What Is Full Stack Developer: Essential Skills Required

What is Full Stack?

With the increased use of technology in every aspect of life, websites have become an important element. An attractive website that functions in a user-friendly manner has become the need of the hour. However, the development of an efficient and effective website is not an easy task and requires specific skills. These skills are possessed by professionals called web developers who develop the client side as well as the server side of a website. This is known as full stack.

In other words, full stack refers to the front end i.e., the parts of the website that users can see and use, and the back end i.e., the software, data processing and other activities and elements that make the working of a website possible. 

What is Full Stack Web Development?

Full stack web development refers to the process of developing both the front end as well as the back end of any website or web application. The task of full stack web development is usually carried out by full stack developers who are people with the requisite skills to achieve this task.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

A Full Stack Developer is a professional who is capable of working on both the front-end and back-end of web applications.

Full-stack technology refers to the entire depth of a computer system application, and full stack web developers are those who are capable of developing both the front end and the back end of web development. All of the features that are visible to the client, or the viewer of the site, are included in the front end.

• Programming a browser (By using JavaScript, jQuery, Angular, or Vue)

• Programming a server (By using PHP, ASP, Python, or Node)

Let’s say you’re using your Instagram application. Every time you refresh, new content is loaded on your screen. You can like a picture, add new ones, search for profiles and do so much more. Although it provides a seamless user experience, there’s a lot that goes on in the backend. HTTP requests are made to the Instagram servers to retrieve and load information. This is facilitated with the help of backend frameworks. 

Typically every application consists of the front-end, the backend, and the database. 

A Full Stack Developer is associated with the creation of an application from its start to finish. He designs the front-end and the backend of an application while ensuring its efficiency, reliability, and other crucial features. 

The Importance of Full Stack Developers in Today's Digital World

Full stack developers play a pivotal role in today's digital world due to their comprehensive understanding and proficiency across both front-end and back-end development technologies. Their ability to work on all layers of a web application, from the user interface to the server-side logic and database management, makes them highly versatile and valuable in various industries. Here's an elaboration on the importance of full stack developers:

Versatility and Efficiency

Full stack developers are proficient in multiple programming languages, frameworks, and tools, allowing them to seamlessly transition between different layers of development. This versatility enables them to take on diverse projects and tasks, from designing user interfaces to optimizing database queries, leading to more efficient development cycles and quicker time-to-market for products.

End-to-End Development

By having expertise in both front-end and back-end technologies, full stack developers can oversee the entire development process of a web application. They can translate client requirements into functional user interfaces, implement server-side functionalities, and ensure seamless integration between various components, resulting in cohesive and robust software solutions.

Problem-Solving and Innovation

Full stack developers possess a holistic understanding of software architecture and development principles, allowing them to tackle complex technical challenges and implement innovative solutions. Their ability to identify bottlenecks, optimize performance, and troubleshoot issues across the entire stack contributes to the overall success and scalability of digital products.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hiring full stack developers can be cost-effective for businesses, as they require fewer resources compared to assembling separate front-end and back-end development teams. Additionally, full stack developers can handle a broader range of tasks, reducing the need for additional specialized personnel and streamlining project management processes.

Adaptability and Future-Proofing

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, full stack developers are well-positioned to adapt to emerging trends and technologies. Their broad skill set allows them to stay updated with the latest advancements in web development, ensuring that their expertise remains relevant and future-proofed in the ever-changing digital world.

What is Frontend Web Development? 

Front end web development is the process of developing the client side of the web application wherein the focus is on the users. The full stack developer with users in mind undertakes this process to develop a website that is easy to use and interact with. The developer in this process focuses on the visual elements of the application. It is also the responsibility of the developer in front end development to ensure that the website or application runs in a smooth fashion. Front end development focuses on elements like:

• Images
• Graphics
• Animations
• Layouts
• Content organization
• Navigation

What is Backend Web Development?

Back end web development refers to the process of developing the server side of the website, i.e., the side that users cannot see or interact with. The main aim of back end development is to make the website interactive and easy to use. During the back end development process, developers lay emphasis on:

• Building the code
• Database management
• Debugging or troubleshooting the website or application
• Application programming interfaces
• Architecture

Therefore, front end and back end development are distinct from each other in terms of the sides of the website application they focus on. However, the two work together to create a dynamic and attractive website that provides users with an immersive experience when browsing.

Back End vs. Front End Development

Front end developers are the professionals who have the skills to work on the front end of a website or application. These professionals have the know-how of languages and tools like HTML, CSS, Javascript and aim to provide a great user experience.

Back end developers use technologies like Java, Python, .Net to develop the core application and usage of the website or web application. These professionals have the skills that are essentially required to work on aspects like security, performance, scalability and response of the website. 

20 Key Skills Every Full Stack Developer Should have

Now that you know what a full stack developer does, let’s look at the skills required to become one. 

Front-end Languages and Frameworks

HTML and CSS

HTML short of Hypertext markup language governs the appearance of text/images on the screen. It formats the text as headings, paragraphs, pop-ups and so on. It typically consists of tags that give a different meaning to the text in a document structure. 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style sheet that allows to alter and style different web components for font, size, spacing, etc. It makes the content on the webpage more decorative.

JavaScript

It is a powerful client-side programming language mainly used for enhancing user interaction with the application. It offers several libraries and frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and JQuery. A full stack developer needs to be proficient in one or more of these tools. 

Backend Technologies and Frameworks

• JavaScript and its environments like NodeJS and ExpressJS. Node is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows developers to create server-side tools and JavaScript applications. Knowledge of the basic command line like npm (Node Package Manager) is essential.
• Java, in particular, was built from the ground up to be run on the server-side. Popular Java frameworks include Spring and Java Server faces. 
• Python is the most popularly used language. It is flexible and easy to use. We use Python frameworks like Django and Flask for backend development. Django is a high-level Python web framework that enables rapid development of websites. It is free and open-source, has a huge and active community of users.
• C# language is for many the most preferred architecture when it comes to backend programming in Windows environments.
• Other languages include PHP, Perl, and Ruby.

Database Management Systems

A full-stack developer writes code that is used to perform Relational mapping to fetch data from the database. Some popularly used DBMS are MySQL, SQL SERVER and PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Oracle Database. A good understanding of their workings is critical. 

Version Control

Version control systems help manage the project files and keep track of the entire history of the user's things. Popular ones are Git, Github, and Subversion.  

Git helps manage the project files. It keeps track of the entire history of things that the user is working on. GitHub is a web-based service for version control using Git. The user can look at other people’s code, identify issues or errors, and even propose changes. 

Web Hosting Platforms

Web hosting platforms allow you to deploy your product on a cloud service provider so we can access it from the WWW. Popular ones are Amazon web services, Google cloud platform, Heroku, and Microsoft Azure.

Web Architecture

Full stack developers must have a deep understanding of web architecture, which encompasses the design principles and structures underlying web applications. This includes knowledge of client-server architecture, RESTful APIs, microservices, and other architectural patterns. Understanding web architecture enables developers to design scalable, maintainable, and efficient systems that meet performance and reliability requirements.

AngularJS

AngularJS is a popular front-end framework used for building dynamic and interactive web applications. Full stack developers proficient in AngularJS possess skills in creating responsive user interfaces, managing application state, and implementing complex features such as data binding, routing, and dependency injection. Mastery of AngularJS allows developers to build robust client-side applications that provide a seamless user experience.

Basic Design Skills

While full stack developers primarily focus on software development, having basic design skills is advantageous for creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces. Understanding design principles such as layout, typography, color theory, and usability allows developers to collaborate effectively with designers and contribute to the visual aspects of web applications. Basic design skills enable developers to create intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces that enhance the overall user experience.

Soft Skills 

A full-stack developer needs to possess some basic soft skills as well. 

1. Creativity: The developer must understand the project's objectives and create a product that engages the target audience. 
2. Strategic planning: Planning is a critical phase in any development life-cycle. The developer should possess the aptitude to plan the design, development, and implementation phases strategically. This helps streamline the process.
3. Analytical skills: As the name suggests, these skills help analyze information accurately and make logical, data-driven decisions that help in maximizing efficiency. Now, these are skills that one develops when they're exposed to it. But a good sense of understanding is required. 
4. Problem-solving skills are again crucial to predict any errors and develop a bug-free application. From a business perspective, problem-solving skills play a significant role in ensuring the smooth conduction of tasks. 
5. Time management skills: The developer must meet the deadlines while ensuring proper execution of his tasks.
6. Communication: Effective communication skills are essential for full stack developers, as they often collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients throughout the development process. Clear and concise communication facilitates the exchange of ideas, requirements, and feedback, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project goals and expectations. Strong communication skills also enable developers to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and adapt their communication style to various audiences.
7. Attention to Detail: It is critical for full stack developers to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and quality of their code and applications. This includes meticulously reviewing code for errors, adhering to coding standards and best practices, and conducting thorough testing to identify and fix bugs. Paying attention to detail also extends to understanding user requirements, refining user interfaces, and optimizing performance to deliver polished and user-friendly web applications.

Now that you are familiar with the skills, let's look at the key responsibilities. 

Responsibilities of a Full Stack Developer

• Development of front-end: With the help of HTML/CSS and JavaScript frameworks and libraries, the developer must be able to build interactive user interfaces. 
• Design the backend of the application: He must be able to build a robust backend architecture to fetch data from the servers.
• Creating databases and servers: These systems must be resilient to outages and must function endlessly. 
• Ensuring Cross Platform compatibility: Applications must run smoothly on all operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux. 
• API development: Depending on the application architecture, the developer is responsible for API creation. These APIs perform crucial tasks like fetching data from the server. 
• Meet all technical and consumer requirements: The developer must be able to build responsive applications that meet customer requirements and keep them engaged. 

Programming Languages and Tools of Full Stack

• HTML: HTML or Hypertext Markup language is used by developers for making web pages. To build user interfaces that are both efficient and simple to use, a full-stack developer needs a solid grasp of HTML.
• CSS: HTML markup is styled using CSS, a style sheet language. For the purpose of developing aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly websites and applications, a full-stack developer must have a solid understanding of CSS.
• Bootstrap: The most widely used CSS framework for creating adaptive and mobile-first websites is Bootstrap. 
• W3.CSS: W3.CSS is a modern framework with built-in responsiveness that is simple to learn and use.
• JavaScript: A programming language called JavaScript is used to make interactive web pages. To construct dynamic and user-friendly websites and applications, a full-stack developer has to have a solid grasp of JavaScript.
• HTML DOM: When you load a web page, the browser produces a Document Object Model of the page. The HTML DOM is an HTML Object Model. can components in the form of objects

1. All HTML components have properties.
2. All HTML elements have methods.
3. All HTML elements have events.

• Python: Python is the most widely used server-side programming language. This versatile language has a plethora of applications in various industries such as machine learning, data analysis, and back-end web development.
• Tools: Below mentioned are the most commonly used tools by full-stack developers to enhance development and its efficiency. 

1. Backbone
2. Visual Studio Code
3. WebStorm
4. Slack
5. Electron
6. TypeScript
7. CodePen
8. GitHub

Full Stack Developer Job Outlook

According to BLS data, the position of "web developer" is predicted to rise 13 per cent between 2018 and 2028, substantially faster than the typical occupation. In LinkedIn's 2020 Emerging Jobs Report, "full-stack engineer" ranks fourth among the top emerging jobs for 2020. Since 2015, full-stack engineer roles have grown at a 35% annual rate, and the research states that "the rapid pace of development in technology has made full-stack engineers an advantage to any firm."

Salary of a Full Stack Developer

According to PayScale, the average salary of a full stack developer in the US is around 75k USD. 

In India, the average salary of a full stack developer is around 6 Lakhs INR. 

How to Become a Full Stack Developer?

There are a few things you need to know if you want to become a Full Stack Web Developer. First, you need to have a solid understanding of the different types of technologies that are used to create web applications. These include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, and PHP. Second, you need to be able to use these technologies to create a functioning web application. And third, you need to be able to deploy and maintain your web applications.

If you have these three things down, then you're well on your way to becoming a full stack developer. Let's take a closer look at each of these components so you can start building your skills.

What Should You Choose Between Full-stack Developer and Software Developer?

There is increased demand for full stack as well as software developers in the marketplace because of the greater influx of technology and innovation in all industries. While software developers build apps and software that are used on computers of users on a daily basis, full stack developers are fitter for development of web applications and websites. However, when it comes to making a choice for a career, it is not easy as both roles are fascinating as well as lucrative. Full stack developers as well as software developers are well paid, in great demand and need to exhibit specific skills and expertise. 

The role of a full stack developer is a more detailed one and carries more responsibilities as compared to that of a software developer. Moreover, a full stack developer needs to showcase more skills and expertise as compared to a software developer as the full stack developer works on both the client and server side of an application.

For a full stack developer, the roles and responsibilities are more complex as they are involved in the complet development process while a software developer focuses on a specific aspect of the software. 

Expert Tips for Landing a Full Stack Developer Job

For those wanting to pursue a career in full stack development, here are some tips:

• Develop the right skills required by a full stack developer
• Try and earn a degree in full stack development
• Gain experience by working on real-world full stack applications
• Enhance coding skills
• Build a portfolio of your skills using projects or coursework completed in full stack development

Using these tips, those looking for full stack development roles can secure a job at any level.

Next Steps

We hope that this article on ‘Who is a Full Stack developer’ helped you. If you are looking to get advanced practical learning of Full Stack technologies and perhaps make a career out of it, certification will come in handy.

Simplilearn's Full Stack Java Developer course gives you an in-depth understanding of full-stack development. This course on full stack Java development is packaged to give you a comprehensive and collective understanding of front-end, middleware, and back-end Java web developer technologies. Through this program, you will learn to build an application from end to end, test and deploy code, store data using MongoDB, and much more.

If you have feedback or questions on the topic, please drop us a comment in the comments section of this article. Our experts will get back to you ASAP!

FAQs

1. Are full stack developers in demand in 2024?

Full stack developers are on top of the list of emerging jobs according to LinkedIn's 2024 jobs on the rise for the US. They continue to dominate as one of top jobs and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

2. What is the difference between a full stack developer and a front end developer?

A front-end developer is responsible for just maintaining the look and feel of the website that is visible to the public. A full-stack developer is knowledgeable and skilled in both the front-end and the back-end.

3. What is the difference between a full stack developer and a back end developer?

A backend developer is responsible for managing the backend of the website - the parts that are not visible to the website visitors. The full stack developer is skilled in both the front-end and the back-end development.

4. Can you become a full stack developer with a high school diploma?

While a postgraduate may not be a requirement for becoming a full-stack developer, it is often something that companies hiring are looking for. 

5. How to become a full stack software developer?

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in related fields, a full stack developer must have an understanding of technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, and PHP. You must also have knowledge of deploying and maintaining web applications. You can also take online programs such as our Full Stack Java Developer course.

6. How much does a full stack developer earn?

A starting full stack developer earns around US$75k and INR6 lakhs annually.

7. How to prepare for a full stack developer interview?

It is important to understand the basics of the technology you use. Learn the ins and outs of all the technologies you are familiar with. Provide details of your courses, additional programs that you might have taken, and information on your past jobs and what you’ve learned from them.

8. What are the skills required for full stack developer?

A full stack developer requires skills such as Front-end Languages and Frameworks (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), Backend Technologies and Frameworks (NodeJS, ExpressJS, Django, Flask, C++), Database Management Systems (MySQL, SQL SERVER and PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Oracle Database), Version Control, and Web Hosting Platforms.

9. How long does it take to become a full stack developer?

The time it takes to become a full stack developer varies depending on individual factors such as prior experience, dedication, and learning pace. Typically, it may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to acquire the necessary skills and proficiency in both front-end and back-end development. Continuous learning and practical experience through projects and internships can accelerate the learning process and enhance proficiency.

10. Can I become a full stack developer without a degree?

Yes, it is possible to become a full stack developer without a traditional degree. Many successful full stack developers have acquired skills through self-study, online courses, bootcamps, and practical experience. Employers often prioritize skills and practical abilities over formal education, making it feasible for individuals to enter the field through alternative learning pathways.

11. What is the average salary for a full stack developer?

The average salary for a full stack developer varies depending on factors such as location, experience, industry, and company size. However, in general, full stack developers command competitive salaries due to their versatile skill set and high demand in the tech industry. On average, full stack developers can expect to earn anywhere from $70,000 to $120,000 per year, with opportunities for higher salaries based on experience and expertise.

12. How to stay motivated when learning full stack development?

To stay motivated when learning full stack development, it's essential to set clear goals, break down learning tasks into manageable chunks, and celebrate progress along the way. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community of fellow learners, mentors, and industry professionals can provide encouragement and accountability. Additionally, finding practical applications for newly acquired skills through personal projects or internships can reinforce learning and maintain motivation. Lastly, taking regular breaks, staying curious, and embracing the learning journey as a continuous process can help sustain motivation over the long term.