Full stack development refers to the practice of software engineers working across the entire technology stack of an application. This includes both frontend and backend development, as well as everything in between. In the past, software engineering roles tended to focus on a specific area like frontend, backend, database, DevOps etc. But the full stack developer is a jack-of-all-trades, able to work across the stack to build, run and deploy complete web applications.
Full stack engineers need to be skilled in a wide range of coding languages, frameworks, databases and tools. They may build the visual interface using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, work on application logic and backend services with languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, Node.js etc. They would also handle databases, version control, infrastructure, scaling etc. Essentially full stack developers can take an idea and turn it into reality from start to finish.
The benefit of full stack developers is that they can understand and connect how all the pieces fit together to create the final product. Their broad skillset allows them to switch contexts and jump between different parts of the app as needed. Companies benefit by not having to hire specialists for each layer of the stack. Startups and smaller teams especially like hiring full stack developers who can wear many hats.
Full Stack Development Explained
Full stack development refers to the practice of software engineers working on both the frontend and backend portions of an application. The frontend (or "client-side") of an app refers to the code and architecture that determines what users see and interact with in their browsers or mobile apps. This includes UI/UX design, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code.
The backend (or "server-side") refers to the behind-the-scenes business logic that handles functionality, data, security, and connectivity on the application servers. This involves work with databases, APIs, servers, and programming languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, and Node.js.
Full stack developers are proficient at both ends of the stack - they can design responsive, intuitive user interfaces as well as build robust, scalable backend infrastructure. Having expertise across the full stack allows engineers to understand how the frontend and backend connect, communicate, and integrate with each other. This makes it easier to build cohesive apps with well-designed architectures.
The term "full stack" implies that the developer works extensively in every layer of software technology. Full stack developers need a diverse skill set and the ability to think through app architecture from front to back. They are valued for their versatility and ability to take projects from concept all the way through launch and maintenance, handling both client and server software competently.
Frontend vs Backend
Frontend and backend development refer to the two sides of web development.
The frontend is the part of the website or app that users interact with directly. It includes the user interface elements like forms, navigation menus, buttons, and any other visible components. Frontend developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build these elements.
The backend is the behind-the-scenes server side of the application that handles the core computational logic and interacts with databases and APIs. Backend developers use programming languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, and .NET to build the application logic and connect the frontend to database and third-party services.
The main differences between frontend and backend are:
- User Interface vs Server: Frontend focuses on the UI while backend focuses on the server logic
- Client Side vs Server Side: Frontend code runs on the client browser while backend code runs on the server
- Visual vs Computational: Frontend handles the visual layout and presentation while backend handles the computational work
- User Facing vs Invisible: Frontend is user facing and visible while backend is behind the scenes
- Languages: Frontend uses HTML, CSS, JS while backend uses languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, Java
- Data Interaction: Frontend requests and displays data while backend fetches data and handles logic
While frontend and backend have different focuses, they have to work together seamlessly for an app to function correctly. Frontend passes user input to backend which processes data and returns results to frontend for display.
Popular Frontend Languages
Frontend web development involves everything that users see and interact with on a website or application. The frontend code handles the visual elements and functionality that appear in the browser. There are 3 primary languages used in frontend web development today:
HTML
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to define the structure and content of web pages. HTML allows you to create elements like headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, images, links, forms, etc. HTML elements provide the basic building blocks to create the overall layout and content areas of a webpage.
CSS
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to control the styling and visual appearance of HTML elements. With CSS you can add colors, backgrounds, borders, fonts, spacing, animations, and more to make your web pages visually appealing. CSS allows you to style the HTML structure and truly bring your website to life visually.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language used to add interactivity, dynamic behavior, and logic to web pages. JavaScript runs in the browser and allows you to create features like slideshows, scroll animations, interactive menus, form validations, dynamic updating of content, and more. JavaScript is what makes web pages feel dynamic and responsive.
These 3 languages form the core building blocks of frontend web development. HTML, CSS and JavaScript work together to create the complete user interface and interactive experiences on websites and web applications today.
Popular Backend Languages
Backend development involves writing the code that powers the server, application, and database of a website or application. There are several mainstream programming languages used in backend web development today:
Node.js
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model which makes it lightweight and efficient. Node.js powers many high-profile sites and apps today like PayPal, Netflix, Uber, eBay, and more. It's popular for real-time web applications.
Python
Python is a general purpose, interpreted programming language that is simple, versatile, and powerful. It's known for its concise, readable code and extensive libraries. Major sites like YouTube, SurveyMonkey, Reddit, Dropbox use Python for their backend infrastructure. Its high productivity and vibrant ecosystem make Python a popular choice.
Java
Java is a compiled, object-oriented language that is platform-independent, secured, robust and high-performance. It is one of the most popular backend languages powering many enterprise systems and Android apps. Companies like Netflix, Uber, Amazon, use Java in their tech stack. Its maturity, scalability and wide adoption make it a backend mainstay.
These popular languages each have their strengths and are commonly used in full stack web development today. When combined with frontend code and databases, they enable developers to build complete, scalable web apps and sites.
Databases for Full Stack Development
Databases are a critical component of full stack development. They enable storing, managing and querying data for applications. The two main types of databases used in full stack development are SQL and NoSQL.
SQL Databases
SQL (Structured Query Language) databases have a predefined schema and use structured query language for defining and manipulating data. They are relational databases that use tables to store data with pre-defined relations between them. Some popular SQL databases used in full stack development include:
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle Database
SQL databases are best suited for complex queries, multi-row transactions and maintaining data integrity. They provide safeguards against inconsistent data using ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability) properties.
NoSQL Databases
NoSQL databases have dynamic schemas and store data in various non-relational ways like key-value pairs, documents, graphs etc. They are designed to be highly scalable and have flexible data models. Some popular NoSQL databases are:
- MongoDB
- Redis
- Apache Cassandra
- CouchDB
NoSQL databases are optimal for large volumes of rapidly changing structured, semi-structured and unstructured data. They provide high scalability, performance and availability. But they lack some of the safeguards of SQL databases.
Choosing between SQL and NoSQL depends on the specific use case and data requirements of the application. Full stack developers need to be proficient in both SQL and NoSQL databases to build robust and scalable applications.
Full Stack Frameworks
When it comes to full stack development, some of the most popular JavaScript frameworks include React, Angular, and Vue.js. Here's an overview of each:
React
Developed by Facebook, React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Key features of React include:
- Component-based architecture - UIs are built using reusable components
- Virtual DOM - Allows for efficient updates by minimizing DOM manipulation
- One-way data binding - Data flows in one direction, making the flow easy to reason about
- Large open source community - Lots of resources and ecosystem support
React is a view-only library, so additional tools like Redux are commonly used for state management. React is a great choice for building complex, interactive UIs.
Angular
Developed by Google, Angular is a TypeScript-based framework for building web applications. Key Angular features:
- Two-way data binding - Syncing data between model and view
- MVC architecture - Clear separation of concerns
- Powerful CLI - Scaffolding, building, testing out of the box
- Dependency injection - Increased modularity, testability
- Ahead-of-Time compiler - Faster rendering
Angular provides an end-to-end framework with all the tools needed for large web apps. The learning curve can be steeper than other frameworks however.
Vue.js
Vue was created by an ex-Google engineer and is an open source JavaScript framework. Key features:
- Virtual DOM - Fast and optimized rendering
- Component-based - Recursive components to build UIs
- Approachable - Easier for beginners to pick up compared to React and Angular
- Flexible - Can be used for simple or complex projects, with Vue CLI and API
Vue combines the best of React and Angular in an approachable way. It has great documentation and is easy to integrate into projects, making it a popular choice.
Full Stack Development Skills
To become a skilled full stack developer, you need to master a diverse range of technologies and skills. Here are some of the most important:
Programming Languages
- Proficiency in at least one frontend language like JavaScript, and one backend language like Python, Ruby, PHP, etc.
- Understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, etc.
- Familiarity with server-side languages like Node.js, ASP.NET, etc.
