Is Learning the MERN Stack Worth It for Beginners?

Honestly, the whole focus on a specific stack like MERN doesn't really matter in practice. Many developers use various techs beyond those four letters. MERN is popular with startups and side projects because it's quick to set up and easy to work with. MongoDB has its benefits, like flexibility, but there are newer options out there like Firebase and Supabase that might be better suited for certain projects. Overall, you can use whatever tech fits your needs best; for example, React is dominating frontend while backends have tons of choices, including Node.js. It's less about the stack and more about what works for you!

You know, big companies tend to stick with their databases for a long time since migrating is tough and costly. That’s why you see things like DB2 or COBOL still around. It often comes down to what works for them on a larger scale.

MongoDB isn't as popular in big companies because relational databases are usually a better fit for many use cases. But it’s still seen in plenty of startups and brands like eBay and Uber. Node.js, while newer, is gaining a lot of traction and is actually quite popular in smaller teams. If you're starting out, the MERN stack has its advantages, especially since everything is in JavaScript, which makes transitioning to other stacks easier down the line. Just keep your options open for when you're ready to explore more!

I’d suggest starting with PostgreSQL instead of MongoDB since it handles data in a more structured way, which is often a better approach for beginners. There are plenty of other solid options too!

MERN can be tough for newbies, especially if you’re not confident with JavaScript yet. It might be better to learn something like Python with Django and PostgreSQL to get full-stack projects done faster. But if you're ambitious, mastering React and Next.js with TypeScript and Tailwind CSS might be a great route too!