Full-stack Development: What It Is All About
Web development involves front-end, back-end and full-stack development. Front-end development (client-side) involves developing the part of a website or application that the user interacts with. Back-end development (server-side) is all about the functioning of the web application or site. It involves managing databases. Full-stack development involves both the front-end and back-end of the web application.
A full-stack developer is a professional who can build complete websites and applications, handling both the front-end and back-end portions. The full-stack developer would have knowledge of both front-end and back-end programming languages.
How to Hire Full-stack Developer
You would need to start by looking at the skills of the full-stack developer, their educational qualifications and work experience. You would also need to assess the non-technical skills of the developer. Conducting an assessment test and an interview would be part of the process. Also, you would need to post the requirement on the right tech hiring platform to find the right match.
What You Need to Know Before You Hire Full-stack Developer
Before you hire full-stack developer, you need to be clear about the requirements of your project. Assess if the project is a long-term or short-term one. Also, consider if you need to hire full-stack developer at the junior, mid or senior level. The needs of the project should determine your hiring process.
Also, make sure that the potential hire has an understanding of your client base. Your clients may belong to the same industry or different ones. This would mean that the full-stack developer should have a basic understanding of different industries.
Further, it helps both the recruiter and the developer to be aware of full-stack development trends. One of the major trends is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). It helps to know how AI can be integrated into web development. The use of chatbots to help end-users is one example. Another trend is blockchain technology. Web development with blockchain ensures secure, efficient and interactive websites and applications.
Skills to Look for When You Hire Top Full-stack Developer
HTML, CSS and JavaScript (Front-end)
An understanding of the markup language HTML, which is important for adding content to the web page is important. CSS, which is a style sheet language, helps to design a website. Knowledge of CSS is essential when you look to hire top full-stack developer. JavaScript is a scripting language used to bring an interactive element into web applications.
Front-end frameworks
Knowledge of frameworks like JavaScript’s AngularJS, React.js, jQuery is useful. Angular.js is used to develop single page applications or SPAs. React.js helps in building user interfaces. jQuery helps a full-stack developer simplify use of JavaScript on the website, and helps add additional functionalities to websites.
Back-end Languages (PHP, Python and Java)
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PHP: Hypertext preprocessor or PHP is widely used in back-end web development and integration with databases like SQL. Knowledge of PHP and its frameworks like Laravel is desirable for a full-stack developer
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Python: Python is yet another back-end language that is important for a full-stack developer. Familiarity with the language and Python frameworks like Django and Flask helps.
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Java: Knowledge of programming language Java is useful. The multipurpose language can be used for developing mobile and web applications. Java also offers a wide array of frameworks like Spring and Vaadin to make development more efficient and easy.
Version Control - Git
Hire top full-stack developer who knows version control systems like Git. It helps developers manage and track changes made to code.
SQL
Understanding of Structured Query Language (SQL) is important for a full-stack developer. The language is useful when the developer has to update, access or manage databases.
Web Architecture
Web architecture is all about designing and planning a website. A full-stack developer needs to know all about components of web architecture like database, cache, and interface among others.
REST and HTTP
REST is a style of architecture used to develop websites. It is an acronym for Representational State Transfer. HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the set of guidelines to transfer and encode information between the client and server. Familiarity with REST and HTTP is necessary for a full-stack developer.
Soft skills
A range of soft skills like problem-solving ability, creative thinking and good communication skills are essential for a full-stack developer.
Steps to Hire Full-stack Developer
The first step is to write a clear job description, mentioning the roles and responsibilities of a full-stack developer. Some of them include:
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Design user interactions
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Develop front-end and back-end website apps
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Troubleshooting and debugging
The next step is to screen candidate applications and resumes on the basis of the job description and skill sets, work experience and qualifications of the full-stack developer.
Hire full-stack developer with the requisite skill sets. Conduct a skill assessment test for a set time to evaluate the problem-solving ability of the full-stack developer. The test will also help you judge if the candidate works well under a deadline.
After filtering candidates from the test, interview a set of potential hires. Ask questions pertaining to full-stack development. Test the candidate for their technical and soft skills. Judge their communication and presentation skills.
Once you have taken all the steps, it is time to decide if the candidate can be hired or not. Send an offer letter to the hired candidate with terms of employment and salary structure. Begin the onboarding process.
How to Hire Reliable and Experienced Full-stack Developer
Ask the potential hire for references from former employers and colleagues. Talk to the references to understand if the developer has good interpersonal skills. You can also find out about their leadership qualities and time management skills.
Ask for samples of past work. Judge the candidate’s quality of work and whether they accomplished tasks on schedule.
Further, talk to the candidate and understand their career path. Find out about their career goals and objectives. This will help you get a picture of their experience and reliability.
