Full stack development: It refers to the development of both front end (client side) and back end (server side) portions of web application. Full stack web developers have the ability to design complete web [1] application and websites. They work on the frontend, backend, database and debugging of web application or websites.

Technology related to full stack development:

Front end: It is the visible part of website or web application which is responsible for user experience. The user directly interacts with the front end portion of the web application or website. The front-end portion is built by using some languages which are discussed below:

• HTML: HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is used to design the front-end portion of web pages using markup language. HTML is the combination of Hypertext and Markup language. Hypertext defines the link between the web pages. The markup language is used to define the text documentation within tag which defines the structure of web pages.
• CSS: Cascading Style Sheets, fondly referred to as CSS, is a simply designed language intended to simplify the process of making web pages presentable. CSS allows you to apply styles to web pages. More [2] importantly, CSS enables you to do this independent of the HTML that makes up each web page.
• JavaScript: JavaScript is a famous scripting language used to create the magic on the sites to make the site interactive for the user. It is used to enhancing the functionality of a website to running cool games and web-based software.

The back-end portion is built by using some libraries, frameworks, and languages which are discussed below:

• PHP: PHP is a server-side scripting language designed specifically for web development. Since, PHP code executed on server side so it is called server-side scripting language.
• C++: It is a general-purpose programming language and widely used now a days for competitive programming. It is also used as backend language.
• Java: Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming language and platform. It is highly scalable. Java components are easily available.
• Python: Python is a programming language that lets you work quickly and integrate systems more efficiently.
• JavaScript: Javascript can be used as both (front end and back end) programming languages.
• Node.js: Node.js is an open source and cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code outside of a browser. You need to remember that NodeJS is not a framework and it’s not a programming language. Most of the people are confused and understand it’s a framework or a programming language. We often use Node.js for building back-end services like APIs [3] like Web App or Mobile App. It’s used in production by large companies such as Paypal, Uber, Netflix, Wallmart and so on.
• Back End Frameworks: The list of back-end frameworks is: Express, Django, Rails, Laravel, Spring etc.
• The other back-end program/scripting languages are: C#, Ruby, REST, GO etcfigure1 shown below.

Figure1.Full Stack Development.

Advantages

The advantage of being a full stack web developer is

• You can master all the techniques involved in a development project
• You can make a prototype very rapidly
• You can provide help to all the team members
• You can reduce the cost of the project

Disadvantages

The solution chosen can be wrong for the project

The solution chosen can be dependent on developer skills

The solution can generate a key person risk

Being a full stack developer is increasingly complex

References:

1. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-full-stack-development
2. https://www.w3schools.com/whatis/whatis_fullstack.asp
3. https://www.guru99.com/full-stack-developer.html

Cite this article:

S Nandhinidwaraka (2021), Full Stack Development, pp. 8