What is a Full-Stack Developer? Find out Here!
A full-stack developer is a popular vacancy among companies that aim to develop a web application. But what is a full-stack developer, exactly? Forty-seven percent of programmers, according to StackOverflow, claim they are well-versed in full-stack development. Such a significant share may create confusion when it comes to this role. In this post, we take a look at what this role entails and why full-stack engineers are in such great demand nowadays. But to answer the question "what is a full-stack engineer?" we should explore the two realms they specialize in frontend and backend development.
What is full stack web development: The frontend part
The front-end part of a full-stack web development project has to do with the interface of the website: the way the information is presented and how it looks in different browsers and devices. The full-stack developer is typically well-versed in such front-end programming languages as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Using these technologies, a full-stack programmer can work with the website layout, text, images, buttons, and other interface elements. Frontend development also assumes the usage of popular JavaScript frameworks, such as React, Vue, Angular, etc.
Additionally, full-stack developers may have UX/UI skills that can help them choose the most suitable layout techniques. Such professionals often gain an upper hand since they are capable of capturing and creating the look and feel of a brand while keeping in mind the technical feasibility.
What is full stack development: The backend part
When working on the backend, full-stack developers deal with the server-side of the web application, including databases, backend logic, APIs, and servers. What is a developer's stack used at backend? It often includes writing code in common scripting languages, such as Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, and Node.js, a common JavaScipt framework for web development. Full-stack developers use these technologies to create algorithms and business logic that interprets data coming from the frontend when the user interacts with a website.
You might also like: Hiring a Node.js Developer: A Complete Guide
Having a firm grasp of databases and SQL, a database management language, is critical for full-stack developers. Typically, it includes knowledge of such relational databases as PostgreSQL and MySQL, and MongoDB, the non-relational database management program.
Another essential element of a full-stack developer skillset is server management, apps that host the database. You may require a full-stack developer with expertise in cloud platforms, for example, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. Whether you go with traditional or cloud-based architecture, your full-stack developer should have a working knowledge of scaling web applications for when your traffic grows.
So, what does full stack developer mean?
When working with a full-stack developer, you will get a professional with the skills required to finish an entire web development project, including both frontend and backend. They should be able to write code in frontend and backend languages as well as have a deep understanding of server management. When reviewing the CVs, you may notice that seasoned full-stack developers have solid experience working in different roles. They also should have a deep understanding of UX/UI principles and methodologies, which means they are capable of guiding you when it comes to the best choice for your business. Here's a rundown of key full-stack engineers' skills:
- Frontend: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, Vue, Angular
- Backend: Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, Node.js
- Databases: SQL and NoSQL databases
- UX/UI skills
- Git, GitHub as a version control system
Looking at the variety of skills, we can go as far as saying that full-stack developers are Jacks of all trades. They are specialized in several areas of expertise and have solid general software development skills as opposed to professionals that have mastered a single field. For example, backend developers often don't understand the UX/UI principles whereas frontend developers cannot cope with website deployment or scaling.
Types of full-stack coders
So, what does a full-stack developer do, exactly? To address this question, we should dive deeper into the toolbox full-stack coders use to build a product. Each technology serves a particular purpose and depends on your business needs. With that in mind, it's essential to understand the differences between tech stacks used by a specialist you want to add to your unit. Below we review the main types of full-stack developers, including the most popular ones - MEAN stack developers, MERN, MEVN, and LAMP experts. The abbreviations refer to the technologies consisting of the tech stack.
MEAN stack developers
MEAN stack is used by developers to build web applications for e-commerce, large-scale corporate websites, and online platforms. Let's peel back the onion and see what the MEAN tech stack entails:
M: MongoDB, a NoSQL database
E: Express, a suite of frameworks for Node.js
A: Angular.js, a frontend JavaScript framework
N: Node.js, a backend framework
MEAN stack developers use JavaScript to develop both frontend and backend, meaning they should be well-versed in this programming language.
MERN stack
MERN experts use pretty much the same set of technologies as MEAN stack developers.
M: MongoDB
E: Express
R: React, a frontend JavaScript framework (instead of Angular used by MEAN stack developers)
N: Node.js
MEVN stack
Another alternative to hiring MEAN stack developers is to go with the MEVN stack.
M: MongoDB
E: Express
V: VueJS, a JavaScript framework
N: Node.js
In the MEVN stack, developers use VueJS instead of Angular.js or React.js as in the previous stacks. Fullstack developers claim that Vue.js combines the best of Angular.js and React.js and works well for most web development projects.
LAMP stack
This stack is used for developing complex enterprise-level systems that require high levels of configuration and flexibility.
L: Linux, an operating system
A: Apache, a cross-platform web server
M: MySQL
P: Python or PHP or Perl, programming languages
MEAN stack developers as well as MERN, MEVN, and LAMP experts are a solid choice to build complex solutions with huge volumes of data and online payment systems. When choosing a tech stack for your business, it’s best to consult with a seasoned software architect.
Access full-stack developers with HireTop
In light of the high demand for experts with unified frontend and backend experience, the rates of full-stack developers in the world tend to run high. If you plan to build your team in the USA, you should know that the average salary of such an expert can go above $110,000 per year, according to PayScale. In the UK, you can add a full-stack engineer for nearly $70,000 annually. The situation is the same in Germany.
We at HireTop can help you cut back on expenses and build a full-stack development team in Eastern Europe (Poland, Ukraine, Romania). On average, in Ukraine, the cost of adding a full-stack engineer can be as low as $25,000 per year. As a provider of remote teams, not only can we offer you reduce expenses but also take care of all the processes related to team creation. Our services include recruitment and internal screening. We also cover employee motivation, bonuses, remote IT environment payroll, and HR support. If you're interested in hiring full-stack developers within a remote approach, let's talk. We may have some professionals on our bench to introduce to you today.