With the expansion of Front End frameworks and client side rendering, Is it becoming harder to be a Full Stack developer that knows every aspect of their stack? Also, will the number of Full Stack cease to exist in the coming days?
Found this question both on Quora and Reddit with very less discussion. So, thought to ask it on Hashnode.
Its depend upon start point of you journey
Thanks ,
Sudeep.
I feel the definition of what a full stack developer actually is, is in fact every different from project to project.
Becoming a true fullstack developer is difficult to accomplish. There are improvements in frameworks in libraries to aid a developer cover breadth, allowing newer developers to ramp up quickly, but it seems like there are a lot of missing pieces. I think the term fullstack is being misused a bit these days. My opinion on this subject is here What Does Being a Fullstack Developer Mean in 2017?
Yes there is too many languages and is groing every days. But I think the new languages and thecknologies are more colabrated together. In aditional in my oppinion, it`s more important to learn algorithem compare to memorize sytanxs.
There will always be a need for full-stack developers. There are some projects which require knowledge of an entire stack to develop a solution. It's like the difference between a general practitioner and a specialist doctor. Sometimes you need someone who understands the big picture.
A number of languages are trying to be relevant in different places. Kotlin, Dart and JS (as examples) focuses on backend and frontend development. Kotlin and Dart also offers mobile options and JS I believe offers it via some third-party libraries.
Depending on your toolset, anyone can be a frontend and backend developer, you might not be great with CSS, but you will still qualify as a full stack developer since your knowledge of Kotlin will allow you to write KotlinJS which will allow you to build functionality in the frontend. A person who is great with frontend development using Dart might not be great building backends or writing database queries, but they will still be able to contribute to a Dart backend.
Unless your frontend / backends are overengineered with a gazillion frameworks each specializing in a small part of the system, I see no reason why a frontend developer can't work in the backend as well (assuming they can use the same tools)
Full Stack Developers will not go away, they are especially useful in smaller companies where the budget doesn't allow hiring developers with specialized skills. Larger companies, specialized developers will probably be the norm in the future.
You mention only one case of development there (namely when you are working on a big project, which requires the mentioned kind of frameworks). Most FSWD don't. When working on big projects, you usually do not have FSWDs, but several people who do the different parts and the more the project grows, the more people you will hire.
Jan Vladimir Mostert
Idea Incubator
Gergely Polonkai
You have to believe in things that are not true. How else would they become?
For starters, let's see what a Full Stack developer is.
Someone who can choose and probably assemble the correct hardware, install and maintain (ie. upgrade and troubleshoot) the correct OS, install and maintain the necessary software like web server, database, and all the middlewares including configuration and fine tuning; then create a backend application, then create a corresponding front end application; and finally, operate this whole mess. And you think with services like Heroku and software like Docker it becomes easier? No, they add new things to the table, but barely take away anything.
Now put your hand on your heart, and show me all your friends and colleagues who can do all this. It's extremely rare, because this requires a lot of learning and experience. It's not a coincidence big companies have all the above as separate roles.
I'm one of these guys: the only thing you don't want to entrust me with is application design (I mean the graphics part. UX is OK). With my 15+ years of experience I get job offers on a weekly basis, and earn a decent wage.
If you are willing to learn, and can find a company that is willing to pay, becoming a full stack developer is a hit. You will never get bored again.