A full-stack software engineer is like a jack of all trades. They work with both the frontend and backend, while also understanding how these two relate to each other. They work on everything from backend systems and databases to frontend web development. In this article, we’ll explore what it takes to become a full-stack engineer, as well as how you can start training for this role.

What is “stack” in full-stack?

We often receive the question “what is a full-stack software engineer”. Let’s begin by defining what a tech stack is.

A tech stack is a collection of tools and frameworks used to build and run a web application. It typically includes a combination of front-end and back-end technologies, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a server-side language like Python or Ruby. The “stack” part of the term refers to the fact that these technologies are often thought of as layers in a stack, with each layer building on the ones below it.

The bottom layer consists of the code that controls a device’s hardware. The next layer is its operating system… At a higher level, applications! Apps that you use to take pictures, share, and read this post all have different stacks of programming languages and services that connect them to other apps or host them online.

In more technical terms, a tech stack is a collection of technologies that are used and combined to build any application. This stack could include JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Vue.js, SPAs, Node.js, MongoDB, REST APIs, CI/CD, Google Cloud and many more… (PS. All these are already part of our curriculum at Coyotiv School of Software Engineering.)

A full-stack engineer is someone who knows how to work with each layer of this cake, cough system.

Slow down! What is full-stack software engineering?

A full-stack engineer is a person who can work on both the frontend and backend of an application. But their role also includes knowing how the frontend and backend communicate and integrate together.

Backend development is concerned with everything that happens behind the scenes on a server. Coyotiv students study backend development with Node.js, covering REST APIs, layered architecture, Node.js modules and packages, authentication, and external API processing.

The frontend developer deals with everything that happens on the client side, everything the user can see and interact with. Coyotiv students learn the ins and outs of modern component-based frontend development with Vue.js, SPAs, server-side rendering, maintainable HTML5, and CSS3 fundamentals.

Combining these together, full-stack development comprises both the frontend and backend. Thus, a full-stack software engineer is knowledgeable and skilled at both.

Coyotiv’s full-stack engineering course

At Coyotiv School of Software Engineering, we offer a comprehensive full-time program that trains students to become proficient full-stack software engineers. Our program is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the fast-paced and constantly evolving world of software development.

In addition to these technical skills, students will also learn about the mindset and approach of a modern software engineer. This includes adopting a proactive, problem-solving attitude, working collaboratively with others, and being open to learning and adapting to new technologies and approaches.

By the end of the program, students will be well-prepared to enter the job market as junior software engineers. They will have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in entry-level positions and be ready to start building their careers in the exciting and rewarding field of software engineering.

What does a full-stack software engineer do?

Full-stack engineers have a wide range of responsibilities. They are usually in charge of working on a product from start to finish, from initial creation to launch. They have knowledge and skills in frontend technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as backend technologies like server-side languages (e.g. Node.js), databases (e.g. MongoDB) and understand how the frontend and backend communicate and integrate together, and are responsible for building software applications from scratch, from front-end user interfaces to back-end components and databases.

Their responsibilities include:

• Build software applications from scratch, from front-end user interfaces to back-end components and databases
• Identify and solve application problems
• Monitoring emerging technologies and how they might benefit the business
• Write code according to the specifications of the project and the requirements of the customer

In addition to these, a full-stack engineer may also be involved in deployment and DevOps practices. Deployment refers to the process of releasing and installing software updates or new applications on servers and other platforms. This can involve tasks such as building and testing software packages, configuring environments and infrastructure and performing testing and quality assurance checks.

DevOps is a set of practices that aim to improve the collaboration and communication between software developers and IT operations professionals, with the goal of delivering software more quickly and reliably. This can involve tasks such as automating build, test, and deployment processes; monitoring and alerting systems; and implementing continuous integration and delivery practices. By taking part in deployment and DevOps practices, a full-stack engineer can help ensure that the software they have developed is delivered to users in a smooth and efficient manner.

In order to succeed in this field, developers must stay on top of industry trends and the latest technologies. They must also be able to deploy those technologies to meet clients’ demands.

Are full-stack engineers in demand?

Full-stack developers work in a variety of development teams. Given their broad knowledge (knowing the ins and outs of both frontend and backend development) and flexibility, full-stack developers are heavily in demand across the tech industry. In fact, according to the 2022 survey by StackOverflow, full-stack developers are among the most sought-after technical professionals today.

Salary: How much do full-stack engineers earn?

Full-stack software engineer salaries vary according to different factors. Experience and location are two of the factors at work here.

In the United States, the average salary for a Software Engineer is $90,393 according to the Glassdoor November 2022 report. Talent.io’s report shows German developers have some of the highest salaries in Europe.

• The median salary for software engineers is 60,000 euros in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich.

In Berlin, full-stack developers are the most sought-after. In Hamburg and Munich, they come in second place behind the backend. What’s great about being a full-stack developer is that you get the best of both worlds: backend and frontend development. After the education you receive at Coyotiv, you will be able to quickly adapt to new technologies and jobs.

Is it easy to make a career change to software engineering in Germany?

Several financial options are available to help you make a smooth transition to software engineering in Germany. Career change is a challenge for many, regardless of the industry.

If you would like to join Coyotiv’s full-time program, there is the Bildungsgutschein option for unemployed residents in Germany. It is an educational voucher, and it covers the whole cost of Coyotiv’s full-stack software engineering course.

And there is the Income Share Agreement with CHANCEN option. This option can be granted if you have lived in Germany for at least 2 years prior to applying for this financial aid. With this payment method, CHANCEN eG will cover your course fees during your software engineering training at Coyotiv.

After graduation, once you find a job, you pay a percentage of your relevant income to CHANCEN eG for 5 years. If your income is below the minimum income of 27,000 euros, your repayment will be suspended and postponed.

How to become a full-stack software engineer from scratch?

Software engineering is a highly in-demand field with good benefits, a flexible schedule, and interesting work. There are plenty of options for those looking to get into the field from online courses to coding bootcamps. You can become a software engineer without a degree, and you don’t need to study Computer Science at a university for it.

How long it takes to become a software engineer depends on the career path you want to take. With a software engineering school like Coyotiv, you can choose to enroll in our full-time course and be ready to look for junior software engineer roles in around 3 months. You can also go for our self-paced option and have 1 year to complete the whole course.

Resources:

Glassdoor November 2022 Report

Talent.io European Tech Salary Report 2022

StackOverflow 2022 Developer Survey