In today’s tech industry, the competition is constantly evolving and having a full-stack developer is becoming crucial to stay competitive.
As software development continues to evolve at breakneck speed, businesses require skilled developers who can keep up with the many moving pieces to stay ahead. With full-stack developers, they get the all-encompassing expertise and experience to build applications from scratch without relying on any specialist skills!
In this blog, we will discuss the advantages of full-stack development along with what makes a skilled full-stack developer.
What is Full Stack Development?
At its core, full-stack development involves being proficient in programming both client and server software. Full-stack developers possess comprehensive knowledge of HTML, CSS, and various programming languages. They are skilled in coding browser applications using technologies such as JavaScript, jQuery, Angular, or Vue and can also develop server applications using languages like PHP, ASP, Python, or NodeJS.
The term “full stack” refers to the multiple layers or tiers present in the architecture of web programs. These tiers typically include:
- Presentation layer
- Business logic layer
- Data layer
By mastering both client and server applications, full-stack developers have the ability to handle all aspects of web development, from front-end design to back-end functionality.
6 Skills of a Full-Stack Developer
Being a full-stack developer means being an expert who has a broad understanding of various development areas. It’s like having a lot on your plate and being able to handle multiple aspects of the development process.
To become an expert in the full-stack domain, you’ll need to acquire a range of skills. Here are some of the key skills that a full-stack developer needs to possess:
Front-end development
To become a full-stack developer, it’s important to have a good understanding of essential front-end technologies like Javascript, HTML5, and CSS3. It’s also necessary to have familiarity with front-end JS frameworks or third-party JS libraries like ReactJS, SASS, jQuery, and AngularJS, among others.
Back-end development
If you want to be a full-stack developer, it’s necessary to learn at least one server-side coding language. Technologies such as Java, PHP, Ruby, Python, or .NET are commonly used for this purpose.
Database management & SQL queries
To excel as a full-stack developer, it is crucial to have comprehensive knowledge of database management systems and SQL queries. As a valuable member of a development team, you will need proficiency in various database management systems like MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, Microsoft Access, and more, in addition to programming languages.
Exposure to web servers and APIs
As a full-stack developer, it’s important to have familiarity with web servers and APIs. Continuously learning new skills is crucial to maintain proficiency in this role. The team expects a full-stack developer to be knowledgeable about various aspects of web applications, including DNS, Cloud Storage, Database Servers, and other structural and user interface components.
Basics of designing
While development and design teams may have distinct roles, a full-stack developer with a versatile position should possess basic designing skills. Having a basic understanding of design allows the developer to create more engaging and interactive front-end experiences. This skill also helps comprehend user psychology when working on the client side of an app.
Version control
Full-stack developers know version control systems (VCS) like Git. This enables them to make necessary modifications to the codebase. Popular Git repositories such as GitHub, SourceForge, Bitbucket, GitLab, and Azure DevOps Server are commonly used for version control and collaboration.
The 7 Benefits of Full Stack Development Services
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 216,700 web developer jobs in 2022. It’s expected that this number will increase by 16% each year until 2032, which is about 19,000 openings on average.
The rise of full-stack developers is no surprise. More and more businesses are relying on them for their development needs. Here are some key benefits of full-stack development services:
Reduce costs
If you aim for an incredible website without breaking the bank, consider hiring a dedicated full-stack developer. They can be a cost-effective option, especially for businesses with tight budgets.
Think about it this way: instead of hiring multiple developers for different aspects of your project, you can rely on one skilled full-stack developer to handle it all. You won’t need one person solely focused on the back end, another on designing a user-friendly interface, and yet another managing mobile responsiveness.
Suppose you’re creating an MVP (Minimum Viable Product); a full-stack developer can handle the components of your full-stack web project. Of course, real-life projects can be more intricate, but this example highlights the benefits of a full-stack developer in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Fast development process
Having a fast development process is key to establishing a solid reputation for any organization, and full-stack developers truly shine in this area. They have the unique ability to handle both backend and frontend development simultaneously, which supercharges productivity and ensures the timely delivery of products.
The beauty of full-stack web developers is that they work together as a tight-knit team, overseeing every stage of the development process. This reduces the need to depend too heavily on specialized individuals. In traditional setups, backend engineers would often find themselves waiting for frontend engineers to finish their tasks, causing frustrating delays.
However, full-stack developers can swiftly create products without these unnecessary dependencies. They collaborate seamlessly across the team, resulting in a smoother and faster full-stack development journey.
Complete ownership
When it comes to responsibility and ownership in development projects, the role of a full-stack developer stands out. Unlike the constant back-and-forth between the back-end and front-end developers in the case of bugs in traditional setups, a full-stack developer takes complete ownership.
This eliminates the hassle of dividing responsibilities and ensures a streamlined approach. With a full-stack developer at the helm, the development process becomes more efficient, as they have the expertise and authority to handle all aspects of the codebase.
Well-rounded solution
Imagine you’re building a web application from scratch. If you hire a full-stack developer, someone who has expertise in all tiers of development, you can expect a well-rounded solution with fewer bugs and higher efficiency.
The advantage of having a full-stack developer is that they possess comprehensive knowledge of various technology stacks. They are skilled in front-end and back-end development, database management, and debugging.
With their extensive knowledge and proficiency, full-stack developers can handle the entire development process efficiently. This positively impacts the overall outcome and helps you meet the time frame to launch the solution in the market quickly. Instead of dealing with multiple developers for different components, a full-stack developer brings everything together for a seamless and comprehensive solution.
Keep up with the latest trends
A skilled full-stack web developer always stays up to date with the latest technologies. They are experts in progressive web apps, blockchain technology, machine learning (ML), and AI development. By keeping themselves updated, they are equipped to create dynamic and mobile-friendly websites with intelligent features.
Full-stack developers choose technologies based on the current web stack or native application stack development. They can design the entire structure of mobile apps and collaborate with the UI/UX team to bring new design ideas to life. Along with their expertise in stack web application development, they also contribute to maintaining and improving existing systems.
Hassle-free upgrades
When it comes to upgrading your website, full-stack developers are your go-to experts. They have a deep understanding of the ongoing digital transformations and can seamlessly handle the upgrade process, ensuring that your business stays ahead and your audience gets the best responsive website experience.
What makes full-stack developers so valuable is their extensive knowledge of various technologies. They have the versatility to adapt to any situation that arises during the software development lifecycle and can even step in to replace team members if needed.
With their expertise, full-stack engineers can swiftly navigate through the necessary changes, incorporating new features and technologies to keep your website up-to-date and responsive to evolving user needs. So, if you want an easy and seamless upgrade experience, full-stack developers are the ones to rely on.
Get ongoing support and maintenance
A full-stack developer can take care of any issues that arise in the frontend, backend, or database architecture. They have the right skill set to resolve bugs and complex programming problems quickly and efficiently. Plus, they are also capable of providing ongoing maintenance for existing applications.
Full-stack developers focus on product delivery from start to finish. So, even after launching a website or mobile app, you can expect support with pending bug fixes, regular maintenance, security updates, and improvements.
Of course, all these benefits will be provided by the right full-stack development company. This leads us to the next section of the blog!
Quick Tips for Hiring Full-Stack Developers
While there is a high demand for full-stack web developers, it doesn’t mean that any candidate will do. You need to look for the right skill set, experience, and attitude when it comes to finding the best full-stack engineer for your project.
Here are a few tips you can follow while hiring:
Identify the skills required for your project
Technical skills are commonly the most essential part of a full-stack developer’s job. Still, employers often overlook the industry expertise and soft skills they need to complete the project successfully.
So, you should keep in mind the candidate’s communication and collaboration abilities. Being able to handle stress and completing tasks with tight deadlines are also important criteria to consider.
Check out potential candidates’ portfolios
A portfolio gives you an idea about the accomplishments and expertise of a full-stack developer. This will show how the candidate has used their skills and experience to solve complex problems.
The portfolio usually contains information about the projects they have worked on, the programming languages they know, and the issues faced during development. A well-crafted portfolio is a great way to assess their credibility.
Consider outsourcing
Outsourcing is a great way to find an experienced full-stack developer without going through the hassle of the recruitment process. Plus, you can save money and time by outsourcing compared to in-house hiring.
What you need to keep in mind when outsourcing is the project’s timeline and budget. Make sure that you find a full-stack development company that is able to meet the requirements of your project.
Looking to Hire Full-Stack Developers?
The versatility of full-stack developers makes them invaluable for businesses looking for a well-rounded web solution with impressive functionalities. If you want to take your business to the next level, then a full-stack app development will give you just that.
At StarTechUP, you can outsource our team of full-stack web development experts who can handle your project from start to finish. They have experience in various technology stacks and can work with you to create a comprehensive solution that meets all your requirements.
We also offer custom software development services, UI/UX design, and mobile app development, among others!
If you want to know more, feel free to get in touch with us. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
