A beautiful-looking website that we see and use daily will only be functional with the assistance of a backend developer. The Front-end developer makes the website and application look captivating and visually appealing by incorporating visual effects and graphics. However, if the backend developer isn’t involved the website will remain nothing more than an art that the user can just see. That said, if you want to make the website function smoothly you need to hire a backend developer.
If you ask us which is harder, backend or frontend, we would say backend development any day. This is simply because backend development involves far more complexities and intricacies. While front-end development can also be challenging at times, depending on the project, back-end development is generally more difficult as it requires dealing with networking, APIs, databases, and algorithms.
We know most of you might not want to hear this, but it’s our duty to tell you the truth. Especially for readers who are just starting to learn backend development, this information might seem discouraging. However, we strongly recommend learning backend development at all costs, if you want to earn good money. Before you begin your journey as a backend developer, this backend development roadmap will set you up for success by providing complete details about backend development tools, languages, skills, and more.
What is backend development?
Backend development involves creating the server side of an application, which the user can’t see but is crucial for ensuring the application performs flawlessly and smoothly. Every software or application we use consists of two components: the front end and the back end.
The person who creates and maintains the front side of the website is called front end developer and the who develops the server side is called the back-end developer.
In one line if we had to describe backend development we would do it like this “the process of making an application or software function smoothly via working on server-side”.
However, backend development isn’t as simple as it sounds. Before you start learning about the backend development roadmap. The information that you must know,
- Make sure the server where the website is hosted is set up correctly.
- Backend development involves storing, managing, and sending data using databases like MySQL, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL.
- Writing the code that processes user requests, performs calculations, and returns responses.
Who is the backend developer?
A backend developer is a certified software developer who works on the back or server side of the application. They are responsible for the smooth functioning of the website or application by setting up and managing the server where the application is hosted. Following a backend developer roadmap can help guide their learning and skills development. Here’s a detailed overview of what a backend developer does.
- Write clean code runs on servers
Just like front-end developers, back-end developers also write code, but for a different purpose. Back-end developers write code to instruct the application on how to respond when the user makes a specific request.
- They manage and store data
50% of the backend developer work is related to data. Backend developers are responsible for creating, managing, updating, and deleting data from the databases.
- Ensure smooth flow of information
The backend developer is also responsible for ensuring that the flow of information and data remains smooth without any hiccups. This involves defining endpoints, handling incoming requests, and returning responses in the appropriate format (often JSON).
- Ensure full-proof security
Websites and applications need security more than ever. The backend developer writes codes and implements cutting-edge security systems such as user authentication (e.g., login systems) and authorization (ensuring users have access to the right resources).
- Application performs smoothly
They are responsible to write code in a way that the application doesn’t slow down when processing multiple request at a same time. Backend developers make this possible by optimizing database queries, using caching strategies, and implementing load balancing.
What is the backend developer roadmap?
The backend developer roadmap is simply a guide for people who want to become backend developers. The major benefit of following a backend development roadmap is that it helps reduce the complexities faced during the journey to becoming a backend developer. By following a clear pathway, you gain direction and structure. In this roadmap, we will cover the essential skills, languages, and frameworks you need to be familiar with to succeed as a backend developer.
What is the path to becoming a backend developer?
Step #1: Start by Learning the Basics of Programming
The first step in the backend development roadmap is to start by learning a programming language like Python, Java, Ruby, or JavaScript (Node.js). It’s always better to become an expert in one programming language before moving to the next step of the backend web development roadmap. By “expertise,” we mean diving deep into the language and understanding its key concepts, such as variables (which store data), control structures (like if statements), data types (such as numbers and text), and functions (which perform tasks). Once you’ve mastered these fundamentals, you can move on to the next step in the backend engineering roadmap.
Step #2: Learn Web Development Fundamentals
After you’ve become an expert in a programming language, the next step is to learn the basics of web development. The first thing that you should learn is HTTP and HTTPS, which are the protocols that enable communication between your browser and web servers. Finally, learn about APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), especially RESTful services, which allow different applications to communicate with each other.
Step 3: Learn a Backend Framework
If you want to follow a back-end developer roadmap that will help you become a skillful back-end developer in less time, consider learning a backend framework in the third step of the roadmap. One important thing to keep in mind is not to learn just any framework. You must choose a backend framework that matches the programming language you’ve already learned. For example, if you learned Python, focus on frameworks like Django or Flask. If you’re using JavaScript, explore Express.js for building server applications. For Ruby, Ruby on Rails is a popular choice that makes development easier and faster.
Step 4: Master Database Management
The step 4 of the roadmap for backend developers involves learning about database management. Start by learning SQL, the language used to interact with relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. These databases store data in structured tables. Next, explore NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Firebase, which handle unstructured data and offer flexibility for certain applications. Additionally, get familiar with Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tools, which simplify database interactions by allowing you to work with database records as if they were regular objects in your programming language.
Step 5: Learn About Authentication and Authorization
Phase 5 of the backend developer roadmap involves becoming familiar with authentication and authorization. In this phase, you need to learn how to manage users, including implementing features for user registration, login, and session management to keep users securely logged in. Next, explore token-based authentication methods like OAuth and JSON Web Tokens (JWT). These methods help ensure secure access to your APIs by allowing users to authenticate without exposing sensitive information.
Step 6: Explore Server Management and Deployment
In Step 6, dive into server management and deployment. Start by understanding the basics of web hosting, which involves setting up environments where your applications run. Next, learn about Docker, a tool that helps you package applications into containers, making them easier to deploy and manage across different environments. Finally, get familiar with cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. These platforms provide scalable resources and tools for hosting applications, making it simpler to manage infrastructure without needing to maintain physical servers. Mastering these skills will help you deploy and manage your applications effectively.
Step 7: Understand Security Best Practices
In Step 7, focus on security best practices. Start by learning about data protection methods, including encryption techniques that keep sensitive information safe and secure storage practices to protect your databases. Next, study common vulnerabilities that can affect applications, such as SQL injection, where attackers manipulate database queries, and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), which allows them to inject malicious scripts into web pages. Understanding these threats will help you build more secure applications and protect user data from potential attacks. Prioritizing security is essential for any backend developer.
Step 8: Version Control and Collaboration
In Step 8, focus on version control and collaboration. Start by mastering Git, a powerful tool that helps you track changes in your code and manage different versions of your projects. Understanding how to use Git will streamline your development process and enable you to work more effectively with others. Next, familiarize yourself with collaboration platforms like GitHub and GitLab. These platforms not only host your code but also provide tools for collaboration, issue tracking, and project management. Learning to use these tools will enhance your teamwork skills and improve your workflow as a backend developer.
Step 9: Learn Testing and Debugging
In Step 9, focus on testing and debugging. Start by learning about testing frameworks, which help ensure your code works as intended. Understand different types of testing, such as unit testing (testing individual components) and integration testing (testing how components work together). Familiarize yourself with tools like Jest or Mocha, which simplify the testing process. Next, learn debugging tools and techniques that help you identify and fix errors in your code. Mastering these skills will improve your code quality and make it easier to catch issues early, resulting in more reliable applications.
What are the skills required for a backend developer?
Skill #1: Proficiency in Programming Languages
The first thing that you have to learn is a backend programming language. You’ve to be well-versed in the programming language in order to be a great backend developer. Some common programming languages you’ve to be familiar with are the following.
JavaScript: JavaScript, including its variant TypeScript, is a popular choice for backend development due to its versatility and the fact that it is also widely used by front-end developers. This shared language enables seamless collaboration on projects across both sides of development. Once limited to browser environments, JavaScript has gained prominence in backend development, particularly with the introduction of Node.js. Its asynchronous and event-driven architecture makes it ideal for building scalable and high-performance applications.
Python: Python is highly regarded for its readability and efficiency, making it a strong option for backend development. Its extensive ecosystem includes powerful libraries and frameworks like Django and Flask, which facilitate rapid application development across different domains. While Python is well-known for its use in data processing and data science, it remains a popular choice in web development due to its user-friendly nature and supportive frameworks, making it easy for developers to build robust backend systems.
Java: Java is a widely used language for enterprise solutions, known for its robustness and continuous evolution since its initial release in 1995. It has established a strong presence in large enterprises that rely on its reliability and the support of a growing community of developers. Although it may not be the easiest language to learn, Java consistently ranks among the top 10 backend languages, as highlighted in StackOverflow’s 2023 Developer Survey.
2. Knowledge of Web Server
A web server is responsible for running websites by storing, processing, and delivering web pages in response to user requests. It consists of various components that can understand HTTP and URLs. When a user makes a request, the web server forwards it to an HTTP server, which retrieves the requested content and sends it back to the browser via HTTP. Popular examples of web servers include Apache and NGINX, both of which are open-source platforms that facilitate content delivery based on incoming requests.
Understanding the underlying technologies and protocols that enable communication and data exchange between web servers and clients is crucial. This includes concepts like HTTP, URLs, DNS, and web browsers. By learning how these technologies interact, developers can better appreciate how web applications are constructed and how data is transmitted over the internet. This foundational knowledge is essential for building scalable and efficient web applications.
3. Web Security
Web security is essential for understanding the potential threats and vulnerabilities that web applications may encounter, as well as implementing best practices to protect against them. Key concepts include authentication, authorization, encryption, and secure coding practices. By grasping these fundamentals, web developers can safeguard user data and prevent malicious attacks, which is critical for building reliable and trustworthy applications.
Websites are at risk from cybercriminals, who can harm performance and steal valuable data, making web security a top priority. It involves implementing protective measures and protocols to ensure an optimized and effective website. Developers regularly scan for vulnerabilities to defend against threats, such as malware, blacklisting, buffer overflows, and sensitive data exposure, which could jeopardize a company’s integrity.
To mitigate these risks, developers can adopt several techniques:
Using HTTPS: This secure version of HTTP encrypts data transmitted over the internet using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, which provides three layers of protection:
Encryption: Secures data with a password or “key” for decryption.
Data Integrity: Ensures that the information stored in databases remains complete, accurate, and reliable.
Authentication: Protects against attacks and fosters user trust, which supports business growth.
Additionally, developers should be vigilant against threats like XSS attacks, SQL injection, and ensure that software is regularly updated to maintain security. Overall, a comprehensive approach to web security is vital for maintaining the safety and integrity of web applications.
4. APIs (Application Programming Interface)
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) serve as functions that facilitate data access and interaction with external components, acting as intermediaries that enable communication between applications. Backend developers leverage APIs to connect various services, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
For creating and exposing APIs for client-server communication, Express is an excellent choice as a server framework. Key types of APIs that developers should be familiar with include:
REST (Representational State Transfer): A widely used architectural style for designing networked applications.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight data interchange format that is easy to read and write for humans and machines.
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol): A protocol for exchanging structured information in web services.
GSON: A Java library used for converting Java objects to JSON and vice versa.
XML-RPC: A protocol that uses XML to encode its calls and HTTP as a transport mechanism.
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard): A symmetric encryption algorithm used to secure data.
Understanding these APIs is crucial for backend developers to effectively build and manage
5. Version Control System (Git)
A version control system is essential for tracking code changes, allowing developers to manage and reference previous versions of their work. Git, a free and open-source option, is particularly notable for its security, flexibility, and user-friendliness. Adopting a version control system like Git is considered a best practice for all developers, even those working on small projects. It streamlines the process of updating features and advancing projects, enabling quick edits for optimized applications.
Why Choose Git?
Widely Used: Git is the most commonly adopted version control system in the industry.
Change Tracking: It effectively tracks changes made to files, providing a comprehensive history of modifications.
Efficient Branching: Git branches are inexpensive to create and simple to merge, facilitating experimentation and collaboration.
Version Navigation: Developers can easily revert to specific versions of their code whenever necessary.
- Caching
Caching is the process of storing frequently accessed data in a cache to enhance application performance. By employing various caching techniques, developers can significantly reduce the load on backend servers and improve the overall responsiveness of an application.
In-Memory Caching: This technique involves storing data in memory, allowing for much faster access compared to retrieving data from disk storage. It is particularly effective for frequently accessed data.
Client-Side Caching: This method stores data on the client side, such as within a web browser. By caching data locally, the number of requests sent to the server is reduced, improving load times for users.
Server-Side Caching: In this approach, data is stored on the server side to minimize the time required to generate a response. This can significantly speed up data retrieval and enhance the user experience.
- Testing
Testing is a vital aspect of software development that ensures an application behaves as expected and meets specified requirements. It helps identify and resolve issues early in the development process, contributing to the overall quality and user experience of the application.
Various testing tools can automate the testing process, enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness. There are several types of testing, each serving different purposes:
Unit Testing: Focuses on testing individual components or functions of the application to verify that they work correctly in isolation.
Integration Testing: Evaluates how different components of the application interact with each other, ensuring they function well together.
System Testing: Tests the complete and integrated application to verify that it meets the specified requirements and behaves as expected in a real-world scenario.
Acceptance Testing: Conducted to determine whether the application meets the acceptance criteria and is ready for deployment to users.
Some popular testing tools include:
JUnit: Widely used for unit testing in Java applications.
Selenium: A powerful tool for automating web application testing across different browsers.
Appium: Used for automating mobile app testing on various platforms.
What is the salary of a back-end developer in the UK?
Before you start learning backend development it’s crucial to know how much money you would make when you become a backend developer. It’s always better to learn a skill that has demand only then you can get hired and make money.
The salary of a backend developer depends on various factors such as experience, location, and many others. In this part of the blog, we have discussed all the factors.
- Experience
Entry level: A fresh backend developer with zero years of experience in the UK can make £32,500 per year or £16.67 per hour.
Mid-Level: The average salary of a mid-level backend developer with 2-5 years of experience is £51,147 per year in the UK.
Senior-Level: Experienced backend developer in the UK with more than 10 years can make £72,000 per year.
- Company Size and Type
Large Enterprise: If you’re hired in a large company with multiple offices you can be offered a higher salary package and generous benefits.
Start-up or small venture: Small companies usually offer a lower salary package but you can make your way up to the big position easily.
- Skills and Expertise
Advanced skills: If you’re well-versed in modern technologies, advanced languages, and frameworks, you can expect a higher salary package.
Basic skills: Your salary as a backend developer will be lower if you’re not willing to learn advanced technologies.
- Education and Certifications
Degree and Certificates: A backend developer with a university degree and online certifications will always offered a good salary package by companies.
Certificates Only: On the other hand, a backend developer with only online certification will offer a lower salary package.
- Demand and Supply
If the supply of the backend developers is higher than the demand, this can lead to lower wages and vise versa.
Does the backend developer make more money than the front-end developer in the UK?
Yes, to some extent, it’s true that backend developers typically make more money or are offered higher salary packages than frontend developers, not only in the UK but worldwide. While the demand for frontend developers is higher, resulting in more people learning frontend development, the demand for backend developers is lower, so fewer people pursue backend development. Additionally, backend development is generally considered harder to learn compared to frontend development. The average salary of a backend developer in the United Kingdom is £51,148 per year, compared to £43,551 per year for a frontend developer.
FAQs
Can I learn backend development in 3 months?
Yes, if you already have coding experience and expertise in one backend language, you might be able to grasp the fundamentals of backend development in three months. However, for complete beginners, mastering backend development typically takes longer—often around a year or more—to build a solid understanding of programming concepts, frameworks, databases, and best practices. A strong foundation and practical experience are crucial to becoming a competent backend developer.
2. Can I be a self-taught backend developer?
You don’t need to join any boot camp or academy to learn backend development. You can become a self-taught backend developer by watching backend development-related YouTube videos. Additionally, there are hundreds of online backend development courses available, both free and paid.
3. Is backend coding hard?
The coding involved in backend development is often considered easier than front-end development. However, if you’re a beginner, backend development can be complex, though it becomes more manageable for experienced backend developers.
4. Is a backend development a stressful job?
Yes, backend development is a complex job and can be quite stressful. It requires both coding and problem-solving skills, which contribute to its challenging nature.
- How Can I Become A Backend Developer?
To become a backend developer you must know backend programming languages such as Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, C#, JavaScript, and SQL.