Back-end Development

Back-end Developer

Back-end Developers are software engineers who specialise in constructing and maintaining the server-side aspects of web and application developers or software systems. Their tasks include coding for data storage, processing, and retrieval, as well as implementing business logic and algorithms. They commonly employ languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, or Node.js, along with frameworks like Django, Flask, Spring Boot, or Express.js to streamline development. Moreover, they collaborate with front-end developers, database administrators, and other team members to ensure the cohesive functioning of the entire application.

What does a back-end developer do?

A back-end developer creates and maintain the server-side logic of a web application or software system.

Their primary tasks include:

• Server-side Development:
  

  They write code that runs on the server to handle requests from client-side interfaces and generate appropriate responses.

• Database Management:
  

  They design and implement database schemas, as well as write queries to store, retrieve, and manipulate data efficiently.

• API Development:
  

  They create application programming interfaces (APIs) to enable communication between different software systems, allowing them to exchange data and perform actions.

• Business Logic Implementation:
  

  They implement the core functionality and rules of the application, such as user authentication, authorisation, and business processes.

• Performance Optimisation:
  

  They optimise code and database queries to guarantee quick responses.

• Security:
  

  They provide security measures to defend against common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).

• Integration with External Services:
  

  They also integrate the application with external services and third-party APIs.

• Testing and Debugging:

  They write automated tests to verify the correctness and reliability of back-end code, as well as debug and fix issues that arise during development or in production.

What tools do back-end developers use?

Back-end developers utilise various tools to streamline the development process, enhance productivity, and ensure the robustness and scalability of their applications. These tools encompass programming languages, frameworks, libraries, databases, version control systems, and deployment platforms. Here’s an overview of some commonly used tools in back-end development:

Programming Languages

Back-end developers leverage programming languages to build server-side logic and implement application functionalities. Popular languages include:

• Python
• Java
• Ruby
• JavaScript
• C#

Frameworks

Frameworks provide pre-built components, libraries, and conventions to expedite development and ensure code maintainability. Some popular back-end frameworks include:

• Django
• Flask
• Spring Boot
• js

Databases

Databases are essential for storing and managing application data. Back-end developers work with various types of databases, including:

Relational Databases: These include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite, which organise data into structured tables with predefined relationships.

NoSQL Databases: Such as MongoDB, Redis, and Cassandra, which offer flexible schema designs and are well-suited for handling unstructured or semi-structured data.

Version Control Systems

Version control systems enable collaboration, code management, and version tracking among development teams. The most widely used version control system is:

• Git
• Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
• Visual Studio Code
• PyCharm
• IntelliJ IDEA

Deployment Platforms

Deployment platforms enable developers to deploy and manage their applications in production environments. Common deployment platforms include:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Microsoft Azure
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

What is an example of a back-end?

An example of a back-end could be the server-side components of an application or software system that handle the processing, storage, and retrieval of data and the execution of business logic and algorithms.

Consider a simple e-commerce website as an example:

Server

The back-end of the e-commerce website consists of one or more servers responsible for receiving and processing requests from users, retrieving product information from a database, handling user authentication and authorisation, and executing various business operations.

Database

The back-end includes a database management system (DBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB, where product listings, user profiles, order details, and other application data are stored and managed.

Business Logic

Back-end code implements the business logic of the e-commerce website, including algorithms for processing orders, calculating shipping costs, applying discounts, and updating inventory levels.

APIs

The back-end exposes application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable communication between the server-side components and the client-side interface (e.g., web browser or mobile app). These APIs allow users to interact with the back-end functionality, such as searching for products, adding items to the shopping cart, and completing transactions.

Overall, the back-end of the e-commerce website handles the critical tasks required for its operation, ensuring seamless functionality, data integrity, and security for users and administrators alike.