JavaScript is a widely-used programming language. JavaScript is ubiquitous. It powers the World Wide Web, allows interactive elements, and is a core component in many web apps.
JavaScript, originally designed for frontend engineering, can now be integrated in the server side. This has made JavaScript even more popular. Funny enough, this move also led to a critical discussion: Since JavaScript can now be used in both the backend and frontend, should it be considered for an entire project? Also, should you consider hiring full-stack JavaScript developers to work in your web project?
What is Full Stack Development and how can it help you?
Before you can understand what a fullStack developer does, it is important to define what full stack means. A tech stack basically refers to a set of tools and programming language that is used to build a platform that supports applications. An example of a tech stack would be the operating system and a web server. A database and at most one programming language are required.
Software engineers speak of two stacks, one for the client-facing (the frontend) side and one for the server (the backend). These separate stacks cover all the layers within the tech stack. Software success is often achieved by tackling both the frontend and backend separately.
Some people think that it is impossible to create both front and back-end code using the same stack. These engineers, known as full stack developers or engineers, have the ability to integrate frontend and backend systems with one code. Visit https://anyforsoft.com/technology/javascript to learn more.
What is full stack JavaScript development?
A full-stack JavaScript developer is someone who can both develop the frontend and backend applications. This requires that they are proficient in HTML and CSS and also have the ability to create a browser, server, and database. MEAN is the most popular stack for JavaScript developers. This stack includes:
MongoDB, a NoSQL data base program
Express is considered to be the de facto standard server platform for Node.js.
AngularJS, a frontend framework for web development
Node.js, a JavaScript runtime for server-side programming
All components are based upon JavaScript. This supports JavaScript’s idea of using JavaScript to address all layers in a web project. This stack is very popular among JavaScript full-stack developers.
MEAN is not the only full stack JavaScript developers use. There are many alternatives to MEAN, including Koa and restify, React.js, Vue.js. MySQL, and many others.
Full Stack JavaScript has its pros
Enhanced Development Efficiency
Full stack JavaScript developers can develop a web app in JavaScript, which makes it much easier for everyone on the team to comprehend what’s happening. The people who work in the backend and frontend can all use the same language so that they know what’s going on with the whole project. Furthermore, the app can be managed by one team, which makes it easier to create a better experience.
More Code Reuse
JavaScript is used in both the frontend as well as the backend. You can reuse parts of code that have similar logic and implementation. This will reduce the amount code that full stack JavaScript developers need to write as well as the total number of lines required for the entire project. This makes full stack development easier and more efficient. It also makes it easier for developers and users to update and maintain their products.
High Performance
Node.js enables full-stack JavaScript developers access to non-blocking programming, allowing them to create fully asynchronous applications. The result can run multiple independent processes at once. This improves the performance of JavaScript web applications, which in turn results in a better user experience and high-quality products.
Access To Open Source Software Tools
Virtually all of the MEAN stack’s components are open source. This means you can access vetted tools almost for free. They are maintained by their respective communities and offer many benefits to their users.
More development talent is available
According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey JavaScript was the most popular technology. A staggering 69.7% responded that they used it in some form. This indicates that there are many people who know and use JavaScript, making it a rich source of talent for your full-stack projects.
Plenty Of Resources
JavaScript has a wide range of tools, libraries, and frameworks available to web developers. It also boasts one the most vibrant communities in the industry. JavaScript developers with full stack will have many resources available to them when coding projects. These resources include forums, documentation and ebooks as well as dedicated communities.
Cons of Full Stack JavaScript
The full stack JavaScript development path will bring with it some disadvantages. These are the main ones.
Not suitable for computation-heavy projects
Node.js is a great way to speed up a web site’s performance – unless the app you are building relies heavily on data processing on its server side. To keep Node.js running, you can break down more complex tasks into microservices that use better technologies. But, this adds another layer of complexity to your project, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Limited Server-side Capabilities
JavaScript, as mentioned in the introduction added its server-side capabilities to JavaScript after being primarily focused on the frontend. Even though Java and PHP are more well-established alternatives, seasoned backend engineers can easily spot the limitations that this relative lack in maturity brings to the job.
Very Few Full Stack Developers with “True” Experience
It might seem paradoxical to say that full stack JavaScript programming allows you to access more talent, but it is true. You can find JavaScript developers who can work on both the frontend AND the backend. However, they are more likely to be able to do one of these jobs better than the other. It is difficult to find JavaScript engineers capable of delivering on both ends. Some people compare full-stack JavaScript engineers to unicorns.
Is Full Stack JavaScript Development a Good Idea?
This will help you to understand what it is like to work with JavaScript developers full stack in your web apps. Do you want to do this? It can be difficult to know, because full stack development is not always the best option for some projects.