Front End Developer v/s PHP-MySQL Engineer

Question

Hello,

I want to decide which of this would be a more viable career option?

I am ready to quit my current job and hence I am looking for new opportunity. Current job is maintainence and no more active development.

My current role is of a PHP/MySQL Developer. I very well understand web-programming and am comfortable with RoR/Sinatra/Zend MVC/JQuery/JSON manipulation, etc. I understand MySQL InnoDB/MyISAM engine and how one differs from the other, etc. Basically, I could very well manage the deployment of a web-application end-to-end including configuration of Apache/Nginx servers, memcache,etc

On the other hand, I am being offered a Sr.Front End Web developer that would require me to extensively write HTML/CSS crossbrowser/crossplatform compliant code. I very well understand XHTML/CSS/Box model etc. I would be working on Drupal for the management of websites.

While I understand continuing to work on server-side technologies would always be a good career path, how would the role of Core front-end developer turn out to be? If I take this opportunity, will I eventually get a chance to focus onto UCD, HCI, Information Architect,etc. So are these kinda roles possible if I focus on front end development?

No offenses to the Front end developers, just want to understand if this is something I want to gain a mastery over. I have 2 yrs of industry experience after graduating with a MS-Computer Science. Although, I have a CS degree, if I were to take uip serious front-end role; I could probably go back and take up some design/HCI/UI courses.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Stay in backend side where things mostly work as expected. Frontend development can potentially make you insane, unless a Redmond based company decides to fix their code in some distant future.

Answer 2

I'd wonder if Flash, WPF, JavaFX or Silverlight may come along and tip away that Front End stuff. That would be my concern though as you state there are usability, HCI and other aspects that could be directions that one could go as well as the question of whether or not mobile stuff would enter into what you do. Another thought would be whether or not you'd want to get into graphics or not as that could be another door that gets opened this way.

Answer 3

Front end work usually entails design also. If you feel your design is sensible "you know or are willing to master typography, layout and whitespace" go with the front end.

Answer 4

It depends upon choice but I would say going for PHP/MySQL would be a good bet with some experience with JavaScript.