Introduction
Frequently rated as one of the trendiest jobs in tech, being a full stack developer is seen as a badge of honour amongst many circles in the tech industry.
Full stack developers function as the driving engines of software development. It is a professional requirement to be well versed in various programming languages such as C, C++, Python, and JavaScript to be able to handle multiple operating and development environments.
Along with technical know-how, full-stack developers need to have a keen interest in the functionality of software products being developed and possess the ability to communicate their ideas well with multiple departments in a company. For more information on how to lead yourself toward this path, click here.
Full stack developers are highly sought after by many companies around the world, and the opportunities to break into this industry are plentiful with demand exceeding supply. This article takes you through how you can begin taking your first steps to becoming a full-stack developer and creating your career path in this field.
Roles And Responsibilities
Full stack developers are hired for their highly technical knowledge and skillsets which they often attain through college education or online learning and personal tech projects.
During the hiring process, many full-stack developers are hired often tested on their technical abilities in programming languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS along with their ability to handle backend technologies and databases.
The process of beginning a full stack developer role starts with a team meeting with various professionals in a company, from graphic designers to front-end engineers, who then begin brainstorming on various software ideas.
These ideas are then translated to code by full stack developers, who can set up servers and databases and perform troubleshooting when necessary.
The responsibility of a full-stack developer also includes abiding by codes of ethics along with following industry best practices when designing and prototyping software projects. As such, full stack developers need to be constantly updated on present technologies and their uses, and communicate professionally with stakeholders regarding project ideas and updates.
Full Stack Engineer
Full stack technology encompasses both the front end and back end domains of a software application. Full stack engineers, also known as full stack developers, are required to possess complete knowledge of both domains that go hand in hand in ensuring the success of a project.
The rise of big data has made it necessary for companies today to have multiple front-end and back-end developers working together to handle the large amounts of data flowing through their servers each day.
The ability of a full stack developer is thus especially valuable in a highly complex domain, with multiple technologies being implemented across the board from machine learning to artificial intelligence and predictive computing.
Full stack developers are also desired for their ability to build what is known as a “minimal viable product” for companies to use in their testing phases with clients. These phases are crucial to determine the long-term potential for success of a software project, and the ability of full-stack developers to optimize such products is extremely useful for development companies.
Front End Development
Front-end development is often also known as client-side development and involves making a platform easy and simple to use. With the rise of media consumption across multiple gadgets such as tablets, smartphones, and desktops, front-end development has become more necessary than ever to ensure that users across devices have a smooth browsing experience.
The essence of front-end development lies in ensuring that whatever is visible in a software application is constantly optimised, allowing for a great user experience.
Front-end development typically requires these necessary skills: HTML, DOM manipulation, CSS, and JavaScript.
Back End Development
As the name implies, back-end development is the work that goes on behind the scenes of a software project, with back-end developers laying the foundations on which to build a system block by block. These blocks are made up of components such as databases and servers, along with various other third-party software.
Back-end developers are constantly working to ensure that a software platform is working smoothly and efficiently and that frameworks and libraries are integrated, organized, and updated to allow collaborations with other developers.
Back-end development typically requires these necessary skills, in which a developer must be experienced: SQL/NoSQL, Object-Oriented Programming, Java, and Python.
How To Learn Full Stack Development
Traditionally, full stack development could only be learned from undergraduate education in computer science or web development. Aside from technical know-how, a college education can also provide an avenue for building relationships with a network of like-minded professionals, which is useful for the job hunt after graduation.
However, with the rise of online learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy, a college education is no longer necessary to learn the skills required to become a full-stack developer. It is still possible to begin a career as a full stack developer provided you have a portfolio of relevant projects, hackathon or competition experience, and referrals from mentors or colleagues to help get a foot in the door.
There are also various short courses conducted by accredited and recognized universities, whose certifications may be more readily accepted and recognized by companies around the world. Factors such as budget, time constraints, and learning outcomes to be attained should be considered when signing up for such courses.
Conclusion
Full stack developers are constantly in demand on the job market, with a surplus of jobs and a shortage of professionals to fill them. Full stack developers are highly desired for their technical knowledge and know-how, and their ability to elevate the software projects in a company to greater heights.
Aside from tech, full-stack developers can also find employment in various sectors such as financial services, information technology, and even advertising, thanks to their broad-based skillsets.
With this guide, you are now one step closer to achieving your goal of becoming a full-stack developer or simply exploring a curiosity that might turn into a full-fledged career someday. So take that first step, and begin your software journey!
