If you're interested in a career in computer programming, there are various paths to explore. One role to consider during your career search is that of a full-stack developer. Full-stack developers specialize in a full stack of technologies, allowing them to work on both the front-end and back-end of development projects. By learning more about what full-stack is, you can decide if becoming a full-stack developer is the right career path for you.
In this article, we discuss what full stack is, what a full-stack developer does, the technologies they use, the benefits of becoming one and their average salary.
What is full-stack?
Full-stack is a term that represents the technologies used on both sides of a software development project. Full-stack developers have both front-end and back-end developer skills, allowing them to work on both the client and server sides of projects. In some cases, a company will employ two distinct developers to work on a project, while in others, it will prefer to employ a single developer who is capable of handling all project aspects. The front-end, or client side, is the part of a project that is visible to users, such as a website page or app interface, while the server-side, or back-end, is the technology that runs behind the scenes, providing functionality to the website or application. Full-stack developers are proficient in both client-side and server-side technologies, allowing them to work on all aspects of a website or application.
Read more: What You Need To Know About Full-Stack Development
What skills do I need to become a full-stack developer?
Becoming a full-stack developer requires a wide range of skills encompassing both front-end and back-end development languages, tools, and technologies. It's important to choose specific tools and languages to specialize in rather than trying to learn everything. You can focus on a standard set of basic skills to broaden your job prospects, or you can build a unique skill set to pursue specialized roles. Some skills of full-stack developers include:
Programming languages
Database management
Web architecture
Version control
Problem solving
Time management
Effective communication
Adaptability
Find out more at Full-Stack Developer Skills: A Comprehensive Guide. Full-stack development technologies
Full-stack developers use a number of tools and technologies to perform their duties. The kinds of projects you work on will determine the technologies you use. Some examples of full-stack development technologies include:
Front-end languages
Many programming languages are used for front-end development. Some of the most popular languages include:
HTML: Used to create websites and web pages
CSS: Determines how HTML elements are displayed
JavaScript: Used for adding complex features to your web pages
XML: Similar to HTML, XML is designed to store and transport information between web pages
Front-end frameworks
Frameworks are tools created by developers to help you build applications. Being proficient in the most popular frameworks is important in full-stack development. Popular front-end frameworks include:
React: This is the perfect framework for building single-page applications. It's easy to use and great for a stable platform with a lot of traffic.
Angular: This framework is ideal for building mobile or web apps. It performs well in a variety of situations, but it can be difficult to learn.
jQuery: jQuery is one of the earliest frameworks to learn and is one of the most popular. It is ideal for novices due to its simplicity and ease of use. Front-end libraries
Code libraries are collections of code that are designed to be used by multiple programs. Libraries are used so developers don't have to build each piece of their program from scratch. Developers can download a premade library and have parts of their project already completed.
Popular front-end libraries include:
React: An efficient and flexible JavaScript library
Svelte: Used for building advanced web apps
Inferno: Similar to React, used for building user interfaces
Animate: A library of CSS animations
Normalize: HTML element and attribute style-normalizations
Pure: A collection of responsive CSS modules that can be used in a variety of projects
Back-end languages
Back-end programming languages are important for full-stack developers to learn. Some popular back-end languages include:
PHP: A large number of websites use PHP on the back end. PHP works well across multiple platforms and is maintained by a dedicated open-source community.
Ruby: Ruby is another popular back-end language. It can take a little longer to learn, but it has many capabilities.
Python: Python is often thought of as an essential programming language to learn. Due to its easy syntax, even beginners can learn the basics to get started.
Java: Java is a back-end programming language, not to be confused with JavaScript, which is a front-end language. Java is used for many platforms, including websites, desktops and android devices. Many popular frameworks are based on Java, making it a good foundational language to learn.
Related: 50 Types of Programming Languages and What They Do
Back-end frameworks
Popular back-end frameworks include:
CakePHP: One of the first PHP frameworks released, CakePHP remains one of the more popular choices. It's perfect whether you're building a large or small application.
Django: This Python framework comes with everything a developer could want. With this framework, you don't have to spend time finding third-party plug-ins to improve the framework, as it's ready to go after installation. Django is typically better for larger applications.
Laravel: Another PHP framework, Laravel excels when multiple people are working on the same project.
Ruby on Rails: This is by far the most popular framework for Ruby developers. There is a large library of plug-ins available, so you can add all kinds of features.
Databases
Full-stack developers often use databases to provide functionality to a website or application. A database is a structured collection of information stored on a server. If your website needs to store and retrieve information, this is typically done through a database. A knowledgeable full-stack developer will know how to implement databases into their applications and monitor these databases to ensure optimum performance.
Other tools
There are a few other tools that many full-stack developers use. A few of these tools include:
Git: A tool that provides version control to a project and allows everyone on your team to collaborate on a project simultaneously without fear of overwriting someone else's work.
Atom or VS Code: Code editors allow you to edit code and can sync directly with Git. With code editors, you can install many different add-ons, allowing you to personalize it to your needs.
HTML5 Boilerplate: Rather than designing each web page from scratch, you can use a code template. HTML5 Boilerplate is a popular template that will save you time while doing front-end development.
Front-End vs. Back-End Back-End: Definitions and Differences
Benefits of becoming a full-stack developer
Developers can specialize in front-end, back-end, or full-stack development. Becoming a full-stack developer has many advantages, including:
Versatility: Full-stack developers can handle various aspects of a project, including both front-end and back-end development, allowing them to adapt to different roles and project requirements.
Greater autonomy: Full-stack developers can work independently on entire projects, which is especially valuable for startups, small businesses, and freelancing.
Stronger problem-solving skills: Because full-stack developers have a comprehensive understanding of both front-end and back-end development, they can diagnose and solve problems more efficiently, leading to better project outcomes.
Higher earning potential: Because full-stack developers have a wide range of skills and abilities, they can often demand a higher salary than front-end or back-end developers.
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How much does a full-stack developer make? According to Indeed, the average salary for a full-stack developer in the United States is $125,044 per year. Some of the highest-paying cities for full-stack developers include San Fransisco, San Diego, San Jose and Los Angeles. Salary can vary based on your location, the type of industry you work in, and the skills and technologies you specialize in.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.
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