Full Stack Developer Roadmap

Web developers are in high demand across MNCs and startups, offering strong career opportunities in both remote and office roles. The job requires dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for technology, making it ideal for those eager to build and innovate in the digital world.

Find reasons for it! You should be eager and curious as well to dive deep into it to become a successful web developer. 

We will discuss the Web Development Roadmap. Let's begin!! Here's a step-by-step process:

• Choose a technology on which you want to work
• Frontend Development
• Backend Development
• Database
• Version Control System
• Build Projects

1. Choose a Technology

Full-stack development comprises front-end, back-end, and database management. Choosing a technology on which you want to work depends on individuals, requirements, and applications. Few technologies on which you can work and are trending:

1.1 MERN

The most popular and trending technology is MERN.

• MongoDB - A NoSQL database that deals with data.
• Express - A framework for NodeJS and handles GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE functions.
• React - A JavaScript library for building User Interfaces, building single-page applications.
• NodeJS - An open-source server environment.

1.2 MEAN

The major difference between MERN and MEAN is MERN (written in JavaScript) works on React whereas MEAN deals with Angular (a framework written in TypeScript). 

Since these are the technologies you have to work on. Now, you have a choice whether you want to work on MEAN or MERN, the only difference is in React and Angular. But all the other technologies are common.

2. Frontend Development

The first thing in Full Stack Development Roadmap is Frontend. Front-End is the UI (User Interface), it deals with the website's overall appearance, on how interactive and dynamic it is. For mastering it, get clear with all the elements of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

2.1 HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

HTML is the standard language for structuring websites using tags. Practice by creating a small site with tables, forms, images, and links to build a solid foundation and improve your efficiency. Click here to read about the conventions and best practices of HTML.  

You should learn at least these below concepts before moving on to the next step:

• HTML Basics 
• Semantic and Non-Semantics
• HTML Tags
• HTML Forms
• HTML Lists
• HTML Tables
• HTML Attributes
• HTML Graphics
• HTML APIs
• HTML DOM
• HTML Audio/Video
• HTML 5
• HTML 5 MathML

You can learn complete HTML, by clicking on this link - HTML Tutorial

2.2 CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

CSS is the next step in the Full Stack Developer roadmap. It lets you add colors, borders, fonts, icons, and layouts to your website, making it visually appealing and responsive across different screen sizes.

You should learn at least these below concepts before moving on to the next step:

• CSS Colors
• CSS Borders
• CSS Margins and Paddings
• CSS Height and Width
• CSS Align
• CSS Lists
• CSS Tables
• CSS Flex
• CSS Grid
• CSS DropDown
• CSS Z-index
• CSS Box-Model
• CSS Transitions

Now Developers generally choose any framework like Tailwind CSS or Bootstrap after learning CSS, which ease their work.

Bootstrap-The most popular and beginner-friendly CSS framework used is Bootstrap. It will ease your work of CSS and help in creating better websites with its ids and classes. Some of the Must Known Bootstrap Concepts are:

• Container in Bootstrap
• Bootstrap Tables
• Bootstrap Button
• Bootstrap Spinners
• Bootstrap Cards
• Bootstrap Navigation Bar
• Bootstrap Carousel

To Learn to Complete Bootstrap, refer to this article- Bootstrap

Tailwind CSS-You can also use the Tailwind CSS framework, depending on your personal choice, and these are the must-do concepts of Tailwind CSS

• Introduction to Tailwind CSS
• Tailwind CSS Layout
• Tailwind CSS Backgrounds 
• Tailwind CSS Borders 
• Tailwind CSS Alignment 
• Tailwind CSS Spacing 
• Tailwind CSS Sizing 
• Tailwind CSS Typography
• Tailwind CSS Flexbox
• Tailwind CSS Grid
• Tailwind CSS Effects
• Tailwind Filters 
• Tailwind CSS Tables 
• Tailwind CSS Transitions and Animation 
• Tailwind CSS Transforms 
• Tailwind CSS Interactivity 
• Tailwind CSS SVG

To Learn to Complete Tailwind CSS, refer to this article- Tailwind CSS

After learning any one of these frameworks you can now move on to the very important part of Web Development, which is JavaScript.

2.3 JavaScript  

JavaScript is the core programming language of the web, used to make content dynamic and interactive. It handles events, manipulates data, and enables server interaction to enhance user experience.

Below are the most known topics to learn

• JS Basics
• JS Operators
• JS Loops
• JS Debugging
• JS Array Methods
• JS String Methods
• JS Math Object
• JS Date Object
• JS Boolean and DataView
• JS Form
• JS Advance
• DOM

Note: Learn about DOM (Document Object Model), and API (Application Program Interface) properly.

To learn JavaScript in-depth, Checkout this course- JavaScript

2.4 Frameworks

A framework is a platform for building software applications, combining code libraries, compilers, and tools to simplify development and enable component reusability. Mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript first makes learning front-end frameworks much easier.

You can choose any of the frameworks but should learn the most known topics cover in this article.

Examples of frameworks are - React, Angular, Vue,etc. 

React- It is a library of JavaScript that is used to make single-page front-end web applications of websites. It is a component-based library and after using this your website looks very pleasing. To learn React, you should have knowledge of JavaScript and for that, you can refer to this article- Top 12 JavaScript Concepts to Know Before Learning React

Below are the must-know topics of React that you should cover while learning React

• React Fundamentals
• React Components
• React Props & States
• React Hooks
• React Apps
• React Advance

And for more details, you can refer to this article- ReactJs Roadmap

AngularJs - It is a framework of JavaScript which is used for frontend development, it is created by Google and is widely used in the industry. If you are learning AngularJs, then below are the must known topics to cover while learning it.

• AngularJS Basics
• AngularJS Directives
• AngularJS Filters
• AngularJS Converting Functions
• AngularJS Comparing Functions
• AngularJS Other Functions

To learn, complete AngularJs, refer to this article- AngularJs

After learning frontend, you are ready to apply for front-end developer jobs, and for full-stack developers! you have to follow this path continuously till last, and moving on to the next step in this roadmap, we have Backend development.

3. Backend Development

Backend code runs on the server, handling logic for data exchange between the client and database. It includes three main components, server, application, and database, working together to send and retrieve information efficiently.

Skills you need to have to back-end developer: programming languages, frameworks, databases, servers, and API (Application Program Interface).

3.1 Programming Languages

Back-end developers should learn at least one language like Java, Python, or JavaScript—preferably JavaScript, as it works for both front-end and back-end. After that, choose a framework; in MEAN and MERN stacks, Node.js serves as the runtime, and Express.js as the backend framework.

3.2 Frameworks

Frameworks are generally components or functions that are implemented to improve the performance of development. It includes the library of tools and modules that builds the architecture of a website. Several popular back-end frameworks are Express, SpringBoot, Django, Ruby on Rails, etc.

Related Courses:

• Check Out our live Java Backend courseto enhance your skills and gain in-depth knowledge of Java backend development, guided by experts in real-time.
• Join our 'Django Zero to Hero' courseto become proficient in Django development, starting from the basics and advancing to expert-level skills with hands-on guidance.

In the case of MEAN and MERN Technologies, we use Node.js runtime environment and expressJs framework.

Node.js: it is a runtime environment that is used to run JavaScript for Backend Scripting to interact with the server. It is a very popular Technology that is used across the software industry and its demand is increasing at a very rapid pace.

Below are the must-know concepts of Node.js

• Node.js Basic 
• Node.js Assert Module
• Node.js Buffer Module
• Node.js Console Module
• Node.js Crypto Module
• Node.js DNS Module
• Node.js File System Module
• Node.js Globals
• Node.js HTTP Module
• Node.js OS Module

To learn more about Node.Js, refer to this article- Node.js

Express.js: It is a backend web application framework that is used to build apps with Node.js and interact with the server. It will make our code much easier, short, and simple.

Below are the must known concepts of express.js

• Express Introduction
• Express.js Application creation
• Express.js express() functions
• Express.js Applications
• Express.js Requests Functions
• Express.js Response Functions
• Express.js Router Functions

To learn more about express, refer to this article- express.Js

Client-Server Architecture: This architecture is designed to understand the request made and the response received. Whenever there's a request from the client side for data, the server responds to that request. There comes, the picture of a database which is explained in the next step, that stores the information needed to be retrieved.

4. Database

The database is a collection of data from which we can manage data (store and retrieve). There are two types of databases: relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL). Some popular databases are: 

• MySQL - These are relational database management system, store and manages data.
• MongoDB - It is a NoSQL database; Finds key-value DB, graph DBs
• VoltDB - It follows a relational pattern, they use memory to store data.

In the case of MERN and MEAN Technology, M- represent the MongoDB database, which is very popular due to its feature and functionalities. It is easy to scale.

MongoDB: MongoDB is a NoSQL database that is used in web Development. it is very flexible and has a JSON-like document. It makes very dynamic schemas. Due to its feature, MongoDB is highly scalable and can handle large volumes of data.

Below are the must-know concepts to learn in MongoDB

• Introduction to MongoDB
• Installation of MongoDB
• Basics of MongoDB
• MongoDB Methods
• MongoDB Operators
• Working with Documents and Collections
• Indexing in MongoDB
• MongoDB Applications and Projects
• CRUD in MongoDB

You can also, refer to this article for a brief introduction to MongoDB

5. Version Control

Git is an open-source platform that manages code versions through repositories, allowing secure, flexible, and collaborative development. It tracks updates, restores previous versions, and helps teams efficiently manage application changes.

A list of Version Control Systems are: 

1. GitHub
2. GitLab
3. Beanstalk
4. Apache Subversion
5. Mercurial

Git: Git is a widely used version control and code management system to track your changes in a project and manage version history. Git is a very useful tool for a developer while creating a project. Below are the git command that a full-stack developer should know

• git init
• git config
• git clone
• git add
• git commit
• git push
• git origin master
• git fork
• git rename

For more details, you can refer to this article- Git Tutorial

Benefits of Version Control:

• It helps you maintain code.
• You can reuse it whenever needed.
• Saves the changes made.
• Provides evidence of all changes made.
• Improves performance of web development.
• Collaborate and contribute.

Also, you should have good knowledge of HTTP/HTTPS, Linux commands, and DSA

6. Build Projects

Once you’ve mastered the theory, start building projects to gain hands-on experience in full-stack development. Working on real projects helps you understand APIs, backend logic, and database managemen, key skills for becoming a successful web developer.

These are some of the projects that you can build after learning the above roadmap technologies, for that you can refer to the below articles

• 12 Best Full Stack Project Ideas
• Web Development Projects

Explore this Full Stack Development with React & Node JS - Live course to master Full Stack Development and gain a comprehensive understanding of every concept and topic involved.

Difference between UI (User Interface) and UX (User's Experience)

1. User Interface (UI)

It deals with how the users interact with the product/service. With a click of a button, the page should respond. The collection of framing of each element with which a user interacts with the web page is known as User Interface. It works on the overall appearance and responsiveness of the website. 

Skills required as a UI designer:

1. Design principles
2. Style guides
3. Teamwork and communication skills

All the elements should be consistent and focus on the visual experience of a website. The responsibilities of a UI designer are - creating a visualization of screens, presenting ideas and design solutions, and maintaining documentation of style guidelines. 

2. User Experience (UX)

It deals with the user's experience with the product/service. From the initial point to the endpoint, it works on the friendliness of the website. Better the architecture and research of the website better are the UX. 

Skills required as a UX designer: 

1. Problem Solving
2. Curiosity
3. Understand audience mindset

It adds a connection between users and the business. Creating a wireframe (structural level design of a website) is a task for UX designers. The responsibilities of UX designers are researching, designing, innovating, and prototyping for a better user experience. 

Start with the theory first then move to the practical implementation part. Web Developers will always be in demand no matter whether you work from anywhere. It is and will always be the best choice for tech-career growth. Go for it and be a fantastic web developer.