Backend development

Backend development is known to be the skill that upholds the web. This development is done in a modest way and allows people to browse their favorite sites without having any idea of all the work done by the developer or the backend team.

Backend development languages take responsibility for the 'behind-the-scenes' functionality of web applications. It takes care of the code that connects the web to a database, manages user connections, and powers the web application itself.

Moreover, backend development works together with the frontend to deliver the final product to the end-user. There are various technologies used during backend development, they include Python & Django, Java & Spring, Golang, etc.

As described above, backend development is what keeps the internet running behind the scenes.

The main goal of backend developers is to know how a website works. They write codes that focus on the functionality and logic of the application they are working on, and users never see the technology they are working on.

The tech behind backend is a combination of servers, applications, and databases. However, the responsibilities of backend programmers might involve writing APIs, writing code to interact with a database, creating libraries, working on business processes and data architecture, and so on. It often depends on the specific role and the company.

Apparently, backend development establishes the fundamental code that allows websites to process the actions that users take on the frontend and, in return, provide the correct information.

Backend programming can either be object-oriented (OOP) or functional. The former is the technique that focuses on the creation of objects. With object-oriented programming, statements must be executed in a particular order. Popular OOP languages include Java, .NET, and Python.

Functional backend programming is a more action-based technique. Functional programming uses a declarative language, which means that statements can be executed in any order. It is commonly used for data science, and popular languages are SQL, F#, and R.

Let's take a look at some specific backend development programming languages.

1. Java.
   Java is the world's most popular programming language. Not only is Java extremely versatile (its use spans from smartphones to smart cards); it has also been used by developers for over 20 years. What makes Java so versatile is the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java backend technologies can be used to achieve a lot of objectives, including these and more:
   
   • (Android) mobile application development;
   • website development;
   • database connectivity;
   • image processing;
   • GUI based programs;
   • networking.
   
   
2. PHP.
   PHP powers 78.2% of all websites whose server-side programming language we know. In 1995, the language was first released when there were few options for building dynamic websites. PHP can be used to:
   • collect data;
   • generate dynamic page content;
   • send and receive cookies;
   • write command-line scripting;
   • write server-side scripting;
   • write desktop applications.
   
   
3. .NET (C#, VB).
   Made open source in 2016, .NET can integrate with iOS and Android by way of .NET Core. The code is highly stable and reliable, making it a popular choice for businesses. C# is a high-level computer language, which means it allows developers to write programs that are independent of a particular type of computer. VB is a programming language that uses a graphical user interface (GUI) to modify code written in the BASIC programming language. .NET can be used to build:
   • desktop applications;
   • create mobile apps;
   • build web applications and games;
   • work with Big Data, and more.
   
   
4. Ruby.
   Ruby on Rails (or Ruby) is a web development language built on top of the Ruby programming language. Ruby on Rails has a set of tools to create basic tasks (e.g. you can create a basic blog with one line of code). Ruby can be used to:
   • automate repetitive tasks;
   • build web applications;
   • build mobile applications and games;
   • create prototypes and more.
   
   
5. Python.
   Python has a versatile programming language that is used for both web and desktop development. Python has a syntax that is simple and easy to understand compared to other backend languages. Python can be used to:
   • cross-platform shell scripting;
   • quick automation;
   • simple web development.
   
   
6. SQL.
   Structured Query Language or SQL (pronounced as 'sequel') is the most common query language. SQL is used to interact with databases. SQL can be used to:
   • access;
   • manipulate;
   • and create databases.
   
   
7. JavaScript.
   Not to be confused with Java, JavaScript is a language that can be used for both the frontend and backend web development. However, because the language is so flexible, objects created in this language are slow. JavaScript can be used to:
   • build websites;
   • mobile apps;
   • desktop applications;
   • games;
   • web servers;
   • presentations, and more.

In the world of mobile development, there are typically two terms that are like a common language within the field: frontend and backend.

Backend is an important part of a mobile app that is responsible for data storage, security, and business logic. An app backend is much like a server for mobile apps, as it stores and classifies the important information that the end-user does not see.

The basic features of backend apps for iOS are:

• Real-Time Database;
• Automatic Synchronization;
• Push Notifications;
• Email Notifications;
• Social Login;
• API Console;
• Analytics.

The basic features of backend apps for Android include:

• Data Management;
• User Management;
• Email Notifications;
• Social Media Integration;
• Push Notifications;
• File Storage;
• Cloud Hosting.

Intuitively, the other side of backend development is the frontend. The main difference is that while backend developers build how a website functions, frontend programmers build and design the interface, determining how the site looks to users.

Backend web development lays the foundational code that enables websites to process the actions that users take on the frontend and deliver the correct information in return. Neither works without the other; you need the backend to make the frontend work, and you need the frontend so people can access and interact with the website.