Hello all,

I think I am changing my direction in the IT world and move from Front-end development to Software development. I plan to start the Treehouse JavaScript Techdegree course and learn one or two more programming languages there.

I don't know if JavaScript developers per se work in the web development industry or are software developers or could be either.

Also, what is the difference between software development and software engineering?

Lastly, what online forums like this one can you recommend for software development/engineering and programming?

Thank you very much.

font-end development is software development.  As too is it software engineering these are just terms and not at all important.
Front-end devs are software engineers that specialise in the front-end.  Backend devs are software engineers that specialise in the backend.
There are full stack devs who do both, the majority will have an understanding across the stack but won't have the in-depth knowledge of the two above in their specialisms.  In all honesty I would stick to front or backend and get a job in the industry as one and take it from there.  It will take far longer to get your foot in the door as a full-stack dev with no real experience.
I wouldn't focus on too many languages - you don't get paid based on how many languages you know.  I only really know JavaScript I used to know PHP too but focusing on a single language has enabled me to deliver better value and earn more money.
Learning other languages in time can make you a better dev but learn things as you need them.  It would be a waste of my time to learn PHP and Python now for example because neither are used at Sky and further afield it won't help me earn any more than I do now.  Getting better at JavaScript however will enable this.
I'm not saying JavaScript is the be all and end all but you want to become a specialist if you want to advance your career quickly.
 

Edited June 18, 20188 yr by rbrtsmith