Full-stack development is a technology career that involves many stages in the design and development process for websites and applications. While web designers or web developers may work independently in their respective areas, full-stack developers do a little of everything. Learning what full-stack developers do and how to become one might help you decide if this is the right career for you. In this article, we discuss what this kind of developer does, provide five steps you might take to become one and explore their typical work environment, salary and skills.
What is a full-stack developer?
A full-stack developer is a web developer who works on both back-end (databases and infrastructure that power a website or program) and front-end (visible and usable parts of a website or program) requirements of a website, technology or database.
Stacks refer to how a system or software’s infrastructure builds upon previous steps or requirements. For example, to build a website, you might create the code first and then apply HTML styles and tags. Examples of stacks include:
Web stacks: A web stack is a combination of software used for building websites. Components include operating systems, programming language, web software and servers.
Mobile stacks: Mobile stacks are the components that build a mobile application. Operating systems, servers, and a user interface (UI) are all necessary for these to work on mobile devices. Native application stacks: Native application stacks use common technology to work across different operating systems. For example, native applications might be functional on mobile devices and desktops.
While web developers or designers might focus on one of these areas, full-stack developers can work from start to finish on websites, programs or applications.
Related: What Is Full-Stack? Complete Guide To Full-Stack Development
What do developers who use the full stack do? Full-stack developers’ responsibilities vary, as they can specialize in different coding languages or combinations of front- and back-end experience. For example, they might design and create software, websites, programs or applications for companies. This could mean writing and editing code, testing, performing quality assurance (QA) and creating and implementing UI/UX design. Full-stack developers might gather requirements from business partners or clients, write application programming interfaces (API), create security measures and write technical documentation.
Read more: Full-Stack Developer: Definition and Necessary Skills
Essential skills for full-stack developers
There are a few skills required for becoming a full-stack developer. You might have these already or develop them as you learn to become one:
Technical skills: These are the basic computer skills in both development and design, such as programming languages. Because a full-stack developer can work from beginning to end on projects, these are crucial for this career.
Writing and communication skills: Creating code for back-end and front-end programs means developing both technical writing skills and even business writing skills. Effectively communicating your abilities while showcasing your portfolio can help you progress in your career.
Skills in analysis: You can analyze code, scripts, and style sheets when necessary when developing websites or performing maintenance. This can help you identify design or coding needs, learn new programs and predict how certain code might behave when a person interacts with it.
Creativity: Design and development require creativity to create code and designs as described by business users. When writing code for a new application, for example, you’re imagining something that doesn’t exist yet and how it might translate to an end user.
Read more: Full-Stack Developer Skills: An Inclusive Guide
How to become a full-stack developer in 5 steps
There are a few different paths to becoming a full-stack developer. Here are some steps that you might follow to start a career:
1. Know the fundamentals. Familiarize yourself with several programming and design languages, gain front and back-end knowledge and understand development and design. Here are a few basic things to learn:
Programming languages: This can be SQL, JavaScript, Python or other commonly used programming languages. Developers use them to write code, instructions and logic for the software, computer or applications.
Databases and storage: Web databases are where developers store all the information and code needed for a device to operate. Many programming languages have accompanying databases that can help optimize their code.
Design coding: HTML and CSS are two important front-end coding techniques to learn. HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, dictates how you post content to a website, and CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, dictates how it appears to an end user. You may learn the differences between using these applications for both web and mobile.
Web applications and servers: Web applications like Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) are how different servers communicate with each other. The user can thus interact and experience websites as coded. Version control software: There are several version control software applications available to ensure newly released updates and software don’t erase previous versions of code. In case there are defects after an application goes live, developers can release an older version to restore proper functions.
You may learn and practice much of this on your own, but it may be a good idea to take formal classes. Even though you don’t need a bachelor’s degree in computer science to become a full-stack developer, having one can help you build your resume. There are also plenty of online courses offered through software websites and learning organizations that can provide you with additional learning and training.
Related: 20 Ways You Can Learn To Code
2. Find a focus
Once you’ve learned the basics of design and development, it’s a good idea to become an expert in a particular area. Specializing in one can help companies determine whether you can meet their needs. If any aspect of your learning fascinates you, develop your skills and knowledge in that area. For example, you might specialize in JavaScript and HTML while still being able to troubleshoot server and software issues. Your focus might also be a particular stack, like web-based, mobile or native application stacks.
Related: Front End vs. Back End: Definitions and Differences
3. Practice
Refine your skills after learning the basics. Try creating basic websites with code, designing them, and accessing them from various networks and devices. Remember that you create stacks by building on previous steps, so master the early coding and continue to move through design and deployment. This can build your knowledge, and you can practice other related skills, like QA and content publishing.
4. Build a network
To stay up to date on the latest software and programming news, joining social communities or professional organizations is a great way to do so. The technology world is constantly changing, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with new software, prototypes, trends and common issues in the field. Networking can help you troubleshoot quickly, and you may find people who can help you better understand areas where you may struggle.
5. Build a portfolio
Once you’ve learned the basics, expanded your knowledge and tested some of your own creations, keeping a portfolio of your best work is a great way to show your skills to potential clients. Consider including technical documentation, back-end coding, front-end design and user experience to highlight that you can work on full stacks.
Typical work environment for full-stack developers
Full-stack developers can hold full-time or part-time positions in an office setting. Often, full-stack developers work as consultants or freelancers and assist several companies. This can provide you with more flexibility to work for clients you choose within your preferred hours.
