How to Become a Python Full Stack Developer [Step-by-Step]

Python Full Stack Developer Roadmap

A Python Full Stack Developer is a software engineer who uses Python as their base technology and specializes in front-end and back-end development. They are skilled in designing interactive UIs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They also implement server-side logic using popular Python frameworks like Django and Flask. A full-stack developer is involved in all stages of the software development lifecycle from planning to deployment and maintenance.

Are you interested in full-stack development? Can you streamline user experience across the back-end and front-end of an application? If yes, are you confused about how to move forward? Let me tell you that you've chosen the right language to begin with. We are here with a detailed roadmap elaborating on the journey to becoming a proficient full-stack Python developer. You just need to follow it sequentially and see the results.

Embark on the Journey of Becoming a Full-Stack Python Developer

1. Get hands-on with IDEs And Code Editors

You should know how to use the popular IDEs and Code Editors to write the code in Python. The famous IDEs are:

• PyCharm
• Visual Studio Code
• Atom
• Microsoft Studio Code

Install any one of these IDEs on your computer system and start coding in it.

2. Clear your Python Fundamentals

First, go to Python's official website and download the latest version. Once the installation is done, you can write and run Python code with IDE.

Start with the foundational topics and get conceptual clarity regarding Python Core Concepts. The following topics will be covered under this:

• Variables in Python and String Manipulation
• Conditional statements in Python
• Loops in Python
• Functions in Python, modules & Imports
• Data structures like Lists in Python and Dictionaries in Python
• Exception handling in Python
• Object Oriented Programming Concepts in Python

3. Learn the Basic Python Libraries

• NumPy: Supports mathematical operations on large arrays, multidimensional arrays, matrices, etc.
• Pandas: A data manipulation and analysis tool for data in tabular format.
• SciPy: Free and open source library for scientific and technical computing.
• Scikit-Learn: A machine learning library for Python, designed to work with numerical libraries such as SciPy & NumPy.
• Matplotlib: Used to create bar charts, line plots, histograms, and other graphs for data visualization.
• Seaborn: Supports various visualization types, such as heatmaps, scatterplots, and line plots, and includes features such as color palettes and statistical analysis tools.

4. Front-end development with Python

Front-end development is also referred to as client-side development. It means building a website or online application's User Interface (UI). It determines how each website element will appear and work. Everything you see when you visit a website, such as the buttons and UI components, media, messages, forms, and animations, is produced under the front end.

There are three fundamental front-end technologies that any front-end developer must know. The following are:

• HTML: It is the basic building block of web pages. You can build a single web page for the whole application using HTML. It is used to create any website's "skeleton" or foundation.
• CSS: CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets which allows you to apply styles such as colors, fonts, layouts, and animations to your web pages. It makes you create responsive websites that adjust their layout and styles based on the resolution and orientation of the user's device.
• JavaScript: It increases the website's interactivity. You may design dynamic UI components using JavaScript. It determines what the page will do. It is a lightweight, open, and cross-platform programming language used by developers worldwide to build amazing websites.

Along with these basic languages, you should also know some frameworks and libraries like:

• jQuery: It is a front-end JavaScript library simplifying HTML client-side scripting.
• Angular: A component-based framework for building scalable online applications and a collection of well-integrated tools and modules for developers.
• AJAX: Technology for developing better, faster, and interactive Web Applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML.

Explore ScholarHat's Courses and Programs to strengthen your frontend development skills

5. Back-end development with Python

The back end stores and arranges data, and also makes sure that everything on the client side of the website works fine. Mainly it is part of the website we cannot see and interact with.

Python consists of two popular frameworks for backend development. They are:

1. Django

It is a high-level Python web framework helpful for quickly and efficiently constructing web applications. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, making it simple to create sophisticated web applications with a well-defined structure. You must know its built-in admin interface and powerful object-relational mapper for developing scalable, maintainable online applications that are simple to install and manage.

2. Flask

It is a micro web framework to build a simple website. It is much easier to learn than Django. Flask provides a wide range of extensions, which can be used to add features such as authentication, database integration, and more. Flask is also known for its flexibility, allowing developers to create applications in various ways.

6. Study the Database Management Systems

Database management or DBMS is an inseparable part of full-stack development. A Python full-stack developer must know how to design, build, and query databases. You must be able to write every query accurately to insert and extract information from the database.

Python is compatible with commonly used database systems like:

• Python MySQL: Python can be integrated with a MySQL database with the help of a Python driver known as Python MySQL Connector.
• Python SQLite: The Python SQLite3 module integrates the SQLite database with Python.
• Python JSON: JSON is a format for storing data. It also helps to transfer data between the server and the browser. Python has a built-in JSON module containing all the tools required to work with JSON databases.

Additionally, you must be thorough in Data Structures and Algorithms concepts.

Have a look at the following database and DSA courses:

7. Get a Grip on Python Web Frameworks

Frameworks are collections of core software modules that comprise pre-written code that programmers may utilize to address typical programming tasks. Using frameworks, developers may build project-specific functionality without starting from scratch. Frameworks reduce the amount of code that one has to write. Thus making programming more efficient. Understanding these frameworks is critical to speed development and creating efficient and scalable applications.

There are some commonly used web frameworks like AIOHTTP, CherryPy, Dash, Django, Falcon, Anvil, etc. to ease the web or software development. They enhance the quality of your web applications with marvelous features.

8. Version Control System

A version control system is a tool that helps both the backend and frontend developers collaborate and control the changes made over time. It also gives details about what kinds of changes should be made and by whom. Therefore, a version control system enhances the project speed by allowing developers to interact, remove the possibility of errors, and recover the code if any accident occurs.

The following are the common version control platforms:

• Git
• GitHub
• GitLab
• BitBucket

9. Testing

Ensuring the reliability and functionality of web applications is paramount. It involves verifying the application behaves as expected and meets the required specifications.

The following are the testing methods used by the developers:

• Integration testing
• Unit testing
• Functional testing
• End-to-End Testing

10. Develop a Good Network

Developing a good network is crucial for finding job opportunities and advancing your career. Networking involves building professional relationships with people in your industry, such as colleagues, mentors, recruiters, and alumni. Networking can be done both in-person and online through social media platforms such as LinkedIn.

11. Get Certifications

Earning a certification may improve your chances of getting hired or promoted. It makes you stand out of the crowd.

ScholarHat offers various certification courses to make your dream of becoming a full-stack developer a reality.

Summary

To become a Python full-stack developer, you need dedication, patience, and perseverance. You will face several challenges in your journey. Sometimes, the UI will not be appealing, and other times, the database will not get integrated. It would help if you implemented your learnings. Python is a very easy language in terms of syntax and libraries. So, start with it and reach great heights.