What is the definition / difference of "backend" and a "frontend" in a software development / project?

frontend backend agile
Narendra Singh Rathore picture Narendra Singh Rathore · Aug 21, 2013 · Viewed 42.5k times · Source

How a newbie differentiate between this? How one can know he/she is working is back-end system or front-end system?

Answer

STW picture STW · Aug 21, 2013

"Front-end" typically means the parts of the project a user interacts with--such as the graphical user interface or command line. It's a vague term, there isn't an exact definition.

"Back-end" means the parts that do the work, but the user is unaware of or cannot see. Databases, services, etc.

Think of it like a restaurant where you can't see the kitchen. As a customer you see the front-end--the decorations, menus, wait-staff. Meanwhile the kitchen and stockroom are out of view, but preparing food.

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