The demand for web development professionals keeps increasing by the day. More people are obtaining web developer certification to switch to this flourishing field. If you are considering a career in web development, then one of the choices available to you is to become a back-end developer. In this article, we will look at what back-end development entails do and how you can become a back-end developer.
There are two parts in a typical web application – user-side and the server-side. While the frontend developer is in charge of the user-side, the back-end developer is responsible for the inner workings “server-side” of the web application.
Back-end developers create the logic to make the web app function using scripting languages like Ruby and PHP. They put in so much effort that makes it easier for users to access these sites easily. Back-end developers build and maintain the core functional logic and operations of a web application. Whether you are logging in to your online account or making a purchase, all those are made possible by the efforts of back-end developers. The job role also involves ensuring that data requested by the front end developer is delivered appropriately. The back-end developer has the following responsibilities;
- Understanding the goal of a web app or site and offering efficient solutions
- Ensuring that users can access various aspects of the web application
- Deploying payment processing systems to allow users to make payments easily
- Creating, integrating and managing databases
- Integrating cloud computing into the web application
- Putting up security measure to prevent hacking
- Developing and managing content management systems
- Setting up a backup apparatus for files and databases in the web application
Skills Required To Become A Back-end Web Developer
Knowledge of the following technologies is required to be a back-end developer.
- Programming languages
- Severs
- Databases
- API
Programming Languages
There are a variety of programming languages and frameworks available to back-end programmers - depending on the application they are building, it’s requirements, and components.
Companies also have specific programming languages and frameworks they use for their work. To become a back-end developer, it’s essential to completely understand at least one server-side programming language like PHP, Ruby, Python, or Java and some frameworks.
Most websites today are built using PHP as the back-end language. But there are plenty of other languages and frameworks that can be deployed.
Languages differ both in size, comparability, performance, line of codes, and others. All these factors, coupled with the type of web application been built, can determine the choice of web development language. You will learn more about this when getting a web developer certification.
Below is a list of major back-end development languages.
PHP
PHP is a server-side language that powers about 83% of websites. It’s also the choice language for WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia. PHP works seamlessly across various platforms like Windows, Mac, and UNIX. If you plan to work as a freelancer, then you should learn PHP, as it powers over 75 million websites using WordPress.
Python
Python has emerged as one of the popular languages due to its syntax, which makes it easy to understand even for non-programmers. Python is fast and easy to use. It has various applications, which makes it a versatile and powerful back-end development language choice. Youtube, Pinterest, and several other top sites are built on python.
Ruby
Ruby on Rails is an open-source and one of the best programming language back-end development. Beginners lean-to Ruby due to straightforward syntax and an active and friendly community of supporting developers. Several companies, including Twitter, Bloomberg, and Spotify has used Ruby on, Rails to develop their website at some point.
Java
Java is a general-purpose programming language that has been at the main-stay of the developing world for decades. Java is mostly known for its stability, versatility, and high cross-platform compatibility. If you intend to look for opportunities in large corporations, then Java is one of the languages you should learn.
Rust
Rust is a relatively new programing language that is suitable for back end development. Just like C and C++, Rust was developed primarily for low-level system programming. It emphasizes on speed and safety by preventing programs from accessing what it isn’t meant to. Companies like Dropbox and Cousera are already using Rust Internally. Other programming languages used for back-end development includes JavaScript, .NET, Perl, C#, and C++. It’s also essential to have a basic knowledge of front-end technologies like HTML and CSS when acquiring your web developer certification.
Back-end Frameworks
- Django (for Python)
- Spring framework (for Java)
- Node.js
- Symfony (for PHP)
- JSF (Java Server Faces)
Database and Cache
Databases are the brains that make a website dynamic. When you search for something on a website, it’s the databases that accept your query, fetches, and displays the results. Information such as contents, images, and graphics are stored in the database. Knowledge of relational and document-oriented databases is essential for a back-end developer. Some popular databases include MySQL, Oracle, Redis, and SQL Server. Knowledge of caching is also vital.
Server
Of all four components in back-end programming, the server is the heart of the system. Good knowledge of Linus is essential for back end development, as well as exposure to Apache, IIS Servers, and Microsoft IIS. After getting a basic knowledge of on-site servers, you should also learn about virtualization.
API (REST & SOAP)
APIs (Application Programming Interface) defines rules, methods, and definitions of communication between applications. It indicates how the front end asks the back-end for data. API plays an integral role in connecting software, databases, applications, and services together. Knowledge of API is both essential for back-end and full-stack developers. The popular standard for creating API today are REST and SOAP.
Where to Learn Back-End Skills
Most back-end developers undergo various training to obtain web developer certification. While a CS degree may be beneficial, online training and boot camps are efficient for learning.
Keep Learning And Practicing
Recruiters are more interested in what you can do with your hands. If you are serious about building a career in back-end development, then it’s essential to learn everything about the programming language frameworks as well as other components. And never stop practicing. Offer your services to anyone interested and build a portfolio of any project you build. Join volunteer groups and offer your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr, Freelnce.com, and Upwork.
Conclusion
Back-end development has become an attractive career path over the years. There is a high demand for developers, which makes now the best time to obtain a web developer certification.
