Backend development is a familiar term in software development. No one can turn down its importance as it is responsible for everything that is visible on your computer or mobile screen. This technical aspect of the software industry is the backbone of all online systems.
It ensures website performance by efficiently integrating the front end design with backend coding and database management. Smooth working of websites, Apps and other online communication systems depends on multiple activities that are part of backend development.
What is backend development?
Our computer screen doesn’t show everything to us. Various procedures are involved in making the systems functional. Backend development is the core procedure to integrate all system elements and make them work efficiently. It is a blend of offline and online behind the scene activities.
It is often mentioned as server-side development, but it is not restricted to it. It involves numerous activities, such as implementing logic through coding, creating and managing databases, writing libraries and APIs, system updates and much more necessary for work.
It also includes server-side management when the website or system goes live, like configuration on the server. It requires regular monitoring and maintenance for smooth working, part of backend development. In short, all the activities performed away from the screen and never displayed on it are backend development.
Importance of backend development
It is rightly called the backbone of online platforms and systems. Visitors or users interact only with the front end. While backend development deals with the actual procedure of functionality of a website. Software logic is implemented through backend development. Its role is crucial for the performance of online platforms. It comprises key procedures such as coding, authentication, database designing and integration, and efficient linking of front-end and backend components. Numerous software companies provide backend development and design of highly interactive and responsive online solutions for the business. A few key benefits are hereunder:
- Guarantee fast and easy access for the end user
- Save time and energy by automating many scheduled tasks
- Set a productive foundation to help in future expansion and upgradation of the system.
- Improves UX and provides a state-of-the-art experience
Tools & frameworks used for backend development
Technological advancement has introduced a large number of tools and technologies that made backend development easier. The developers choose according to their interests, expertise and requirement for the project functionality. A comprehensive search and surfing will reveal many effective tools and technologies. The prominent technologies used for backend development include the following.
- Express facilitates development using Node.js and is very popular among developers.
- Django framework allows the development using Python has various benefits.
- Laravel supports PHP as a programming language and assists in robust backend development.
- .Net Core is the latest framework, and its popularity skyrocketed within the last couple of years.
- Kotlin, the latest and stable version that was released in Feb 2023, is also one of the good languages for backend development.
Features of backend development
Backend development is a crucial aspect of web and software development that involves building and maintaining the server side of applications. A variety of tasks is handled by backend development, including client request processing, data management and seamless working of the system.
Some important features of backend development include:
- Scalability
- Security
- Performance
- Reliability
- API design
- Database management
Types of Backend Development
Backend development includes various activities, from
writing code to configure the system on sever, monitoring and updating it. A team of developers is mostly involved in it, and everyone has different responsibilities; however, in small projects, a single developer does everything. Backend development has the following main categories.
- Database Administration
- Server Administration
- Integration & APIs
- Security Administration
Skills required for back-end developers
Front-end and back-end developers collaborate to create systems with good functionality and performance. We’ve discussed back-end development; let’s touch on another significant parameter, i.e., the skill set of a back-end developer.
Everyone who wants to become a back-end developer should acquire or have the following skills, as these play an essential role.
- The grip on specific back-end programming languages
- Comprehensive knowledge of databases and their implementation
- Server handling
- APIs
The grip on programming language
Programming languages fall into two basic categories, OOP and functional languages. Object Oriented Programming languages include C++, JAVA, .NET, and PYTHON. While Clojure, R, Haskell, and SQL are examples of functional programming languages. A good back-end should have a good command of back-end programming languages.
Knowledge of Databases and their implementation
Second to programming languages is a database that is significant for a website. Extensive knowledge of the latest database technologies and expertise for implementation is necessary for back-end developers.
Server
Server knowledge is also essential because all web applications run on the server, a remote computer. Managing all server-related tasks is the back-end developer’s responsibility, so up-to-date knowledge of the latest technologies enhances performance.
APIs
Knowledge and command in APIs are compulsory because all the systems perform through them. A set of rules enabling computers or software to interact and communicate is called API. The back-end developers must have a firm grip
Conclusion
In short, backend development bears very important features such as
security, scalability, reliability, working, reliability, database management and API design. A well-designed and optimized backend architecture can help ensure the smooth performance of an application and enable developers to build robust and scalable software systems. Various companies are providing backend development services and also offer services to learn it to have good career opportunities and a skilled future workforce.
Author – Andrey Plisko
In IT since 1998, Andrey advanced his career from a software developer to a team lead and a project manager, and finally to his current position as a software development process manager at ScienceSoft. It is to Andrey’s credit that ScienceSoft’s software development processes comply with ISO standards. Under his supervision, ScienceSoft has moved into strictly regulated domains like healthcare and insurance.
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