Why Learn Back-End Languages?

Back-end development allows websites to store data and relevant information, operate complex programs, and generate content according to the user’s actions, making it a useful skill for many software developers to learn. Without the back end, websites would only be a facade of text, images, and animations. Read on to learn more about the differences between back-end, front-end, and full-stack developers, and explore the skills you’ll need to become an effective back-end developer. 

Types of developers

Software development is divided into front-end, back-end, or full-stack programming. While front-end developers work on the visible parts of websites, back-end programmers connect the site to other enterprise functions, ensuring the operability of the site’s databases, operations, and application programming interface (API). Full-stack developers, as you might guess, handle both the front-end and back-end work.

With a focus on what happens behind the scenes, back-end developers establish the integrity and functionality of a site using programming languages, frameworks, and databases.

Popular back-end languages include PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Python, and these are often called server-side languages because they connect the application to the server. Front-end languages, on the other hand, connect the application to the user. Once you know these languages, you’ll be on your way to work as a back-end or full-stack developer. 

How back-end development helps businesses

With good back-end programming, applications and websites work as they should. That is to say, information is stored and retrieved properly, the application code is maintained, and the server is up and running. This functionality allows others in your organization or business to do their jobs, knowing that the programs work. 

Skills learned while studying back-end development

Successful back-end programmers have the same skills as any other web developer, although their language skills are concentrated on the back end of the application. Technical skills are vital to getting a programming job, but communication and management skills are likewise important to advancing within the field.

Technical skills

You will need to understand the programming languages to be a back-end programmer. You also need to know how to work with the frameworks that support the particular language you are working in.

Programming languages 

Programming languages tell the computer what it needs to do. Each language has its own grammar and syntax, and some back-end languages are better suited for different programming tasks than others. Just as Spanish is the best language for getting things done in Mexico, PHP, Ruby, Python, and Java are some of the best languages for getting things done on the back-end of an application.

Frameworks

In addition to the back-end languages themselves, you need to understand the frameworks that these languages run on. For instance, programmers working with Ruby often use the Ruby on Rails framework, while PHP is often used with the Zend or Symfony frameworks. Frameworks are, essentially, the scaffolding within which your programs will run. They are collections of code in a particular coding language that handle common tasks expediently. A framework can take the form of a toolset, code library, compiler, or support program, and it relieves you, the programmer, from having to write every single operation from scratch.

Operating systems

In addition to languages and how they’re used within a back-end framework, you’ll probably want to know operating systems such as Linux, database tools like MySQL or Oracle, and version-control software like Git. These additional tools can help you develop more robust applications and nuance your programs to best suit your organization’s needs. These tools may be covered in the same boot camp or degree programs as the back-end languages themselves.

Workplace skills

As a back-end developer, you should be able to manage your time to deliver projects on deadline. You also need to be extremely detail-oriented in order to catch bugs in dense code. If you love to learn, you’ll be a great fit because you will always have to stay up-to-date on technology throughout your career.

As a developer, you should also be able to communicate effectively with the front-end developers, your managers, and any internal or external clients. These colleagues often don’t understand technology or back-end languages, so explaining things in clear and precise terms is a very important part of your job. 

Examples of jobs in back-end development 

Once you know back-end languages well, you’ll probably start as a developer, writing the code that makes various kinds of applications work. This is both an entry-level position and a position that is critical to the success of the organization. If the code doesn’t work, there are going to be problems.

After gaining experience as a developer, you might want to move into development operations, or DevOps. DevOps combines the knowledge and practices of software development (“Dev”) with the IT operations (“Ops”) necessary to an organization’s day-to-day function. DevOps professionals focus on evolving new tools and processes while maintaining and utilizing existing operations, so these positions require both digital fluency as well as a thorough knowledge of present and future organizational agendas.

Back-end developers who are more interested in coding than in management positions may decide to learn front-end languages and move into full-stack development positions rather than DevOps roles. Full-stack developers may have more opportunities than programmers who only work in either front-end or back-end languages. Front-end languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be valuable supplements to your back-end knowledge if you’re interested in transitioning to full-stack development.

Industry outlook

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that demand for software developers is much stronger than average, with growth in the US projected at 25 percent from 2022 to 2032 [1]. 

The salaries are expected to be good, too. According to Lightcast™, the average annual earnings for software developers is $132,466.34 per year [2].

Paths to learning back-end languages

As with any computer language, it’s possible to learn a back-end language on your own, but most people find it easier to master in a classroom or a boot camp program. Most employers prefer developers who have a bachelor’s degree, though, because they want employees to be able to do more than just write code. 

Degrees

If you’re looking to learn a programming language and more about business, engineering, or computer science, a degree program may be the way to go. As a back-end developer, you’ll be working with databases and creating algorithms, which draw on more than just programming skills. Many universities offer online or in-person programs that can give you the skills you need to write code and work with other aspects of the technology infrastructure. Typical majors are computer science, information technology, or mathematics.

Certificates

Certificate programs demonstrate that you know a particular language, back-end framework, or technology. Often, these certificates are issued after passing exams offered by software companies and consortia. Some certificates for back-end programmers include the Ruby Association Certified Developer Examination and the Zend PHP Certification. Some students take additional preparation courses, while others study on their own.

Coding boot camps

Coding boot camps are short-term, intensive training programs that cover the basics of programming and immersion in a specific language. Some are offered by universities, while others are operated by for-profit training companies. Boot camps are available both in-person and online.

Learn backend languages with Coursera

Learning a back-end language can help you get a job as a developer or help you move from a front-end developer into a full-stack development role. 

On Coursera, you can find courses and certifications to help you get started. Check out the Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate course series or the IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate program available on Coursera. The Python for Everybody course is another great option if you are interested in learning a single coding language, and Responsive Website Development and Design Specialization can help you develop your full-stack development skills.