What is a full stack developer? 

Full-stack developers build and design websites and applications by handling both front-end and back-end programming. They create and manage the client-facing and server sides of websites and applications. It requires a broad skill set and high-level knowledge of how front-end and back-end development work together, communicate, and connect. Even the simplest application requires you to know an unbelievable amount.

How does a Full-Stack Developer differ from a Front-End or Back-End Developer?

A Full-Stack Developer does both front-end and back-end development. They also understand how those pieces work together, and they’re able to create the communication that exists between those two sides. In other words, a Full-Stack Developer is not just looking at front-end and back-end, but also at how those two pieces communicate and how they integrate together.

What is the frontend and backend?

The front end is what users see when visiting websites or using applications, including content and design choices. The back end includes the technical code, databases, and servers, which are usually hidden from the website user.

The term frontend generally refers to the part of the code that is responsible for rendering the user interface, and the term backend refers to the part that is responsible for the business logic, database interactions, user authentication, server configuration, and so on. There is also the DevOps part of the application, which includes continuous integration, production deployment, and so on.

What does a Full-Stack Developer do?

Full-stack developers use computer programming languages to create websites and applications. They participate in the entire lifecycle of the software development process. These generalists hold broad, high-level expertise in front-end and back-end development.

Creative, tech-savvy people with excellent communication and problem-solving skills can thrive in this role. Full-stack developers’ day-to-day challenges may include meeting high expectations from employers — some projects require specialized technical skills that not all full-stack developers hold.

What does a Java Full-Stack Developer do?

A full-stack Java web application developer is expected to work on both frontend and backend technologies, ranging from writing HTML/JavaScript for the user interface to writing Java class files for business logic and SQL queries for database operations. They are also expected to work on DevOps, ranging from production deployments to setting up continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) as required.

It is no longer enough that we can write HTML and JavaScript to build a user interface — we are expected to know client-side frameworks, such as Angular, React, and Vue.js. It is also not enough that we are proficient in enterprise Java and SQL — we are expected to know server-side frameworks, such as Spring, Hibernate, Play, and Quarkus.

Challenges of a Full-Stack Developer

Full-stack development is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep yourself up to date with the various technologies and patterns in multiple disciplines of software development. Here are some of the common problems you might face as a full stack Java developer:

• Client-side development is not just about writing plain HTML and JavaScript anymore. It is becoming as complex as server-side development, with build tools, transpilers, frameworks, and patterns.
• There is a new framework almost every week in the JavaScript world, and if you are coming from outside a Java background, it could be very overwhelming for you.
• Container technologies such as Docker & Kubernetes revolutionized the software industry, but they also introduced a lot of new stuff to learn and keep track of, such as orchestration tools and container management tools.
• Cloud services are growing day by day. To stay on track, you would have to familiarize yourself with their APIs and related orchestration tools.
• Java server-side technologies have also undergone a major shift in recent times with the introduction of JVM languages, such as Scala, Groovy, and Kotlin, forcing you to keep yourself up to date with them. On the other side, server-side frameworks are becoming more feature-rich, and therefore more complex.

Full-Stack Developer vs. Full-Stack Engineer

You might have noticed that some people refer to “Full-Stack Developers” while others refer to “Full-Stack Engineers.” The terms have become pretty synonymous, and they’re often used interchangeably but there is a difference. Engineers have a higher rank. They’re typically required to have more knowledge and experience and may have a broader range of responsibilities.

Engineers generally need a better understanding of data structures, algorithms, analytics, and scalability. And while developers mainly focus on building short-term solutions, engineers are expected to think long-term while building applications. That means being mindful of tech debt, short-term solutions that might have long-term consequences among other things.

Engineers may also be expected to build automated tests into the development process, and their work is held to a higher standard when it comes to the quality of their code and documentation, their utilization of abstract software design concepts, and their contributions to user research.

How to become a Full-Stack Developer?

A full-stack developer is expected to understand the following front-end languages and frameworks: 

• HTML
• CSS
• Javascript
• React JS
• Jquery
• Angular JS

Back End Programming Languages: The user experience doesn’t mean much if the behind the scenes machinations aren’t in working order. A knowledge of the primary back end programming technologies and frameworks is critical to ensuring that the websites remain functional. 

A full-stack developer is expected to understand the following back-end technologies and frameworks:

• Python
• Java
• PHP
• SQL
• Ruby

Essential Full-Stack Developer Skills to Learn

Employers expect full stack professionals to be skilled in a few key areas. Most people’s “how to become a full-stack developer” checklists start off looking similar. The learning never truly stops for the successful full-stack developer, but your learning should start by mastering the following 10 essential:

• Front End Development
• Back End Development
• Git and Github
• HTTP and Rest
• Web Architecture
• Database Storage
• Basic Web Design
• Version Control Systems (VCS)
• Application Programming Interfaces (API)
• Node Package Manager (NPM)

Create a Full-Stack Developer Portfolio

Your portfolio is your first impression. It deserves constant care, revisit it regularly to ensure that it always highlights you at your very best. The goal of a successful portfolio is to authenticate your skills, but the stories behind your showcased projects are useful too. 

Build Your Full-Stack Developer Resume

Your resume fills in the gaps left over from your portfolio. Here is where you’ll get to elaborate on your professional history, education, and skillset. There isn’t much room for personality in most resumes, but a well-edited and well-organized submission can say a lot. An error heavy resume can undermine even the most impressive portfolio. 

How Long Does It Take To Become a Full-Stack Developer?

Mastering full-stack development can be a lifelong pursuit, but standing on two feet can take as little as two years. How long your training takes depends largely on the training methods you choose and your commitment level. You can also sign up for the institution and bootcamps for training, soon you can start your career as a Full Stack Developer.