How to become a MEAN stack developer - A Complete Guide 

Get to know everything about mean stack development and what makes it an in-demand career option for someone looking for a fresh start in their career

What is meant by MEAN Stack?

MEAN is a full stack software bundle. It uses JavaScript frameworks for front-end, back-end tools as well as for libraries. 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, and primarily used to build dynamic websites. 

MEAN stack is an open source software package and 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, you can follow the roadmap to full stack web development.

Who is a MEAN stack developer?

A MEAN stack developer is a full stack web developer. However, a full stack developer has a broader scope and knowledge on various programming languages and stack-based frameworks. Check out the full-stack offline classes offered by Crampete.

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 and back-end server scripting. 

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

What does MEAN stand for?

The term MEAN was coined in 2013. It is an abbreviation of the four web development technologies that make up a full stack tool. They are MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. It is user-friendly and still used as a popular stack tool. Full-stack development tools can also be used with MEAN stack to make coding easier. 

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 is for python. MEAN is not the order of the stack. It is just an acronym.

According to the three-tier model, the stacks are arranged as follows: 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 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 MEAN 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 Express.js?

A framework for the back-end NodeJS web development tool, Express.js is a licensed open source web development tool. It is used 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 is Angular.js.  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 and is easy to learn and use.

What is Node.js?

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

All of the above are key requirements while working as MEAN stack developers. These skills are essential for someone who wants to work as a full-stack developer too. 

Similarity between full stack and MEAN stack

Since the differences between full-stack and MEAN-stack are quite clear now, we’ll move on to explaining the similarities between the two. You can check out this article - full stack vs. mean stack  if you want to understand more about the two fields. The similarities are as follows:

1. MEAN is a branch of full-stack so both full-stack and MEAN-stack will need you to know all the important programming languages. 
2. MEAN deals more with JavaScript, which will also help you work as a full-stack developer.
3. Full-stack requires an in-depth understanding of all concepts related to website development and MEAN is about understanding the frameworks behind website development.

MEAN Stack Variations

MERN

MERN includes four open-source components: MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and 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

MEVN includes MongoDB, Express.js,Vue.js, and 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.

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 websites 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 part of its syllabus. 

Skills of 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.

What are the job responsibilities of a MEAN stack developer?

1. A MEAN stack developer’s job profile would look something like this-
2. To build interactive consumer data.
3. To resolve technical issues.
4. To design coding architecture for both client-side and server-side.
5. To work closely with researchers and data specialists and engineers to develop advanced systems.
6. To troubleshoot, deploy, and update software. 

Why choose MEAN stack over other full-stack options?

Below we have mentioned some of the reasons why we think MEAN is one of the most sought-after courses -

Flexible and scalable

MEAN stack is used by startups as well as large enterprises. With the technologies and requirements changing and evolving periodically, flexibility becomes a key criterion. 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 use one programming language, that is, Javascript. Most of the other available stacks use various frameworks, which means that the developer has to learn many languages. You may have to learn PHP, Ruby, and 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 use Javascript. This reduces the loading speed of the apps making them faster and efficient. The MEAN stack based on Javascript is a convenient choice to work on.   

From single page applications to complex and dynamic websites 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.

Avoids 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 using MEAN stack. It 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 skills.
• [Salary records obtained from indeed.com, au.indeed.com, and 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 [advantages of studying MEAN stack]
• MEAN stack development is a subset of full stack web development.
• MEAN full stack web development is also an in-demand job and the developers get a high salary.
• They are experts in Javascript. They are adept in working with MongoDB, AngularJS, ExpressJS, and NodeJS. 
• Additionally, the knowledge of ReactJS and VueJS is desirable. 
• You need to learn 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’ll learn Git and some design tools.
• You can use MEAN stack to create Single page Applications as well as complex websites and real-time applications.
• There are a lot of advantages of being a MEAN stack developer compared with others, such as flexibility, scalability and quite user-friendly.

Conclusion

With an impressive salary and tremendous growth opportunities, MEAN stack is here to stay. Developers in this field generally move on to work as technical architects. Since Mean stack developers are strong in building website frameworks, there is always a great need for them in almost every organization. MEAN is definitely the much-needed technology of the future. 

FAQs

1. How do I become a mean stack developer?

• Build a MEAN Stack application.
• Setup a Mean Stack Development Environment.
• Create a new Angular 6 Project.
• Create a new Angular 6 Component.
• Edit a Component.
• Create a MongoDBb database.
• Create a MongoDB Schema.
• Start and Stop MongoDB server.

2. Which companies use mean stack?

1. Accenture.
2. Fiverr.
3. UNIQLO.
4. Sisense.
5. Raindrop.io.
6. Vungle.
7. Onkore, Inc.
8. AngularClass

3. Is Mean stack still popular?

The MEAN stack's technologies are all totally free and open-source. As a result, there are no costs associated with developing an application using the MEAN stack. As a result, MEAN is extensively used by small businesses, making it the most popular framework.

4. Is Mean stack in demand?

The popularity of MEAN stack development has grown owing to its adaptability in creating strong, quick, and maintainable online and mobile applications. Engineers with a strong understanding of JavaScript and MEAN Stack technologies such as MongoDB, Express. js, and Angular are in high demand.

5. Does Google use mean stack?

Today, we're unveiling Google Compute Engine's first Click to Deploy development stack. MEAN brings you the finest of today's open source software: MongoDB is one of the most popular NoSQL databases. Express Web Framework is a lightweight and adaptable web framework.