Front-end web dev being backed into a full stack and dev-ops corner
Posted by defenistrat3d@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hello. 11 yoe. I live and breath FE. To be honest I've been full stack for a while and it's fine. Might even like it to some extent.
I loath dev-ops though and now I'm expected to be an expert and teach others. such is life. But maybe I just haven't found a good set of learning material. kubernetes, AWS, Terraform and harness seem to be the main stack I need to learn. Anyone know a good source? Just udemy?
Any other FE devs that have been backed into a dev-ops corner? What was your experience? Fat promotion? Made it easier to job hop? With the economy and profession what it is I feel a bit trapped. Though I can't deny I've had it good for a long time. Sorta feels like I need to pay the bill so to speak.
jpadot@reddit
For every front-end that doesn’t do backend work, there’s a backend dev that does devops, database admin and all that. Then builds front ends nights and weekends for his side projects. So that’s what you’re competing.
I learned how to do my own infra because I hate waiting. It was often faster for me to rtfm write the iac and send the pr to the devops group for feedback than to submit a ticket. Now those guys love me because I only bother them for guidance and feedback. Similarly I do the same for front end stuff. If I can, I do.
Having folks like that will certainly set the bar and those unwilling will feel the squeeze. Personally I find it satisfying to be able to do everything mostly by myself.
skidmark_zuckerberg@reddit
Honestly coming from a Full stack dev who primarily focuses on frontend engineering, DevOps work is pretty fun. I always took on opportunities to do DevOps related things like setting up CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins or GitHub Actions, handling the Docker & Kubernetes setup for new microservices, handling deployments and setup of our teams test environment, etc.
In my last role we had a dedicated DevOps team but I was pretty friendly with them so I could always just ask them specifics if I was unsure or just ask them general Q’s to understand things better. They were more than happy that I could take on things myself instead of just passing the buck to them.
It makes you a better software developer and honestly at 11 YOE, if you can’t tell someone about any of this, it’s probably going to come across as a red flag. You don’t need to be an expert, but understanding the “the big picture” is super important. I can’t go in super deep on certain (most) AWS services, Kubernetes, or even Docker, but I can use those tools and tell you about how they work and fit into the software architecture puzzle. Point is you don’t need to be a DevOps expert, but knowing about it is important. Same for backend.
Human-Ring605@reddit
what inspired you to write this post
fued@reddit
if you cant do devops for your FE resources, you are a designer not a programmer at a majority of small/mid sized companies.
Its only large companies that will have dedicated devops resources.
Goducks91@reddit
How small of a company are you talking about where you don't have a dedicated devops person/team? Once a software company hits 50 people they more likely than not have a devops resource.
fued@reddit
I've never seen it in a company below 100 people.
There will usually be people who are the most skilled at it, but they will be engineers/consultants that do everything else too
Connect_Detail98@reddit
I've never seen a company with more than 50 people not have at least single person dedicated to the cloud and cicd.
fued@reddit
Starting to think it's a regional thing haha
I have never seen a dedicated cloud person under 100 people and even at 100 it's tough to justify
Goducks91@reddit
Interesting. Been at 5 Series A startups and they have all had a dedicated DevOps engineer/team. between 50-150 people. Maybe the difference is they're all sass companies? My experience may not be common.
MaleficentCow8513@reddit
I think it’s a common strategy for start ups to hire dedicated devops. It makes sense because start ups want to get their product off the ground as quick as possible and it’s best if everyone is able to focus on their area of expertise.
Goducks91@reddit
Yeah that’s probably it!
devfuckedup@reddit
The standard rule today is 10:1 but some CTOs and VPs of engineering don't like dedicated infra people it depends on the product.
defenistrat3d@reddit (OP)
Well that's reassuring at least. It's not just FE. It's all the things. It's a large company. Sounds like I'll just have a busy weekend. Appreciate the reassurance.
daze2turnt@reddit
Wish we could trade jobs. I’m stuck doing UI no matter how hard I try to break out of my corner.
I get to do backend work every once in a blue moon. Thankfully, I was able to set up our devops and CI/CD pipeline for the frontend. A single DB migration.
Otherwise, for about 4 of my 5 years here just straight UI work.
devfuckedup@reddit
only way out is to either get a real devops person hired or quit thats it.