A search for 'Full Stack Development' on Google yields a long number of talents and technologies. Full Stack developers are jacks of all trades in businesses or sectors that need an extensive understanding of computer languages.
Not only is full stack development one of the most trending domains in the IT sector, but it is also a highly-lucrative career path. If you are wondering how you can become a full stack developer in 2022, keep reading.
Now, what exactly is a full stack? A full stack refers to the collection of multiple components in a software that works in tandem to make sure the application runs smoothly. These components include operating systems, software products, coding frameworks, patches, database tools, servers, and so on. They function on top of the other to enable user interaction, facilitate back-end functions, and run calculations; hence the name, 'full stack.”
Front-end vs back-end: Who are front-end and back-end developers?
Front-end web developers are responsible for the website's design and user interface. HTML is the basic backbone of a webpage. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) may be thought of as the skeleton's physique or body. CSS allows front-end web developers to change the form of the body, which in terms of websites is equivalent to pre-defining particular portions to make the website show a given design.
A website's user-facing interface must be visually appealing. However, the website's UI would not exist without the software that operates in the background. That puts the expertise of the back-end developer to the test. Back-end developers work on the server-side of things.
Who is a full stack developer?
A full stack developer is best described as a 'jack of all crafts'. They are proficient in both front-end and back-end programming and can work with a variety of frameworks.
What are the responsibilities of a full stack developer?
- Procuring project requirements from clients and stakeholders
- Studying project requirements and creating solutions
- Designing user relations
- Creating databases and servers
- Testing for bugs in a code
- Modifying codes using hardware and software
- Using methodical testing processes for problem-solving
- Cross-platform optimization
Full Stack Developer Salary Overview
The opportunities for advancement in the industry for a Full Stack developer are far broader and multi-dimensional than those for a front-end or back-end developer. These developers play multiple roles, and therefore help companies save money by minimizing operational expenses and development speed.
Here is a breakdown of how much you can earn as a Full Stack Developer based on your skill set:
|
Skill |
Salary |
|
JavaScript |
₹5,96,018 |
|
Python |
₹3,37,037 |
|
React.js |
₹5,62,493 |
|
Angular |
₹9,26,653 |
|
Node.js |
₹5,99,993 |
Source: PayScale
5 Reasons You Should Choose Full Stack Development As Your Career Path
Full stack development is the complete development of a software application. A job that combines the creative and practical sides of an application, full stack development is responsible for every single factor in a user’s experience. They take care of all the three layers in the development process: the database, presentation, and logic.
Here are five reasons you should consider becoming a full stack developer:
1. Full stack developers are versatileFull stack developers are often referred to as multi-developers who provide end-to-end solutions. IT organizations value them for their versatility and flexibility. Learning full stack development means to learn a wide variety of technologies that pertain to software applications. As the web application architecture is a continually evolving space, full stack developers need to keep abreast of all the developments in the web development field by learning new languages, tools, and technologies.
2. The scope for growth in full stack development is multi-dimensionalAs full stack developers provide end-to-end solutions, they have a fast-tracked, multidimensional scope for career growth. Most full stack developers begin their careers as front-end or back-end developers. But they quickly progress from entry levels and move up ranks because of their versatility.
3. Full stack developers facilitate faster delivery of projectsAs every process in web development falls within the scope of this role, a Full Stack developer is capable of reducing dependencies on other teams. A Full stack developer’s toolkit contains the most efficient of all tools that help them work smart and fast.
4. Full stack developers can see the bigger pictureFull stack developers work on both the server-side and client-side of the application. As they can view the bigger picture, Full Stack developers wield considerable power and possess an edge over other developers. Not only are they self-reliant, they have good judgement skills as well.
Different Software Stacks Used by Full Stack Developers
A software stack is a collection of components that power the smooth functioning of a website or a web application. A typical stack constitutes architectural layers, an operating system, a programming language, a database software, and a server.
A full stack developer can choose from several stacks that will help him develop an application or a website. This choice is often influenced by the nature of the project or the requirements of the employer. Another point to note here is that there are dedicated stacks for both front-end and back-end development.
A front-end development stack constitutes libraries, version control systems, frameworks, package managers, caching tools, testing tools, and so on. Back-end development stacks include containerization tools, caching mechanisms, caching tools, Application Programming Interfaces, DevOps, and search engines.
Here are some of the popular software stacks used by Full Stack developers:
- MEAN Stack
MEAN stack (abbreviation for MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js) is recognized as one of the most efficient JavaScript stack. The architecture of MEAN stack facilitates a smooth development of web applications and websites in JavaScript. It is the ideal choice for building Node.js applications.
Express and Angular are two important JavaScript frameworks used in front-end and back-end engineering, respectively. While Express makes it easy to handle HTTP requests and routing, Angular enables easy development of dynamic HTML pages. It is the perfect web stack for developing Node.js applications.
2. LAMP Stack
LAMP is the abbreviation for Linux OS, Apache, MySQL, PHP. This stack is an open-source software that is used in web development and is easily customizable. One can easily install this stack using simple commands from Tasksel. The stack consists of Linux (OS), Apache (server), MySQL (relational database), and PHP (programming language). This stack is the foundation of all websites that Linux hosts.
The LAMP stack lovers make a very large community and therefore the platform is one of the most trusted web development stacks. LAMP stack components are free and therefore the most preferred stack for web developers on a budget.
3. MERN Stack
MERN stack is a variant of MEAN stack and stands for MongoDB Express React (a JavaScript framework on the client’s end) Node stack. MERN stack helps you create a 3-tier architecture using JSON and JavaScript. It is the ideal choice for building dynamic web interfaces.
How to Become A Full Stack Developer?
Step 1 - Analyze your pre-requisite knowledge
Of course, your previous experience and educational qualifications will help you with the journey. Are you a front-end or back-end developer already with significant experience? If so, the transition is going to be easy for you. On the contrary, if you are not a developer or have never had credible hands-on experience in web development projects, you are very likely to encounter several challenges on the way.
Understand which one of the following categories you belong to:
- You have no prior experience with web development. You have certainly used web applications and websites, but you are completely oblivious to how they are developed, how they function, and you are pretty unfamiliar with web architecture. But, fortunately, you are fascinated by the process of web development.
- You are a Full Stack enthusiast. You understand the basics of programming, you have already participated in simple coding projects, you have a decent understanding of HTML, PHP, CSS, and so on. You have already set out to explore the field of web development and you understand web architecture.
- You are already a working professional. You have significant hands-on experience in both front-end and back-end engineering. You’re looking to upgrade your skills and become a highly-skilled full stack developer.
Step 2 - Understand your goal
There are different reasons to pursue Full Stack development:
- You can become a freelance developer
- You can serve as a consultant for other organizations
- You can work for your dream organization and develop cutting-edge software applications for them
- You can simply develop apps for yourself
Step 3 - Identify which language complements your skill set
While JavaScript dominates front-end technologies, there are other solutions available in the backend. Choose the language in which you wish to be an expert. Java, Python, Javascript, and Ruby are a few languages that you can choose from. It is certainly not possible to master every single programming language there is, given the range of languages available today.
Step 4 - Master your tools
You need the following basic tools to execute Full Stack development:
- A computer and an OS
- Text editor
- Browser
- Terminal
Apart from the basic tools, you also have to master the following full stack developer skills:
- FRONT-END TOOLS
- JavaScript
- Python
- HTML and CSS
- Bootstrap
- Angular.js
- Elixir
- Foundation
- BACK-END TOOLS
- Django
- D3.js
- Lodash
- Ember.js
- React
- Package managers
- Databases
Step 5 - Learn deployment skills
Deployment is the combination of methods and processes that are used to make a software application accessible to end-users. Software deployment is done only after the software is rigorously tested. If the test results reveal bugs or other flaws, they are fixed before deployment.
Mastering the process of deployment is essential to guarantee that there are no potential asset losses.
The following are the steps in software deployment:
- Domain registration
- Hosting
- Setting up DNS records
- Testing on the production side
- Setting up emails
- Backing up the old site
- Live
Step 6 - Attend a Full Stack Bootcamp
Bootcamps are rigorous study programs that allow students to obtain in-demand digital skills that recruiters are looking for. In the midst of the current global crisis, companies are not only being disrupted but students are also being deprived of training and educational possibilities. Currently, of all the full stack developer courses, a Bootcamp is the best alternative for tedious conventional degrees. Bootcamp courses are created with students' needs and industry demands in mind. You have the choice of selecting the skills you wish to study based on your needs or your job objectives and goals. It also helps to gain hands-on experience and acquire in-demand skills.
Step 7 - Build your own projects
Hands-on learning is, without a doubt, the most effective learning method. Expertise comes from practice and credible hands-on experience. Collaborate with other developers, take up open-source projects, and do whatever it takes to put your development skills to the test.
Step 8 - Research the best full stack development practices
Learn how to code and package your software using the best standards. There is always a best practice to code in that language, whether it be Javascript or Python. Find them, study them, and incorporate them into your work.
If you are looking to expand your skill set and become a highly-skilled full stack developer, join OdinSchool's Full Stack Java Developer Bootcamp. The bootcamp is job-oriented, led by industry experts, and offers a rigorous hands-on learning experience.