Top Backend Developer Skills
With the likes of big tech giants such as Google, Apple and Amazon clamoring to hire backend developers with high salaries, backend development is undoubtedly an exciting career path! The Bureau of Labour Statistics, US, expects about a 13% expansion in the openings for web developers in the coming eight years. And with the number of online courses and knowledge for backend development, it's only normal to get intimidated.
If you're an aspiring backend web developer seeking budget-friendly ways to hone their backend developer skills, you're at the right place. We bring to you the perfect course that's tailor-made for the same. Check out Scaler Academy’s Backend Development Certification Course, which is a definite path to gaining the skills needed in this field.
Note: The visual aspects of the website that can be seen and experienced by users are frontend while everything that happens in the background is the backend.
Who is a Backend Developer?
Backend developers are the experts who build and maintain the mechanisms that process data and perform actions on websites. They create the APIs and web services that front-end developers use. They handle both the front-end integration and the server-side logic. Their prime duty is defining and maintaining the central database, ensuring it performs well and reacts quickly to requests.
A backend developer is like a sous chef to a backend engineer's chef. Together, they are responsible for doing whatever it takes for a perfect result. The backend developer concentrates on features or activities that enable software development while understanding the framework the backend engineer created.
Top 10 Backend Developer Skills
Knowledge of Backend Programming Language
Language is the foundation of the development field; thus, you must have a vast knowledge of it. A backend developer will construct a reliable framework, and the servers connected in the required manner. You can achieve the needed outputs and functionality if you are fluent in the backend programming languages. The three common languages used by large tech companies are Java, Python, and PHP.
Java
Due to its portability and exceptional performance, Java is amongst the most robust coding languages and is utilized by many major IT organizations (including Google, Amazon, Facebook, and others). It is used to build highly functional applications and dynamic web pages. Backend Java developer skills are also one of the most sought-after.
Python
Python is known for making the development process easy and simple, with limited code lines and minimum rules to follow as compared to other languages.
Python backend developer skills are crucial since they can be used to automate processes, analyze data, create websites, and so much more. Additionally, it supports a variety of programming paradigms, including functions and object-oriented programming.
PHP
Today, PHP drives more than 80% of websites and has been considered a valuable language for backend developers for quite some time. A primary reason is that PHP can automate tasks and make it more convenient for developers to execute other vital operations simultaneously.
Knowledge of Popular Frameworks
It's essential to thoroughly understand popular frameworks once you have clarity regarding which language you'd want to focus on. Frameworks provide a definite way of doing things and make it easy to develop complex applications. You might think about working on a few specific frameworks as a backend developer.
NodeJS
NodeJS is an open-source, cost-free platform that facilitates an application's backend coding. If you don't already know, this framework runs on JavaScript and can operate on many operating systems. These include Linux and Windows, to name a few.
ExpressJS
Another framework based on NodeJS is ExpressJS. Backend developers strongly recommend it due to its speed and deliverability. ExpressJS is one of the finest options for building APIs.
Django
Django is a free, open-source, Python-based web framework that has gained much popularity among programmers. The best thing about Django is that it enables rapid app development with less code and time.
Data Structures and Algorithms
As a back-end developer, good knowledge of DSA is necessary to design optimized algorithms and efficiently solve problems. These include knowledge of data sorting, stacks, queues, lists, stacks, binary search, and hashcode implementations. You should be able to choose the most appropriate data structures to solve a given problem.
Version Control System
It is also referred to as the source control and is responsible for tracking changes in the codebase. The version control system records every change to a code in a distinct “version”. This helps protect source code when a developer messes up and wishes to undo it. Some of the most well-liked version control platforms for backend developers include:
- AWS Code Commit: This is a different version of the control system that Amazon is hosting. A user can save and manage data with this and the source code. A Git repository is used to maintain this highly secure platform.
- GitHub: It is an open-source forum created in 2007 to assist developers. Anyone accessing the cloud can read the code, and coders can collaborate and contribute however they see fit. Anyone anywhere can help those in need with the assistance of this community, and as a result of its widespread use, millions of users are currently connected to this platform.
- GitLab: It enables users to collaborate and carry out all tasks on a single platform. Doing this aids in shortening the time and boosts output. In other words, it enables groups to create flawless software using a single communication channel.
Knowledge of API
The API, or Application Programming Interface, is responsible for setting up connections between various applications. For instance, you connect to Alibaba's API while placing an order for a product through the company's mobile application. Backend developers use these APIs to connect various applications and improve user experience. Developers frequently use JSON, GSON, SOAP, REST, and other standard APIs.
Databases and Cache
Database management systems, often known as DBMS, are how programmers stores and organize massive volumes of data generated by websites and apps in a structured and efficient way.
A few popular database management systems that backend engineers should be familiar with are PostgreSQL, AWS DynamoDB, and Oracle. These solutions are all used to manage massive amounts of data, but they also use caching for small data from individual users.
Server Handling
All backend development is server-side development, so understanding servers are crucial. A server is a system or computer that offers information, resources, and services to other computers or clients across a network, including file storage, security, and databases. The most well-known servers include Microsoft Windows Server, NGINX, and Apache. Knowing the fundamentals of Linux is also very beneficial because most such servers support Linux OS. Docker and Kubernetes are some of the leading server management solutions.
Problem-solving
Backend development is a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy solving problems because it can sometimes be challenging. Since a backend developer often acts as a website's problem solver, curiosity and a desire to find solutions are crucial traits to possess when starting.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Although there are options for individual work in backend web dev, it's also critical to have strong, soft skills like effective communication and teamworking. To ensure a site operates at its best potential, backend developers frequently need to collaborate closely with front-end developers and a large team; therefore, effective communication is crucial.
Backend Developer Salary
A web developer's duties and responsibilities start with website design and end with efficient implementation and maintenance. Backend website developers with experience of one year or less are usually paid an annual package of Rs.241,239. The average total income for website developers with about four years of professional experience in their early career is ₹305,745.
The salary can later range to about Rs.850,000 per annum for backend developers who are skilled with Java backend developer skills and Python backend developer skills.
Along with the job's demand and location within the nation, several other criteria are considered when determining the ultimate wage. The following factors come into play:
- Experience: A developer's pay will be based on years of work experience. A novice in the profession may have the talent, but an experienced individual may have a greater understanding of managing the circumstance due to their expertise.
- Location: Given the cost of living factor, it is undeniable that urban areas have higher pay scales than rural areas.
- Employer: The firm you join will undoubtedly impact your compensation structure. A startup will likely be more open to hiring fresh graduates. Regardless, well-known employers will likely be more willing to pay due to their market position and financial status.
- Skillset: Every organization has its unique set of necessary skill sets, especially when a position is as varied as a web developer. Your Java backend developer skills or Python backend developer skills can also decide your salary.
- Work Responsibilities: We've spoken about the various job roles a web developer could have, so your compensation structure will partly depend on how in demand they are in the nation.
Becoming a Back End Developer: Important Pointers To Keep in Mind
Between the journey from a fresh recruit to a senior experienced backend developer, here are a few responsibilities you have to undertake:
- Building, designing, or maintaining web applications.
- Focus on having open lines of communication with your crew during disputes to ensure hasty resolution and hassle-free operation.
- Be responsible for the website's upkeep, growth, and scaling.
- Work with web designers to ensure that visual design intent is met.
- Maintaining a thorough knowledge of the most recent updates and alterations in web development through participation in talks, conferences, seminars, and other learning opportunities.
- Ensure that your test data and routines are checked and validated to guarantee that your software operates without errors on all device types and browsers.
- Always pay attention to consumer input and focus on the issues and fixes required for significant outcomes.
FAQs
Q: What are the key skills of a backend developer?
A: The key skills of a backend developer are a combination of programming proficiency, database management, and a solid understanding of web development concepts. A backend developer should possess strong skills in programming languages like Java, Python, Ruby, or PHP, enabling them to write efficient and scalable server-side code.
Q: Which is best to learn for the backend?
A: Choosing the best language to learn for backend development is like selecting the perfect tool from a busy shop. It depends on the project's unique needs and the industry you're diving into. Java shines brightly in enterprise-level applications, while Python flaunts its simplicity and versatility.
Q: Is DSA required for backend developers?
A: While a solid understanding of DSA can be incredibly helpful, it's not always an absolute must-have for every backend development role. However, having a grasp of basic data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, and queues, and knowing the way around algorithms like sorting and searching, can certainly give you a leg up when tackling programming problems.
Conclusion
- The Internet is continuously evolving leading to exponential rise in technology, and the need for backend developers is steadily soaring.
- Backend development is an excellent career path if you want to have an exciting job in the tech field.
- Backend developers build and maintain the mechanisms that process data and perform actions on websites, handling both front-end integration and server-side logic.
- Important backend developer skills include knowledge of backend programming languages such as Java, Python, and PHP.
- Familiarity with popular frameworks like NodeJS, ExpressJS, and Django is essential for backend development.
- Understanding data structures and algorithms is necessary for designing optimized algorithms and solving problems efficiently.
- Version control systems like AWS Code Commit, GitHub, and GitLab are crucial for tracking changes in the codebase.
- Knowledge of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) is important for connecting various applications and improving user experience.
- Backend developers should be familiar with databases and cache management systems like PostgreSQL, AWS DynamoDB, and Oracle.
- Understanding server handling, including knowledge of servers like Microsoft Windows Server, NGINX, and Apache, is essential for backend development.
- Problem-solving skills and effective communication are crucial traits for backend developers.
- Important pointers to keep in mind when becoming a backend developer include building, designing, or maintaining web applications, staying updated with the latest web development trends, and actively communicating with the team for efficient operations.
Scaler Academy looks forward to building you into a perfect web developer with Backend development course, which is curated and constructed with great detail to hone your skillsets and assist you with experience.