Full Stack vs MEAN Stack: Differences From Different Perspectives

In today’s software development environment, a plethora of technologies, frameworks, languages, and tools are being used. This is where stack comes into the picture.

A stack is a combination of languages, frameworks, and technologies used in the creation of mobile app development and web development.

Generally, any software is divided into two parts – client-side and server-side, also known as front-end and back-end. The selection of the right tech stack has a great impact on the growth and success of the web application.

Here, we are talking about two popular stacks – MEAN stack and Full Stack. Let’s discuss Full stack vs MEAN stack in detail.

What Is MEAN Stack?

It is a set of JavaScript-based technologies/frameworks used in web application development. MEAN stands for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. MEAN Stack development is widely popular for building advanced and dynamic web apps.

Good Read: Future of Web Apps Brighten with MEAN Stack Development

What Is Full Stack?

Full stack is a term that is used to denote the capability of building both parts of the application – front-end and back-end. Full Stack is a broad term and doesn’t refer to a particular software/tool. Full Stack development is considered as an ability or skill to build full (client-side and server-side) web applications.

Good Read: A Complete Guide To Full-Stack Development

Full Stack Development vs MEAN Stack Development: How Are They Redefining Web App Development?

To understand these stacks in detail, we first need to understand how they relate to web development. As we have mentioned earlier, web development or any software development has two components – backend and frontend.

The frontend is the face of the application. It is used by end-users to interact with the website or app. It includes design, user experience (UX), user interfaces (UI), graphics, content, and components that are related to the look-and-feel of the website.

Backend is the backbone of the application. It’s a part that is not visible to end-users neither the processes. The backend is a logical part where data are stored, processed, manipulated, and sent to the frontend for presentation. All functionalities of the website are programmed in the backend. It mainly targets ‘response’ given to users that includes processed data or calculated results.

Both these parts require different technologies yet they complement each other. While frontend requires technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, backend focuses on database management and server-side programming.

This is where Full Stack and MEAN stack differs.

MEAN stack is one of the popular Full Stack frameworks consists of JavaScript-based technologies like MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and NodeJS. On the other hand, Full Stack means having a knowledge of developing both – frontend and backend parts of the website.

Full Stack is a broad concept and requires a set of languages, tools, and concepts to learn, unlike MEAN. In MEAN stack, you will require knowledge of 4 frameworks mentioned in this acronym (first letter of each). MEAN is Full Stack because it consists of:

MongoDB – a database

Express.js – Backend web application framework for Node.js

Angular – Frontend web framework

Node.js – Backend JavaScript runtime environment

This together makes MEAN a complete web development framework. MEAN has played a significant role in increasing the popularity of Full Stack. This is because, MEAN stack developers are capable of developing a whole web application that includes database management, frontend, and backend using JavaScript-based frameworks.

Good Read: MEAN Stack For Startups: What Does It MEAN For Startups?

Full Stack vs MEAN Stack Key Differences

• From Technology Perspective:

Full Stack not only requires knowledge of several frontend and backend technologies but also mandates knowledge of deployment, optimization, web design, and automation. They are expected to work on a diverse range of tools and almost everything that requires building modern web apps.

Opposite to this, MEAN stack allows developers to leverage JavaScript-based frameworks (4 mentioned frameworks) to build complete web applications.

• From A Developer Perspective:

Full Stack developers are high in demand due to its versatile role. Full Stack mainly refers to the skills of developers who can work on both, client-side and server-side. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth performance of the website continuously and also ensure continuous enhancement.

MEAN stack developers must be expert in JavaScript as MEAN is all about JavaScript for backend and frontend development.

• Frontend And Backend Tools:

In MEAN, Angular is quite famous for building responsive, appealing, and user-friendly interfaces. Express.js is a Node.js web application framework and popular as a de facto standard server framework. MongoDB is a leading NoSQL database and widely used in modern applications. Node.js makes enterprise app development easier and faster and also good for high-traffic, real-time web applications.

Here, Full Stack developers have an extra advantage to choose from languages like PHP, C#, C++, Python, Java, or any other. Full Stack developers must know at least one backend and frontend framework to be able to develop modern web applications.

• Responsibilities And Role:

MEAN stack developer is expected to have very good JavaScript knowledge. Full stack developers are responsible to handle the entire project from ideation to implementation. They must possess analytical as well as development skills to bring ideas to life from concept to development and deployment.

• Frameworks:

Full Stack developers are quite fit for a diverse range of projects as they are capable to work on multiple frameworks and languages. Database knowledge is not restricted to MongoDB in the case of Full Stack.

MEAN stack developers can also use other JS-based client-side frameworks like React. This is why MERN came into existence. MERN consists of 4 technologies – MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js. As MEAN stack developers are JS experts, they can quickly learn similar frameworks and tools.

Good Read: Full Stack Development – The Latest Techno Mantra Today

Full Stack vs MEAN Stack: A Quick Comparison