Are you considering a career in full-stack web development but you’re not sure if it’d be a good fit? Luckily, there’s an easy way to gauge if web development is the right choice for you: all you have to do is review what sort of skills are necessary for the job then decide whether or not you’re willing to obtain the ones you lack. To help you make an informed evaluation, here are the seven most essential skills required to be a Full Stack Web Developer,
1. Coding
The most vital skill Full Stack Web Developers need to have is the ability to code. For the front-end, the primary languages to learn are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; each of these programming languages plays a vital role in creating a website’s client-facing elements.
Here’s what each one does:
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages, providing instructions on how data should be displayed on a web browser.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) works in tandem with HTML; it’s the language used to style elements on a website such as the fonts, color, and layout to give the site a unique look.
- JavaScript allows programmers to add interactive elements to web pages, making them more dynamic and engaging.
While you can program from back to front using these three core languages, it’s a good idea for aspiring Full Stack Web Developers to also pick up at least a couple of back-end languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, or PHP.
2. Attention to Detail
Anyone who’s interested in becoming a Full Stack Web Developer must be attentive to detail and not just aim at the broader picture. Detail is everything when it comes to coding; an entire website is made up of many individual lines of code. If you fail to pay attention to all the little details along the way, you’ll end up spending an inordinate amount of time trying to locate then fix your many mistakes. It’s better to concentrate on the details during coding and do it right the first time.
3. Testing and Debugging
Another skill Full Stack Web Developers must have is the ability to validate code, verify that it’s free of bugs, and fix any errors they may find. Testing and debugging are time-consuming and often complicated; in fact, a significant amount of a developer’s work hours is dedicated to the debugging process alone. In some situations, code verification may be completed by a separate person; however, it’s still vital for programmers to know how to check and debug their own code.
4. Persistence
Because building websites involves a lot of problem-solving, it’s also essential to have the skill of persistence. The process of developing a website is full of obstacles that need to be overcome and, unfortunately, solutions aren’t always easy to find. If you’re the type of person who gets frustrated and gives up when faced with difficulty, then web development might not be the best fit for you. The ideal Full Stack Web Developer will be someone who’s persistent and keeps working regardless of the challenges that may arise; they know if they tackle each problem individually without giving up they’ll eventually find the appropriate solution.
5. Version Control
Version control is the ability to track and control changes that are made to the code—a skill every Full Stack Web Developer must have. Version control is typically done through software designed specifically for the task. While there are a few options available to programmers, the most widely used version control system by far is Git
Knowing how to use version control software like Git is essential for Web Developers because it not only allows them to track and control code changes, it also makes it easier to fix mistakes; If a developer makes a few small changes that cause the website to stop working, they can simply revert back to the last functional version of the code and work their way forward again instead of combing through code to find the mistake.
6. Libraries and Frameworks
To be a Full Stack Web Developer, you need to learn how to use libraries and frameworks. Though these two terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same thing; a framework provides a set structure that the developer must work within while the reusable bits of code contained in a library offer more flexibility with the developer determining the architecture.
Libraries and frameworks do have one essential element in common, though: they’re both used to simplify and speed up development, making them a necessary skill for potential programmers. Of course, you don’t have to learn how to use every single library and framework that’s ever been released; which ones you use will depend primarily on your job role and the project you’re working on. Full Stack Web Developers would benefit from knowing React and jQuery, the most widely used front-end libraries, plus Angular and Vue.js, the most commonly used front-end frameworks. They should also learn a few of the most popular frameworks on the back-end, which include Express, ASP.NET Core, Spring, Flask, and Django.
7. Good Communication
Good communication is another important skill for Web Developers to have. Though people often imagine programmers sitting alone coding all day with little human interaction, that stereotype is nothing but a misconception. The process of creating a website doesn’t just fall on a sole developer, it involves a variety of people including clients, designers, writers, SEO specialists, and customers. In order for a website to be completed successfully, a Full Stack Web Developer must be a skilled communicator with the ability to listen to the needs of others and clearly convey complex ideas to those who may not have a technical background. Developers should also be relatively skilled in written communication as they’re often required to write documentation for the software they create and use.
How to Learn Web Development Skills
How do your skills match up to the list provided above? Are you still lacking a few skills and want to develop them so you can start a career in web development? If so, then you might want to consider enrolling in a web development bootcamp. Bootcamps are the ideal way to acquire the skills you need to start a new career; they offer intensive skills-based classes on an abbreviated schedule, so you’ll be ready for your new profession in just a few short months. For maximum flexibility, you can even take a web development bootcamp live online.
If you’re not quite ready to complete a full bootcamp, another option would be to sign up for individual web development classes. That makes it possible for you to expand your skills and gauge your overall interest in web development before committing to a bootcamp. Depending on where you’re located, you might even be able to find some web development classes in your area. If none seem to be available nearby, you can always take web development classes live online without having to leave your home.