requirements.

Also watch out for big players who use HTML5 as a platform for building cross-platform hybrid apps — not just web sites, but also for desktop and mobile.

• Google Chrome Packaged Applications
• Firefox os

6 - Optimization

Optimize everything you develop, optimize when you are ready.

• Merge and reduce your CSS and Javascript

Use some developer tools to explore your page and check javascript performance.

• Google Chrome's speed tracer
• Yslow

Check your network traffic when required. Get to know a tool like Fiddler

Use tools such as Screenfly to check the screen for different resolutions and screen shapes.
Use simulators like Ripple to test the behavior of your sites on mobile devices.

This is most of the tips. Good luck in coding.

a source:
Changing Times For Web Developers - 6 Tips You Should Read To Survive