A Decade of Progress in Front-End Engineering: A Review of Trends, Technologies, and Challenges in Modern Software Development

Abstract

Over the last decade, front-end engineering has undergone rapid metamorphosis, a shift from quickly scribed and styled methods into a mature discipline with modular frameworks, accessibility check, performance touch-up, and developer experience (DX). The review has bundled the latest literature and empirical research from five key fronts of modern front-end engineering: design approach, frameworks and technology, performance optimization, accessibility, and developer productivity. Emerging trends and unresolved issues in tooling, standard adoption, and cross-platform support are recognized from comparative analysis and empirical evidence. The study attempts to present a theoretical framework to guide further research and practice. At last, the article presents a generic frame of reference that developers, researchers, and policymakers may use to test and improve front-end practice against an evolving technological backdrop.