Since the rise of the digital era, more and more organisations every day are ensuring their online presence in the form of websites. Which is why the domain of web development is witnessing such a growth, thereby naturally uplifting the significance of Full Stack Developer.
This radical technological world today has thereby raised the bar of the skill sets that a developer must own. One such evolving profession in the industry is that of a Full Stack Developer. There are a few full stack developer skills that candidates must acquire to stay ahead in the career enhancement.
As one of the red-hot topics for developers, the discussions around this hasn’t been paused. On all platforms including LinkedIn and Facebook, lots of people put their job title as a full stack developer. Not just that but it seems that the “Full Stack” topic has already become a new job trend.
An article in the media has discussed that the full stack designers are getting a lot of praises. Some people fail to understand the full stack development meaning they think that the full stack is just a title, what they should focus on is the real personal ability and technology.
In this radical and modern software world, if we talk about professional versatility, there’s no one better than a Full Stack Developer to represent the term “versatile.” Up-to-date and well-informed in both frontend and backend web development. The skills of full stack developers are coveted by every company and brand covets and even working professionals.
What do Full Stack Developer Skills entail?
Firstly, in today’s software world a full stack developer or a person with full stack skills is coveted by most big companies. It requires a lot of skills and expertise to become a full stack web developer.
To understand completely what is full stack developer skills or to understand what are the skills required for a full stack developer one must first understand the components of web development.
Essentially, web development has two parts – frontend and backend development. Let’s look at the frontend and backend development a little more elaborately.
A Background to Front End Development
Front end development is one of the most crucial aspects of web design and development. It concerns that part of a website that is seen and interacted with by users. This includes everything from the typography and blueprint or layout to images, videos, and interactive elements like chat boxes and buttons, and menus. To create appealing, user-friendly websites, front-end developers must have a strong understanding of both code and design principles.
Front-end development is a field that is rapidly changing, and new technologies emerge all the time. The best way to be well-versed is to constantly learn and experiment. There are many great resources available online, such as tutorials, articles, and video courses like ‘how to become a full stack developer or how to become a full stack web developer’ on our platform, AttainU. In addition to that, there are many meetups and seminars, and conferences where you can learn from experts in the field.
A Background to Back End Development
Back-end development is the management or development of the functionality of a website or application. This may include anything from the coding to the management of the interaction of the users to creating the databases that store information about a site or app.
The back end developer is the one who is usually responsible for making sure that everything works as it should and that user data is secure. They often work in collaboration with the front end developers, who are responsible for creating the user interface and making sure that it looks good.
Back end development is the most complex process, but it’s also the most essential for ensuring that a website or application functions smoothly and securely. If you’re interested in learning more about back end development, we provide a lot of courses and certifications at AttainU.
Now, after understanding both the frontend and backend concepts of web development we understand that a Full Stack Developer is an expert who is proficient in frontend (client-side) development and backend (server-side) development equally and who can proficiently use both in combination and just individually.
Full Stack Developers have a great understanding of each layer of tech stacks that go into the making of a software product. The developers know exactly how each layer functions and, most importantly, can manoeuvre all the backend components.
It takes one to have the extensive knowledge base and broad skills required for a full stack developer. Hence, one requires years of experience in software development to earn the title of a Full Stack Developer. They are highly valued by huge companies especially product based software companies and small startups also.
Doing a full stack web development course or being a certified full stack developer exponentially increases your chances of getting hired by your dream company as adding certifications from authorised institutions such as AttainU increases the gravity of your resume.
What qualifications do Full Stack Developers need?
As has been deliberated before, a Full Stack Developer requires a wide variety of skills. Here are full stack developer skills that are a mandate or are non-negotiable!
1. Understanding of HTML/CSS
While HTML abbreviates to Hypertext Markup Language, CSS abbreviates to Cascading Style Sheets. HTML is used or deployed for adding a web page, and CSS may be a personalization tool for designing and styling an internet site. Both HTML and CSS determine the design and feel of an internet site, which ultimately plays a serious role in attracting prospective customers.
Full Stack Developers are required to work with HTML to define the structure of sites by using markup. They should also be proficient in CSS for effective presentation of the HTML elements. Full Stack Developers should have extensive knowledge in both programming languages for creating an interactive, intuitive, and engaging frontend for websites and applications.
2. Knowledge of JavaScript
Everywhere where it involves web and software development, JavaScript may be a mandatory Full Stack Developer skill. The object-oriented scripting language is usually used for adding behaviours using HTML. It is one of the most popularly used languages for writing frontend and backend code for servers. Furthermore, JavaScript is the only programming language that will run natively within the browser and on the server-side (Node.js).
Full Stack Developers must have thorough or full-fledged knowledge of JavaScript along with all its functions and concepts and features like React and Angular. One of the most simple things about JavaScript is that it includes numerous useful features, including functions, prototypes, higher-order event delegation, and closure, which help create responsive sites.
It is also mandatory for Full Stack Developers to upgrade their JavaScript domain knowledge as and when new frameworks, libraries, and tools are launched. And in addition to all this, full stack developers must know how to use DOM and JSON.
3. Connect to Git and GitHub
Every developer, from an amateur developer to an aspiring developer to a senior developer, has heard of Git. It is an open-source “distributed version control system” that can handle all your development requirements. It assures speed and efficiency for both small and large-scale projects. With Git, developers can effortlessly manage all the changes made to applications, codes, websites, documents, and other information associated with software/application development. Professional developers usually have a GitHub profile, which is mandatory if working in a team.
As for the Full Stack Developers, Git allows them to monitor every minor modification done to the appliance codebase. The developers must remember all the essential Git commands and examples. Using Git permits Full Stack Developers to explore unique opportunities for security, productivity, and management. Knowledge of Git empowers Full Stack Developers to raise, collaborate and cooperate with their fellow developers or programmers who are performing on an equivalent project.
4. Take Backend Language courses
While we’ve coveted the two most important frontend languages, HTML and CSS (along with JavaScript), the opposite pivotal part of an application or software is that of the backend. While backend development may be a completely different scenario, many more programming languages can come in handy or be helpful. Doing a full stack web development course or in the full stack developer roadmap, there will be specified languages that are necessary to learn to become a full stack developer.
For backend development, a Full Stack Developer must be knowledgeable in at least a handful of the following languages:
PHP – PHP is among the foremost popular choices for backend development, this language is an open-source, cross-platform compatible language that will work seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and even on Unix.
Python – Python’s English-like syntax, smooth learning curve, and a huge assortment of libraries and frameworks are what make it largely popular among developers and coders all around the world.
Ruby – Ruby is one of the most robust programming languages. An active community of developers backs it, but it also renders fantastic documentation and dependencies, making it the perfect choice for backend development.
Java – Java is again a multipurpose programming language. It is usually used for web, desktop, and mobile application development. Plus, Java features a wide selection of frameworks that furthermore simplifies the method of backend development.
5. Study Web Architecture details
Full Stack Developers are the pioneers of software development. They are equipped with numerous or various skills concerning both frontend and backend development.
Full Stack Developers get to know the tiniest of detail or the nitty-gritty of web architecture. Since they are primarily responsible for developing complex software applications from scratch, they require those skills to structure the code, categorize the files, structure the info in databases and perform the required computational tasks.
6. Learn HTTP and REST in depth
Both HTTP and REST serve two very different or unique purposes. The purpose that HTTP serves is that of the protocol used for facilitating communication with the client, whereas the purpose that REST serves is that of an interface between systems using the HTTP protocol to collect data or perform different operations (in various formats) on the information provided. So, REST acts more or less like a translator between the frontend and the backend web development.
As HTTP and REST are necessary for Full Stack development, Full Stack Developers must excel and master both of them.
7. Understand the concept of Database Storage
All websites or web applications need a database where all of the information is going to be stored. This is usually done to ensure that developers can access the information later. Database storage requires a very experienced and skilled Full Stack Developer who knows relational databases and database storage thoroughly or inside-out. Full stack developers must also be well-versed in management – they ought to be ready to design, understand, and manipulate database queries. They need to also acquire skills to work with XML and JSON.
Everything that a Full Stack Developer must know concerning database storage and management:
- Characteristics of relational/non-relational data.
- Knowledge of NoSQL databases.
- Knowledge of web storage.
8. Acquire fundamental Design Techniques
As it’s made pretty much clear by now that a Full Stack Developer cares with frontend and backend, they need to possess the elementary design skills. The knowledge of frontend design is very important to form an internet site that looks attractive and appealing. An internet site with a neat and user-friendly design always wins the hearts of the users.
This is why a Full Stack Developer must know the essential design principles, including UI & UX design, prototypes, scalability, etc.
9. Node Package Manager (NPM)
NPM, which abbreviates to Node Package Manager, is the package manager explicitly designed for Node.js. NPM assists in the installation of various packages. It also offers relevant solutions for multiple problems or dependencies. NPM allows developers to put modules optimally to aid the node to seek them out and manage the dependency conflicts accordingly. NPM is very configurable, and thus, it is often used for several applications, including the event, publishing, discovery, and installation of node programs.
10. Hold a few Soft Skills
When you aspire to become a Full Stack Developer, just technical skills alone won’t be enough. One has to possess the right balance of technical knowledge and soft skills. Each and every Full Stack Developer must possess the subsequent soft skills:
- An analytical bent of mind
- Good time management skills
- Curiosity for learning
- Attention to detail
- Creative vision
- Patience
Conclusion:
To sum up, Full Stack Developers are highly skilled professionals that are capable of handling anything and everything related to web development. These full stack developer talents set them apart from frontend and backend developers because they not only have the ability to use both, but also to combine them.
If you are interested in taking your career ahead and learning and enhancing the full stack web developer skills, join AttainU now and make sure to be placed by your dream company.