How to become a full-stack software developer in 2023

Alger Makiputin
5 min readSep 22, 2022

If you’re new to software development, it’s easy to get lost in all the jargon and fancy terms. You may be wondering how long it will take before you can get your first job — or even if that’s even possible! But don’t worry: there are steps you can take now to prepare yourself for the future of software development. However, don’t expect this guide to be perfect or straightforward; there will always be new developments coming up along your path as well as obstacles that pop up along the way. It’s impossible to predict the future, and there are many different paths you can take. This guide is not a step-by-step guide but rather a general outline of what you can expect if you want to become a full-stack software developer.

Frontend Development

Frontend development is a combination of programming and design. Frontend developers are responsible for the user interface (UI) in web applications, web pages, mobile apps, and websites. They work closely with backend developers to ensure that their code runs smoothly on the server side as well as on your device or computer screen.

Frontend developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create attractive interfaces that look great on any device or platform. The most common task for a front-end developer is creating websites but they can also be involved in developing apps such as Twitter’s Vine video application or Instagram’s image sharing app where they write native code which runs directly inside each app instead of having to run through servers over HTTPS connections like other types of applications do today

Front-end developers are in high demand and are often paid well because they can work on a variety of projects and make them look great. They also have the potential to learn new skills quickly as new technologies emerge.

Backend Development

Backend development is a subset of software development that focuses on the code that runs on servers. The backend developer builds APIs, databases, and other services to support an application. Backend developers use languages like Python, Ruby, NodeJs, and PHP to build applications that run on servers. They’re responsible for making sure that the application is secure and scalable, often using tools like Docker and Kubernetes. They also make sure that their applications are secure by writing tests with tools like Selenium or PhantomJS. Front-end developers work with backend developers to create applications using frameworks like React, and AngularJS.

DevOps / Sysadmin

DevOps is an approach to software development that integrates the roles of software developer and system administrator. The goal of this integration is to automate repetitive tasks so that they can be performed more efficiently and effectively by developers, who then focus on creating innovative solutions.

Sysadmin or System Administrator (sysadmin) are specific jobs within IT that involve maintaining the hardware and software infrastructure of an organization’s servers, desktops, and mobile devices as well as providing support services such as security monitoring & incident response.

There are several steps involved in becoming either a DevOps or Sysadmin:

  • Learn about DevOps concepts such as Agile/Continuous Delivery; Microservices Architecture; Kubernetes etc.
  • Learn about Sysadmin concepts such as Linux, AWS, Azure; SQL Server, etc.
  • Learn about specific tools for both DevOps & Sysadmins such as Docker, Ansible, Jenkins, etc.

DevOps VS Software Developer: A full-stack developer is responsible for both the front-end and back-end development of an application. It can create everything in the app you require, they are more focused on writing code, while DevOps is responsible for the entire software delivery life cycle. The majority of Full-stack coders are hired by Google. But I know some folks who are DevOps but also working as software engineers. So if your goal Is to become a full-stack software developer, learning some DevOps skills is also good since it ranks top five of all tech salaries.

Software engineer (general)

Software engineers are responsible for developing the software product that their company makes. They can be employed in any industry, but they are most commonly found working in the tech sector.

Software engineers have different roles and responsibilities depending on what type of role they’re assigned to:

  • Web developers develop websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript/jQuery code, and other languages (like PHP).
  • Mobile developers create apps that run on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. These types of apps often include location-based features so users can find nearby restaurants or bars when they’re out at night without having to look up from their phones — something most people do not want to do while driving!
  • Embedded systems developers customize microchips used in automobiles’ computer systems so cars can communicate with each other safely; this allows drivers who don’t know how cars work well enough yet still feel safe enough behind their steering wheel — even after drinking too much alcohol beforehand!

Going from beginner developer to intermediate takes a lot more time and effort than many people realize.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about what it takes to get from beginner to intermediate. It’s easy to think that all you need is a book or an online course, and then you’ll be set for life. The truth is, learning any skill takes time and effort — and not just from the learner but also from those around them.

The key to becoming an intermediate developer is not to focus on learning new technologies and tools, but rather on learning how to use them effectively. You can learn the basics of a language or framework in a few days, but it takes months (or even years) of practice to become proficient at using them. This is why it’s so important to have a community of fellow developers around you. They can help answer questions, point out mistakes, and give advice on how to improve your workflow. The more people you get involved with, the better your chances are of learning from them. You may even be able to find a mentor who can help guide you through the process.

Conclusion

This is a long-term guide, so it’s worth taking a moment to look at the end goal of all this work: becoming a software developer. If you want to make your career in tech, then you need to understand what kind of skills employers are looking for and how they can put together an application package that will get them, interested potential employers. It’s important to understand that there is no “one size fits all” application package. You need to tailor your resume and cover letter for each job you apply for, but it will be worth the effort when you get a call back from an employer.

That is all for this article. Thanks for reading this article! Leave a comment below if you have any questions, and make sure to follow me here on medium :) https://medium.com/@algerwrites

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Alger Makiputin

Software developer, working across mobile, web, and custom software development. Creator of POSLite www.poslitesoftware.com