Full-Stack vs DevOps: Which One Should Beginners Choose

What is Full-Stack Development – The Skill Set That Covers All Aspects of Application Development

In the technology sector, there is one area that continues to grow rapidly: full-stack development. The full stack is the collection of software programming languages that must be learned to be able to create both the client-side (also called the user interface) and server-side (the entire back-end of an application) of an application. If you are a beginner to web development, the full-stack developer program will show you everything that you need to know to develop functional applications such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, Databases, RESTful API, and in some cases, they may even teach you how to deploy your application to the cloud. If you are a student wanting to develop websites as well as mobile applications or design intuitive UX/UI interfaces, a full-stack developer program is definitely for you! The full-stack curriculum will teach you how applications are made from an end-user perspective to a server-side perspective, i.e., how the application communicates with the database.

 As a new developer, one of the biggest benefits of developing full-stack is that the entry point for most companies is easier than entry points for other developer positions; therefore, companies are always hiring developers who can develop, maintain, and update web applications. In addition to this, if you are looking for an artistic outlet, you will have the opportunity to express your artistic creativity through the design of the user interface while also exercising your logical analytical skills by writing code for the application. A new developer's path to employment is fairly straightforward: learn client-side code (front-end), learn server-side code (back-end), build a project, and get hired. In addition to this, new developers can build a strong portfolio of projects that include simple websites, login systems, and CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) applications. The more projects that a new developer has to showcase, the more likely they are to obtain an internship or potentially a full-time position in the future.

 Understanding DevOps – The Technology that Enables the Rapid and Efficient Delivery of Software

In addition to building applications as full-stack developers do, DevOps Engineers also manage the day-to-day operational maintenance of those applications, including being responsible for the speed of updates made to the applications and the stability of the applications when they are accessed by multiple users simultaneously. DevOps consists of a set of processes for all levels of automation; for deploying applications in the Cloud; managing Servers (both on-premise and Cloud), including Physical and Virtual Servers; and a set of Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes/activities. Newcomers who are interested in entering a career in DevOps will have access to various tools, such as Linux, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Jenkins, Terraform, and Monitoring Tools like Prometheus.  The emphasis of DevOps is more towards Operations and Systems than on Development, which is Coding Intensive. This makes it an excellent Career Choice for students interested in System Administration, Cloud Technologies, Networking, Automation, and ensuring all works effectively. 

DevOps professionals are generally considered to be at a higher level of skills than Full-Stack Developers since they must understand Networking Concepts, Server Configurations, Linux Commands, and Cloud Technologies. However, once a student has acquired their foundational knowledge, there are no other Tech Careers that potentially can provide them with as much financial compensation or will be protected for years to come from the volatility of the technology employment market. Therefore, for any new graduate interested in Cloud Computing, Automation, and Infrastructure, there are endless opportunities for them within the field of DevOps globally.

 Comparing Skills – What You'll Learn as a Beginner in Full-Stack and DevOps

As a beginner, when deciding between full-stack development and DevOps, you must know what skills each path offers. Creativity is important because full-stack developers create user interfaces. Conversely, DevOps is about automation, clouds, scripting, and server administration. People in the DevOps role need a thorough understanding of Linux, knowledge of cloud service providers like AWS or Azure, familiarity with container management technologies, automation of deployment processes, and system health monitoring. 

While full-stack developers not only create software, DevOps engineers provide support and guidance to make sure software runs smoothly at the scale it needs to operate, and to ensure it successfully reaches its intended audience. For a beginner who enjoys coding and seeing their work displayed on the screen, full-stack development is much more rewarding than DevOps development; however, if you enjoy solving technical issues, developing/maintaining infrastructure/clouds/automating tasks using DevOps practices, DevOps will be a better fit for you. Full-stack developers and DevOps engineers both offer excellent job opportunities; however, the method in which you will learn about each role, and the actual type of work performed by these two areas of focus, will be very different from each other. 

 Career Options - Which Job Provides More Opportunities For New Graduates?

Full-stack development and DevOps provide great career paths, yet there are great differences between the two related careers regarding duties within these roles, their level of difficulty regarding learning how to work in each, and starting up based on experience. For entry-level, full-stack development is more accessible than DevOps, as many companies are willing to hire junior developers, interns, or trainees with only minimal project experience before applying. Students can begin their freelance careers by creating small webpages and getting paid, as well as continue to build upon their skill set through experience in building websites. Examples of job titles include front-end developer, back-end developer, full-stack developer, web designer, and user interface (UI) developer. In contrast, DevOps is regarded as more advanced than full-stack development and, thus, will require applicants to possess more advanced technical skills to work in DevOps. 

Because of this, many fresh graduates pursuing careers as DevOps Engineers must learn about Linux, basic networking, cloud infrastructure, and various automation tools prior to submitting applications. Once a new graduate has entered into a position with DevOps, the potential salary is significantly higher, as well as the rapid career development and long-term stability of a career in DevOps. Examples of job titles include DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), Build & Release Engineer, and Automation Specialist. There are numerous entry-level opportunities in full-stack development, but fewer opportunities for entry-level developers exist with DevOps due to the potential for significant salary growth as it continues to grow within the role. For new graduates who want an easy pathway for rapid career growth, full-stack development provides the ideal opportunity. For those who want to earn higher salaries working in a technology-based role related to cloud, DevOps will provide a better option.

Conclusion: Networking Is the Best Career Path for Ambitious Freshers

 Full-stack development will have a gentler learning curve, more visual examples, and provide entry-level positions that lead to more professional jobs later on. Full-stack development is great for individuals who want to create a portfolio quickly and get into the workforce quickly. On the other hand, students who enjoy working in the cloud (cloud computing), managing servers, automating processes, and working behind the scenes will want to start with DevOps. DevOps is perfect for those who love Linux, tools, and systems rather than doing design and coding work. Becoming proficient at implementing DevOps processes takes time, but it pays off in the form of great salaries and job security – among the highest ever seen in IT for most positions today. 

If you're not sure which path you'd like to take at this time, your first step is to learn the basics of full-stack application Development. Start learning Git version control, HTML markup language, CSS Style sheet language, and JavaScript scripting language for a couple of months. At the end of 2 months, if you still enjoy working through coding exercises, then full-stack development is the path you will want to pursue as your next career choice. Should you also discover that you are interested in utilizing Cloud-Based Services, server management, or automating various processes, then you might want to consider switching to the DevOps field. Areas of responsibility between the two areas of expertise overlap a lot; therefore, as a full-stack developer, you may use the tools and technologies associated with DevOps throughout your career.