What is Mean Stack Web Development? How to Become a Mean Stack Web Developer?

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What is MEAN Stack?

MEAN is a full stack software bundle. It uses JavaScript frameworks for front-end, back-end tools as well as for library. The database is a document-driven NoSQL Database. Thus, MEAN stack is a full stack web development tool. It is used to develop web applications that are fast and efficient. They are used to primarily build dynamic web sites.

MEAN stack is an open source software package. MEAN stack is easy to learn. You can call yourself a full stack web developer if you master JavaScript, and by extension work with MEAN stack. To know more about it, use the roadmap to full stack web development.

Who is a MEAN stack web developer?

A MEAN stack developer is a full stack web developer only for their MEAN stack Knowledge but a full stack developer has a broader scope and knowledge on various programming languages and stacks based frameworks.

A MEAN Stack developer is an expert in MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js and Node.js. They are proficient in Javascript and use HTML, CSS and Javascript to handle front-end operations, back-end server scripting.

The MongoDB database does not use javascript but uses commands that are similar enough to javascript. This is why the MEAN stack developer is also called Javascript full-stack web developers.

What does MEAN stand for?

The term MEAN was coined in 2013. It abbreviates the four web development technologies that make up this full stack tool. They are MongoDB, Experss.js, Angular.js, Node.js. This is user-friendly and still a popular stack tool.

More full stack web development tools can be used along with MEAN stack to make coding easier. MEAN is just the given name for the stack like Django for python. MEAN is not the order of the stack. It is just an acronym.

According to the three-tier model, the stacks will be arranged as such: AngularJS framework for the client-side coding. This is followed by NodeJs which is the toll for server-side scripting. Then comes ExpressJS which is a framework for the NodeJS. The final and third layer is the database layer and is represented by MongoDB. Let us see a few details about the parts of this stack.

What is MongoDB?

MongoDB is the database component of this stack. It is a NoSQL database where a document is like an Object. It is written in C++, Python, Javascript and Go. It is document-oriented and supports multiple platforms. It is fast and can handle a large quantity of unstructured data. It is an open source software.

What is Experss.js?

A framework for the back-end NodeJS web development tool. It is a licensed open source web development tool. It is for building Web Applications and Application Programming Interfaces(APIs). It is used on applications that have a server that will listen for a connection request from the client-side. It hosts node.js projects.

What is Angular.js?

The front-end framework component of MEAN stack. It is a licensed open source web development tool. It was developed by Google to counter challenges in Single page applications. You can build web and mobile applications using AngularJS. It allows HTML as its template language. This is easy to learn and use.

What is Node.js?

The back-end framework component of MEAN stack. It is a licensed open source web development tool. It is a Javascript runtime environment that runs outside the browser. It is platform independent. It is lightweight and efficient. it is the best tool for real-time applications. It is used to develop server-side and network applications.

MEAN Stack variations

MERN

MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js. The front-end framework Angular is replaced by ReactJS. React is a javascript library for creating user interfaces. React is chosen over angular in certain cases because it can be used to write self-contained components.

MEVN

MongoDB, Express.js,Vue.js, Node.js. The front-end framework Angular is replaced by VueJS. Vue is simpler to learn and easier to code. It is also highly customizable. It is built by rectifying certain issues faced in react and angular.

VueJS.

Learn MEAN stack web development

MEAN stack is a good skill for professionals to have. It is also good for beginners to learn. It is easy. It needs only one programming language. It can be used to build robust , fast web sites and real-time applications . Learn MEAN stack and Full Stack web development courses online. Preferably, you should select a course that includes MEAN stack as a part of its syllabus. Make sure you don’t fall for a con.

Skills required by a MEAN stack developer

• HTML, CSS and javascript programming languages.
• CSS and Javascript based frameworks.
• Basic understanding of the client-side processes and requirements.
• Basic understanding of the server-side processes and requirements.
• Basic understanding of the architecture and workflow.
• MEAN stack expertise- ability to work with Angular.js, Node.js, Express.js and MongoDB. If not Angular, then you need to know ReactJS or VueJS
• Familiar with package manager-npm.
• Familiarity with Git and design framework like MotionUI is desirable.
• Time-management, Critical thinking and communication skills are expected.

Why choose MEAN Stack over other full-stack options?

Flexible and scalable

MEAN stack is comfortably used by startups as well as large enterprises. With the technologies and requirements changing and evolving periodically, flexibility becomes the point to demand. This is the speciality of MEAN stack.

Free of Cost

It is an open source stack. Each technology in this stack is open source. This means that it is available free of cost and anybody can use it. This turns out to be cost-effective for the organizations that use MEAN stack for their web development requirements.

One Stack, One Language!

All the frameworks used under MEAN stack uses one programming language, that is, Javascript. Most of the other available stacks use various frameworks which means that the developer has to learn that many languages. You may have to learn PHP, Ruby, Python among other languages just to get started on full stack web development. But, in MEAN stack, all you need to learn is Javascript.

Speed

Javascript based web applications are well known. Build chatbots, single page applications and progressive web pages and others using Javascript. This reduces the loading speed of the apps making them faster and efficient. The MEAN stack is based on Javascript is a convenient choice to work on.

From single page applications to complex and dynamic web sites everything can be built using Javascript. So, if you are looking for a career change to a bigger company with more complicated requirements, MEAN stack is more than enough.

Avoid rewriting

MEAN stack allows you to transfer codes from one framework to another and ensures flawless performance. This is generally a very difficult and time-consuming task. Many times, it is impossible. This is made super easy by MEAN stack. This saves a lot of time and work. The developer need not repeat the same set of codes again for the task. This makes it developer friendly.

User-friendly

The front-end Angular framework has the distinction of being the technology that gives the most user-friendly results. This framework has changed the user experience in a fundamental way with more dynamic and interactive content.

What is the salary of a MEAN stack developer abroad?

The average salary in Australia is A$112,169/-. The highest recorded salary is A$208,000/-.

The average salary is €49, 230/- in the United Kingdom. The highest recorded salary is €106,000/-.

The salary in the United States is $111302/-. The highest recorded salary is $216,000/-.

The salary is subject to change depending upon the location, the relevant experience and the skills.

Salary records obtained from indeed.com, au.indeed.com, indeed.co.uk.

What is the salary of a MEAN stack developer in India?

The national average of a javascript/MEAN stack developer in India is Rs. 5,28,436/- per year. The highest recorded salary is around 15 Lakhs*.

The salary is subject to change depending upon the location, the relevant experience and the skills.

Salary records obtained from Indeed.co.in.

Summary

• The MEAN stack developer is a subset of a full stack web developer.
• MEAN full stack web developer is also an in-demand job and the developers get a high salary.
• They are experts in Javascript. They are adepts at working with MongoDB, AngularJS, ExpressJS, NodeJS.
• Additionally, knowledge of ReactJS and VueJS is desirable.
• You need to learn an only Javascript programming language and build upon it.
• It reduces the amount of code being written with isomorphic code.
• In addition to the stack, you should learn Git and some design tools.
• You can use MEAN stack to create Single page Applications as well as complex web sites and real-time applications.
• There are a lot of advantages to being a MEAN stack developer over other stacks, like flexibility, scalability and very user-friendly.