Full-Stack, Full Circle

The Shifting Landscape of Software Engineering

When I started my career, the term "full-stack developer" was a badge of honor. It represented versatility and mastery across the breadth of development. Back then, the divide in engineering roles was between "proper" software developers—working on RDBMSes, kernels, or devices in low-level languages like C—and those writing scripts for the burgeoning internet in high-level, often interpreted languages. If you were building for the web, you were expected to handle everything: HTML, CSS (as it emerged), JavaScript, backend scripting (PHP or ColdFusion, anyone?), and even database management.

But as the industry matured, specialization took hold. New tools emerged, reshaping workflows and reorienting priorities. I've watched these shifts unfold over the years, each one changing how we work, what we value, and what skills dominate the hiring landscape.

The Rise of Specialization

Early on, database normalization and SQL query optimization were routine parts of an engineer's job. But then came ORMs (Object-Relational Mappers), abstracting database interactions and pushing developers toward simpler, single-table queries. Why worry about normalization or complex joins when you could avoid them altogether? Soon after, NoSQL gained prominence, eschewing relational databases entirely in favor of key-value stores for many applications.

The backend, once dominated by structured, rule-heavy paradigms like SOAP and RPC, embraced the simplicity of REST. Each endpoint mirrored CRUD operations for database tables. From there, GraphQL emerged, offering a more flexible way to query and mutate data—a natural progression in the move toward abstraction.

Meanwhile, the front-end underwent its own revolution. Vanilla JavaScript gave way to jQuery, then to powerful frameworks like Angular and React. Modern developers no longer directly manipulate the DOM; instead, they orchestrate components, states, and data flows. JavaScript's evolution into Node.js and TypeScript blurred the lines between front-end and back-end development, creating a language that (almost) works across the stack.

Abstraction Meets Automation

Layer upon layer of abstraction has culminated in a world where tools can generate complex systems in minutes. Entire startups can spin up from an AI-generated prompt, and engineers find themselves working not on code but on managing these abstractions. The boundaries between front-end and back-end have dissolved for many, and the question of "full-stack" now carries a different weight.

The advent of AI and automation raises questions: Are prompt engineers the new full-stack developers? Have we traded skill depth for breadth? And, if so, what does that mean for the teams we build and the roles we fill?

The Skills That Matter

For all the debates—spaces vs. tabs, idiomatic usage, language choice—the essence of software engineering remains the same: solving problems. Through countless waves of technological evolution, engineers have adapted, learning new tools and frameworks to meet the needs of the moment.

Today, I encourage teams to think critically about the skills they truly need. Hiring isn’t just about filling a niche—it’s about building a team with the right balance of expertise and adaptability. Some skills can (and should) be taught to the right candidate, especially when they bring a unique perspective or a deeper understanding in other areas.

Full-stack, front-end, back-end, or something entirely new—titles matter less than the value each individual brings to the team. What remains constant is the need for curiosity, versatility, and the ability to evolve alongside our tools.