Nowadays, to create a functional, user-friendly, and pretty website, you need a whole team of front-end, back-end, full-stack developers, and also people coordinating the process of creating the application, like project managers and analysts. Such a division, not only positively influences the workflow, but significantly improves operations and communication with the client.

In 2022, no one is likely to write code from scratch anymore. To help, many low-level tools are now available, to simplify solving tasks. Examples of tools to create are frameworks, which are popular elements of a back-end developer’s work (Laravel, Django, Spring, Ruby on Rails, Meteor, Node.js). A modern developer reminds an engineer, who uses various tools and codes to create a compatible, working mechanism. 

Who’s a back-end developer?

A back-end developer is a specialist, who builds the internal mechanisms that process data and perform actions in web applications. He deals with the proper website functioning, back-end logic, architecture, servers, and also the application programming interface (API).

Sound complicated? To better understand what a back-end developer does, you can imagine his tasks using an airplane as an example. The front-end developer is responsible for what we see – wings, landing gear, cockpit. However, the mechanisms that make the airplane’s engine run, are the responsibility of the back-end developer. Thanks to this collaboration, our metaphorical airplane (and in fact a web application) can fly! 

Back-end development is hidden behind the front-end (there is close cooperation between them), and works on all the software on the server-side, focusing on what the user never sees on the website. To help browsers communicate with databases, as well as store, understand, and delete data – developers use code. It is thanks to back-end developers, that sites can easily make payments while shopping online or sign up for newsletters.

What do back-end developers work on?

Database programming that stores server information

As opposed to a front developer, the work of a back-end developer is not visually noticeable to the user, and it’s based only on working with code. The main tools of a back-end developer’s work are (and always have been), server programming languages like:

  • Python – the language most often used to learn programming. Python makes it possible, to write extremely short and readable codes, which are often used by various types of startups that are keen to get to market quickly.
  • PHP – as one of the few programming languages, PHP was specifically designed for creating websites. This distinguishes it from others that have only been adapted for building websites.
  • Ruby – a language that is often used with the Ruby on Rails framework. It works best in situations where you need to deliver new versions of a product quickly.
  • Java – one of the most universal programming languages. The motto that guided the developers was: “Compile once, run anywhere”. Java is very often chosen for large corporate projects that will be developed for many years. There is also JavaScript, which despite the fact, that it was originally one of the front-end languages, has recently also entered the back-end thanks to Node.js.
  • C# – an enhanced version of the C language that was developed by Microsoft specifically for the .NET Framework.

Preparing databases where application data is kept and safeguarding user data

Databases are a key component of most systems. Backend developers are responsible for communicating with the database. For most projects, relational databases such as:

  • MySQL – a free, relational database developed by Oracle.
  • PostgreSQL – RDBMS type database with object-oriented extensions.
  • SQLite – one of the most popular and widely used database systems included in most mobile devices.

The back-end developer job also handles the security of the web application and corrects any technical bugs detected on an ongoing basis.

Dealing with the highest feasible efficiency in program operation

It is the back-end developer, who is responsible for the fast and efficient operation of the entire site – especially when it processes a very large amount of data, that can overload systems. Once a website is up and running, and also during updates and edits, developers must rate its performance and scalability, adjusting the code as necessary. 

What qualities should a modern back-end developer have? 

In addition to technical skills, which are the core of the job, a backend developer needs to present competencies such as:

  • Good communication skills. Since the work on the product is currently the outcome of the entire team, it is important that the back-end developer has no problem talking about the project and understanding the vision of other team members. 
  • Knowledge of modern programming paradigms. Keeping up with rapidly changing economic trends, as well as updates to coding languages and platforms is very important in the programming industry. So it’s worth, as a back-end developer, setting yourself up for a constant desire to grow and acquire new knowledge.
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving. A back-end developer often has to be very creative, while developing a web or mobile application, and find solutions to problems, such as debugging code without crashing the entire system. Anticipating errors, preventing them, and analyzing one’s mistakes are skills that every back-end developer should have.

Career in back-end development in 2022

Most large companies may require a degree in the field. This is because a back-end developer’s job demand knowledge of algorithms, an abstract approach to problem-solving, and an understanding of data structures.

However, many companies prioritize experience and skills, so if an applicant for a backend developer position has them – he or she shouldn’t have any difficulty starting their career in web development as this is definitely an increasingly desirable profession.

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Successful products require modern web experiences

By collaborating with other team members, the back-end developer is often responsible for the delivery of all functionality. It is therefore a highly responsible and challenging role that requires high and rapidly growing competencies. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2020 and 2030, web developer positions are expected to grow by 13 percent! This is not surprising because the web applications and websites we use in our browsers and devices are becoming increasingly complex and complicated in their structure. One thing is certain – modern back-end developers will never get bored!