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Choosing the Right Tech Stack as a Developer in 2023

The world of software development is enormous. Before you know it, you could get lost in the languages, frameworks, and other technologies that may or may not lead to your next successful software project or job.

The tech stack you choose depends on the type of development you plan to do. If you want to build mobile apps, you will need a different tech stack than if you a going to develop web apps. If you develop web apps, the tech stack you work with will vary depending on whether you are working in the front end or the back end. Before we get into more details, let's look at what a tech stack is.

Table of Contents
What is a Tech Stack?
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Types of Tech Stacks
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Web Development Tech Stacks
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Mobile Development Tech Stacks
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How to Choose a Tech Stack
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How to Find a Job for Your Tech Stack
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Icon of a black circle surrounding a black arrow pointing to the right.
Icon of a black circle surrounding a black arrow pointing to the right.
Icon of a black circle surrounding a black arrow pointing to the right.

What is a Tech Stack?

A tech stack is a collection of technologies that are used to build and run a software application. The term "tech stack" refers to the combination of technologies used on the server side, or back-end, of an application, as well as the technologies used on the client side, or front-end.

Some common technologies that may be in a tech stack include:

Programming languages

Examples include Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and C#.  

Frameworks

These pre-built libraries and tools provide a structure for building an application. Examples include Rails for Ruby, Django for Python, and ASP.NET for C#.

Databases

These are used to store and retrieve data for the application. Examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.

Server-side libraries and tools

These support the development and deployment of the application. Examples include package managers, continuous integration tools, and cloud hosting platforms.

Types of Tech Stacks

The choice of your tech stack depends heavily on what types of projects you want to build in your career. What part of that tech stack you work with on the job could depend on your job description. You may work on one part of the stack while other members of your team handle a different part.

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Web Development Tech Stacks

A tech stack for web development can be simplified into three parts:

1. The front-end developer tech stack

The part of the app that runs in the browser, which includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JavaScript frameworks.

2. The back-end developer tech stack

The part of the app that runs on the server, which can use various languages and frameworks.

3. The database

The part of the app that stores data.

In many companies, the database is included in the back-end stack. If you look at all of these parts as a whole, it's called a full-stack developer tech stack.

Best tech stacks for web development

LAMP

Includes the Linux operating system, Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP programming language.  

MEAN

Includes the Mongo database, Express server framework, Angular front-end framework, and Node.js.  

MERN

Includes the Mongo database, Express server framework, React front-end framework, and Node.js.

MEVN

Includes the Mongo database, Express server framework, Vue front-end framework, and Node.js.

ASP.NET

Includes the IIS web server, SQL Server database, and Microsoft Azure cloud computing service.

Mobile Development Tech Stacks

There is also a wide variety of mobile development tech stacks. Which you choose to use depends on whether you are going to be a cross-platform or a native mobile app developer.

When developing native mobile apps, your stack will depend on whether you are going to develop Android or iOS apps. If it's Android, you have the choice between using Java or Kotlin programming languages along with the Android Studio IDE. If it's iOS, you can choose between the Objective-C or Swift programming languages along with the Xcode IDE.

Cross-platform mobile development tech stacks allow developers to build apps for both Android and iOS from the same codebase. There is a variety to choose from, including the following popular ones:

  • React Native: This mobile framework, created by Facebook, uses JavaScript for building Android and iOS apps and the web.
  • Xamarin: This mobile framework uses C# and .NET to build apps for both platforms.
  • Flutter: This framework was developed by Google to build both Android and iOS apps and uses a programming language called Dart.

The best tech stack for mobile app development depends upon the app you are building. A cross-platform stack will allow you to build apps more quickly, but with a native development stack, you can build more performant apps.

How to Choose a Tech Stack

Choosing a tech stack can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider and a wide range of options to choose from. Here are some steps you can follow to help you make the right decision:

Mobile phone graphic with instructions on how to choose a tech stack in 4 steps written in a notes app.

1. Define your requirements

Make a list of the functionalities and features you need to include and consider any constraints or limitations that may affect your choice of technology.  

2. Research available technologies

Consider factors such as the programming languages, frameworks, databases, and other tools that are commonly used in your industry or for projects with similar requirements. You also want to consider the popularity and relevance of each technology in the industry.  

3. Evaluate the pros and cons of each option

Consider factors such as the learning curve for each technology, the availability of jobs, the cost of development and maintenance, and industry popularity.

4. Make a decision

Based on your research and evaluation, choose the tech stack that best meets your project's or your career's needs.

Your tech stack may evolve as your project grows or your career develops. Adjust your stack as needed to ensure that it continues to meet your needs and the needs of the industry.

How to Find a Job for Your Tech Stack

Once you have found a tech stack that fits your career path, build some projects with it, and add them to your portfolio. Also, include the stack on your LinkedIn profile. And when you're ready to find a well-paying position that will put your knowledge of the tech stack to use, submit your resume or apply for a job to get connected to an Advantis Global recruiter.

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