What is Backend Development?

Backend or backend web development is the portion of web development that deals with the server side of a web application. It is the portion of the application that runs on the server and is in charge of processing and storing data, handling user authentication, and serving content to the application's client side.

Backend developers write code for the server side of a web application in popular programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, PHP, and Node.js. They also store and manage data using MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL databases.

Moreover, backend development typically entails creating and managing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow the web application's and front end developers to communicate with the backend. They are also concerned with the application's scalability, security, and performance.

Backend Development History 

Back end development dates back to the early days of the internet when websites were static and only consisted of HTML pages. Server-side scripting languages such as PHP, ASP, and JSP emerged in the early 2000s to meet the growing complexity and demand for dynamic content and interactivity. Python and Golang, due to their flexibility, scalability, and efficiency, have also played important roles in back and front end development since.

Node.js was introduced in 2009, ushering in a significant shift in back end development by allowing software developers to create scalable, high-performance dynamic websites using JavaScript, which was previously only used for both frontend and backend development.

Cloud computing has recently revolutionized back end web developer development by offering services such as serverless computing, database hosting, and content delivery networks, which make it easier to build and scale web applications.

Why Backend Development?

Back-end development is required during the web development of applications that require server-side processing and data storage. The back-end developer handles server-side logic, database management, and processing requests from the application's client-side (front end).

Web applications could not handle complex data processing, user authentication, or server-side computation without a back end. Back-end development is also important for ensuring web app security and scalability because it provides back-end web developers a framework for managing user data and resources, handling traffic spikes, and maintaining uptime.

What Does a Backend Development Developer Do?

A backend developer is responsible for creating and maintaining web applications on the server side. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that a web application's backend is functional, efficient, and secure.

Some of the key responsibilities behind the scenes of a backend developer include the following:

• Creating server-side web application logic: Backend developers are in charge of writing code for server-side logic, such as database operations, server-side rendering, and authentication.
• Building and maintaining databases: Backend developers create and maintain the databases that store the application's data, ensuring that the data is organized, secure, and accessible.
• Implementing security protocols: Backend developers are responsible for ensuring the application's backend is secure and protected from potential security breaches or attacks.
• Integrating with other systems: Backend software developers frequently collaborate with third-party APIs or other systems to integrate their web applications with external services such as payment processing or social media platforms.
• Scaling and optimizing application performance: To ensure that the application can handle high levels of traffic, backend developers optimize server performance by implementing caching mechanisms, load balancing, and other strategies.

Overall, backend developers play an important role in developing and maintaining web applications, ensuring they are functional, efficient, and secure.

How to Become a Backend Development Developer? 

There are many back-end developer skills that you will need to master to become a successful back-end developer. Here are several steps you can take:

Strengthen Your Dev Skills in Several Backend Programming Languages

Back-end development necessitates strong programming skills, so learning a great way to start is to learn a general-purpose programming language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, or Node.js is essential. In addition, it can help you improve your technical and problem-solving abilities and land a high backend developer salary.

Learn Database Management

Understanding database concepts and managing databases are necessary for a backend developer. Learn how to create and manage databases, how to use SQL, and about NoSQL databases like MongoDB.

Familiarize Yourself with Web Servers and APIs

A backend software developer must be familiar with web servers and how to create APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Learn about the HTTP protocol, REST APIs, and related topics. You should also become acquainted with various API tools such as Postman, Akana, and Swagger.

Learn a Backend Framework

Numerous back-end development frameworks, including Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, and Express.js, are available. Choose one or more frameworks to learn and master to become a successful backend developer.

Practice and Build Projects

It is essential to practice to become a backend developer. Begin creating projects with the programming language and frameworks you've learned. Experiment with web development and creating APIs and databases. Additionally, this can help you kickstart your journey to becoming part of great full-stack developers.

Get a Degree or Certification 

A degree or certification in computer science, software engineering, or a related field can provide developer skills and a solid foundation in programming and backend development principles.

Advantages of Backend Development

Functionality

Backend development enables developers to create functional and efficient web applications. Developers can use software development to create dynamic web applications that can handle complex computations, process data, and provide a pleasant user experience.

Security

Backend programming is essential for ensuring web page security during web development. Backend developers can protect the application from security threats and data breaches by implementing security measures such as user authentication, data encryption, and firewall protection.

Scalability

Web applications can also scale thanks to backend development efficiently. Backend developers can ensure that the application can handle high traffic levels by optimizing server performance, implementing caching mechanisms, and implementing load balancing.

Integration

Backend programming allows a web developer to connect web applications to third-party services like payment processing, social media platforms, and other external systems. This integration enables the web application to use the power of these services to provide users with additional functionality and thus, is important during web development.

Flexibility

Backend development also allows for technological and architectural flexibility. Developers can choose from various programming languages, frameworks, and databases to create web applications tailored to their specific requirements.

Installation of Backend Development Software

Each backend programming framework is different, so the installation procedure would differ. You can learn more about installing your desired framework by visiting its documentation.

In addition to providing installation instructions, visiting the documentation for your desired software development framework can provide you with a wealth of information on how to use the framework and its various features. Documentation typically includes tutorials, examples, and code snippets that you can use to learn how to build web applications with the framework.

Furthermore, the documentation can also provide information on the system requirements for the framework, including any dependencies or software prerequisites that need to be installed. Finally, it may also offer troubleshooting tips and guidance on resolving common errors or issues you may encounter during installation or use of the framework.

Overall, reading through the documentation for your desired backend development framework can help you get up and running with the framework quickly and efficiently and ensure that you are using it correctly and effectively.

Main Components of Backend Development Languages

Backend development languages have several components essential for building robust and efficient web applications. Some of the main components are:

Server

Backend development languages rely heavily on the server. It receives client requests and responds with a response. The following programming languages and frameworks support server-side programming:

• Node.js (JavaScript).
• A JavaScript runtime based on the Chrome V8 engine enables developers to create scalable, high-performance web apps.
• Flask is a Python microweb framework that allows developers to build web applications efficiently.
• Ruby is a programming language. A popular Ruby-based web application framework that provides a robust set of tools for developing web applications.

Framework

A framework is a pre-built set of tools and libraries that help developers build web applications more efficiently. Examples of popular frontend and backend development frameworks include:

• Laravel (PHP): A PHP web application framework that provides a robust set of tools for building web applications quickly and easily.
• Django (Python): A Python web framework that provides a powerful ORM, built-in admin interface, and other features to help developers build complex web applications quickly and easily.
• Express.js (JavaScript): A minimalist web application framework for Node.js that provides a simple and flexible way to build web applications.

Database

A database is a software application that stores and manages data. Examples of popular databases used in backend languages include:

• MySQL: An open-source relational database management system widely used in web development.
• PostgreSQL: A powerful open-source relational database management system that provides advanced features such as concurrency control and transactions.
• MongoDB: A NoSQL document-oriented database that allows developers to store and manage data in a flexible and scalable way.

API 

An API (short for application programming interface) is a set of rules and protocols allowing different software applications to communicate. Examples of popular APIs used in backend development languages include:

• REST (Representational State Transfer): A protocol for building web services that allow different applications to communicate with each other using HTTP requests and responses.
• GraphQL: A query language for APIs that allows developers to define the data they need from an API, making it easier to build efficient and scalable web applications.
• SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol): A protocol for building web services that allow different applications to communicate with each other using XML-based messages.

Development Best Practices

Use Proper Error Handling

Avoiding handling errors in your code is the best way to avoid having bugs in your program or app. The term error handling refers to a software application's reaction and recovery mechanisms in the event of an error. That is, it is the process of accurately predicting, detecting, and resolving errors in applications, programs, or communication.

Node.js Example:

function getUser(req, res) {
  User.findById(req.params.id, function (err, user) {
    if (err) {
      res.status(500).send(err.message);
    } else if (!user) {
      res.status(404).send('User not found');
    } else {
      res.status(200).send(user);
    }
  });
}

Java Example:

public User getUser(Long id) throws UserNotFoundException, DatabaseException {
  try {
   User user = userRepository.findById(id);
    if (user == null) {
      throw new UserNotFoundException("User not found with id: " + id);
    }
    return user;
  } catch (Exception e) {
    throw new DatabaseException("Error retrieving user from database", e);
  }
}

Focus on Security

To protect sensitive data, a good backend developer should use encryption. The cryptography library, for example, can be used for secure key exchange.

Python example:

from cryptography.fernet import Fernet

# Generate a random encryption key
key = Fernet.generate_key()

# Use the key to create an encryption object
cipher = Fernet(key)

# Encrypt some data
plaintext = b"Sensitive data"
ciphertext = cipher.encrypt(plaintext)

# Decrypt the data
decrypted_text = cipher.decrypt(ciphertext)

print(decrypted_text) # 'Sensitive data'

Write Scalable Code

Consider using a scalable architecture, such as microservices. The Flask microframework, for example, can be used to create scalable RESTful APIs. Here's an example in Python:

from flask import Flask, jsonify, request

app = Flask(__name__)

# Define a simple route
@app.route('/hello', methods=['GET'])
def hello():
    return jsonify({'message': 'Hello World!'})

# Define a route that accepts POST requests
@app.route('/add', methods=['POST'])
def add():
    data = request.get_json()
    num1 = data['num1']
    num2 = data['num2']
    result = num1 + num2
    return jsonify({'result': result})

if name == '__main__':
    app.run()

Testing

To write unit and integration tests, use a testing framework such as pytest. Let's look at a GoLang code example (using the built-in testing package):

// function to be tested
func Product(a, b int) int {
    return a b
}

// test case
func TestProduct(t testing.T) {
    result := Product(3, 2)
    if result != 6 {
        t.Errorf("Product(3, 2) = %d; expected 6", result)
    }
}

Note: These are just a few simple examples of the syntax and structure of testing code in various languages. Real-world scenarios and techniques such as mocking, integration testing, and load testing may be used in testing.

Documentation

Documentation aids in team speed, reduces synchronization time between developers and keeps everyone informed of each other's work. Use a documentation generator such as Sphinx to create clear and concise documentation.

Performance

Caching can help you improve performance. The Flask-Caching extension, for example, can be used to cache API responses. Consider the following Python example:

from flask import Flask
from flask_caching import Cache

app = Flask(__name__)
cache = Cache(app, config={'CACHE_TYPE': 'simple'})

# Cache the response for 10 minutes
@app.route('/api/data', methods=['GET'])
@cache.cached(timeout=600)
def get_data():
    data = ... # Retrieve the data from the database
    return jsonify({'data': data})

Version Control

Version control (also known as source control) is the practise of tracking and managing changes to software code. Use a version control system like Git to keep track of changes to the codebase.

Let's look at an example in Bash:

# Initialize a new Git repository
git init

# Add the files to the repository
git add .

# Commit the changes
git commit -m 'Initial commit'