What is Full Stack developer?

Tiempo de lectura: 2 minutos

The number of roles that have been positioned in recent years in the technology and programming sector are innumerable: Dev Ops, Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Data Engineer, Product Owner, Data Scientist, Full Stack developer, and many more. Indeed, there is life beyond the developer frontend, developer backend and project manager. Although in this post we are going to clarify this profile:

What is a Full Stack developer? And why are so many companies looking for him?

The Full Stack formula

Most software products have two main programming blocks: the frontend and the backend. Classically it is explained that the frontend is what you see (for example, the web page where you are reading this right now) and the backend is what you do not see (the code that pulled this text from the database  and sent it to your laptop).

A more tangible example could be that the frontend is your favorite clothing store in the mall, and the backend is what happens when you ask for a size that is not available and they have to go to the warehouse, or even ask the supplier. Why is there such a difference between frontend and backend? Because the technologies, patterns and requirements are radically different. In addition, frontend and backend is not enough, you also have to manage servers and update databases, for example. Each of these blocks is one of the parts of the technology stack.

Being a Full Stack developer means that you have ample knowledge of different technologies to manage successfully a consistent and complete stack.

Typical questions to understand: What is Full Stack Developer

Often when we try to explain what Full Stack developer is, other questions arise that may confuse the term. And although the Full Stack is a versatile profile should not be confused with other tasks that belong to other profiles.

We answer the typical questions to clarify what a full stack does and what does not:

“I am a backend developer who knows a bit of frontend, so am I a full stack?”

Surely you are a junior full stack. If you want to reinforce your full stack role, then all you have to do is train more in frontend!

“Is Full Stack the same as Full Stack Web?”

Not! The term Full Stack is generic, and can be specified as needed. In particular Full Stack Web is a full stack that dominates frontend web technologies, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. In what to specialize in is a kew decision.

“To be a full stack, do I need to know how to manage servers?”

Undoubtedly server management is a necessity in most technical projects. However, when a company looks for a Full Stack, it is best to ask if they expect us to manage servers.

“How much do I need to know about architecture and systems to be a full stack?”

Systems and software architecture are advanced topics that are part of the way. It is common for a junior full stack to have some basic knowledge in software architecture and systems. Have knowledge in this matter is on the way to become a senior.

If you liked the article and want to know more, find out about the Master explained by the Director Guillermo Blasco.