In plain English, what does a full-stack developer do?

By: Sumita Mudgil, Technical lead, MiQ

A blog series explaining some of the concepts, processes and technologies we need to do our jobs – in plain English.

Every day, we browse a whole range of websites and apps. But have you ever thought about the people behind it all? Full-stack developers are the experts who make it all possible. But what’s it all about, what does it involve and what does it take to become a full-stack developer at MiQ?

First of all, let’s take a step back and explain what full-stack development is.

It all stacks up 

Let’s start with the word stack. In the regular world, it means a large amount or pile of something. But in software development, it takes on a whole other meaning. Here, it’s known as full-stack and it refers to all the components needed for the front-end and back-end development of a website or app.

But what does front-end and back-end even mean? Well, the front-end is responsible for the visual look and feel of a website or app, while the back-end tackles the behind-the-scenes logic and infrastructure. 

When we look at the layers of stack, it can be filled with a bunch of things like databases, DevSecOps, cloud technology, networking, and specific features for mobile development.

Full-stack development requires an agile team and uses something called the T-shaped model. It’s basically where a team is made up of cross-skilled developers and testers who know a few technologies and are comfortable working with the rest.

What does a full-stack developer do?

Let’s clear up a common myth: this isn’t the same role as a web developer. A full-stack developer creates fully-fledged websites and applications. They find out the requirements, propose software designs and implement front-end and back-end code. They also review website designs, integrate databases, manage the security and even get involved in roadmap discussions.  

Generally speaking, full-stack developers need to have great knowledge of front-end and back-end technologies and they need to master some basic languages and capabilities. These could include: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ReactJS, Java, Kotlin, Python, SQL(MySQL,PostgreSQL), NoSQL (MongoDB), AWS, Docker, Kubernetes and Jenkins. 

What sets developers at MiQ apart?

At MiQ, our developers need to know more and do more. And they get more back in return. (It’s just one of the reasons why we’ve been recognized as a Great Place to Work.)

We deal with eye-watering amounts of data at MiQ. We’re talking around 10TB+ of data every single day. Not to mention running around 3400 campaigns at any one time and managing 1500 reports every month. It’s mind-boggling.

So our full-stack developers need an understanding of programmatic media and the role that data plays. Having this wider context helps them to build our applications, power our products and own the complete software development lifecycle.

Going above and beyond

Because our full-stack developers are at the very core of our business, we look for people who want to go above and beyond. So while we lean towards certain programming languages and frameworks, we’re after people who want to solve business problems in the best way. That means having the courage to step outside comfort zones and the determination to learn different tools and technologies.

But it’s not all about tech skills. Our developers are part of a collaborative and innovative team, so they need to work well with others. They also need to be passionate about following (and setting) industry standards and coming up with the very best solutions. We create a space where everyone is comfortable being their authentic self and valued for what they bring. This kind of culture means we spot any issues early on and all pull together to achieve amazing things. 

Excited?

So that’s a quick insight into what the role is, what it takes and why our full-stack developers are a cut above the rest. It’s one of the most impactful and innovative roles we offer, and it really does sit at the center of our global business.

If you think you’ve got what it takes and you’d like to see our current full-stack developer roles, please visit our careers page.