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by 1_listerine_pls 3595 days ago
I just got out of my degree and have the exact same problem. I was thinking in getting a full-time RoR + react job because that's what many startups are using. However, I don't know the exact reasons they use it besides the large community. It's hard to make a framework choice without knowing what are the parameters to be considered when you have zero experience.
1 comments

It's not clear to me what questions you're asking. I've re-read your comment several times, and I think you're asking one of the following:

A) Which web framework (e.g. Rails, Django, ...) should I spend time learning on my own, because it will help me get my first job after my degree?

B) Which full web stacks, including front-end (e.g. React or Angular) and back-end (e.g. Rails or Django) are popular among my potential employers, and why?

Is it A or B, or something else?

Also:

- What is your level of experience in programming? Zero? Some projects as a minor during your degree? Several years writing your own pet projects?

- What language(s) do you already use?

In choosing a framework to learn, you're not making a lifelong commitment. If you intend to be a professional developer for the next 40 years, I doubt you'll use the same framework or type of language for the whole time.

The most important thing is to pick something which allows you to be productive early on. That will help provide motivation to keep at it, to learn more, and to get better.

If you are starting out, then trying to learn Rails and React at the same time seems like a steep path. Unless you have a lot of concentrated time, you might be better off learning one at a time. If you pick React first, then build a React app that consumes some existing APIs. If you pick Rails first, then build server-rendered sites first. Then learn to present the same content via APIs. Then add React.

EXPERIENCE:

Yeah, some programming experience with: Java, C, C++, python, javascript, ruby and php. I have build some simple android and desktop apps. Nothing production quality.

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CHOOSING A FRAMEWORK:

These are some things I have been considering (the list falls short):

-Does it attract good developers? is the community large enough?

-Fast prototyping.

-How will it handle scaling issues? new features?

-Are companies moving away from it? why?

------------------------

JOB:

Anything that uses the framework I pick. I was thinking RoR/React but it's just a thought.

Picking a framework to get started isn't a lifelong commitment. So trying to optimise for these 5 factors (the 4 you listed, plus being able to get a job) at the same time is overkill, and unlikely to result in a better decision.

Just pick one. You will not regret starting with Rails or Django, providing you put in sustained effort to learn best practices.

Re: 'fast prototyping', the RoR+React combo won't give you that. De-coupling the front-end and back-end of your code has many advantages, but fast prototyping is not one of them. Particularly as you'll be learning as you go, with two different languages (Ruby and JS) and two frameworks, you'll spend twice as much time stuck.