6 Essential Types of Tools Every Full Stack Developer Should Know

In today’s digital world, full-stack development has become an essential skill for web developers. The advantages of full stack developers are too many, from cost saving to better technical command. To become a proficient full-stack developer, one must deeply understand the fundamentals of web development, programming languages, and frameworks. Strong problem-solving and communication skills are also crucial to becoming a successful full-stack developer.

Full-stack development requires a wide range of skills and tools, and mastering these six essential tools is a great start for every full-stack developer. Before hiring full-stack developers, check their proficiency with the key testing, development, and deployment tools.

This post will explain the key categories of tools that full-stack developers should be versed with.

Version Control

Git

Git provides a centralized repository to store the code and ensures that all changes are tracked and documented. It also provides various branching and merging features, making working on multiple features easier.

Features of Git:

• Consolidated central code repository allowing tracking changes
• Features allowing branching and merging of code updates
• Helping team members to collaborate on a project
• Allowing to go back to earlier versions when necessary

Testing Tools

Several testing tools are available for full-stack developers, each serving a specific purpose. Let’s focus on some widely popular testing tools that full-stack developers can find useful.

Jasmine

Jasmine is a popular testing framework for JavaScript, and it provides a suite of tools for writing and executing tests. Jasmine provides a suite of matches, which makes it easier to test the behavior of the application or website. It also provides detailed reports on test results, making identifying and fixing issues easier.

Features of Jasmine:

• Supports both BDD and TDD styles
• The easy-to-use syntax for writing tests
• The suite of matches for testing behavior
• Detailed reports on test results

Mocha

Mocha is another popular testing framework for JavaScript, and it provides a way to write and execute tests. It supports synchronous and asynchronous testing and provides an easy-to-use syntax for writing tests. Mocha offers a suite of reporters, which makes it easier to view test results.

Features of Mocha:

• The easy-to-use syntax for writing tests
• The suite of reporters for viewing test results
• Test coverage support

Jest

Jest is a popular testing framework for JavaScript, and it provides a way to write and execute tests. It supports both BDD and TDD styles, and it provides an easy-to-use syntax for writing tests. Jest provides a suite of matches and assertions, which makes it easier to test the behavior of the application or website. It also provides a way to mock functions and modules, which makes it easier to test components in isolation.

Features of Jest:

• Supports both BDD and TDD styles
• The easy-to-use syntax for writing tests
• The suite of matches and assertions for testing behavior
• Mocking of functions and modules

Selenium

Selenium is a popular testing tool for web applications, and it provides a way to automate browser testing. Selenium provides a way to simulate user actions like clicks, inputs, and selections, and it provides a way to test the application on different browsers and platforms. It also provides a way to run tests in parallel, which makes it faster to execute tests.

Features of Selenium:

• Automation of browser testing
• Support for multiple programming languages
• Simulation of user actions
• Testing on different browsers and platforms
• Parallel execution of tests

Package Managers

Package managers allow developers to manage dependencies and packages required for their projects. They simplify the process of downloading, installing, and updating packages by automating the process. Different package managers are available for different programming languages and platforms, each with its own features and benefits.

NPM

Npm provides access to thousands of packages and modules required for developing JavaScript applications. It provides a way to publish and share packages, making it easier for other developers to use your packages.

Features of npm:

• Access to thousands of packages and modules
• Simple command-line interface for managing dependencies
• It can publish as well as share packages as necessary

PIP

Pip is a package manager for Python, providing access to thousands of packages required for developing Python applications. It also provides a way to publish and share packages, making it easier for other developers to use your packages.

Features of pip:

• Access to thousands of packages required for Python development
• Simple command-line interface for managing dependencies
• Ability to publish and share packages

Composer

Composer is a package manager for PHP, providing access to thousands of packages required for developing PHP applications. Composer makes installing and managing dependencies easy by providing a simple command-line interface. It also provides a way to autoload classes, making using packages in your code easier.

Features of Composer:

• Access to thousands of packages required for PHP development
• Simple command-line interface for managing dependencies
• Autoloading of classes for easier use of packages

RubyGems

RubyGems is a package manager for Ruby, providing access to thousands of packages required for developing Ruby applications. RubyGems makes installing and managing dependencies easy by providing a simple command-line interface. It also provides a way to publish and share packages, making it easier for other developers to use your packages.

Features of RubyGems:

• Access to thousands of packages required for Ruby development
• Simple command-line interface for managing dependencies
• Can help with both publishing and sharing of packages

NuGet

NuGet is a package manager for .NET, providing access to thousands of packages required for developing .NET applications. NuGet makes installing and managing dependencies easy by providing a simple command-line interface. It also provides a way to publish and share packages, making it easier for other developers to use your packages.

Features of NuGet:

• Access to thousands of packages required for .NET development
• Simple command-line interface for managing dependencies
• Allowing to publish and share packages

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) and task managers are essential tools for full-stack developers, as they provide a comprehensive platform to develop, test, and deploy applications.

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code provides features such as IntelliSense (code completion), debugging, Git integration, and a built-in terminal. Visual Studio Code also supports extensions, allowing developers to add editor functionality.

Features of Visual Studio Code:

• IntelliSense (code completion) and debugging
• Git integration and built-in terminal
• Extension support

Sublime Text

Due to its fast performance and extensive features, Sublime Text is a popular code editor among full-stack developers. It supports various programming languages and provides multiple selections, split editing, and distraction-free mode features.

Features of Sublime Text:

• Fast performance and extensive features
• Plugin support
• Ability to extend with new features

Trello

Trello is a popular task manager that allows developers to organize and manage their tasks and projects efficiently. Trello provides a simple, user-friendly interface that allows developers to create and manage boards, lists, and cards. Each card can contain a task, description, due date, and attachments. Trello also provides a way to collaborate with team members by allowing them to share boards and cards.

Features of Trello:

• Simple, user-friendly interface
• Ability to create and manage boards, lists, and cards
• Collaboration with team members
• Task description, due date, and attachment support

Task Runners

Task runners are essential tools for full-stack developers as they automate repetitive tasks such as compiling code, running tests, and deploying applications. Task runners help developers save time and increase productivity by automating tasks that would otherwise be tedious and time-consuming.

Grunt

Grunt provides a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows developers to create and configure tasks using a JavaScript-based configuration file.

Features of Grunt:

• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Ability to automate repetitive tasks such as compiling code and running tests
• JavaScript-based configuration file
•  A robust range of plugins

Gulp

Gulp provides a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows developers to create and configure tasks using a JavaScript-based configuration file.

Features of Gulp:

• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Ability to automate repetitive tasks such as compiling code and running tests
• JavaScript-based configuration file

Web Servers

Web servers are essential tools for full-stack developers, allowing them to test their applications locally before deploying them to a live server.

Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server is the leading web server tool ensuring reliability and scalability.

Features of Apache HTTP Server:

• Completely free and open-source web server
• Reliable, scalable, and supports almost all platforms
• Highly customizable through the use of modules

Nginx

Nginx is a popular web server known for its performance and scalability.

Features of Nginx:

• Top-notch performance, reliability, and scalability
• Can deal with a huge number of connections and server requests simultaneously
• Allows seamless customization
• It supports multiple OS platforms

Summarizing

Full-stack developers need various tools to develop, test, deploy, and maintain their applications. However, it’s important to note that these tools are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Each tool has strengths and weaknesses, and developers should carefully evaluate their needs and preferences when choosing which tools to use.

Contact IndianAppDevelopers to hire an expert full-stack developer with extensive knowledge and experience of tools we discussed in this article, including text editors, version control systems, testing tools, package managers, IDEs/task managers, and task runners, to improve efficiency and productivity.