Back-end Development for Beginners: Basics, Examples, and Skills

Many applications have a front end and a back end. The front end is the user interface—the part that users interact with. The back end runs behind the scenes on a server and is responsible for overall application functionality.

Whenever you submit form data, upload files, access databases, or run other complex operations, these commands are executed on the back end—and results are posted back to the front end.

So, you can think of back-end development as the process of building the heart of the application. During development, back-end engineers use different frameworks, open-source programming languages, libraries, and APIs to get their work done.

In this step-by-step guide, we discuss the basics of back-end development, including programming languages and frameworks to use. We also highlight the skills you need and best practices to follow to enhance your expertise.

In this guide:

• Back-end development basics
• How back-end development works
• Essential skills for back-end developers
• Project examples
• Best practices for back-end development

What is back-end development?

Back-end development is the behind-the-scenes magic that makes websites and apps work. It’s the code that powers the database, server, and application—basically, everything that happens on the server side.

As a back-end web developer, you’re the one who builds out the database, integrates APIs, and sets up the server-side technologies that bring a website to life. Without you, the website wouldn’t function. So if you’re a pro at server-side programming, you might be the perfect fit for a client’s next web project.

Back-end vs. front-end development

To understand the back end, or the “server side,” you also have to understand the front end and how the two interact.

The front end, also called “client-side” programming, is what happens in the browser—everything the end users see and interact with. The back end, on the other hand, happens on the server (on-site or in the cloud) and databases. It’s the machinery that works behind the scenes—everything the end user doesn’t see or directly interact with, but that powers what’s happening.

Below is a visual to give you an idea of how front-end and back-end development flow.

Front-end scripts send user requests to the server side to be processed, returning the appropriate data to the front end. This often happens in a constant loop of requests and responses to the server.

Now, let’s take a look at how back-end architecture works—the software and machinery that take over in step four in the above graphic.

The traditional back end is a mix of the server, databases, APIs, and operating systems that power an app’s front end. For an in-depth look at the software that ties it all together, read our article on server-side scripting.

The back end of applications can look very different from application to application, whether it’s using cloud-based servers and data warehouses, containerization with a service like Docker, Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) providers, or APIs to replace more complex processing.

Common programming languages

As a back-end developer, you can choose from among many programming languages. Some of the most common are Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, and Golang.

To speed things up, you can also use frameworks like Node.js, Laravel, Express, Flask, Ruby on Rails, and Django to accelerate back-end development. These web frameworks come with built-in functions for handling things like database operations and file uploads, so you can focus on customizing the features for your specific project.

How back-end development works

Back-end development starts with writing code that defines the application’s core functionality. From there, you’ll host the code on a server, manage database operations, and handle APIs. Let’s break down each of these areas.

Servers and hosting

Servers are the hardware that store and retrieve data, process requests, and respond with the necessary information over a network. They’ve got RAM and storage drives for various computations and file storage.

When you deploy a website on a server, it gets assigned a specific URL and IP address. Users can then access your application using that URL. You can even host your back-end app and front-end web pages on separate servers and use an API to facilitate communication between them.

You’ve got two options for hosting: cloud or on-premises. Cloud hosting is great for rapid scalability and better uptimes and availability, but it can get pricey if your website requires a lot of resources.

On-premise hosting, on the other hand, gives you full control over the IT infrastructure, so you can customize it to suit your needs. The downside is that scaling to accommodate increased web traffic can be tough due to resource limitations.

Databases and data storage

Databases are a crucial part of back-end development since they store all sorts of information, from employee records and user info to product details and multimedia files.

Depending on your project, you might use SQL or NoSQL databases. SQL relational databases like Oracle Database and PostgreSQL store data in tables and rows, making them ideal for structured data. They also follow ACID principles, which guarantee better data safety, reliability, and integrity.

On the other hand, NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Firebase are primarily used for storing unstructured or semi-structured data. This makes them adaptable to changing data needs.

With databases, you can perform operations like fetching records, editing or updating existing data, and deleting specific records.

APIs and middleware

APIs (application programming interfaces) allow the back end to communicate with the front end.

For example, users can enter info on the front end that gets sent to the back end via an API for processing or storage. The back end can also send requested info to the front end to be displayed to users. This is how Netflix fetches a list of movies and TV shows from its back-end database to show on the user interface.

Software applications typically require a CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) API. This means the API enables users to create new records on the databases, fetch existing data in JSON or other supported formats, update specific entries, or delete certain or all records.

At the center of the front end and underlying APIs is the middleware. Middleware (server-side software) facilitates client-server connectivity, forming a middle layer between the app(s) and the network, server, database, operating system, and more.

Middleware can be organized into different layers of a site, whether it’s the presentation or business layer. This is where web APIs can come into play, bridging the gap between the business and presentation layers.

Middleware also lets cloud and on-premise applications communicate and provides services like data integration and error handling. Good middleware can maximize IT efficiency and power things like user engagement, business process management, content management, authentication, and more. Koa.js is an example of a server-side JavaScript framework.

Essential skills for back-end developers

To thrive, a back-end developer should have these skills:

• Basic understanding of the front-end ecosystem. While you work mainly on the back end, you still need to be familiar with front-end technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to perform your role well.
• Working knowledge of back-end development. You should be well-versed with various back-end algorithms and processes, including configuration, administration and management of databases and servers.
• Knowledge of server-side languages. A good understanding of server-side languages like Python, PHP, C#, and Ruby is also essential when creating robust and high-performing applications.
• Mastery of database technologies. Since back-end development involves handling user data and storing it in databases, you should be familiar with various database technologies like SQL and MySQL for efficient data management.
• Security and authentication best practices. The back end handles sensitive data and files, making it susceptible to cyber attacks. As a developer, you should be well-versed with various security measures to enhance data safety.
• Experience writing RESTful APIs. You should also know how to create RESTful APIs to facilitate seamless communication between the front end and the back end.
• Problem-solving skills. Apart from technical competencies, you should also be ready to identify and solve problems that arise during back-end development.

Programming languages

As a back-end developer, you have a variety of scripting languages to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. They can differ in file size, performance, compatibility, the amount of code required, and programming style.

Another key difference is how they’re executed, which can impact load time, readability, and the processing power needed to run the application.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular back-end programming languages out there:

• C++. This combines all the features of C with object-oriented programming features such as classes. As a low-level programming language, it communicates efficiently with system hardware for better performance, making it ideal for large web applications.
• C#. This is mainly used on Windows servers and environments. If your technology stack is based on Microsoft products such as ASP.NET, chances are high C# will be the most productive choice for your developers.
• Java. This is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language that was designed with cross-platform compatibility in mind. Any machine running an installation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) can execute Java programs.
• JavaScript (Node.js). While traditionally considered a front-end scripting language, the introduction of Node.js showed the world that this general-purpose object-oriented programming language could also be used on the server side of applications.
• PHP. This is the most popular back-end language for the web. PHP has a low learning curve, a massive codebase, and extensive community support.
• Python. Python is a general-purpose programming language with many different libraries for data processing. For back-end development, Python enhances productivity through its simple syntax and short code length.
• Perl. This is a general-purpose programming language that’s popular in the Linux and Unix worlds. Perl’s strengths lie in text manipulation and log management. It’s great for writing short automation scripts quickly.
• Scala. This programming language supports both functional and object-oriented programming paradigms. Because Scala is based on Java, it is still powered by the JVM, which lets applications run on multiple platforms.
• Ruby. This is a dynamically typed general-purpose programming language that boosts programmer productivity. It supports procedural, functional, and object-oriented programming paradigms and is known for its ability to incorporate metaprogramming into apps (code that can change while it’s running).

Version control systems

Before getting into back-end development, you need some knowledge of version control systems. These track changes made in software projects over time, helping you assess how the code base has evolved.

If you’re working on a team, a version control system lets you monitor changes or updates other team members have made to the project for smooth collaboration. Plus, version control tools allow you to review code before merging it into an existing codebase, making sure you adhere to established quality standards.

Git is a popular version control system you can integrate into your back-end development workflow. Other noteworthy Git repositories include Bitbucket and Mercurial.

Security fundamentals

Digital technologies are constantly being updated, which contributes to new threats that are increasingly hard to detect and prevent. For example, computer viruses can leverage AI and machine learning technology to quickly adapt to new conditions and evade existing security measures.

Apart from knowing how to create back-end applications, developers have to stay updated with the latest security measures and best practices to keep information and IT infrastructure safe.

Specifically, you should be familiar with security techniques like authentication, authorization, and data protection to protect organizations from data breaches and malicious attacks.

Project examples

Back-end development is an expansive area where you’re only bound by your creativity. You can create different back-end projects to sharpen your skills and knowledge. Below, we offer some back-end project examples for inspiration:

• E-commerce website. You can create a back end for an e-commerce website that handles product information, updates database records, and processes user requests. It should have features like order tracking, shopping cart functionality, and payment processing. Large e-commerce players like Amazon use back-end development like this for user and inventory management.
• Content management system (CMS). You can also build a CMS to manage articles and blog posts. It should allow users to publish articles and even comment on other users’ work. WordPress is a good example of a CMS that offers more advanced functionality, including the ability for users to create custom websites.
• Travel booking site. In this project, you could create a back-end app that receives user information (from the front end) and stores it in a database. This can be an excellent starter project to sharpen your back-end development skills.

Back-end development best practices

You need to follow certain software development principles and techniques to build high-performing and reliable applications. Best practices for creating quality back-end systems include:

• Modularize code. Instead of writing one giant block of code, try breaking it into smaller, more manageable chunks (modules). This makes your code reusable, boosting your productivity in the long run. Plus, it makes it easier to spot errors and bugs during testing.
• Use design patterns. Don’t just wing it. Stick to proven web design patterns, like MVC (model view controller), to build high-quality back-end applications.
• Adhere to coding standards. Make sure you’re following industry standards and style guidelines to keep your code maintainable and readable. This also makes it easier for you to collaborate with other team members.
• Use version control. Version control tools like Git help you and your team keep track of changes to the codebase. This way, you can avoid confusion and maintain high-quality standards.
• Document your code. Even if you know what your code does, other team members might not be familiar with certain concepts. Adding in-line comments to your code helps others follow along easily.
• Test, test, test. If your back-end application crashes in production, it can be a disaster and ruin the user experience. Test your application in different scenarios to minimize the chance of this happening.

Learn back-end development today

While back-end development involves creating systems that run behind the scenes, these systems still have the potential to affect the overall user experience. Learning back-end development can help build highly functional and well-rounded applications that deliver seamless experiences. Mastering back-end dynamics and fundamentals can also allow you to work in different roles, including as a back-end web developer or full-stack developer.

Interested in back-end development? Start your learning journey by leveraging online boot camps, tutorials, and courses. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Udacity offer online classes to help you master the back-end ecosystem.

YouTube also hosts a wide range of free videos that can equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. Reading official programming documentation like Python and Ruby can also deepen your back-end development knowledge.

As you continue learning, consider joining developer communities on Reddit, Stack Overflow, and GitHub. It can help you learn from mentors and peers and sharpen your skills.

Find back-end development projects

Mastering the right technical skills for back-end development can be time-consuming, especially for beginners, but the results are worth it. You learn new things and expose yourself to career opportunities that promise excellent compensation.

As you learn, consider working with back-end developers on Upwork to help you improve your back-end systems. You can also partner with PHP developers, DevOps engineers, SQL developers, C# developers, and .NET developers to build quality full-stack applications.

If you’re an expert looking for work, Upwork can also connect you with tons of back-end development jobs to grow your portfolio. Get started today!

‍

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.