How can you assess a full-stack developer's knowledge of web development frameworks?

Before even going into frameworks, it's crucial that developers get acquainted with the web itself. Although this sounds like a no-brainer, it is actually quite shocking to see that the vast majority of web developers have very limited knowledge about HTML, CSS, Browser APIs, JavaScript and all the other web standards. The recent 'State of HTML 2023' survey shows that a vast majority of web developers knows less than half of what the web can do (even the so-called senior ones). This has to do with jumping into frameworks too soon in their journeys, and then being biased into 'staying within the framework' for every small piece of functionality, installing yet another framework add-on NPM package...

To access a developer's knowledge of a framework, the following steps would be useful: 1. Most frameworks whether web based or not, have core philosophies underlining how things are done in the framework. For example, the Ruby on Rails(RoR) framework is built on two (2) core philosophies - Convention over Configuration (CoC) and Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY). A strong developer in the framework should know about these philosophies and how the framework achieves them. It is very important to assess a developer's knowledge of these. 2. Evaluate the developer's knowledge of the framework's core concepts. Eg. in Laravel - Routing, Eloquent, etc. 3. Review his/her previous projects in the framework and see how that knowledge has been used.

Assessing a full-stack developer's grasp of web development frameworks demands more than challenging tests. The key lies in aligning assessments with daily tasks. Crafting real-world examples using specific frameworks allows accurate evaluation while setting clear expectations for new team members. Complex, impressive tests often miss the mark. Relevant scenarios matter. It's like testing a taxi driver's engine repair skills — irrelevant. Opt for applicable yet challenging tasks, akin to navigating complex routes, to gauge proficiency effectively. This streamlines hiring, ensuring a better team fit. The goal isn't to showcase complexity but to unveil how developers tackle real challenges, enhancing hiring effectiveness and job alignment.

Un aspecto importante es realiza pruebas de código: Pedir al candidato que escriba, depure o mejore un código usando un framework específico, como React, Angular, Django o Laravel. Estas pruebas pueden ser en línea o presenciales, y permiten medir la habilidad, la lógica y la creatividad del desarrollador.

Elevate Your Tech Stack: Strategic Framework Selection in Web Development Embarking on web development, the initial stride entails choosing frameworks aligned with your project and industry needs. An array of frameworks, each with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and applications, awaits selection. Front-end options like React, Angular, Vue, and Svelte, and back-end counterparts such as Express, Django, Ruby on Rails, and Laravel are prevalent.

Inquire About Core Concepts and Features of Chosen Frameworks When engaging a full-stack developer, the second pivotal step involves delving into their comprehension of the core concepts and features intrinsic to the selected frameworks. Assess their knowledge regarding the frameworks' functioning, problem-solving capabilities, and integration with other technologies.

Algunas preguntas fundamentales podrían ser: ¿Qué framework usas para el desarrollo front-end y por qué? ¿Qué framework usas para el desarrollo back-end y por qué? ¿Qué ventajas y desventajas tiene el framework que usas? ¿Qué características o funcionalidades te gustan más del framework que usas? ¿Qué dificultades o retos has encontrado al usar el framework que usas? ¿Qué otros frameworks conoces o has usado y cómo los comparas con el que usas? ¿Qué recursos o fuentes de información usas para aprender o mejorar tu uso del framework que usas? ¿Qué proyectos has realizado o en qué proyectos has participado usando el framework que usas? ¿Qué buenas prácticas o recomendaciones sigues al usar el framework que usas?

Comparisons are extremely useful in judging how much effort a developer is willing to put in to something they don't see as pivotal to their job. Asking for documentation can cause a surprising amount of friction within some teams, and seeing who is willing to put in the effort to create something useful and informative is often a direct insight into who would make a good leader. Existing knowledge is actually less important than potential knowledge in this case.

Scrutinize the quality, structure, style, and documentation of their code, observing adherence to best practices and framework conventions. Assess the functionality, performance, security, and user experience of the projects in relation to specified requirements. Request insights into the developer's design decisions, encountered challenges, and implemented solutions, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how they leverage the frameworks to achieve project goals.

It's uncommon to have the ability to do this, but looking at a developer's pull request or commit history can be very informative. The final product may be beautiful, but if the path to get there required many revisions suggested by other developers or took an unreasonable period of time, there may be underlying concerns to surface and address.

Assessing a full-stack developer's knowledge is best accomplished by reviewing their individual projects, providing insights into their skill sets. Given that many projects are team-based, it becomes essential to evaluate an individual's contributions by assigning and inquiring about tasks directly related to their responsibilities. This dual approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the developer's technical proficiency and collaborative abilities, ensuring a nuanced assessment of their full-stack capabilities. 👩💻

Absolutely agree! A deep understanding of the fundamental technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential before diving into frameworks. This knowledge not only enhances a developer's ability to create robust and performant applications but also provides the flexibility to choose the right tools for the job. Frameworks are powerful, but they shouldn't be a crutch. Mastering the basics ensures that developers can make informed decisions, troubleshoot effectively, and innovate beyond the constraints of any single framework. #WebDevelopment #BestPractices #HTML #CSS #JavaScript

Consider tasks like coding exercises, debugging scenarios, refactoring assignments, or feature implementation requests to observe how the developer approaches, solves, and communicates their work. Encourage them to demonstrate their solutions, allowing you to assess functionality, usability, and overall problem-solving skills related to the selected frameworks. This step offers practical insights into the developer's abilities in real-world scenarios.

I would assess someone's knowledge of web dev frameworks by giving them a task to perform using that specific framework, a task that is relatable to a company or on-the-job scenario. For example, build out a search results page with filters using React or build out a results page with a toggle button for card/list view.

Debugging is an excellent way to peer through the window of a developer's mindset. It demonstrates their knowledge level of the framework, the target platform, and the language used. Depending on the bug you've designed, it can also test their knowledge of network and client/server communication, HTTP/S, and API authentication. If this is presented as a pair-programming exercise, you may also find out how your potential employee responds to pressure and frustration; something that can be useful to judge a culture fit or personality conflict.

Given the dynamic nature of web development, it's crucial to understand how well the developer keeps abreast of the latest trends, developments, and best practices in the frameworks they use. Assess their adaptability to changing requirements and technologies. Inquire about their learning sources, methods, and goals. Understand how they evaluate and integrate new features or frameworks into their work.

As a front-end developer, I emphasize the crucial role of aligning a full-stack developer’s knowledge and framework experience with project goals. Compatibility with the team’s skills and culture is vital for successful integration. It’s crucial to highlight the importance of code quality, productivity, and innovation. Engaging in open discussions about expectations and adaptability to framework changes is key for a dynamic development environment.

Something important to remember is that a good developer is constantly learning. Web development is a fast-changing field and most developers are used to picking up new framework/tools/etc. So don't limit yourself by ruling out otherwise great candidates who don't have a ton of experience with the exact tech stack you want to use.

Solicitar un portafolio de proyectos: revisar los trabajos realizados por el candidato usando diferentes frameworks de desarrollo web, tanto en el front end como en el back end. Estos proyectos pueden ser personales, profesionales o académicos, y permiten apreciar la calidad, la funcionalidad y la estética de los sitios web creados por el desarrollador.

Most of the architects, suggest tech stack solutions as the one they are expert at than providing best solutions after comparing available tech stacks along with their pros and cons.

Some frameworks like Laravel have powerfull tools like Livewire, that allows you to build SPA's just like React or Angular but without the hasle of having to learn or work with more than one language, tools like this are specially powerfull for small or medio companies that deals with microservices os micro applications as it decreases a lot the time of learning new technologies.