Frontend
Also called front end, client side.
The frontend is the part of an application that people see and use, usually in a browser or on a device.
Example
The glossary search box, the topic list, and the definition under each term are frontend. The saved glossary records are prepared before the page is sent.
Why it matters
Buttons, layout, and the text on the page are frontend concerns. The frontend can ask the backendThe backend is the part of an application that handles work such as data, account checks, and storage behind the interface. for data. It should not be the only place a secret is protected, because the person using the device can inspect it.
Common confusion
Frontend is not a synonym for the whole website. The backendThe backend is the part of an application that handles work such as data, account checks, and storage behind the interface. is the work behind the interface.
Sources
Updated September 30, 2026.