Software development involves two main aspects: front-end development and back-end development. Some developers specialize in one aspect, while some become full-stack developers. This means they are capable of both aspects. A recent study by Stack Overflow found that 49.4% of developers consider themselves to be full-stack developers2.
Full-stack engineers have a deep understanding of complex web applications. At the back end, they build the application architecture and create source code. At the front end, they design and streamline the user interface. Due to their wide range of skills, they can handle every aspect of the design, build, and optimization stages of development. Managing the whole development process can often lead to creating better user experiences.
Full-stack development is a complex skill. The versatility of these tech professionals ensures they're in high demand worldwide. Full-stack developer jobs in the US will rise to 853,000 in 2024; global demand is estimated to be in the millions4. This makes it a great career choice — regardless of where you live in the world.
As a full-stack developer, you'll have the choice to specialize in a variety of programming languages and frameworks. These include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, and PHP.
The ones you end up specializing in will often be determined by the jobs you get. The more specialized skills you have, the more you can earn. To be successful, you don’t have to master all of them, but you will need to have a broad working knowledge. You will likely specialize in the tools and languages of the “stack” businesses use internally.
Both public and private sector organizations require the services of full-stack engineers. You also have the option to work as a freelance developer and take on different development projects to broaden your professional experience.