Meet The Team – Senior Web Developer

We caught up with SHINE’s Senior Web Developer Bryan Davis to talk about some of his favourite projects, and some tips on getting into his line of work.

How did you get into web development?

I got into web development at 14. My best friend and I used to make Dragon Ball Z fan websites. He used to create the design and I would code what he created. Then, as I got older, I started making more complex and dynamic websites.

What do you really enjoy about it? What motivates you and what are you passionate about?

I love creating something from nothing and bringing a complex design to life. To me, development is like solving a very complex puzzle, piece by piece, and then being able to stand back and go “hey this works pretty damn well!”

What project have you enjoyed working on most, and why?

It has to be the website I created for Meldrum House. I created the backend and the frontend of the design, and it was definitely a challenge to maintain design requirements and functionality.

How do you think your work will change in the future?

I’m a big believer in blockchains (Bitcoin/Ethereum) and AI, I think both are going to change the future as we transition very slowly from web 2.0 to web 3.0 – it’s a very exciting time to be a developer!

What programming languages do you use most, and do you have a favourite?

I definitely use PHP the most. I code with that on every website I do – other programmers often say it’s “bloated” and a dead language, but over the years it has become a lot more streamlined and I enjoy the fluidity of how the code works. I can build anything I want with PHP.

As for my favourite language, it would have to be Python. Python has a much simpler syntax and a few extra features that really allows it to be easily extendable and actually pull information in from the OS. It has endless possibilities.

What’s the most misunderstood part of your job?

The hardest thing is making people understand that to a website it isn’t just what you see on the surface that makes a great website, a great website should look good but also be extensible enough that it allows you to do what you need it to and do it very well.

Any advice for somebody wanting to get into web development?

If you’re looking to learn how to program, Youtube is full of resources and guides to help you become a better developer or even pick up a language.

Alternatively, if you’re trying to break into the industry, my advice is apply, apply and apply. The hardest first step you take as a developer is the first time you “get your foot in the door”. It can be very disheartening but when I look back at it, the days that challenged me are the ones I’m most fond of. Keep moving forward.