I’m trying to figure out the best approach for my development workflow. Sometimes I start by creating all the visual elements and screens first, then I work on the server-side functionality to support everything. Other times I focus on getting all the core business logic and data processing working properly before I even touch the visual design. I’m curious about what factors should influence this decision. Are there specific project types where one approach works better than the other? What do experienced developers typically recommend for different situations?
interesting dilemma! I’ve dealt with this before. what’s your project about - is it data-heavy or more focused on user interaction? that’ll help you figure out where to start. are you flying solo or working with a team? what’s making you unsure about the approach?
depends on how you roll. if you’ve got designers on board, hit that frontend first so they can give quick feedback. but if you’re lone-wolfing it, backend first can save ya from a mess with data later.
It really depends on your project’s complexity and team setup. For complex apps with tricky business logic, I’d go backend-first. You nail down your data models and API contracts upfront, which saves you from expensive redesigns down the road. But if you’re building something user-focused where the experience drives what features you need, frontend-first makes more sense. Honestly, I’ve had the best luck with a hybrid approach: sketch out wireframes and basic UI mockups to map user flows, then build your core backend services while you’re prototyping the interface. This way you’re testing both your technical setup and user experience at the same time, and you can tweak either side when you discover new requirements.