What is Mean Stack Developer? Meaning, Salary, Skills, Growth

Before we learn about MEAN Stack Developer, let’s understand-

What is Mean Stack?

Mean Stack refers to a collection of JavaScript technologies used to develop web applications. Therefore, from the client to the server and from server to database, everything is based on JavaScript. MEAN is a full-stack development toolkit used to develop a fast and robust web applications.

MEAN is a user-friendly stack which is the ideal solution for building dynamic websites and applications. This free and open-source stack offers a quick and organized method for creating rapid prototypes for web-based applications.

MEAN is comprised of four different technologies:

  • MongoDB express is a schemaless NoSQL database system
  • Express JS is a framework used to build web applications in Node
  • AngularJS is a JavaScript framework developed by Google
  • Node.js is a server-side JavaScript execution environment

Mean Stack

What is Mean Stack Developer?

A MEAN Stack Developer is a JavaScript based application programmer who mainly works on the MEAN stack(MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, NodeJS). Mean stack developers work on both the backend as well as front-end of the application which are all JavaScript based and hence a Mean stack developer must have in-depth knowledge of JavaScript.

What is MongoDB?

MongoDB is an open-source, cross-platform database which is written in C++. It stores data in the key-value pair, using binary data type like JSON. It is a document-oriented NoSQL Database. A document in MongoDB resembles an Object in OOPS

Mongo DB is an ideal choice for a database system where you need to manage large sized tables with millions of data. Moreover, including a field to Mongo DB is easier as it does not require updating the entire table. With Mongo DB you develop an entire application with just one application, i.e. JavaScript.

What is Express.JS?

Express is a mature, flexible, lightweight server framework. It is designed for building single, multi-page, and hybrid web applications. This lightweight framework uses the Pug engine to provide support for templates.

Express is the de-facto framework for Nodejs and is draws heavy inspiration from Sinatra, the popular Ruby framework.

What is Angular JS?

Angular JS is an open-source JavaScript framework. Angular is maintained by Google. The goal of this framework is to introduce MVC(Model View Controller) architecture in the browser-based application that makes the development and testing process easier. The framework helps you create a smarter web app that supports personalization.

AngularJS allows us to use HTML as a template language. Therefore, you can extend HTML’s syntax to express the components of your application. Angular features like dependency injection and data binding eliminate plenty of code that you need to write.

What is Node JS?

Node.js allows developers to create web servers and build web applications on it. It’s a server-side Javascript execution environment.

Node.js uses a non-blocking and event-driven I/O model. This makes it lightweight and efficient, perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices.

It allows developers to create data-intensive real-time apps that run across distributed devices. You can run Node.js runtime on Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Mean Stack Architecture

The primary function of various components of Mean Stack Architecture are as follows:

Angular JS: Accept requests and display results to end user

NodeJS: Handle Client and Server Requests

Express JS: Make requests to Database and return a response

MongoDB: Store and retrieve data.

Mean Stack Architecture

Mean Stack Architecture Diagram

  1. Firstly, the client makes a request which is processed by the AngularJS
  2. After that, the request moves to NodeJS which will parse the request.
  3. ExpressJs will make calls to MongoDB to get or set data.
  4. MongoDB will retrieve the requested data and return that request to the Express JS
  5. NodeJS will return the request to the client.
  6. At the client side, AngularJS to display the result fetched from MongoDB.

What is Mean Stack Developer Salary?

The average salary for “mean stack developer” in the United States ranges from approximately $90,148 per year.

Mean Stack Developer Salary

Skillsets of Mean Stack developer

  • Mean stack developer should work on the Front-end and Back-end processes
  • Mean Stack developer should able to work with HTML & CSS
  • He/She should understand programming templates and architecture design guidelines
  • Knowledge of web development, continuous integration, and cloud technologies
  • Good understanding of DB architecture
  • Knowledge of SDLC and experience developing in an Agile environment
  • Collaborate with the IT team to build strong systems to support business objectives
  • Of course, hands-on experience on Mongo, Express, Angular, Node.

What is the Future of Mean stack Developer?

Being, a Mean stack developer is highly desirable, challenging vocation. So, if you are ready to work on the diverse skill set and have the experience of working with various code languages and application, then you will become successful MEAN stack developer.

Application Architecture(Technical Architect) is an area you can easily progress in the future after gaining experience as a mean stack developer.

Advantages of Mean Stack

Here, are some most prominent reasons for using Mean Stack technology

  • Allows creating a simple open source solution which can be used to build robust and maintainable solutions.
  • Helps in rapid development of applications
  • MEAN is full stack JavaScript which is 100% free. Leverage JavaScript’s popularity
  • Use a uniform language throughout your stack
  • Uses very low memory footprint/overhead
  • Helps you to avoid unnecessary groundwork and keeps your application organized
  • MongoDB is built for the cloud
  • Node.js simplifies the server layer
  • MEAN makes code isomorphic

Disadvantages of Mean Stack

  • MongoDB may be an ideal choice for small to the mid-sized application. However, it is not the best option for large-scale applications
  • There are no specific general JS coding guidelines
  • Once you have developed the first site using Mean stack technology, it’s really hard to go back to the old approach
  • It offers poor isolation of server from business logic
  • You could potentially lose records

Summary

  • Mean stack refers to a collection of JavaScript technologies used to develop web applications
  • MongoDB is an open-source, cross-platform database which is written in C++
  • Express is a mature, flexible, lightweight server framework. It is designed for building single, multi-page, and hybrid web applications
  • Angular JS is an open-source JavaScript framework which is maintained by Google
  • Node.js allows developers to create web servers and build web applications on it. It’s a server-side JavaScript execution environment
  • Mean Stck Architecture consists of MongoDB, Express JS, Angular JS, and NodeJS
  • Mean stack (full stack developer) should work on the Front-end and Back-end
  • MEAN is a user-friendly stack which is the ideal solution for building dynamic websites and applications.
  • The biggest disadvantage of using Mean stack framework is that there are no specific general JS coding guidelines