What is a Full Stack Developer?
Full Stack Developers fill the role of both a front-end and a back-end developer. Their skills and capabilities make them a “jack-of-all-trades” in the web development world. Outside of doing web design, these type of developers can completely build a website from beginning to end.
Essential Front-End Technical Skills
A front-end developer is primarily in charge of building the visible parts of a website, or what might be called the presentation layer. Their primary job is to take a web design and convert it into HTML and CSS while also adding interactive functionality via JavaScript.
The essential front-end skills for a full stack developer include:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Knowledge of Design tools, like PhotoShop
Other Front-End Skills
- HTML5
- CSS Language Extensions (SASS, LESS)
- CSS Frameworks (Bootstrap, TailwindCSS)
- JavaScript Frameworks (Angular, jQuery, React)
- Creative tools, such as Adobe Premier Pro and XD
Essential Back-End Technical Skills
A back-end developer is responsible for building the behind the scenes functionality that powers the website. They are skilled in using a web programming language and working with databases.
The essential back-end skills for a full stack developer include:
- A programming language, such as PHP, Python, or Ruby
- A database language, such as MySQL, Oracle, or SQL
Other Back-End Skills
- APIs
- REST
- Web Frameworks, such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, Django, or Ruby on Rails
- System Administration (Web Servers, Operating Systems, Database Administration)
Other Stacks
- LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
- MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, NodeJS)
Other Skills
- Version control (git)
- Project Management
- Visual Design, Web Design, User Experience
- Working with clients and developers
- Security
- Best practices
- SEO, Page Speed Optimization