Being a fullstack developer is hard. What's even harder is to keep up with the ever changing dynamics of development.
In this blog, I have outlined 10 most important things every fullstack dev should keep in mind while honing their skills.
This post is ideally for a developer who is just starting their journey to become an AWESOME fullstack dev.
1. Frontend first
Mastering client side (frontend) before server side (backend) is a good strategy. You will see your actions getting manifested in real time on the browser. This will keep you motivated to build more.
2. Fundamentals
It's VERY important to know the fundamentals of any framework by heart. If you claim to know the deeper intricacies of a framework and are unsure about the basics, then you need to revisit your learnings and probably also learning style. In a coding interview, this will be seen in a SUPER negative light. You'd want to avoid that.
3. 5 hours of JS and 5 years of JS
If you don't know JavaScript yet, then it will take you a few hours to know it enough to get started with basic web development. However, to understand the subtle nuances of JavaScript, it will take years of practice. Get ready for this kind of a commitment.
4. Basic web security is mandatory
Fundamental knowledge about web security is expected from a fullstack dev. You should know the core of cryptography, HTTPS, application security, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Firewalls, SSH, etc.
💡 TIP: Ask yourself if you'd really use what you've build if it was a real service online. If the answer is no, then the application needs improvement.
5. SQL is as important as NoSQL
Do not think NoSQL is better than SQL or vice versa. Know when to use which database. To be a good fullstack dev, you should know both.
6. Side projects 🔥
The best way to learn is by doing it. Try to build about 10 side projects. Add them to your portfolio. Cloning already existing services is a good way to learn. It will save you a lot of planning time. You can create a YouTube / TikTok / Instagram clone.
7. Host them projects
A rookie mistake you could make is to not host your project. Make sure you host it. Heroku is a good place to start. If your project isn't hosted, its as good as never made.
8. CI/CD will make you stand out ⭐️
To shine in a tech interview, make sure you know your CI/CD well. Have a structured GitHub repository and ensure CI/CD is working properly. Have proper unit tests in place. This will not only prove your competency in CI/CD but also show that you ship quality code and nothing else.
If you're new to CI/CD, I'd recommend you to check out GitHub actions to create a CI/CD pipeline.
9. Basic DevOps is mandatory
Nginx, load balancing, docker, caching is expected. There are no two thoughts about it.
I've noticed that people who are truly in love with computer science have a knack for DevOps. 😉
10. Get comfortable with cloud ☁️
If you are a cloud virgin, it can be daunting at first. But cloud is an acquired taste. Once you get into the groove, you will fall in love with it.
Check out the services offered. If they fit well with your project, consider integrating them. They will fetch you brownie points.
BONUS: Smart goal setting
Create a full fledged plan for your learning. I personally use Notion for this purpose. Make sure all the tasks are clearly defined so that you don't have to waste time planning it out while you're building. This can save you a lot of time.
I hope this blog helped you align your learning goals.
Cheers!
👁️👄👁️
Top comments (39)
I always find it weird that the terms "Full stack developer", "Front-end developer", and "Back-end developer" even exist. I've been a "web developer" for around 20 years and have always done a bit of everything as that's what the job entailed (and had been programming long before that since the age of 7). I've never found any of it 'hard'.
If you're a competent developer, you should be able to apply your skills across the board. A fuller understanding of how everything works greatly benefits the implementation of all websites.
I guess it's possible that these roles have appeared due to the explosion of (frequently unnecessary) tooling that has sprung up in most (if not all) areas of development. There are so many tools to learn, that being able to do 'everything' probably seems like a daunting goal.
Most new developers I see these days know how to use a bunch of modern tools/frameworks, but if asked to produce a site from scratch without any of these (including setting up servers, deployment, designing the database structure, writing the back end, writing the front end HTML, CSS, JS), they would be totally lost. Most modern tooling seeks to make things 'easier' for developers - largely at the expense of a lack of understanding of how things work, a lack of consideration for efficiency, and a tendency to use sledgehammers to crack nuts.
Thank you for sharing such an interesting point. I agree to everything you said. Nothing is sexier than having a good grasp on foundational knowledge. It's also true that these days this foundational knowledge is being abstracted from the developers. Maybe we will see a manifestation of this thought 20 years from now.
Personally, I like to keep things synchronized, as I like to develop Front-End and Back-End together. I do not have the attention of developing the front-end first and then the back-end. I work on the basics of the features as after completing one feature, both front-end and back-end I like to move forward for a new features.
I actually meant that in your learning journey, you should learn frontend dev before backend dev. This usually works for most people. But of course, this is not 'one size fits all'.
Oh Nice, so it was from the learning prospective.
I don't know CI/CD, DevOps and NoSQL. I suppose a web developer can't know everything there is to know lol
Of course expert level of knowledge is not expected. But certainly, a dev should know about CI/CD and definitely NoSQL.
To people who ask themselves the question: Of course it is good to have a broad understanding of how things in your related fields work, but nowadays companies are looking for specialists. If you aspire to be a "full stack developer" then you'll inevitably will be seen as a master of none. Don't become a unicorn and don't let companies or blogposts tell you that you are not good enough with your specific knowledge.
TLDR: Don't try to be a full stack developer.
I think the problem is, that the term "Full Stack Developer" is very overloaded these days. I rather rely to the T-shaped skill profile model. Having a broad knowledge in many fields combined with strong mental models how things basically work and having really deep knowledge and years of experience in one specific field.
Awesome post, thank you, I already saved in my bookmarks, other point to be considered software quality through testing (acceptance, unit, white box, end2end test) the most important to mention, and git & scrum all of these items are used in both sides
I agree in my opinion the knowledge on building robust, high quality software is very rare. Probably this is also a problem of the culture many dev blogs spread. They build simple examples that convey everything is easy and fast to build. But as soon as it comes to larger applications this often leads to a problem.
There, building good abstractions and testing on different levels of these abstractions becomes fundamental.
One thing I read in another article on carer building advice that resonated with me:
Build strong mental models.
Looking under the hood, sometime getting a step back and thinking of the bigger picture around. Looking back at my learning, this meant for example:
Looking on the bigger picture and thinking about which fundamental patterns the specific library/framework implements often helps switching fast from one technology to another.
Thanks Niharika for such quick insights on what to care about when you are a Full Stack Developer.
One thing I would like to request you that if you can share your notion strategy in a blog or share a link. It will be a great help.
Nice article overall! As you mentioned in some comments of course there's no "one-size-fits-all" answer to everything but this is a good kickstart!
I think the "fullstack" approach should be taken more as a "knowledge path" to you, the developer, and not some random job title. Companies will always want people to do more with less.
I've been developing on the Microsoft stack for 20 years now. I'm launching an app I've been working on for nearly 2 years now, built on ASP.NET Core & SQL Server and runs on Amazon AWS Fargate (in Docker containers) & RDS (SQL Server 2019). I learned how to build Cloud Formation JSON files and deploy my cloud infrastructure in any region within 10 minutes (public/private subnets, load balancer, NATs, VPC Endpoints & PrivateLink, Fargate tasks, security groups, RDS database, the whole nine). I use a simple batch command to build & deploy (CI/CD) my ASP.NET Core project which uses Docker Desktop for Windows & Amazon AWS CLI to do the heavy lifting. When I deploy, there is no downtime for my app since Fargate keeps the existing Docker container running until the new containers are provisioned and running. Visual Studio will update my live database schema when I publish the SQL Project to the remote server. My app auto-scales because of Fargate & RDS. I love being a full-stack developer.
I thought this was going to have a little more meat on the bones, a little thin.
well, sorry for that! 🙈 i am myself a beginner/intermediate dev. so i share whatever i learn. :)
Hi Niharika,
I am sooo sorry. I should not have been so critical.
Welcome to Dev.to.
I think (besides me :( ) everyone here is friendly.
Keep going and keep writing.
If I can help you in some way please let me know.
I cannot say I will help but I will TRY. ;))
I had a Professor claimed the best way to learn things is "Through your arm!"
What he meant was writing and practice is the best teacher.
Faithfully,
Matt C.
The full stack is a term but in essence knowledge is the power, I believe. This article gives beginners an abstraction of relevant tools & technologies.
Good Wishes
really good article
Thanks! 😊
I’m not sure if I should go take aa shower after reading all that, or change my occupation for my online dating profiles.
What does it mean to ‘truly love computer science’? Gate keeping much? 🙄
Nah screw that, all you need is an ergonomic wireless keyboard and a browser with 10 stack overflow tabs
that's how pros do it
I'd also throw Accessibility (A11Y) in as being a mandatory skill.
Needn't become an expert, but accessible principles should be part of the dev process.
This would be a really helpful add on. Thanks for sharing!