Weekend Plan: Become a Full Stack Web Developer

This plan helps you prepare for your full stack web developer exam. Follow clear steps and build one hands-on project to showcase your skills by the end.

Weekly Hours: 4
Estimated Weeks: 14

Phases

Foundations of Web Development

Start with the basics of web development. Learn how browsers, websites, and servers work together. Build simple pages using common tools.

3 weeks

Understand how websites load and display
Write HTML and CSS for simple pages
Use JavaScript for page changes
Practice building small static pages

Create web page layout (HTML)
Style content (CSS)
Write simple scripts (JavaScript)
Explain browser-server flow

HTML and CSS Guides
Beginner JavaScript Tutorials
Browser Developer Tools

Build a static portfolio home page (HTML/CSS)
Add page interaction with a button (JavaScript demo)

Front-End with Frameworks

Learn to make interactive websites using a popular front-end tool. Focus on page links, user input forms, and reusable parts. Start shaping your main project front-end.

4 weeks

Use a front-end tool (React or Vue)
Build multi-page layouts with routing
Handle user forms
Reuse elements (components)
Start main project front-end

Build page navigation (React Router)
Create forms with checks (React Forms)
Use common UI parts (components)
Manage display updates (state in React)

React or Vue Tutorials
Front-End Playground
Design Inspiration Gallery

Main project: multi-page layout running (routing demo)
Main project: working user form (form with validation)

Back-End and API Basics

See what happens behind the scenes of a website. Learn to build your own server and send or receive data. Connect the front and back parts of your project.

3 weeks

Understand what a server does
Build a simple API (Node/Express)
Link front-end to back-end
Store data simply (JSON or memory)

Set up a web server (Express.js)
Create and get data (API endpoints)
Send requests from front-end (fetch/axios)
Handle data updates (CRUD)

Node and Express Guides
API Beginner Tutorials
Simple Database Demo

Main project: set up server & routes (API demo)
Main project: connect form to API (working data flow)

Testing and Debugging

Learn to check your code for mistakes and keep things working as you grow. Write simple checks and fix errors early.

2 weeks

Write automated checks (tests)
Find and fix bugs
Test both front and back

Create auto tests (Jest, React Testing Library)
Debug errors (DevTools, logs)
Check API routes

Testing for Beginners
Debugging Tools Overview

Main project: pass 3+ front-end tests (test report)
Main project: pass 2+ API tests (test report)

Deployment and Review

Get your project online and ready to show. Learn basic steps to upload and share your site. Prepare review materials and practice showing your work.

2 weeks

Set up simple deployment
Write easy project instructions
Test site live
Share your live link

Deploy to a cloud service (Netlify or Vercel)
Write a ReadMe file
Check site with others

Deploying Web Apps Guide
ReadMe Examples
Basic CI Tool Introduction

Main project: live link shared (deployment demo)
Main project: clear instructions (ReadMe completed)
Main project: basic CI label or screenshot

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Web Basics and HTML	Lay the groundwork for all web projects.	Read HTML tutorial (HTML Guide), Create a page layout (HTML), Explain how browsers load pages	Single-page HTML demo, Browser workflow diagram
2	CSS Styling and JavaScript Intro	Make pages look better and add first interactions.	Style page with CSS (CSS Guide), Add a clickable element (JavaScript), Experiment with color and layout	Styled HTML page, JavaScript button demo
3	Front-End Framework Setup	Set up tools for bigger and dynamic projects.	Install React or Vue (React/Vue Guide), Create starter front-end app, Explore folder structure	Framework app running locally, Screenshot of home page
4	Routing and Navigation	Allow users to view more than one project page.	Add page routing (React Router), Create About and Home pages, Test navigation links	Working page navigation demo
5	User Input Forms	Collect user information with forms.	Build a sample form (React Forms), Add checks to form fields, Link form to state	Form with working validation
6	Reusable Components	Write code in small, reusable pieces.	Create header and footer parts (components), Add components to every page, Refactor repeated code	Component-based home page
7	Front-End Final Touches	Make front-end ready for users.	Improve layout and colors, Add dynamic lists (map function in React), Test all pages	Polished multi-page front-end
8	Back-End Setup	Start handling data and user requests.	Install Node and Express (Node Guide), Create a simple server file, Test with browser or Postman	API responds to sample request
9	Data Storage and API Routes	Enable saving and loading user data.	Store data in JSON file or memory, Add create and read API routes, Write API documentation	API with working create/read routes
10	Front to Back Data Flow	Connect front-end forms to backend storage.	Send form data to API (fetch or axios), Display API response on page, Fix connection issues	Full create item flow in main project
11	Writing and Running Tests	Ensure the project works as expected.	Write front-end tests (Jest, React Testing Library), Write API tests (Jest or Supertest), Fix failing tests	Test report covering main flows
12	Debugging and Review	Find and fix errors before launch.	Use DevTools for front-end bugs, Check server logs for backend issues, Document fixes	Bug-fix change log
13	Deployment and Project Instructions	Share your project with others.	Deploy to Netlify or Vercel, Write ReadMe with usage steps, Test live link	Public project link, Complete ReadMe
14	Showcase and Review Readiness	Prepare for exam or certification review.	Practice short demo walkthrough, Check live site performance, Add CI badge or test screenshot	Demo video or script, Project with badge or screenshot