The Evolving Concept of Full Stack Development in 2024
Written on
Chapter 1: The Misconception of Full Stack Development
The term "full-stack developer" often carries a heavy load of expectation.
Since entering the IT field in 2015, I’ve observed my full-stack developer peers with both admiration and a sense of skepticism. Over time, I’ve come to realize that working in IT resembles acting; developers often pretend to have all the answers while grappling with their own challenges (with some exceptions). Through my experiences, I’ve encountered many developers and found that very few truly embody the full-stack title. This realization leads me to believe the definition of a full-stack developer needs a refresh.
Let’s delve into the history of web development.
Section 1.1: A Brief History of Web Development
The early days of the internet, often referred to as web 1.0, marked a static era where the potential of the web began to unfold.
In those days, everyone aspired to establish their presence online, yet few understood how to do so effectively. This gap gave rise to the role of the webmaster.
According to Wikipedia, a webmaster is someone responsible for maintaining one or more websites. These individuals, almost possessing magical skills, facilitated the discovery of online content, which was a significant achievement at the time. However, the web evolved, transitioning into web 2.0—a dynamic, user-generated experience that we know today.
Section 1.2: The Rise of User-Generated Content
By 2021, nearly 60% of the global population had internet access, marking a dramatic increase from just 17% in 2006. This surge represents over 4.66 billion active users, making contemporary web maintenance significantly more complex.
I consider the early 2000s as the unofficial dawn of the web 2.0 era. While discussions about it date back to 1999, the advent of social media platforms like Facebook catalyzed its growth.
As for web 3.0, I won't delve into that here, as I see limited practical applications beyond potential single sign-on solutions.
Chapter 2: Redefining Full Stack Development
In the early days, knowing PHP and a bit of JavaScript meant you were at the top of your game. Back then, code was executed directly from a server, with minimal virtualization or scalability options.
Today’s landscape is vastly different.
This video discusses four reasons why aspiring to be a full-stack developer may not be the best path for you, exploring the complexities and challenges of this role.
As technology has progressed, a small to medium-sized tech company’s toolkit now includes server management, multiple front-end frameworks, back-end frameworks, and often native mobile applications.
In my view, the concept of full-stack development has shifted dramatically, leading to my primary concern: the IT bubble problem.
Section 2.1: The IT Bubble Problem
The issue lies within the tech community itself. It’s disheartening to see tweets proclaiming expertise in full-stack development while lacking fundamental skills in various technologies.
In my opinion, being a full-stack developer in 2022 should mean being adaptable to different technologies and willing to learn new tools that effectively address challenges.
I use JavaScript daily in my work. However, I don’t claim to have all the solutions figured out. Many developers I encounter label themselves as full-stack but resist learning new tools like Docker, limiting themselves to specific frameworks.
I refer to these individuals as “evangelists”—those who know just a couple of frameworks but refuse to broaden their skills. They expect the same compensation as those who are eager to learn and adapt.
Subsection 2.1.1: Embracing Continuous Learning
If I were to define my own skills, I would say I know how to code and understand best practices across various languages and frameworks. Recently, I was asked to create an API in R, but I found that Python was a better fit for the task, despite not having prior experience with either. My client was pleased with the outcome.
I didn’t limit myself to a particular stack; rather, the project’s needs guided my approach.
Section 2.2: A New Proposal
My concern with the term “full-stack” is that many who claim the title lack a comprehensive understanding of the full stack—it’s an outdated concept.
To address this, I propose the term “solution-stack developer” or simply “stack developer.” This indicates that a developer possesses knowledge beyond just front-end and back-end skills.
The common question in the tech world should shift to: “What is your stack?” rather than “What front-end and back-end technologies do you know?”
With the evolution of technology, there’s a trend toward breaking down complex systems into smaller, manageable parts. This is true not only for job roles but for companies and technologies as well.
This video explains why the title of Junior Full Stack Developer may be misleading and emphasizes the need for more accurate job descriptions in the tech industry.
So, why not adopt a specific niche within development titles? This would help clarify our roles and better represent our contributions during our workdays.
No more confusion like, “You’re a JavaScript developer! I have a fantastic senior Java position for you!”
Thank you for taking the time to read this! If you’re interested in tech, programming, or startups, don’t forget to follow my journey on YouTube.