A full-stack web developer is a multi-skilled professional well-versed in frontend and backend technologies. In other words, such a developer can develop both client and server software.
A full-stack developer masters HTML and CSS. In addition, he knows how to programme a browser, a server and programme a database using SQL, SQLite or MongoDB. A full-stack developer needs to know at least one programming language. Java and Python are the most widely used programming languages. To support the backend server side framework, one must master object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms and database design.
HTML helps you create a webpage. CSS sets the layout of the webpage. JavaScript makes the page dynamic and interactive. JavaScript is the dominant programming language in web development for more than two decades. To begin with, it was a client-side language (browser). Later, it could be used for web server (with Node.js). Today, we cherish full-stack JavaScript programming. Programming in C will decline slowly. Programming in JavaScript will be more important.
A full-stack JavaScript developer can develop both client and server-side software.
People who create websites and web applications are called frontend developers. It refers to client-side. Backend development refers to server-side. Frontend decides how the web page looks and backend decides how it works.
HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. WWW is communication between web clients and servers. This is established through HTTP Requests and receiving Http Responses. Clients are browsers and servers are computers in the cloud. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. It describes how HTML elements are to be displayed. Responsive Web Design is about making a website look good on all devices.
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is used to access databases. It is in vogue since 1987. SQL statements are used to access data bases. There are database tables. To support the frontend, one must master HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Angular JS/React JS.
In addition, one must know cloud computing fundamentals, Python basics and SQL.
Some popular stacks are;
LEMP stack of JavaScript, Linux-Nginx, MySQL, PHP.
LAMP stack of JavaScript-Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP.
MEAN stack of JavaScript, MongoDB, Express, Angular JS, Node.js.
Django stack of JavaScript Python, Django, MySQL.
Ruby on Rails stack of JavaScript, Ruby, SQLite, Rails.
Front-end client software consists of HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, XML, j Query, Angular, React, Storybook etc. Backend server software consists of PHP, ASP, C++, C#, Java, Python, SQL, MongoDB, SaaS, PaaS etc.
Full-stack developer is useful in a project and prototype development. He is able to assist all team members. It results in cost reduction and facilitates communication. It is useful in understanding all aspects of new and upcoming technologies.
However, there are certain drawbacks of full-stack development. A solution chosen may not suitable for a project. It could be dependent on the developer’s skills. There could be a key person risk. Full-stack development is complex.