'The title 'Front-End Developer' is obsolete.”

Benjamin De Cock's tweet declaring "Front-End Developer" obsolete sparked a debate. While I don't fully agree, the term's strength lies in its direct connection to browser-centric work. Despite the evolving and fragmenting nature of the role, the core focus remains browser-based development. As I argued in my "Ooooops I guess we’re full-stack developers now" presentation, we are fundamentally "browser people."

However, De Cock's point about unnecessary re-implementation is valid. The web suffers from bloated, inferior solutions that duplicate browser functionalities. Sliders, scrolling, positioning, forms, animations – these are all areas where native browser capabilities are often overlooked in favor of heavier, custom-built alternatives.

The challenge lies in the inherent breadth of the "front-end developer" title. While the industry recognizes distinct skill sets between front-end and back-end developers (even when using the same languages), the front-end role itself encompasses too much.

Many front-end developers primarily focus on JavaScript. "JavaScript Engineer" or "JavaScript Developer" seems fitting for them. But what about those excelling in other front-end aspects, not necessarily JavaScript? This is a key area of specialization.

The modern front-end developer often becomes a "Jack of all trades," proficient in JavaScript (or a framework) but tolerating HTML/CSS as a necessary evil. This is understandable, but it highlights the need for specialization. The role is arguably too broad for a single individual.

This division isn't inherently negative; it's simply a reality. Front-end teams require specialists in JavaScript, CSS, accessibility, performance, animation, internationalization, and more. While individuals can possess multiple skills, mastering all aspects of front-end development is exceptionally rare.

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