Full-stack development has become increasingly popular in recent years. Full-stack developers are well-rounded professionals who can handle a wide variety of tasks, such as programming, design, databases, and debugging for websites and applications.

According to Talent.com, the average salary for a Junior Full-Stack Developer in the United States is $87,750. For Mid-level Full-Stack Developers, the average salary is $107,487, and Senior Full-Stack Developers earn an average of $142,186.

If you want to become a full stack developer, then this guide is for you. In this article, we will take you through each stage of becoming a full stack developer, from the basics to more advanced concepts.

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Stage 1: Learn the Fundamentals of Programming

In order to become a full stack developer, you first need to learn the fundamentals of programming. This includes learning how to create code by using basic programming languages. Start your journey with “Hello World” and move on to complex algorithms. You will also need to understand how software works at a fundamental level, so that you can design and build applications that work correctly. Some of the other popular programming languages you can learn are:

  • Python
  • Java
  • C/C++
  • Bootstrap
  • Angular.js
  • React
  • Vue
  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • CSS

You should also pick up your favorite IDE’s or code editor to code. Atom, Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and WebStorm are the most popular choices.

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Stage 2: Master the Basics of Software Development

Once you have learned the basics of programming, it is time to add more advanced technical skills in your knowledgebase. In stage two, you will focus on mastering the basics of software development. This means learning about different types of software development tools and techniques, as well as how software is developed in general.

Object Oriented Concepts and Algorithms: This includes topics such as object-oriented programming and web development technologies. By doing this, you will be able to create more complex applications and work with more sophisticated software development tools and techniques. By doing this, you will be able to develop better applications and make better use of software development resources.

Databases: In this stage you should learn all the layers of creating an application. You should learn how to create and make use of WebServices. Combine this with creation of databases and using it for Create, Read, Update and, Delete or commonly called as CRUD. CRUD is applicable for SQL databases. Additionally, the usage of no-sql databases like MongoDB should be understood in detail.

Debugging: In this stage, you will learn how to debug applications using different programming languages and debugging tools. You will also learn about different techniques for debugging applications. Additionally, you should understand how to use different debugging tools to find and fix errors in your codebase.

Stage 3: Master Advanced Concepts of Software Development

In stage three, you will focus on mastering advanced concepts of software development. This means learning about more complex technologies and tools, as well as learning how to use them effectively. By doing this, you will be able to create even more complex applications and work with even more sophisticated software development resources.

In stage three, you will focus on learning how to design and build efficient and robust applications using various software development techniques and tools. This includes not only front-end development but the back-end development as well using the emerging design patterns. 

Some of the concepts that you should focus on during this stage are:

Software Architecture and Design Patterns: In this stage, you will learn about the different types of architectures used in modern software development projects. You will also learn about the various components that make up an architecture, as well as their responsibilities.

  • MVC Architecture – Model View Controller (MVC) is an architectural pattern used in many modern web application frameworks such as ASP.Net, Ruby on Rails or Laravel. In a MVC architecture, the model represents the information that is stored outside of the web application (for example, data retrieved from a database). The view represents the user interface of the application (for example, a form or a page), and the controller handles all requests to the view by invoking methods on the model. The MVC pattern is often used when developing large web applications because it makes it easier to maintain multiple versions of an application by splitting it into smaller parts. The disadvantage of using MVC is that it can make code more difficult to read and understand.
  • MVP Architecture – The MVP pattern is derived from the MVC pattern. It replaces the controller with the presenter. This pattern divides an application into three major aspects: Model, View, and Presenter.
  • MVVM Architecture – Model-view-viewmodel (MVVM) is an architectural pattern that facilitates the separation of the development of the graphical user interface (GUI) from the underlying logic. AngularJS provides an alternative to MVC called MVVM which is also popular among developers.

API’s and WebHooks: Knowledge of API’s and webhooks is also important as they become more and more popular in modern software development. For example, a webhook is a function that an application can call to execute custom code when a particular event occurs (for example, when a user posts a new tweet). Webhooks are often used to integrate with third-party services or to automate tasks.

Observability: The concept of observability is defined as a software engineer’s ability to interfere with internal systems based on the knowledge they receive from its external outputs. With observability, engineers can develop a full understanding of the current state of any given system. But to get that level of understanding, they need to collect and utilize data correctly.

While observability takes longer than monitoring, monitoring can only alert teams to potential issues. Observability allows engineers to be proactive, which prevents future problems.

Version Control Systems: Version control systems are important for managing changes to your software. A version control system keeps track of the different versions of your files and tracks who made which changes to which version of the file. This helps you track changes and prevent mistakes from being made.

Some popular software development tools and frameworks that you should learn about are:

1. Build Tools like Maven, Make for C/C++, or Ant and Gradle for Java).

2. Data Access layer frameworks like Link, Entity or Spring based on your coding language

3. SOAPUI, Postman for testing and running APIs

Stage 4: Design and Build Complex Applications

Finally, in stage four, you will learn how to tie everything together and make your application scalable and Production ready. This includes understanding how software is organized and how it works at a higher level.

DevOps: A term that is often used to describe a set of practices and tools used to manage software development and deployment. DevOps is an attempt to harmonize the different aspects of software development, including system administration, software development, QA, and configuration management.

Automation: Automation is a key part of any successful software development project. Automation tools make it easier to write code, test code, and deploy code. Automation also makes it possible to run code automatically at specific times (for example, at night or during off hours).

Cloud Computing: In this stage, you will learn all about cloud computing technologies and their application in modern software development projects. You will understand how these technologies helps developers scale their applications quickly and easily across multiple devices and platforms. Some common cloud platforms include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Soft Skills: Soft skills are the intangible qualities that make a person successful in the workplace. These qualities include:

1. Communication skills

2. Team player skills

3. Problem solving skills

4. Analytical skills

5. Leadership skills

6. Agile Delivery leadership

Related: Important Soft Skills For All Developers

Finally, as a full-stack developer, it’s important to have a working knowledge on how to develop prototypes. This can help reduce dependence on designers and work independently. Having hands-on experience with user experience tools such has Figma, Photoshop, WordPress, No Code Platforms are important to create quick prototypes.

Conclusion

Full stack engineer career path is challenging but is a very rewarding career. If you’re ready to start your journey towards becoming a full stack developer and land your dream job, be sure to check out our learning platform and resources. Check out the courses available on our ReviewNPrep platform to help you get started today.

Further Reading

How to start career in Cloud?

The 5 Best Programming Languages That Will Help You Become a Cloud Developer