A web programmer who can do it all

Contents:

• Who is a full-stack developer?
• What they do.
• Hard and soft skills
• Pros and cons of the job
• How to become a full-stack developer
• Is this profession worth it? We analyze income and market demand
• How to get acquainted with the profession

Who is a full-stack developer

At one time, a notepad and basic knowledge of HTML were enough to launch a web project. Since the 2010s, websites have become significantly more complex and have turned into full-fledged web applications worked on by teams of programmers. And web development has split into two areas:

• Backend. Where the developer is responsible for setting up the server, connecting databases, writing various scripts and project security. To put it simply - for the work of those processes that the user does not see when interacting with the site.
• Frontend. Development of the visual part of the site (interface) with buttons, pictures, text and feedback forms - everything that the visitor interacts with.

Despite this, IT specialists who can single-handedly launch a functional site using a huge arsenal of tools still exist today. And these are full-stack developers.

"Full Stack" literally translates as "complete set." In the IT world, this phrase has a specific meaning. A stack is a set of technologies necessary to solve a specific problem, such as creating a web application. Typically, a stack includes one or more programming languages, an automated development environment, libraries with ready-made scripts and modules, databases, project packagers, etc.

A full-stack developer is a web programmer who has mastered the full stack of technologies to implement a project. Unlike back-end and front-end developers, who are responsible for developing only the server and user interface, a full-stack developer can work on a website or web application independently and is capable of delivering a turnkey solution. He knows at least one programming language well, has studied layout (HTML + CSS), understands libraries, frameworks, and understands how to install a server and publish a website.

What does a full-stack developer do?

It's easy to understand what a full-stack developer does with an example. If you need to launch an online store, they will design the storefront, connect a product database, set up automatic updates, develop an order form, connect email and online chat, and add an abandoned cart reminder function. In short, a full-stack developer is a generalist who does the work of two. They:

• create the application architecture, select technologies for project implementation, and draw up a step-by-step work plan;
• communicates with the client, both at the initial stage and as the work progresses, making edits;
• works on the website interface - transforms the layout prepared by the designer into a full-fledged page with working buttons, links, interactive forms;
• creates the core of the web application or backend: scripts, modules that process requests from users and produce results;
• Deploys and configures the server, connects databases, third-party plugins, and applications;
• Works on project security: configures the access system, protects the server from hacking and DDoS attacks;
• engages in support: fixes code errors, updates applications and plugins, manages backups, etc.

Hard and soft skills

While the frontend is strictly tied to technologies (HTML+CSS and JavaScript) and is the same everywhere, almost any language can be used for coding the server part (backend). The stack used in technology development is selected to solve specific problems.

For example, Java is used for mobile and browser games. For creating products where speed and performance are important, for example, for creating office applications, the C# language is better suited. If project flexibility is important, as with the Shopify online store platform, then Ruby is the choice. If development speed is key, then Python. Each language, in turn, has its own frameworks and libraries.

Therefore, employers may have different requirements for developers. Companies are initially looking for a specialist who can work with the tools they need and quickly integrate into the team.

Hard Skills:

• Website Layout Skills: HTML + CSS. The Hypertext Markup Language HTML and Cascading Style Sheets CSS are used to form the structure of a site or application, distribute buttons, fields with text and images in their places, set the visual style of the page.
• JavaScript. This is a universal programming language and the only language understood by browsers. It is used in the front end to add animation, interactive feedback forms, and the interface of a web application, for example, a photo or video editor. Suitable for writing code for runtime modules that run on the server, applications, and games. JS requires a thorough mastery; it is one of the main tools of a web developer.
• A second programming language.It is used for the server side, and it is necessary to know it at least superficially. However, there is no strict binding to a specific tool. Employers in the CIS countries seek developers with knowledge of Python, PHP, and Java. Foreign companies also demand Ruby, C#, Go (Golang), and Cotlin.
• Frameworks. This is a software platform for coding that automates routine processes, allowing you to insert standard modules in a couple of clicks, simplifies and speeds up development. For the frontend, these are Angular, Vue, Express.js, Nest.js. In the backend, the framework is selected based on the language. Node.js - for JavaScript, Django - for Python, ASP.NET - for C#, Yii2 - for PHP, Ruby on Rails - for Ruby.
• LibrariesThis is a base of template scripts, functions and modules for user interfaces. For the frontend: JQuery, REACT. For the backend, the library is selected based on the language. For example, Requests and Celery are suitable for Python.
• CSS Preprocessors and FrameworksAutomate work with cascading tables. Popular tools include: SCSS/SASS, PostCSS, Less, and Bootstrap.
• Project BuilderGulp.js, Parsel, and Webpack are applications that compile individual parts into a single project, compressing files and removing unnecessary information (such as comments), and optimizing the structure for performance.
• SQL query language. Necessary for connecting to a database project. It is also important to be able to work with database management systems: MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL.
• GIT version control systemand a package manager for quickly downloading new NPM libraries.
• Knowledge of network security basics. In addition, you need to be able to install and configure servers (Apache, NGINX, IIS are commonly used) and quickly cope with typical problems.
• Knowledge of the basics of Internet protocols (HTTP)and software development theory.
• Knowledge of English. At least at the level of reading and correctly understanding the technical documentation.

Soft Skills:

• Communication skills. A fullstack developer still needs to be able to work in a team. Marketers, designers, product owners — you can't do without constant contact with them.
• Patience, the ability to see work through to completion.These skills are especially important, given that most tasks have to be worked on alone, so the work on the project is noticeably stretched out.
• Multitasking.It is important to quickly switch from one task to another, especially during the beta version launch and testing phase, when you need to quickly fix errors in the server part, optimize the front end and refine the design. And all this needs to be done simultaneously.
• Time management skills.Without strict time management, it's easy to get lost among simple routine tasks and drag out work on a project or, even worse, burn out.
• Desire to constantly learn. Web development is evolving rapidly. The tools that were used just five years ago are no longer relevant. New frameworks and libraries are emerging. You can only develop your career if you quickly master new technologies and use them right away.

Pros and cons of the job.

A full-stack programmer needs to understand everything at once. There is so much information that there is not enough time to deeply master individual tools. On the one hand, it is easy for such developers to find work. After all, hundreds, even thousands of companies, from small businesses to banks or mobile operators, are looking for specialists who can support a project alone. But it will be more difficult to get a job at a dream IT company like Yandex, Spotify, Amazon or Google, where deeper knowledge of individual tools is preferred.

Therefore, we will highlight the main pros and cons of working as a full-stack developer.

Advantages:

• high demand in the market, easy to find work;
• Tasks are constantly changing, which reduces the likelihood of emotional burnout;
• A full stack developer creates websites on a turnkey basis alone, so it’s easier to go freelance.

Disadvantages:

• High workload - you’ll have to understand everything at once, oversee the project yourself, working for two, and sometimes three;
• It's more difficult to delve into a specific area, and therefore it's more difficult to get a job at a large company that emphasizes advanced knowledge in specific technologies;
• To stay on trend and create relevant projects, you need to constantly learn, which means you need to study twice as much information as frontend and backend developers.

How to become a fullstack developer

Web development has come a long way from the level of static sites that could be laid out using only HTML. Learning to create great web applications without practice is impossible, and not all companies are willing to hire a newbie without long-term experience.

Of course, you can learn to create demo websites and web applications for your portfolio yourself. But without a mentor and interaction with the web development community, it's difficult to understand what's truly important and what's outdated. And in this case, it's easy to get stuck on the level of simple business card websites and small showcases that can be easily created using a website builder and without web development knowledge.

A traditional college or university education for a "fullstack" profession is not the most rational option. You can study an IT specialty, but Belarusian universities generally lack such a program. Web development technologies are usually taught as separate courses, as a supplementary tool for specialties that are more focused on work in the industrial sector. At the same time, university programs are often significantly behind the times, offering knowledge at the level of the first half of the 2010s, and the training itself takes 4-5 years. In the realities of web development, where new tools appear every year, even a relevant curriculum can become outdated by the end of the training. And in any case, you will have to relearn a lot once you are in the company itself.

An alternative option could be an internship at a large company with a good team. According to career.habr.com, some interns can even count on a salary of $400, working remotely. And many companies are happy to hire young programmers with the prospect of training a specialist to suit their needs. But to get an internship, you need knowledge, at least basic ones.

Distance education can be a quick way to enter the profession and learn how to create cool projects. And when choosing such online courses, it is worth paying attention to the relevance of the curricula and the ability to create a portfolio. Often, such programs on educational platforms are created by web developers who work on real projects and understand what is already outdated, which technologies are ineffective, and what is used right now. Theoretical knowledge is immediately reinforced by practice. This option is suitable for people who decided to master a profession from scratch and were not even interested in programming and mathematics before.

Is it worth becoming a full-stack developer? We analyze income and market demand.

A full-stack developer is a versatile programmer who sees the entire process. Therefore, they have more career development options than other developers:

• You can develop within the company and develop into a software architect, project manager, or technical director;
• Retrain for another specialization, for example, delve into the frontend or backend, become a software developer for desktop platforms or mobile applications;
• Go freelance with the prospect of building your own team and founding a new startup.

The economy is gradually moving online, and the line between offline and e-commerce is blurring. Even small shops and cafes are launching their own websites with storefronts and online order forms. Online banking is replacing traditional cash registers. And no company, whether a flower shop or a taxi service, can do without a website or mobile app that needs to be developed and supported.

At the same time, most companies do not need a large IT team, and it is more profitable to hire one specialist who can replace two at once. However, large software companies also need experienced full-cycle developers to supervise large-scale projects. And employers are willing to pay a generalist developer 20-30% more than a backend or frontend developer.

According to the portal indeed, full-stack developer is among the top 15 most in-demand IT specialties in 2023. And in 2022, according to an analysis by the magazine Code in Game, such developers were in first place in terms of demand among recruiters.

The demand for the profession is also confirmed by high salaries. On the portal rabota.by, salaries for Junior developers start at $400. Experienced developers can expect a salary of up to $2,400. On the portals jobcareer and belmeta.com employers offer income from $1,000 for middle-level developers, and up to $6000 - for senior.

In the UK, according to Coursera, the income of a beginner developer starts from $39,500 per year or from $3,300 per month. In the USA fullstack-developer, according to Talent.com, earns from $97,500 per year or from $8,125 per month. On the portal Indeed the average median salary is indicated at $124,646 per year or $8,825 per month.

How to get acquainted with the profession

Before diving headfirst into the profession, you need to understand that web development is not about assembling a landing page or business cards in a visual designer like Tilda or WordPress. A fullstack programmer works on complex projects like online banking, marketplaces like Wildberries and Aliexpress, and educational platforms. For some tasks, there's simply no template solution—out-of-the-box ideas are needed.

This specialty is perfect for those who are interested in everything at once, or who don't yet have a vision of what direction they'd like to work in and want to try their hand at solving diverse problems. At the same time, you can get acquainted with the profession and try creating simple projects to determine whether you like this direction or not.

You don't need to learn everything at once. To start, it's enough to understand layout (CSS + HTML) and JavaScript. As you learn the basics of coding, you can simultaneously begin to learn the principles of using a framework. For example, Angular for the frontend and Node.js for the backend. This is enough to complete your first simple project and develop a beautiful website interface. For more complex web applications, you'll need to tackle SQL query language and security basics. For example, without databases, you won't be able to create projects more complex than a blog or a storefront for five to ten products.

To make things easier for you, the Skillbox.by editorial team has compiled useful resources for self-study.

Blogs and documentation libraries:

• habr.com — an IT community where programmers, including web developers, regularly post their observations and exchange experiences;
• FreeCodeCamp — a portal that regularly posts educational materials on the web, primarily on JS, CSS, and HTML;
• JavaScript.com — an English-language portal with a lot of information on JavaScript and development technologies;
• leetcode.com — a community where you can find real-world challenges and prepare for a developer interview;
• learn.microsoft.com — Here you will find many tutorials on website building using Microsoft cloud platforms and tools;
• Google Developers Learn — The platform has many training materials and courses on layout, web development, and programming languages.
• nodejs.org, vuejs.org, jquery.com, www.typescriptlang.org — here you can find detailed documentation on libraries and frameworks.

References:

• Chris Northwood «The Full Stack Developer»;
• Ethan Brown "Learning JavaScript: A Guide to Building Modern Websites"
• Valerio De Sanctis "ASP.NET Core 3 and Angular 9";
• Vladimir Dronov "Django 3.0: A Hands-on Guide to Building Websites with Python";
• Frank Zammetti "Modern Full-Stack Development";
• Robin Nixon "Building Dynamic Websites with PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5";
• John Duckett "HTML and CSS. Website Development and Design";
• Alex Banks, Eva Porcello "React and Redux. Functional Web Development";
• David McFarland "The New Big Book of CSS."