About backend development and where beginners should start

Miras Les, Lead Backend Developer at Kolesa Group

Development is divided into two areas: frontend and backend. Frontend is what you see and what the user interacts with. The interface, animations, and visual elements on a website or in an app.

Backend consists of processes hidden from the user's eyes, occurring outside their browser and computer on a remote server. Backend includes all components and functions that are not directly accessible to the user but are available through the interface. This includes certifications, authentication, background scripts, and automated interactions.

If a website is a car, then frontend is the steering wheel, wheels, interior, and dashboard. And backend is the entire engine compartment. That is, the transmission, engine, mechanisms, and everything that makes the car move from a standstill.

Who can become a backend developer

A backend developer has many tasks. Moreover, the cost of a mistake is quite high. So the question arises: Why become a backend developer?

Programming is undoubtedly a creative activity. Every day, a backend developer will encounter various types of tasks that will require increasingly elegant and refined solutions. At the same time, the higher your backend level becomes, the more complex professional goals will be set before you. But when you see that a result benefiting many people is being created under your fingers, you will understand that it is worth it. This will be your engine to do even more and better. If you enjoy such intellectual labor, then this profession is definitely for you.

However, it is important to understand that besides creative tasks, a programmer's work involves attention to detail. Be prepared for the fact that you will need perseverance and patience. Most of the time will be spent coding, debugging, writing code, and fixing it. This is a natural workflow. Remember that becoming a programmer is not so easy. It requires a special mindset. You will need qualities such as the ability to think systematically, attention to detail, and meticulousness. If this does not scare you, then welcome to the profession.

Where to start

Here it must be admitted that there are many more tools and technologies to learn compared to other areas. In frontend development, there are many things working, and there is still a lot more to learn.

The main tool of a backend developer is a programming language. If compared to frontend or mobile development, in those areas you need only one or two languages. In backend, however, there is a huge number of languages, and there is something to choose from. These can be Python, Golang, PHP, JavaScript. And this is just a list of the most popular programming languages. There are also C++, COBOL, and so on.

However, do not forget that a language is just a tool. Which one to use depends on the goal set and the amount of your knowledge. If you are already working and using Python, that's great, continue to study it more deeply. Learn what it can do, what projects can and should be written on it, and which ones should not. If you are in frontend development and want to try yourself in backend, it is better to use JavaScript.

But if you are just starting and want to try yourself in this field, then my recommendation is to start with the PHP language. It is an undisputed classic in backend development. After all, most services are written on it. By the way, at Kolesa Group, we also use either PHP or Golang.

Programming Language: Which one should a beginner backend developer choose?

PHP is an excellent language for beginners for a number of reasons.

First, this language is constantly evolving. At the end of last year, an updated version was released, which brought a set of unique features that you will not find in other languages.

PHP allows you to fully write applications and learn everything necessary for a modern developer. Due to its simplicity, the entry barrier is quite low. Its syntax is understandable, and writing and reading code in it is easy. It will not take you much time to learn it.

Second, this is the community and the diversity of materials. One of the key points when choosing any technology is the presence of a community and courses, presentations to get acquainted with it. PHP has a huge community, and it is also active. For any question, you can easily find an answer on the Internet. In addition, there is a huge amount of materials for independent study on PHP. These are intensives, video lessons, articles, and lectures. PHP allows you to start small and move on to larger, more complex projects.

Third, PHP integrates well with all database languages. It has all the necessary extensions for backend development. You can even experiment with it.

The fashion for programming languages changes constantly, but PHP always remains in the top ten best.

Database. A backend developer must definitely know how databases work.

Master transactions. You need to understand the difference between relational and object-relational databases. You need to understand when to use indexes and so on. There is a lot of work with databases. There are such popular databases as SQL and MongoDB. Study them.

Web servers. In addition, the developer needs to know how to configure such popular servers as Apache and Nginx.

Frameworks. Do not underestimate the importance and advantages of using frameworks. Frameworks will give you an understanding of all the principles of building modern web applications. For PHP, there are two most popular frameworks: Laravel and Symfony.

Conclusion

A backend developer is a crucial link in the operation of websites and applications. It depends on him how stable and fast the service will work, what functions and capabilities will be available to the user.

He ensures that push notifications are sent exactly to your phone and not to another user, that everything works correctly, and that data is saved. It is thanks to him that your photos, reviews, and views are exactly yours and not someone else's.

Tips

A backend developer needs to constantly improve their skills and continuously learn new things, as the IT field is constantly changing.

It is important to know how to work in a team.

Be able to take responsibility for your actions, be careful, and sincerely love what you do.