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Learn full stack web development online

A full stack developer covers both the front- and back-end stages of web and mobile development. Kickstart your tech career and learn full stack development with online courses delivered through edX.

What is full stack development?

In an increasingly crowded digital world, companies need smart web design and development to stand out. Businesses use websites and applications for critical functions including increasing brand awareness, educating potential customers about their products and services, and facilitating sales. 

But what is web development? While the internet has been around for decades, it didn’t pick up speed until the dot-com burst in 2000, when a new digital age emerged and took web programming to the next level. Since then, developers have incorporated more visual, communicative, and interactive features into their websites.Footnote 1

Websites consist of multiple components: design, function, content, and structure.Footnote 2 Front- and back-end development ensure these elements work together and present users with an engaging, easy to use website. While front-end development focuses on creating the user interface, or the more visual site elements, the back end makes up an infrastructure with systems like API (application programming interface), servers, and databases.Footnote 3

Full stack coding requires a blend of both front- and back-end knowledge. A full stack developer builds an application, site, or software from beginning to end, using both sides of the development process. To be successful, they must have extensive knowledge and experience navigating multiple programming languages and frameworks.

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Full stack development course curriculum

Tech companies may seek professionals who can manage every critical aspect of the development process. Gaining full stack developer training experience can set learners apart from professionals who are proficient in just one side of development. 

Full stack developer courses can help you hone the skills needed for efficient end-to-end development. Boot camps and other educational programs may cover programming languages used for front- and back-end development. For instance, some common front-end languages include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various JavaScript frameworks, while a few back-end languages include C++, Java, and SQL. Footnote 4

An online full stack developer course can provide a comprehensive overview of full stack development, helping new learners acquire solid foundational knowledge. These courses may cover various languages, operating systems, and databases needed to successfully learn full stack web development. However, if you’re already experienced and want to focus more on a specific field within the industry, earning a certificate can help you keep your skill set current.

Explore full stack developer jobs

As long as businesses and individuals rely on the internet, web development will continue to evolve. Professionals interested in pursuing  career opportunities for full stack developers will need educational training to maintain their skill sets. There are many different educational opportunities for people who want to learn about full stack development, including a bachelor’s degree in a subject like computer science, or a master’s degree in a similar field. For a shorter course of study, you may want to explore a coding boot camp

From finance and business to information technology, you can contribute unique innovations and thrive in various industries as a full stack developer. Full stack developers are primarily responsible for managing the front- and back-end development of a website or web application. They write and test code, debug issues in existing websites or applications, and help determine how to integrate new technologies into existing systems. Full stack developers also collaborate with colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure their work meets company goals.

Educational requirements for jobs in this field can vary depending on the employer, with some positions needing formal training.Footnote 5 Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers want to see what you can do with your skills. Presenting examples of your full stack knowledge through projects and explaining your logic can help during the job search process.

How to become a full stack developer online

While full stack development can be challenging to learn, it can also lead to a rewarding career. If you enjoy problem-solving and have strong attention to detail, you may find web development particularly interesting.

Learning the basics of web development can prepare you to understand more complex concepts and languages in a web developer career. By enrolling in online web developer courses, you can begin practicing front-end development to code design and structure. You can then move on to back-end development, where you build databases and servers that hold important information for your website. Depending on whether you are self-taught or participate in a formal program, it can take varying lengths of time to learn full stack development. 

Although many full stack developer job descriptions might seem similar, businesses have varying needs and hiring requirements. Think about the types of companies you want to work for and how you want to grow your career. This will help you determine which web development skills you may need to focus on during your coursework to become a web developer.

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