What is a Full Stack Developer?

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What is a Full Stack Developer?

Full stack developers are the professionals who are responsible for building both the frontend and backend of a website. Frontend development means creating the part of the website that contains all the elements of a computer application that users interact with directly. On the other hand, the backend encompasses all the behind-the-scenes tech that involves data storage and other processes. 

Because they work at all stages of the development process, full stack developers must have specialised skill sets in both frontend and backend development. They may be hired directly by a company or by a software development firm that creates software, websites, and other components for other businesses. This article will discuss the roles and responsibilities of a full stack developer and the skills they require for your better understanding.

What Are The Duties They Bear?

Many new and developing technologies constantly push the boundaries of what a full stack developer can create in the vast field of full stack development. One of the many fascinating aspects of working in this role is keeping up with the latest methods and technologies in the field of full stack development. The following are the primary duties of them:

  • As said earlier, they are responsible for the frontend and backend development of a website. They design and create websites and applications for various platforms.
  • They create interactive user interfaces using HTML/CSS and JavaScript frameworks and libraries.
  • They provide a solid backend architecture for the application to receive data from the servers.
  • They are held responsible for building and maintaining databases.
  • They should offer cross-platform compatibility by making programs function properly on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, among other operating systems. 
  • Depending on the application’s architecture, the developer is responsible for creating APIs. These APIs perform vital tasks, such as retrieving data from the server.
  • They should perform tests, troubleshoot software, and fix bugs in the software developed.
  • They should be able to comply with all technical and user requirements and create user-friendly apps that satisfy needs and maintain users’ interests.

Essential Skills for Every Full Stack Developer

Now that you understand what they do, let us look at the skills required of them. They should be familiar with and proficient in frontend languages and frameworks, backend technologies and frameworks, database management systems, version control systems, and web hosting platforms. Read on to learn more about them in detail.

1. Frontend Languages and Frameworks

Frontend languages that developers should be proficient in include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML and CSS are used to create the visual structure of the website, while JavaScript is used to add dynamic features. They should master HTML and CSS before moving on to JavaScript. Proficiency in one or more of these tools is a prerequisite for developers.

  • HTML or Hypertext Markup Language controls how text and images appear on the screen. It arranges the text into paragraphs, headings, pop-ups, and other formats. It usually consists of tags that provide the text in a document structure with an alternate meaning.
  • Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, is a type of style sheet that lets you change the font, size, spacing, and other aspects of various web components. It gives the web page’s content a more ornamental feel. 
  • Developers utilise JavaScript, another significant programming language, as a powerful client-side language that enhances user interaction with applications. It provides a number of frameworks and libraries, including React, Angular, Vue, and JQuery. 

2. Backend Technologies and Frameworks

The full stack developers work on various backend technologies. They work with technologies such as Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, and React.js. They will also need an understanding of databases, web servers, and HTML and CSS. JavaScript can be used to add interactive elements to web pages, such as drop down menus, scroll bars, and dynamic content. It can also be used to create more complex features, such as web apps and games.

  • JavaScript is a widely used programming language and is essential for web developers. Java, in particular, was created from the ground up with server-side operations in mind. Spring and Java Server Faces are two of the most well-liked Java frameworks. 
  • Other than Java, Python is a widely popular framework that has frameworks like Django and Flask for backend development. 
  • The C# language is, for many, the most preferred architecture when it comes to backend programming in Windows environments. Other programming languages include PHP, Perl, and Ruby.

3. Database Management Systems

The code for relational mapping, which retrieves data from the database, is written by a full stack developer. DBMS that are widely used include Oracle Database, MySQL, SQL SERVER, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. A thorough understanding of their operations is required of them.

4. Version Control Systems

Systems for version control make it easier to manage project files and maintain track of all user items throughout history. Some well-known ones are Subversion, Git, and Github. Git aids in file management for the project. It records every step in the history of the tasks the user has completed. GitHub is an online platform that employs Git for version control. The user can view the code of others, spot problems or mistakes, and even suggest changes. 

5. Web Hosting Platforms

Web hosting platforms facilitate the deployment of your product on a cloud service provider, enabling us to access it via the World Wide Web. Microsoft Azure, Heroku, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services are a few of the well-known ones. Having an understanding of and knowledge about them is definitely a necessary skill for programmers.

So, you read about full stack developers, their duties and the skills they require. Being one of them means being at the forefront of technology and working with cutting-edge companies to explore new solutions by pursuing full stack development. Additionally, because the industry is expanding quickly, if you are a tech-savvy programmer who wishes to establish yourself in the programming field, you can take advantage of excellent career prospects and job security.

Interesting Links:

How to Become a Full Stack Developer

Full Stack Developer Definition

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