Software Developer Vs. Full-Stack Developer: Which Is The Best?

Are you interested in becoming a full-stack developer? Or are you considering a career as a software developer/engineer? Let us look at the difference between the two.

What is the role of a full-stack developer?

A full-stack developer works with a variety of technologies and is proficient in all aspects of web development. They can work on numerous layers and be a part of the entire process of developing a web app or a website. Full-stack development frameworks are utilised to make the construction of front-end and back-end technologies easier.

There are also full-stack development tools for features such as database, package managers, AWS DynamoDB, plug-ins, servers, APIs, and many others. If you are interested in becoming a full-stack developer, Cogent university offers an online full-stack developer course.

What is the role of a software developer?

Within itself, a software developer/engineer is a broad phrase. It could indicate that the organisation is searching for someone with design skills or writing and managing the computer software. As a result, software engineers are limited to working on one layer of the development process. 

They create and develop user-centered software, such as database programs, operating systems, and even web applications and browsers. Software engineers also have in-depth knowledge of programming languages and operating systems, which they use to write specialized applications for their clients. 

Skills Required

Full-Stack developers: Databases, server side & client-side development, and system engineering are all skills that full-stack devs should have. They must also be familiar with the programming languages used in these disciplines. A full-stack developer should be proficient with front-end languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and back-end languages like Python, PHP and Java.

Software Engineers: They are fluent in various programming languages, as their choice is based on the project's requirements. Generally, Software developers concentrate on programming languages that can be used to create operating system applications. As a result, they'll need to study C#, Java, Swift, and other programming languages. They should also have a basic understanding of computer science fundamentals. 

Salary

A full-stack developer's average annual income is $65K-$105K. You might expect a significant rise in your earnings as you get more expertise and master more skills. By enrolling in an online full stack development course, you may improve your resume, build a solid full-stack portfolio, and earn a certification resulting in better opportunities. 

A software developer's average annual income is at $45k-$80K. The salary will rise depending on your skills and experience. 

Career and Learning path

Full-stack engineers are in high demand among companies. They are hired as technical support or a technical partner because they can handle both the client-side and server-side of an application. Because of their broad skill sets, full-stack engineers can also operate as business owners. You don't necessarily need a tech degree to be a full Stack Developer; you'll need to learn about front and back-end development, design, and programming languages to enter this domain. 

Major corporations are always in need of software engineers. Software developers collaborate in groups to look after a company's IT or focus on a single component of an application. A bachelor's degree in computer science is required to work as a software engineer. In comparison to full-stack programming, the entry hurdle in this industry is higher.

Conclusion

It isn't easy to decide whether you want to be a full stack developer or a software engineer. Take a look at your areas of interest before deciding between the two. What fascinates you the most? Websites, apps, or complicated programs?

To learn more about software development and Full-Stack development, you can take a look at Cogent's blogs and courses related to full-stack and software development. 

‍