How to Become a Full-Stack Developer: A Step-by-Step Guide

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.

Understanding the Client

“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.

Data Modelling

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.

Creating Better User Experiences

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.

Integrating the Front end and Back end together

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.

Testing and Debugging

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:

MEAN Stack

• MongoDB: A NoSQL database for storing data.
• Express.js: A web application framework for Node.js.
• Angular: A frontend framework for building dynamic web applications.
• Node.js: A JavaScript runtime environment for server-side development.

MERN Stack

• MongoDB: A NoSQL database.
• Express.js: A web application framework.
• React: A JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
• Node.js: A JavaScript runtime environment.

LAMP Stack

• Linux: An open-source operating system.
• Apache: A web server software.
• MySQL: A relational database management system.
• PHP: A server-side scripting language.

Django Stack

• Django: A high-level Python web framework.
• Python: A versatile programming language.
• PostgreSQL: An open-source relational database management system.

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.

Acquire Technical Skills

Becoming a proficient full stack developer requires a diverse and demanding set of skills. Full stack developer skills include expertise with front-end languages in HTML, CSS and JavaScript frameworks such as React to build responsive user interfaces. On the back end, full stack developers need to have skills in server-side languages like Node.js, Python or PHP and databases like MySQL, MongoDB or PostgreSQL. Let's explore more about these key skills required in each area.

Let's explore the key skills required in each area.

Front End Skills

• HTML: It stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It creates and organises web content so that it can be displayed by a browser. It defines the structure of the websites and formats the web pages. It also defines textual documentation. It is responsible for what is being shown on the website.
• CSS: It is an acronym for Cascading Style Sheets. It is used along with HTML and defines the style of a website’s content. It allows us to alter and style different web components, be they size, fonts, spacing, etc. It makes the content on the website look more decorative.
• JavaScript: It is a powerful client-side scripting language that is mainly used to enhance the user’s interaction with the web page. It is a programming language that is used for more interactive elements such as drop-down menus, modal windows, and contact forms. It brings the web application to life.
• Frameworks like React or Angular: Let’s have a look at some of the front end frameworks and libraries. Most of these are Javascript frameworks and libraries. In this, we have React, Angular, jQuery, and Bootstrap. All of these help develop the front end of the application.

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.

Back End Skills

Server-Side Programming Languages

• Python: Python is a versatile and widely adopted programming language in the server-side domain. Its simplicity and readability make it ideal for handling server-side logic and data processing. Python frameworks like Django and Flask provide powerful tools for building scalable and efficient web applications.
• Java: Java is a robust and highly popular programming language known for its platform independence. It excels in server-side development, offering strong support for concurrent programming, database connectivity, and enterprise-level application development. Java frameworks like Spring and Java EE provide extensive libraries and tools for building robust server-side applications.
• Node.js: Node.js is a runtime environment built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows JavaScript to run on the server side, enabling developers to use a unified language across both client-side and server-side development. Node.js provides high-performance and non-blocking I/O capabilities, making it well-suited for real-time applications and scalable server-side solutions.

Databases

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.

Version Control System

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.

Other required skills

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, but Remain Versatile

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.

Build Projects and Create a Portfolio

Building industry-relevant projects and creating a portfolio to showcase your work will help demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

Stay Updated

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.

Develop a Positive Attitude

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:

• Build dynamic, visually attractive, end-to-end, and innovative software product and apps including front-end and back-end
• Able to design the user experience, user interaction, responsive design, and complete architecture
• Able to work with databases, servers, APIs, version control systems, and third-party apps
• Provide insights on continuous improvement and add or remove functionality as per needs
• Design strategy for continuous enhancement, performance optimisation, stability, and scalability
• Stay updated with new tools, frameworks, approaches, and architectures in the development world
• Transform business needs into a finished product from conception to implementation
• Ensure cross-platform compatibility and fix issues during the test and production phases
• Handle a team of developers and communicate well with them for product roadmap and performance enhancement
• Lead a team of developers, designers, and network managers and ensure digital outcomes are in line with business objectives
  

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.

• Instead of hiring front end developers and back end developers who can work on separate ends of the web application, companies prefer to hire full stack developers who can manage the entire process from end to end.
• The arrival of new and widely adopted technologies like AI, IoT, the metaverse, blockchain etc. is driving the demand for full stack developers to help companies make their businesses more responsive and competitive.
  

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:

• Front-end Developer: As a Front-end Developer, you'll focus on creating visually appealing user interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You'll collaborate closely with UI/UX designers to ensure a seamless user experience. In India, Front-end Developers can earn an average salary of ₹5,50,000 to ₹8,00,000 per year.
• Back-end Developer: Back-end Developers work on server-side applications, databases, and APIs to handle data storage and manipulation. They use languages like Node.js, Python, Ruby, or Java. Salaries for Back-end Developers range from ₹6,00,000 to ₹9,00,000 annually.
• Full Stack Web Developer: This role involves proficiency in both front-end and back-end technologies, allowing developers to handle entire web projects independently. Full Stack Web Developers can earn around ₹7,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 a year.
• Software Engineer: Full Stack Developers often take up Software Engineer roles due to their comprehensive skill set. They are involved in the entire software development lifecycle. Salaries for Software Engineers vary based on experience, with an average of ₹7,50,000 to ₹11,00,000 per year.

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 1700 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.