Back-end development involves working with databases, servers and other infrastructure that you don’t see. It also includes activities such as writing APIs and library systems.

Back-end developers need to know several programming languages. They also need to understand data structures and algorithms. Algorithms are defined processes for solving problems; back-end developers use algorithms to organize and access data in programs.

Servers

Back-end development involves building out the invisible infrastructure that supports web apps. Unlike front-end development, which focuses on making sites and apps engaging to users, back-end development centers around servers, databases and code that runs in the background. These high-powered computers house the shared resources that networks need to function, including file storage, security and encryption, email, and databases. Servers are also the backbone of web services like cloud computing and storage.

For example, if you use a mobile application to navigate to your new job, the app will need access to the database of city buses, as well as taxi services and Google Maps. These requests are handled by back-end code, which retrieves and manipulates data from these APIs.

When you browse a website, the text and images that make up a page are stored on a web server. A back-end developer uses code to send these files to your browser when you request them.

A solid understanding of servers is essential for back-end developers. You will need to know how they work, and the different software that runs them. You will also need to understand how they are configured and optimized for performance. Finally, you should have a good grasp of the different programming languages that are used in back-end development. These include Python, Java, and PHP. The language you choose to learn depends on the type of applications that you want to build and how they will be used.

Databases

Back-end database systems are essential for businesses to manage their data effectively. Without one, companies may experience operational inefficiencies, security risks, and impeded growth. Back-end databases help solve these problems by storing and organizing data in a way that is easy to search and retrieve.

A back-end database is a server-based system that allows you to store data that users access through a separate application. For example, you can use a database to store information about your products or services on your website. Then, when a customer searches for a particular product on your site, the database will be used to find the relevant information. The server-based back-end database will then process the query and return the results to the user.

Most websites have a Front End and a Back End. The Front End communicates requests to the Back End through code written in Front End languages like HTML and JavaScript. The Back End then communicates the request to a server-based application that processes and pulls data from a database, such as Amazon.

A back-end developer should have an understanding of both relational and non-relational databases and server-side programming languages. Python and PHP are popular back-end languages, but there are many other options as well. For example, Java is a general-purpose programming language that is used on all operating systems and can be deployed for web applications or mobile apps. It’s also important to know how to troubleshoot and debug applications as part of your day-to-day responsibilities.

APIs

Back-end development is essentially behind-the-scene activities that take place when you interact with any website. For example, when you click a link or go to a different page, the text and image files that make up the new page get sent to your browser via a web server. This is done by a back-end developer using code that retrieves, arranges and stores data from a database.

This information then gets transmitted to the browser in the form of an API (Application Programming Interface). An API is a window that a front-end application has into the back-end’s applications.

There are a variety of languages that back-end developers use. Some are object-oriented, which organizes code into reusable building blocks called objects. Others are compiled rather than interpreted, which can affect file size and performance. Some are based on the Java language, which is an industry standard. Other back-end scripting languages include Python, Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, and Java.

A good back-end developer should also have a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms. These are more conceptual technologies, but they are important for creating an effective application architecture and ensuring the security of the system. They are a key part of many programming curriculums.

Security

Back-end security is vital for keeping a web application functional. Without proper back-end security, cybercriminals can hack into your system and gain access to sensitive information such as credit card details, login credentials, and medical records. To avoid this, back-end developers must constantly examine and re-examine various layers that keep your web application secure. This includes encrypting data at rest, providing secured getaways for your front end users, and maintaining proper access rights for each user.

In addition, back-end devs must be familiar with databases and caching mechanisms that reduce the amount of data that is pulled from a database. As a result, they need to be familiar with SQL and other popular database management systems (DBMS). They also need to know about production web servers like Nginx and HTTP proxies.

Back-end devs often work in teams with front-end developers and product managers to create and maintain the structure of a website or app. Whether they are building the server-side functionality that allows a page to scroll infinitely or making sure users click the right button, back-end devs help ensure the site functions correctly. They also collaborate with data analysts, database administrators, and security specialists to protect the integrity of information and secure the site. They should have a good understanding of data structures and algorithms as well, including arrays, links, trees, tries, heaps, stacks, queues, and hash tables.