I've been working as a React developer for both web and native applications for about four years now. I'm thinking about expanding my skills to become a full stack developer, but I'm not sure where to start or what backend language I should focus on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
7 Answers
My advice is just to check the job market in your area and go with what seems to be in demand. That will give you the best shot at landing a job in full stack development.
Starting with NodeJS could be a great fit since it’s mostly JavaScript. You'd feel comfortable moving to backend development with it. Also, check out Zod for modelization—it could be useful for sharing code between your frontend and backend.
I’d suggest you start with NodeJS since the JS background will help. But it's also good to explore other languages. I personally recommend Python with Django if you want to branch out—though I might be a bit biased!
Definitely consider Node.js because it's a great fit for JavaScript developers. But also think about learning Java; it's widely used in enterprise environments. Stay away from the trendy stuff and focus on what companies are actually using.
Nobody's mentioned Next.js yet! Since you're already familiar with React, it would be smart to learn Next.js for a full stack approach.
You might want to consider learning backend languages that are popular in the industry, like Java or C#. They're pretty similar to JavaScript in some ways. C# is kind of like TypeScript, which could make it easier for you to pick up.
That sounds complicated and might add unnecessary complexity. With your JavaScript background, you’d likely have a better shot at getting hired as a self-taught full stack dev with a focus on JS, especially in startups. Plus, you'll have time to transition to another language later if needed.
Check out local job applications to see what languages are in demand around you. Things like RoR, Deno, Django, or even Rust might be popular where you live!
Is C# still commonly used? I mostly hear about Java and Spring Boot in enterprise environments. What companies are even using C# these days?