Originally posted over 1 year ago by Matt Soria, Web Dood at mattsoria.com
When it comes to referring to client-side development, the industry seems to be split between “Front-end,” “Frontend,” and “Front End.” In his post, Matt Soria asked which version people prefer—especially since his site, a resource for new front-enders (his personal preference being “front-end”), aims for consistent terminology. He also wondered if the choice should change depending on whether you’re describing a job title (“I’m a Front-end Developer”) or the practice (“I do a lot of front-end development”).
Breaking Down the Options
1. Front-end (with a hyphen):
Many argue that “front-end” is the grammatically correct choice when used as a compound adjective. As Bob Cechacek and Nathan Huening pointed out, multi-word adjectives in English are typically hyphenated—making “Front-end Developer” the appropriate usage for job titles and descriptors.
2. Front end (without a hyphen):
Some feel that when the term is used as a noun (for example, “I work on the front end”), dropping the hyphen can sometimes feel more natural. The subtle difference here is whether you’re using it to label a role or to describe a part of a system.
3. Frontend (as one word):
A few voices in the discussion noted that language evolves. Chris Howard mentioned that words like these tend to start as two words, then become hyphenated, and eventually merge into one. Although “frontend” hasn’t fully taken over yet, some predict that it might eventually become the standard both as a noun and an adjective.
Community Insights
- Clarity and Consistency:
Updula Lee and Katie Harron quickly chimed in that “Front-end” feels most accurate—especially for titles. The argument is bolstered by sources like Wikipedia and common style guides, which support hyphenating compound adjectives. - Grammatical Precision:
Chris Howard provided a thoughtful breakdown: when used before a noun (as in “Front-end Developer”), the hyphen clarifies that “front-end” functions as a single descriptor. In contrast, if referring to the part of the system itself, “front end” can be acceptable. - Evolution of Language:
Several commenters, including Matt himself, noted that while usage is currently mixed—with “front-end” leading—there’s a possibility that “frontend” might gain traction as the term becomes more ubiquitous. - Real-World Application:
At some workplaces, the distinction is clear. For example, George Chen explained that teams are often split into “front-end” and “back-end” groups, reinforcing the hyphenated format as a standard in professional contexts. - Personal Preference:
Ultimately, many participants admitted that personal and regional habits influence the choice. Some, like Nick Noble, lean toward “front end” because hyphens can sometimes feel awkward. However, when it comes to formal titles or written communication, the consensus seems to favor “Front-end.”
Conclusion
The discussion around “Front-end,” “Frontend,” or “Front End” reflects not only grammatical nuances but also evolving language trends. While many agree that “Front-end” is the most precise when used as an adjective (e.g., “Front-end Developer”), there is room for variation depending on context and personal preference. For Matt’s resource site, choosing “Front-end” might provide the clarity and consistency that his audience—new front-enders—will appreciate.
In the end, whether you decide to stick with “Front-end” or lean toward another form, consistency is key. As language continues to evolve, so too will our conventions—but for now, the hyphen remains the preferred choice for professional communication.
