Full stack development refers to design, creation, and implementation of both front end and back end of a web application. FSD or Full stack development includes client and server programming, cloud deployment, containerization, and AI integration for modern web applications.
What does full stack development involve?
Full stack development covers everything from user interface to deployment and data storage. A full stack developer works across multiple platforms and technologies such as presentation layer (the front end), logical layer (the backend), and the database layer. Roles include creating UI/UX, APIs, building server logic, managing databases, testing, deployment, and ensuring smooth performance.
Common Full stack technologies
The most common full stack technologies include LAMP Stack, LEMP Stack, MEAN, and MERN.
LAMP Stack – Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP
The LAMP stack is used by traditional CMS sites like WordPress and Joomla. The environment is easy to configure and is best suited for moderate traffic applications. They are easy to set up, have a mature ecosystem with wide hosting support. On the downside, Apache is resource-intensive and less efficient under higher load.
The main components of a LAMP stack are:
- Linux: an open-source, secure, and reliable operating system widely used for server OS.
- Apache: A process-driven web server known for its compatibility and extensive modules.
- MySQL: Popular RDBMS ideal for structured and tabular data.
- PHP: Server-side scripting language that is well integrated with Apache and MySQL, powering dynamic content.
LEMP Stack – Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP
Used for high-traffic and performance-critical web applications and modern cloud deployments, LEMP stack is scalable and performs better under high load with lower memory and CPU use. The downside of LEMP stack is the complex configuration when compared to Apache and lacks the flexibility of .htaccess.
The technologies behind a LEMP stack are:
- Linux: the same OS as the LAMP stack, Linux for robust OS foundation.
- NGINX: Apache is replaced with Nginx event-driven web service and reverse proxy to handle concurrent connections efficiently with lower resource use. Nginx is a lightweight web server offering higher performance.
- MySQL and PHP: the same as the LAMP stack but PHP works faster with FastCGI for dynamic content.
MEAN Stack – MongoDB, Express.js, Angular & Node.js
The MEAN stack is a modern real-time application development environment requiring single language JavaScript development across the stack. Perfect for full stack JS, rich tooling, and excellent for enterprise apps, MEAN is one of the most sought-after skills in FSD in 2025. The only downside to MEAN is the learning curve that comes with Angular and the heavy initial payload.
MEAN uses NoSQL document database and is schemaless for flexible data models. The combination with Express.js makes a minimalist Node.js web framework for building RESTful APIs. Angular is a full-featured front-end framework with two-way data binding and TypeScript support, and finally Node.js is the JavaScript runtime for server-side development of event-driven, non-blocking applications.
MERN Stack – MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js
A fan of React? The MERN stack is perfect for projects needing flexibility, fast UI rendering with robust backend JavaScript. Very similar to MEAN but replaces Angular with React JS. Made component-based front-end library focusing on UI flexibility and virtual DOM. React ecosystem and flexibility, strong community, and easy learning curve make MERN preferred by developers but this requires additional tools for routing and state management.
Django Stack – Python, Django & MySQL
The Django stack is best for rapid development for data-driven applications and admin-heavy websites. The stack uses Python as a programming language offering high-level performance. Django offers batteries-included web framework with ORM, admin panel, and authentication while MySQL is the database preferred.
Django is preferred for secure, scalable applications that require strong conventions and quick development. The downside is the less flexible frontend often paired with React or Vue for modern UI.
The best tech stack for small portfolio
Choosing a tech stack requires careful analysis of the project and the requirements coupled with costs and budget. Small portfolio projects that are light and fast to deploy, easy to maintain while showcasing both a great front end and back end from the choice of MERN, MEAN, Jamstack, Django, and LAMP is often the first step to developing most projects.
Ideal tech stack for small projects
- MERN Stack: They are best for dynamic web apps and CRUD apps. The JavaScript-only environment with a huge community backing, easy hosting on VERCEL or Render makes MERN stack perfect for small applications.
- JAMStack: JavaScript, APIs + Markup (Next.js, Static CMS) is a perfect technology for portfolio websites and blogs. They are fast and serverless and great for SEO and static development. Jamstack often has limitations and is difficult to scale.
- Django Stack: Perfect for CMS-styled personal sites, Django stack offers a quick setup, built-in admin area, secure and scalable interface for small data apps. The downside is the UI but the plus side is that it can be scaled.
- Serverless Stack: Perfect for microservices and smaller prototypes, Serverless stack has no backend management and is often charged as pay per use. They are great for small budget applications.
- LAMP Stack: Content-heavy websites and blogs are the perfect use case for LAMP stacks. This includes WordPress, WooCommerce or websites that use PHP with MySQL. The hosting is simple and the project is often cost-effective for those with PHP familiarity.