There are so many languages, frameworks, database, etc, to choose from. Show how do you decide?
I have been a full time programmer for 15 years now, and I've had it as a hobby much much longer. During this time, I have seen technologies come and disappear, some have been with me the whole time, and some of them have just been something I've heard of.
During my time as a developer, I think that the most important thing I have learned, is that the stack you're using is definitely not the most important part of a project. Finding the perfect tech stack is impossible, or is it?
Information overload
Since I'm an experienced developer, I have learned how to filter all of the information out there. But even for me it's kind of overwhelming to see everything out there. Sometimes I feel like I'm a dinosaur when it comes to technology because there is so much innovation going on. But is all the innovation necessarily doing us good?
I'm glad I'm not a beginner these days, because even though it's never been easier to learn a new technology, how the heck are you going to find out which technology to learn?
My perfect tech stack
Okay, so what should I do? I think that you should try to just find something you like. Find something you're comfortable to work with. No matter which language, framework, database, etc, you choose, there will be something that isn't 100% perfect.
There might be a different language solving that exact problem, but then that language probably have a different problem you're already solving with your tech stack.
That's why I'm kind of just sticking to things I already know very well. I love Python, and I love Django. That's why this is my go-to for backend development.
On the frontend, I've been back and forth. I have used Vue for many years, I have used HTMX, and I have used Next.js. Next.js is what I have used for bigger projects, and is also my new go-to framework for bigger projects. If I don't need as much interactivity, I will probably just go for HTMX.
So, have I chosen a perfect tech stack? Probably not. But I'm efficient with it, and I can build and do whatever I want.
When Pieter Levels can build projects with plain old PHP and make tens of thousands each month, then I guess we can say that the technology you choose doesn't really matter.