What is MEAN Stack Development?
MEAN stack development is a free and open source technology used to build web applications that are both quick and sustainable. Built for the cloud, MEAN stack development is a free JavaScript app that keeps memory overhead low.
MEAN stack development can be used for news aggregation sites, interactive forums, workflow management tools, and calendar applications. Integration, while it is simple based on the JavaScript platform, does encounter performance problems. At the same time, the 3-tier approach makes it secure enough for most applications.
The MEAN in MEAN stack development stands for:
- MongoDB, which is the popular NoSQL database that stores data in a JSON format.
- Express.je, the flexible and minimal web framework for Node.js.
- Angular, responsible for creating dynamic web applications through a JavaScript framework.
- Node.js, the runtime environment responsible for executing JavaScript outside the browser.
You may have also heard of MERN and MEVN, which use React.js and Vue.js respectively in place of Angular.
Work flows from Angular through the various components and back in order to provide a full-stack solution that includes both front- and back-end components, as well as a database. For example, a client request comes to the system through Angular, which sends it to be parsed by the NodeJS Server. This request is passed on to ExpressJS, which obtains data from the database via MongoDB. This information is then passed to NodeJS and displayed via AngularJS.
Though MEAN stack development is not the best to use for large-scale applications, it’s certainly a necessary component to any programming education, especially when it comes to rapidly developing apps and keeping them organized.
What Types of Jobs Can I Get with MEAN Stack Development?
The average annual salary for MEAN stack development is $120,000 per year, which is about $60 per hour. Here are some common jobs you can expect to apply for with education in MEAN stack development:
- Full Stack Developer
- Software Developer
- Mobile App Developer
- Android Developer
- iOS Developer
- Front-end Developer
- Web Developer
- Java Software Engineer
- Chief Technical Officer
- Interface Engineer
- Application Developer
When it comes to MEAN stack development versus full stack development, there are a few key differences you’ll want to keep in mind:
- MEAN: Programmers with knowledge of MEAN stack typically only focus on JavaScript to complete front- and back-end work. As full-stack knowledge requires more experience, software developers who aren’t versed in full-stack development make less than those who do.
- Full: These developers work with the front- and back-end elements as well, but they build websites from concept to completion. Leveraging programming templates and architecture design guidelines, they draw upon programming languages such as PYTHON, PHP, Ruby, HTML, and CSS to complete their tasks.
The demand for MEAN stack development has increased in the last decade or so as technology continues to evolve. Skills and education in MEAN stack development are highly desirable in clients, but they can be challenging to learn if you don’t have the proper resources.
How Do I Learn MEAN Stack Development?
Hands-on experience will get you the furthest when it comes to learning about MEAN stack development. The more you can do to take on volunteer projects or offer your skills for freelance work, the greater your education will be.
As tempting as it is to simply put certifications from free or paid bootcamps on your resume, they’re typically not enough. Instead, you’ll need to prove your experience by demonstrating proficiency in and completion of a degree program from an accredited college like CIAT.
How to Land a Position in Software Development
With hands-on training, small class sizes, and live online courses, an education with California Institute of Arts & Technology provides its students with career and job placement support while in school and after graduation. We offer a number of programs you can take advantage of in order to succeed in today’s technologically advanced world.
Students interested in MEAN stack development should consider the Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development with an emphasis on Mobile App Development Languages. This program features instruction in languages like Linux, PYTHON, JavaScript, iOS, Android, PHP, MySQL, and PowerShell, as well as MEAN stack development. Many students go on to be mobile app developers who leverage their knowledge of designing, building, and maintaining mobile apps to make a difference.
Graduates of this degree program will build a coding portfolio to boost their resume upon completion. Each class will instruct, exercise, and apply MEAN stack development skills to provide a foundation of knowledge that students can draw upon in the real world. For example, the course specifically on MEAN stack development will focus on client-side scripting, as well as MEAN core frameworks. Students will learn how to use popular models with real-life examples to create MEAN application architecture, add an authentication layer, and develop an MVC structure to support further project development.
A career in software development can take you places you never thought you’d go. Learn more about how to apply for admission at CIAT by contacting us today. You’ll be able to speak with a knowledgeable staff member about our degree programs and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
