Backend developers are responsible for internal processes of sites and applications, build data exchange, select systems for storing and managing information, and provide maximum performance with minimal failures. We tell you what skills a good specialist should have and in what order they should be studied.
1. Decide on the programming language
Unlike a frontend developer, which has enough knowledge of HTML/CSS and JavaScript, the backend developer has to make a difficult choice. Scripting languages such as Python are suitable for novice developers. First of all, it is really relatively simple, its syntax is easy to read, which means you can look for solutions to your questions and learn from someone else’s code. Secondly, in the same web development, Python’s positions are getting stronger every year. If you plan to immerse yourself in the creation of Internet resources, this language will provide you with a stream of interesting projects.
2. Meet the package managers
When the introductory part is behind and the list of basic applications exceeds 5-10 positions, proceed to the next step. Master package managers – special utilities that allow you to add third-party libraries to applications to expand your capabilities and create new features. With them, you can also offer your libraries for use by other developers.
Each language has its own package manager. In Python it is called pip, in PHP – Composer, in Ruby – RubyGems. By this point, you will understand what your previous products are missing, improve their performance and set new goals.
3. Join the best practices
Learn the experience of other developers on Github and other specialized sites, look for industry standards. The non-profit organization OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) regularly updates the rules for creating secure web applications.
When you deal with package managers and learn generally accepted development principles, you will be able to create more complex programs. Look for open projects on GitHub, understand their device, try to do something similar and add your own functions, and you will be noticed by those who want to hire backend developer. Feel free to ask questions, but remember that the answers to many questions are already on the forums.
4. Test your code
The ability to test your code and clear bugs in it is included in the must-have of any developer. Understand how the testing process is built, what tests are for applications and how to write them.
Try to create such a test and test it on your early programs. Remember that your efforts at this stage depend on how other members of the project team will treat you in the future – developers with clean code are appreciated everywhere.
5. Go to the databases
The work of a backend developer is often associated with relational data warehouses, because they make up the backend of a site or application. And SQL databases remain one of the key technologies in both software development and web development.
This is an extensive topic that can be even more difficult to understand than learning the same Python. The structured query language (SQL) itself is not difficult to master – in the 70s it was invented just for those specialists who do not need to know programming to work. However, seemingly simple request processing processes in the database hide many tricks, so be ready to postpone training until you start working on projects. In the meantime, learn the basic principles and terms – keys, indexes, normalization, etc.
6. Explore the frameworks
Frameworks combine a set of technical tools that simplify the execution of a task. In fact, this is a mini-development platform aimed at a narrow range of goals.
If you work on medium or large projects, you can’t do without frameworks. Explore forums, read documentation, experiment with tools. When you feel that you have figured it out, apply new knowledge to the applications from the previous step – try to improve their performance and set of functions with the frameworks that you have learned.
7. Go deep into databases
Move from relational databases to non-relational databases. This topic is a little more complicated, since there are a lot of solutions for working with unstructured data, and many of them have their own, unique language. A beginner should deal with MongoDB, Cassandra, RethinkDB and Couchbase. MongoDB is gaining popularity among developers, so it needs to be made a priority. Don’t forget to check https://fireart.studio/hire-front-end-developers/ for more information.
8. Expand the skill set
By this point, you will master the basic technical means, which are enough to launch a web resource or medium-sized program. Now you need to learn effective development; an approximate training plan is as follows:
- Learn data caching, get acquainted with Redis and Memcached;
- Deal with the REST API, GraphQL and message brokers that help applications and other elements of the software infrastructure communicate;
- Find out what authorization methods are and how to choose the right one for your program;
- Understand the principles of search engines and search engine optimization;
- Learn how to handle Docker – it is a useful tool for working with applications designed for thousands and tens of thousands of users;
- Master web server technologies, understand the differences between their types;
- Try web sockets – they will allow your web application to update information in real time;
- Get acquainted with the graphs and databases based on them.
Software development is constantly changing, so that a successful professional constantly monitors new technologies and applies them in business.
