Become a Fullstack developer in 2023— a complete roadmap with resources.

So, recently I have been learning full-stack development with the MERN tech stack and I thought of writing my whole journey in a blog and giving away some of the resources which might help others in their web-dev journey.

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Full Stack Development is a highly sought-after skill in the tech industry. A Full Stack Developer can develop both the front-end and back-end of a web application. This includes developing user interfaces, creating databases, managing servers, and writing server-side code. It’s a complex and challenging field, but with the right roadmap, becoming a Full Stack Developer is achievable.

In this blog, we will explore a complete roadmap to becoming a Full Stack Developer.

Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals of Programming

Before you can start developing full-stack applications, you need to have a strong foundation in programming fundamentals. This includes learning the basics of computer science, such as data structures, algorithms, and programming paradigms. You can start by learning one of the popular programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript.

Python is a popular choice for beginners due to its simplicity and readability. It is a versatile language used in data analysis, machine learning, and web development. Java is a popular language for building enterprise applications and Android apps. JavaScript is a must-know language for front-end development.

There are plenty of online resources available to learn programming fundamentals. Some popular ones are Codecademy, Udemy, and Coursera. However, here are some free resources/courses which I used and even got certified!

• JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures — Learn JavaScript and ES6. While HTML and CSS control the content and styling of a page, JavaScript is used to make it interactive. In the JavaScript Algorithm and Data Structures Certification, you’ll learn the fundamentals of JavaScript including variables, arrays, objects, loops, and functions.
• SoloLearn — SoloLearn is a popular and free website where you can learn almost any programming language for free. I used to learn ReactJS, Python, and JS. The best part is you get a certificate to show off!

Step 2: Learn Front-End Development

The front-end of a web application is what users see and interact with. As a Full Stack Developer, you need to be able to create visually appealing and responsive user interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You should also be familiar with front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.js.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is used to create the structure and content of a web page. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to add styling to the web page, such as colors, fonts, and layout. JavaScript is used to add interactivity and dynamic functionality to the web page.

Front-end frameworks make it easier to build complex user interfaces by providing pre-built components and tools. React is a popular framework for building single-page applications. Angular is a comprehensive framework for building large-scale applications. Vue.js is a lightweight framework that is easy to learn and use.

Resources to Learn Front-end Development:

• (New) Responsive Web Design — Learn HTML, CSS, and JS. You will build websites using HTML, CSS, and JS. You’ll also learn how to make webpages that respond to different screen sizes by building a photo gallery with Flexbox, and a magazine article layout with CSS Grid.
• Front-End Development Libraries — Now that you’re familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, level up your skills by learning some of the most popular front-end libraries in the industry. In the Front End Development Libraries Certification, you’ll learn how to style your site quickly with Bootstrap. You’ll also learn how to add logic to your CSS styles and extend them with Sass. Later, you’ll build a shopping cart and other applications to learn how to create powerful Single Page Applications (SPAs) with React and Redux.
• W3schools — Just like SoloLearn, a popular and free website where you can learn almost any programming language for free. The major benefit of W3Schools is it goes into topics in moGithubre detail but, the only downside would be you will have to read a lot.

Step 3: Learn Back-End Development

The back end of a web application handles the logic and data processing. As a Full Stack Developer, you need to be able to create and manage databases, write server-side code, and work with APIs. You should be familiar with back-end technologies such as Node.js, Express.js, Django, and Ruby on Rails.

Node.js is a popular runtime environment for server-side JavaScript. Express.js is a lightweight web framework for Node.js. Django is a high-level Python web framework for building web applications. Ruby on Rails is a web application framework written in Ruby.

You should also be familiar with databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Databases are used to store and manage data for web applications.

• Back-End Development and APIs — Until this point, you’ve only used JavaScript on the front end to add interactivity to a page, solve algorithm challenges, or build a SPA. But JavaScript can also be used on the back end, or server, to build entire web applications. In the Back End Development and APIs Certification, you’ll learn how to write back-end apps with Node.js and npm. You’ll also build web applications with the Express framework, and build a People Finder microservice with MongoDB and the Mongoose library.
• Quality Assurance — As your programs or web applications become more complex, you’ll want to test them to make sure that new changes don’t break their original functionality. In the Quality Assurance Certification, you’ll learn how to write tests with Chai to ensure your applications work the way you expect them to. Then you’ll build a chat application to learn advanced Node and Express concepts. You’ll also use Pug as a template engine, Passport for authentication, and Socket.io for real-time communication between the server and connected clients.

Step 4: Learn DevOps

DevOps is the practice of combining development and operations to automate and streamline the application development process. As a Full Stack Developer, you need to be familiar with DevOps tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins. You should also understand how to deploy applications to servers and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Docker is a containerization platform used to package and deploy applications. Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform used to manage containers at scale. Jenkins is a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tool used to automate the application deployment process.

Step 5: Learn Version Control

Version control is a critical skill for any software developer. As a Full Stack Developer, you should be familiar with version control systems such as Git and SVN. You should also understand how to use them to manage code changes and collaborate with other developers.

Git is a popular version control system developers use to manage code changes and collaborate on projects. You should learn how to create a repository, add and commit changes, and work with branches and pull requests.

Step 6: Build Projects and Practice

To become a proficient Full Stack Developer, you need to practice building projects. Start with simple projects and gradually move on to more complex ones. You can find project ideas online or come up with your own. Build projects showcasing your front-end and back-end development, DevOps, and version control skills.

You should also practice coding challenges and participate in coding competitions such as Hackerrank and Leetcode. These platforms provide a great way to improve your coding skills and learn new techniques.

Step 7: Learn Continuously

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and as a Full Stack Developer, you need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. Follow blogs and podcasts related to web development and attend conferences and meetups. Stay up-to-date with new frameworks, tools, and best practices.

Conclusion

Becoming a Full Stack Developer is a long journey, but with a complete roadmap and the right mindset, it is achievable. Start by learning the fundamentals of programming and then move on to front-end and back-end development, DevOps, version control, and project building. Practice regularly and keep learning new things to stay ahead in the ever-evolving tech industry.

Some additional tips to keep in mind on your journey to becoming a Full Stack Developer:

1. Focus on one technology at a time: Don’t try to learn everything at once. Take one technology at a time and master it before moving on to the next one. This will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure that you have a solid foundation in each technology.
2. Join online communities: Join online communities related to web development such as Stack Overflow, Reddit, and Github. These platforms provide a great way to learn from other developers and ask for help when needed.
3. Build a portfolio: Building a portfolio of your work is important to showcase your skills to potential employers. Create a website or a GitHub repository where you can display your projects and code samples.
4. Collaborate with others: Collaborating with other developers on projects is a great way to learn new skills and gain experience. Join online coding groups or find a mentor who can guide you through the process.
5. Stay organized: Keeping track of your progress and goals is important to stay motivated and focused. Use a planner or a task manager to organize your daily tasks and keep track of your progress.

In conclusion, becoming a Full Stack Developer requires dedication, hard work, and continuous learning. Follow this complete roadmap and keep these tips in mind to achieve your goal of becoming a proficient Full Stack Developer. With persistence and effort, you can develop the skills and expertise needed to build amazing web applications. Good luck on your journey!