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Have you ever considered the field of web development as a potential career?
If yes, what is your most common perception of this field?
Creating websites, right?
If that’s the case, then you are not alone, my friend.
That’s usually the way beginners and non-tech people perceive this field.
However, creating or designing websites is only one aspect of web development. The field is much more diverse.
Let me give you an analogy.
Imagine a house being constructed on a piece of land. Creating a website is like decorating it. We get to choose the wall paint and the furniture and we can put up pictures to make it look more aesthetic.
Whereas web development will be analogous to building a house from scratch. It would consist of laying a strong and stable foundation and putting up the doors and windows. It would also include ensuring the house excels on the functionality front, like having proper electrical and water connectivity and a sewage system.
So, creating a website is about making it look good and adding all the fun stuff inside, while being a web developer is about building the website and ensuring it works correctly.
In technical terms, creating a website deals with designing and setting up its visual appearance and user interface, whereas web development involves the technical aspects of building it from scratch.
As we proceed further, we will realise that creating a website is often associated with front end development, which is one of the components of full stack development; the other few are back end development, database management systems, version control systems etc.
Now that we know how diverse the scope of this field is, contrary to our initial perception, let’s deep dive into the specifics of this role.
Read along to find out what Full Stack Development is, what skills you need, and how you can learn those skills.
A full stack developer is a one-man army in web development, a versatile professional who possesses a comprehensive understanding of both front end and back end development.
These individuals are capable of working on all aspects of web application development, from designing user interfaces to managing databases.
The front end, or client side, deals with all those aspects of the website that the visitor directly sees or interacts with, as we were reading at the beginning of the article.
Visual elements and interactive features like the header, navigation menu, images and graphics, buttons and links, footer, animation, dropdown menus, maps and location information, etc. collectively comprise the front end elements of a website.
The back end, or server side, deals with the servers, operating systems, and APIs that lead to a smooth user experience by ensuring the proper functioning of the website.
Some other examples of back end elements include authentication and security, a Content Management System (CMS), payment processing, error handling and logging, and performance optimisation.
So, when it comes to full stack development, there is an overlap between the front end and back end development zones. It also includes a few things outside the scope of both the front end and the back end, like database management and much more.
Usually, you will come across phrases like ‘jack of all trades’ being used for full stack developers. But I would request that you hold your horses. Full stack developer is only proficient if they select a speciality from each domain and work on it.
Chasing to know every technology will not just make the process tedious but will also discourage you and make you doubt your own abilities.
In this section, we will look at tasks a full stack developer needs to undertake on an everyday level.
“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.” - Abraham Lincoln
Before getting started with the project, it is imperative for the developer to understand the perspective of the client and how he visualises the end product.
They ensure that their devised plan is in alignment with the client’s expectations.
This simply means planning the best strategies and what other resources will be needed during the implementation of the plan. This is a kind of homework for the developer to ensure that there are no unsolicited pauses once the work gets started.
This could involve knowing how to build databases that can store information, create tables, and create corresponding relations between them.
It requires the developers to put themselves in the shoes of the user to understand how the user thinks and what he expects while going through an interface.
It involves minimising user actions as much as possible, providing guiding messages throughout their journey, and more.
Besides being well-versed in the front end and back end aspects of the application individually, a full stack developer should be able to integrate these two so that they function properly together as a system.
The back end should be able to collect, store, and respond to data from the front end, and vice versa.
This is the most important part of the development process. A full stack developer is usually responsible for checking the design algorithm, checking for functionality, going through possible bugs, and giving code reviews.
A stack is a combination of independent components that work together to facilitate the execution of an application.
The components can include an operating system, architectural layers, protocols, runtime environments, databases, and functional calls.
All these are stacked on top of each other, forming a hierarchy.
Here are some popular technology stacks that full stack developers commonly use:
The choice of a stack often depends on project requirements, team expertise, scalability needs, and the personal preferences of the developers involved.
For a beginner, it might seem convenient to have a conventional academic background in related streams for easy access to the field.
For instance, we might feel that a B.E. or B.Tech. degree or even something like a BCA or BSc degree in Computer Science, will be preferred by the recruiters. However, the truth is, owing to the recent inefficiency of traditional methods in imparting relevant and future-proof skills, recruiters have shifted their focus from degrees to skills.
Thus, having the right skills overshadows degrees any day.
Here is a step-by-step approach to not just developing the required skills but also getting industry-ready by creating a portfolio that stands out from the remaining competition.
Becoming a proficient full stack developer requires a diverse set of skills encompassing front end, back end, and database management.
Let's explore the key skills required in each area.
However, it is not necessary for us to know everything to create a website. One of them will be sufficient.
The usage of React is on the rise, and most developers prefer using it.
Every website or web application requires a database that stores the data. The database you use depends on the project you are completing because every database has its pros and cons. Often, a programming language might have accompanying databases that help optimise the programming code.
Understanding database management and query languages like SQL is essential for full stack developers.
Databases are crucial for storing and retrieving data in web applications, and SQL allows developers to interact with databases effectively.
Knowledge of popular database systems like MySQL or MongoDB enables developers to design efficient data models, optimise queries, and ensure data integrity, resulting in robust and scalable applications.
VCS allows developers to track and manage changes to their codebase, enabling collaboration, version history, and seamless deployment.
Commonly used VCS systems include Git, Mercurial, and Subversion.
Full stack developers should be proficient in testing their code and debugging issues.
This includes writing unit tests, performing integration testing, and using debugging tools to identify and fix bugs.
Knowledge of test-driven development (TDD) and debugging techniques is crucial for maintaining code quality.
Specialise in a particular technology stack or domain, as it allows aspiring developers to dive deeper into specific areas and become experts.
However, have a broad understanding of various technologies, even when specialising in one area. This helps developers adapt to changing industry demands and collaborate effectively with other team members.
Building industry-relevant projects and creating a portfolio to showcase your work will help demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest technologies and trends are essential. Seeking internships or comprehensive online training can provide valuable hands-on experience and industry exposure.
It's important to stay curious, embrace learning opportunities, and actively seek growth. Starting a career as a full stack developer requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to continuously improve. With a solid foundation, practical experience, and a passion for learning, you can establish yourself as a capable full stack developer in the industry.
Full stack development is one of the most in-demand jobs due to its ability to facilitate faster and more cost-efficient development.
Though the job description of a full stack developer may vary slightly from organisation to organisation, the broad range of responsibilities comprises the following:
The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics has projected 13% growth in web development employment in 2020-2030. It projects about 17,900 web development jobs being created every year.
Regardless of the industry they belong to, all companies have an online presence today. As technology is ever-evolving, managing this online presence, which can have direct operational and financial effects, becomes a top priority for businesses.
Thus, full stack developers are in high demand, even in government organisations. In fact, this demand has been rising continuously.
Below are the two reasons behind this increase in demand creating more opportunities and thus creating a positive career outlook.
Full Stack Developers are versatile professionals capable of handling both front-end and back-end aspects of web development. Their expertise in multiple technologies makes them highly sought after in the job market.
Here are some common job roles and salary insights for Full Stack Developers:
Remember that salaries may differ based on location, company size, and the developer's level of expertise.
In this blog, we have gone through the definition, roles and responsibilities, and step-by-step approach to becoming a full stack developer.
We also took a look at some of the popular technology stacks that are frequently used by full stack developers.
We finally pondered the question of whether it is a good career choice for freshers.
We ended up evaluating this field on the parameters of job roles, career growth, and salaries.
In a nutshell, we can say that becoming a full stack developer can open up a world of opportunities in the fast-paced tech industry. By choosing to embark on this career path, you are positioning yourself as a valuable asset to companies looking for individuals who can handle end-to-end development projects.
To get started on your journey towards becoming a full stack developer, consider choosing NxtWave’s Full Stack Developer program. It offers a structured learning path and covers all the essential skills and technologies with a focus on practical experience.
With us, you can learn directly from the alumni of IITs and professionals from top MNCs such as Microsoft and Amazon, work on real-time industry projects, and get doubt clarification from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday. Regardless of your educational background, you can embark upon a high-paying web development job within eight months of the commencement of the program.
More than 1500 companies, from fast-growing startups to Fortune 500 giants such as Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Bosch, and Jio, have hired NxtWave learners.
Don’t just believe our words; check out our students’ success stories for yourself.
