There are several paths to gaining skills in full stack web development. For people who are just getting started with training related to computer technology, there are a variety of approaches to learning that they can take depending on their ambitions, including self-teaching, YouTube videos, and free online tutorials or enrolling in introductory courses to get formal training from local colleges or online education providers. These training options provide a quick way for learning coding, programming languages, and relevant procedures related to full stack web development that includes learning front end (“client-side”) and back end (“server-side”) techniques.

Skills in full stack web development typically begins with learning coding. New learners may want to seek out help from experienced Full Stack Developers or Software Engineers who are willing to give beginners tips on the fundamentals of HTML and CSS, JavaScript, and Python for handling front end and back end procedures. While a few Web Developers write their own code, many use software such as code editors to help them with creating websites, software and apps. And while code editing software does allow web professionals to write virtually error-free code, possessing knowledge in coding gives them the ability to fix any issues that may arise. Full Stack Developers depend on their knowledge of coding and programming languages for being able to create responsive websites, apps, and software that can attract and engage online users as well as being viewed on different screen sizes with a variety of devices.

What Is a Full Stack Developer?

Becoming a Full Stack Developer involves building websites and applications from knowledge of front end and back end procedures combined with training in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Java. The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The back end focuses on how websites and applications function and interact with servers and databases.

Full stack web development includes creating websites and apps from scratch by applying front end and back end procedures. Front end development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back end web development concerns the powering and functions of that website on browsers like Chrome and Safari, for example. Full Stack Developers must possess skills for working in both areas.

Skills needed for becoming Full Stack Developers also provide the skills for working as Web Developers, Software Engineers, and Product Managers.

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Read more about what a Full Stack Developer does.

Hard Skills

Full Stack Developers are responsible for building both the front end, or client-side, and the back end, or server-side, of websites, mobile apps, and software. Full Stack Developers can find work with major corporations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, government agencies, and tech startups. Full Stack Developers must have skills with HTML and CSS coding, SQL, JavaScript, JavaScript libraries and frameworks, and Python programming as well as strong knowledge of front end and back end procedures, good time management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in a workplace environment. Skills for becoming a Full Stack Developer can also lead to opportunities with freelance or independent contract work to earn income comparable to what a person might earn at a major corporation.

Full Stack Developers are also responsible for keeping websites and applications updated, creating prototypes and wireframes, and making sure those websites and apps remain accessible to users. Prospective web professionals can find work as Full Stack Developers without needing to have college degrees. Possessing a background and experience in coding along with a strong portfolio that demonstrates skills and knowledge can also be helpful with getting started for working in full stack web development. Becoming a Full Stack Developer requires gaining hard skills and soft skills, which means not only knowing the nuts and bolts for working in computer technology but also being able to transfer those skills into the real world for interacting with others, including colleagues, management, and clients. In other words, a successful Full Stack Developer must play well with others. 

Coding with HTML and CSS

Coding is what makes the Internet work. Code runs behind web pages and plays a crucial role in how technology essentially runs the world. Businesses and organizations everywhere depend on computer technology for productions, distribution, and commerce. HTML and CSS helps Full Stack Developers with being able to create websites, apps, and software to help with setting up structure and design. Full Stack Developers must learn coding with HTML for structuring and marking up content in developing websites as well as CSS for dictating the style and look on the front end for what users see on their web browsers.

JavaScript

JavaScript is essential for working as a Full Stack Developer. JavaScript is a cross-platform programming language that can be used on both the front end client-side as well as the back end server-side in web development. However, while Full Stack Developers may have a particular programming language that they prefer working with, it’s a good idea to become familiar with several programming languages such as Python that facilitate other functions.

On the front end, JavaScript can be used for establishing user interfacing while helping with interactivity on the back end through a wide range of JavaScript libraries and adaptable frameworks like Node.js.

Python

Python is an object-oriented programming language with built-in data structures that Full Stack Developers can use to create websites, smartphone apps, and software. Knowledge in Python can lead to working in software development along with tools like Django, Git, and SQL. Full stack web development involves skills in several areas for building web properties with front end and back end web development procedures. While the front end focuses on the user interface with websites, the back end involves the powering and functioning of web pages.

Python also provides support for software engineering for help with controlling, managing, and testing web properties and software. There are certificate programs available for training in Python programming that facilitate skills for software engineering with skills in technology and tools that should fit any prospective web professional’s career ambitions. As among the most popular programming languages for new Computer Programmers due to requiring few lines for coding, Python focuses on readability and simplicity, which makes it easier to learn, read, and maintain.

Databases

For Full Stack Developers, working with back end procedures includes facilitating how websites interact with databases and network servers. A database is essentially a collection of information that can be accessed electronically through DBMS (Database Management Systems) where a web property’s data gets stored. Databases typically work with SQL (structured query language) for querying and writing data. There are also NoSQL database platforms like MongoDB that enable data storage and queries without the structure of traditional databases.

Full Stack Developers must know how to write queries for accessing the appropriate data with websites and apps. This means knowing data structures as well as understanding how to manipulate data queries as essential elements of their work on the back end.

Soft Skills

While hard skills with coding and programming languages combined with front end and back end procedures are essential for working as a Full Stack Developer, possessing “soft skills” are also indispensable. Soft skills involve being able to interact, understand, and work with coworkers, managers, and clients. Soft skills for Full Stack Developers are critical for getting work done.

Full stack web development requires good time management skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively in a workplace environment. The ability to empathize, think critically, and communicate well with others are also vital for working efficiently as a Full Stack Developer. Below is a brief discussion of how specific soft skills are helpful:

Communication

A Full Stack Developer must be able to communicate effectively with managers, colleagues, and customers. Communication skills facilitate being able to speak and write articulately as well as being able to use the wide range of communications tools and methods available in today’s world. Of course, there are smartphones that allow people to connect instantly along with email, social media platforms like Slack, telecommunication platforms like Zoom, and instant messaging.

As a Full Stack Developer, possessing soft skills with communication are essential for succeeding within and outside of the workplace.

Time Management

Full Stack Developers, along with anyone who works in computer technology, typically work on time sensitive projects that have deadlines. Therefore, working efficiently as a Full Stack Developer does require strong time management skills.

Full Stack Developers must be able to juggle multiple schedules and assignments as part of their job as well as being able to meet deadlines for dependably getting work done for organizations and clients.

Self-Learning

Another soft skill that Full Stack Developers have to possess is the constant desire for self-learning. Continually updating skills as well as keeping up with the latest trends for working in technology is a good habit for web professionals to maintain.

Best practices are constantly changing in today’s perpetually evolving digital landscape, so routinely learning new skills and information should be a career requirement. Full Stack Developers have options to help with finding full-time, part-time, freelance employment working on location or remotely.

What Other Jobs Require These Skills?

Due to the inherent versatility, skills with coding and programming languages can open a path to several types of careers. Skills with HTML, JavaScript, or Python along with knowledge in front end and back end procedures in web development can lead to becoming Full Stack Developers, whose work involves user interfacing as well as how websites and applications function and operate. Anyone with skills in full stack web development must also have knowledge with front end user interface and back end functions for building web properties.

Learning full stack web development can lead to becoming, of course, Full Stack Developers as well as Back End Developers, who work on establishing the powering and functioning of websites, and Front End Developers, who handle responsibilities with user interfacing. Other work options with training in full stack web development include working as Product Managers, Computer Programmers, Software Engineers, JavaScript Developers, Python Developers, and, of course, Web Developers. Other professions related to working as Full Stack Developers offer comparable salaries with skills in similar procedures and programming languages. Learning programming languages such as JavaScript and Python as well as Swift, Objective-C, and Go are essential for working on the front end and back end of full stack web development.

Learn the Skills to Become a Full Stack Developer at Noble Desktop

Prospective students have several options for learning the skills to become Full Stack Web Developers, including in-person and live online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time training through hands-on instructions. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses for teaching you skills in full stack, front end, and back end web development through learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Python as well as associated procedures.

For example, with hardly any prior coding experience, you can enroll in the Full Stack Web Development Certificate program to teach you how to code websites from scratch for building mobile apps, websites, and software through training from hands-on projects. Lessons include learning coding and programming languages as well as front end and back end procedures for working in several areas of full stack web development.

If you are interested in training that focuses on the front end of web development, Noble Desktop offers information with Learn Front End Web Development, which can guide you through several options for training to become a Front End Developer, including what free resources are available along with career advice.

Similarly, Noble Desktop also provides information for working on the back end of web development with Learn Back End Web Development that provides advice on the functional-side of building websites with Python and JavaScript frameworks.