What's Full Stack means?
Full-stack refers to the development of both the front-end and back-end parts of a web application. The front-end, or client-side, is the part of the application that the user interacts with and sees in their web browser. The back-end, or server-side, is the part of the application that handles the logic, databases, and other functionality that the user doesn’t see.
A full-stack developer is someone who has the skills to work on both the front-end and back-end of a web application. This typically includes proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript for the front-end and a back-end programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, or JavaScript for the back-end, as well as knowledge of databases and servers.
Full-stack development is a versatile skill set that allows developers to work on all aspects of a web application, from the user interface to the database and server-side logic. It’s also in high demand as more companies are looking for developers who can handle the full development process of a web application.
What are the common stacks for full-stack development?
There are several common stacks for full-stack development, each with its own set of technologies and tools:
LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is a popular open-source stack for building dynamic websites and web applications.
MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js) is another popular JavaScript-based stack, similar to the MERN stack, but with AngularJS instead of React.js.
Ruby on Rails (RoR) stack is a web application framework written in Ruby, it’s known for its “convention over configuration” approach which makes it easy to develop web apps quickly.
Django stack (Python, Django, JavaScript, SQLite or PostgreSQL) is a web framework written in Python, it’s known for its high-security features, scalability, and ability to handle complex projects.
Spring Boot (Java, Spring framework, JavaScript, MySQL) is a web framework for building web applications and services using Java, it’s known for its strong enterprise-grade features, scalability, and flexibility.
Each stack has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use depends on the specific requirements of the project and the skills and preferences of the developer.
Comparison
LAMP, MEAN, RoR, Django, and Spring Boot are all popular stacks for full-stack web development, but each has its own unique set of features and characteristics:
LAMP: LAMP is a widely used stack for building dynamic websites and web applications. It’s based on open-source technologies and is known for its stability, reliability and simplicity. PHP, the programming language used for the back-end, is known for its ease of use and a large number of open-source libraries.
MEAN: MEAN is a full-stack JavaScript solution, which allows for a seamless transition between the front-end and back-end. It’s based on MongoDB, a NoSQL database, which is highly scalable and can handle large amounts of data. AngularJS is a front-end framework that allows for the building of complex and large-scale applications. It’s known for its flexibility and scalability, but it can be hard to find developers with experience in this stack, and the learning curve can be steep.
RoR: Ruby on Rails is a web application framework written in Ruby, it’s known for its “convention over configuration” approach which makes it easy to develop web apps quickly. It’s a good choice for building MVPs and Prototypes, but it’s not as popular as other stacks and the community is smaller.
Django: Django is a web framework written in Python, it’s known for its high-security features, scalability, and ability to handle complex projects. It’s a good choice for building large and complex web applications, but the learning curve can be steep and the syntax is different from other popular languages.
Spring Boot: Spring Boot is a web framework for building web applications and services using Java, it’s known for its strong enterprise-grade features, scalability, and flexibility. Spring Boot is a good choice for large-scale and enterprise-grade web applications, but the learning curve can be steep and it’s not as popular as other stacks.
Ultimately, the best stack for a project depends on the specific requirements of the project, the skills of the development team, and the resources available.