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How to Become a Full Stack Web Developer

By Glare on May 22, 2023
A laptop showing code and a web page

Full stack web development is one of the most sought-after skills in the tech industry. A full stack web developer is someone who can work on both the front end and the back end of a website or an application. The front end is what the user sees and interacts with, such as the layout, design, and functionality. The back end is what runs behind the scenes, such as the server, database, and logic.

Full stack web developers are in high demand because they can handle all aspects of web development and create complete products from scratch. According to intellipaat.com, full stack web development is one of the top 10 in-demand tech skills for 2023, with an average salary of $110,000 per year.

So how can you become a full stack web developer and land your dream job in the tech industry? Here are some steps to help you get started:

Learn the basics of web development

Before you dive into full stack web development, you need to learn the basics of web development. This means understanding how the web works, how websites are structured, and how to write code that runs on browsers and servers.

The most essential skills for web development are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it defines the structure and content of a web page. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and it controls the appearance and layout of a web page. JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity and functionality to a web page.

You can learn these skills online through various courses, tutorials, and resources. Some popular platforms for learning web development are Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, Coursera, Udemy, and W3Schools.

Choose a front end framework

Once you have mastered the basics of web development, you can move on to learning a front end framework. A front end framework is a collection of tools and libraries that help you create more complex and dynamic web pages. A front end framework can save you time and effort by providing ready-made components, features, and best practices.

There are many front end frameworks to choose from, but some of the most popular ones are React, Angular, Vue, Bootstrap, and Tailwind CSS. Each framework has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to do some research and find out which one suits your needs and preferences.

You can learn a front end framework online through various courses, tutorials, and resources. Some popular platforms for learning front end frameworks are Scrimba, Codecademy Pro, Udemy, Coursera, and Pluralsight.

Choose a back end language and framework

After learning a front end framework, you can move on to learning a back end language and framework. A back end language is a programming language that runs on the server and handles tasks such as data processing, authentication, security, and communication. A back end framework is a collection of tools and libraries that help you create more efficient and scalable back end applications.

There are many back end languages and frameworks to choose from, but some of the most popular ones are Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, PHP, Java, and .NET. Each language and framework has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to do some research and find out which one suits your needs and preferences.

You can learn a back end language and framework online through various courses, tutorials, and resources. Some popular platforms for learning back end languages and frameworks are Codecademy Pro, Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, and edX.

Learn how to work with databases

Another important skill for full stack web development is learning how to work with databases. A database is a system that stores and organizes data for easy access and manipulation. A database can be relational or non-relational depending on how the data is structured.

A relational database uses tables to store data that are related to each other by keys. Some examples of relational databases are MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle Database, SQL Server, and SQLite.

A non-relational database uses collections to store data that are not necessarily related to each other by keys. Some examples of non-relational databases are MongoDB, CouchDB, Firebase, DynamoDB, and Cassandra.

You need to learn how to create, read, update, and delete data from databases using queries or commands. You also need to learn how to connect your back end application to your database using drivers or libraries.

You can learn how to work with databases online through various courses, tutorials, and resources. Some popular platforms for learning how to work with databases are Codecademy Pro, Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, and DataCamp.

Build projects and portfolio

The best way to learn full stack web development is by building projects and portfolio. Projects allow you to apply what you have learned and showcase your skills and creativity. Portfolio allows you to present your projects and achievements to potential employers and clients.

You can start by building simple projects that use basic web development skills such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Then, you can gradually move on to more complex projects that use front end frameworks, back end languages and frameworks, and databases. Some examples of projects you can build are:

  • A personal website or blog
  • A calculator or converter app
  • A quiz or trivia app
  • A todo list or note-taking app
  • A weather or news app
  • A chat or social media app
  • A e-commerce or booking app
  • A game or animation app

You can find inspiration and ideas for projects online through various platforms such as freeCodeCamp, Frontend Mentor, DevProjects, and The Odin Project.

You can also use platforms such as GitHub, CodePen, Glitch, or Netlify to host your projects online and share them with others.

You can create your portfolio website using any of the tools and skills you have learned. You can also use platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix to create your portfolio website easily. Your portfolio website should include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your bio or introduction
  • Your skills and technologies
  • Your projects and links
  • Your resume or CV

Keep learning

Full stack web development is an ever-changing field that requires constant learning and updating. New technologies, tools, and trends emerge every day that can affect your work and career. Therefore, you need to keep learning new skills and improving your existing ones.

You can keep learning by following online courses, tutorials, and resources that cover the latest developments in full stack web development. Some popular platforms for keeping up with new skills are Skillshare, Udemy Pro, Coursera Plus, Pluralsight Skills, and edX Professional Certificate Programs.

You can also keep learning by reading blogs, articles, books, podcasts, and newsletters that cover the latest news and insights in full stack web development. Some popular sources for keeping up with new trends are:

  • Hacker News
  • Dev.to
  • Medium
  • Smashing Magazine
  • CSS-Tricks
  • The Full Stack Radio Podcast
  • The freeCodeCamp Newsletter

Full stack web development is an exciting and rewarding career path that offers many opportunities and challenges. By following these steps and tips you can become a full stack web developer in 2023 and beyond!

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