Ask HN: What does a C++ fullstack mean to you?

Recently I was contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn who asked if I was open to a C++ job.

These are his words "I wanted to send a quick message to see if you or anyone you know might be interested in a Direct Hire full stack C++ job"

Doesn't fullstack mean having experience in different domains like frontend, backend, machine learning, data mining, mobile dev, operations etc. ?

It surely means you have experience using C++ to make web browsers, JITted JavaScript implementations, web servers, database engines, and PhotoShop.

My guess would be it means server-side work that involved c++.

Clearly, it means you write database logic using C++ extended stored procedures [1], business logic in C++ middleware using something like CppCMS [2], and then write all your front end code in C++ and deploy it to the browser using Emscripten [3]

Realistically, though, it's probably just a misinformed/careless/hopeless recruiter. Most likely misinformed, or inadequately informed. The recruiter's client probably has something specific in mind when if the asked for a 'full stack' C++ developer.

Since you'll find C++ running in everything from embedded devices to phones to cars to airplanes to mainframes, there are so many 'stacks' that one could be referring to when talking about 'full stack'. Usually, full stack developer is used to describe someone who does both front and back end web development. While you could be a full stack dev who writes C++ on the back end of a web app and JS on the front end, it's not a very common combination.

[1] http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/8571/Writing-Extended-St... [2] http://cppcms.com/wikipp/en/page/main [3] https://github.com/kripken/emscripten

I agree, the recruiter clearly did not have the right idea or did not present it well.

Here is the full extent of the "Desired" requirements from the message which are usually supplemented by minimum requirements.

  * Expert experience in Linux OS
  * Experience in embedded system design, bring-up, debugging, analysis and performance tuning.
  * An understanding of the design issues and tradeoffs at the hardware/software boundary in real-time, high-performance systems
  * Expert C/C++ programming and problem solving skills.
  * Python and Java experience desired but not required.
  * Database (SQL) experience desired but not required.
  * Multithreaded Linux systems programming experience
  * Strong troubleshooting skills on hardware, Linux configuration, peripheral device and network configuration
  * Knowledge of embedded programming environment using open source tools.
  * Expert skills in debugging, troubleshooting, and system optimization
  * Well-versed in Unit Test Creation and working with continuous Integration environments (Jenkins)
  * Experience with, knowledge of and discipline in standard System Development Lifecycle practices including translation of business requirements into a System Design document, Source Code Version Control (Subversion, Git, etc.), and maintenance.
  * Experience working in an Agile environment (Scrum, Lean or XP)
  * Experience with Test-Driven Development desired but noe required.
  * Experience conducting and participating in Code Review sessions
  * Excellent problem solving skills and strong verbal/written communication skills

I searched for these on Google and found multiple posts with almost exact match.

This begs the question, are majority of the job positions out there an over exaggeration of the requirements?

Should one apply to job postings even if they do not possess all the required skills?