What are the basics of back-end web development?

Back-end web development is the unseen but crucial segment of web creation, focusing on servers, databases, and application logic. Key elements include: 1. Server Management: Setting up and maintaining the site's server. 2. Database Interaction: Creating and handling databases to store and retrieve data. 3. Application Logic: Coding the functions that drive the site's core operations. Mastery of server-side languages like Python, Java, and frameworks such as Express.js is vital. API knowledge is essential for enabling different software parts to interact. Back-end devs also use tools like Git for version control, ensuring smooth workflow and collaboration. This infrastructure allows users to enjoy seamless website experiences.

The back-end of a website or web application is often referred to as the server-side. It encompasses all the components and processes that make the front-end work, but it remains hidden from the user's view. The back-end code is written in a programming language, such as Python, Ruby, PHP, or Java, and it handles tasks such as Authentication and authorization,Data processing,Business logic and Communication with other services

In back-end development, it's not just about coding; it's about orchestrating the unseen. Think of it as the brain of a website, where languages like Python or Java are the neurons firing away. My go-to move? Using Python for its simplicity and power. Remember, the server is your stage, the database your script. Whether it's handling user authentication or managing data, your code is what keeps the digital world turning. Master this, and you're not just coding; you're creating digital life.

Important note: Backends can also be "serverless". There is still a server involved, but it is running code on a platform, without needing to worry about any underlying computer.

Backend web development refers to the server side of web development where the logic, databases, servers, and applications are developed. It's responsible for managing and storing data, ensuring that the website or web application works properly, and handling requests from the front end.

Back-end frameworks are software libraries and tools that provide a structured foundation for building web applications. They offer pre-defined functions, components, and architectural patterns to streamline development. For example, Ruby on Rails is a popular framework for Ruby, Django for Python, and Express.js for Node.js. These frameworks simplify tasks like routing, database interactions, and handling HTTP requests.

Back-end framework are technologies developed to simplify and make development easier by integration of common functionalities, pre-defined functions, routers .... These technologies are based on different programming languages (Java, PHP, JS ...) and can also use derived syntaxes like JSX (derived from JS)

Dive into back-end frameworks, and you're arming yourself with a toolkit for efficiency. I've leveraged Django's robustness in Python projects to cut down development time significantly. Frameworks like Laravel or Ruby on Rails offer predefined structures that turn complex tasks into simpler ones. My advice? Pick a framework that resonates with your project's needs. It's like choosing the right weapon in a digital battle - the better the fit, the smoother your victory.

Back-end frameworks are the toolkits of web development. Like a Swiss Army knife, they come packed with utilities to handle the web's complexities. They provide structure for building web applications by offering libraries for database access, templating frameworks, and session management, and they promote code reuse. Examples include Express for Node.js, Django for Python, and Rails for Ruby.

Each language has frameworks (e.g., Flask and Django for Python, Express.js for Node.js) that simplify backend development tasks.

Don't overthink which database to use. Learn basic SQL first. Then have a look at NoSQL, which will make a lot of sense if you know a Object oriented programming language. Then create something for yourself with whatever database you like. Don't overthink.

Databases are critical for storing and managing data in web applications. They come in two main types: relational and NoSQL databases. Relational databases, such as MySQL and PostgreSQL, use tables to store structured data with predefined schemas. NoSQL databases like MongoDB are more flexible, allowing for schema-less data storage. Databases are essential for tasks like user profiles, product information, and content management.

If you are new to the concept of databases, don't worry about whether they are relational or non-relational just yet. It's more important that you first understand what a database is and how you can use it. You could think of a database as a tool that helps you store and retrieve data. You may be accustomed to using files for storing and retrieving data on your computer. While you can use files in your applications for this purpose, as data grows, finding specific information within large files can become increasingly challenging. This is where databases become really handy.

Databases are structured collections of data that allow you to store, organize, and manage information efficiently. Backend developers work with databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB (NoSQL), or SQLite etc

Database is like a Notebook. How? Every page in your notebook represents a table. so a database can have multiple tables. What is Table? Collection of related records is known as table. Like the contents on your notebook page, table also store some information about a related topic.

El formato de API más utilizado y extendido es el API RESTful. Gracias a los verbos HTTP: GET, POST, PUT y DELETE podemos hacer todas las operaciones necesarias en los diferentes recursos que la API ofrezca: Obtener, Añadir o Crear, Actualizar y Eliminar. El formato de datos más sencillo y utilizado es JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

I will explain it with a simple real-world example: You have a WordPress website and you have some users on your website. you can create an Android app with the help of API and your website users don't have to register on your mobile app again to use your services because the database is the same and users are already registered on the database.

APIs are a set of rules and protocols that allow different software components to communicate with each other. In the context of back-end development, they enable the front-end of a web application to interact with the back-end. RESTful APIs and GraphQL are common approaches for building web APIs. They define how data can be requested, updated, and manipulated. APIs are the bridge between the front-end and back-end, facilitating data exchange and functionality.

Imagine you're at a restaurant, and you want to order some food. You don't go to the kitchen and cook it yourself. Instead, you talk to a waiter or waitress. They take your order, pass it to the chef, and then bring your food back to you when it's ready. Now, think of the kitchen as a computer that has all the information and can do various tasks. The waiter or waitress is like an API. They are the link that connects you with the kitchen. An API is a set of rules and commands that different computer can use to talk to each other. It tells you what dishes are available. It makes it easier for one program to request services from another program, just like you can ask the waiter for a specific dish.

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of rules and protocols that allow one software application to interact with another. APIs define the methods and data formats that applications can use to communicate with each other. They are essential for enabling the integration of different software systems, allowing them to work together and share data and functionality.

Back-end skill is not only knowing the programming language, but to know programming patterns and be able to deliver the right business logic.

User sessions are the heartbeat of personalized web experiences. In my projects, sessions are more than just storing data; they're about creating a narrative for each user's journey. Sessions begin with a login, like opening a book, and each page turned is a new interaction, storing preferences, roles, or cart items. When the user logs out, it's like closing the book, but the story - their session data - remains, ready to be continued.

Back-end developers require a range of skills to create and maintain the back-end of web applications: Proficiency in any programming languages like Python, Java, Ruby, or JavaScript. Knowledge of server management, deployment, and cloud services. Expertise in database management, including designing and optimizing database schemas. Understanding of security practices, such as user authentication and data encryption. Experience with version control systems like Git for collaboration.

As a back-end developers , you should be smart enough to analyze business, solving problems and write a optimal code. Not important what program language you know or which framework yo use.

To excel in back-end web development, master programming languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, or Java, along with frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, or Spring. Familiarize yourself with both SQL and NoSQL databases, and grasp API standards like REST, SOAP, or GraphQL. Testing frameworks such as pytest, RSpec, PHPUnit, or JUnit, along with deployment platforms like Heroku, AWS, or Google Cloud, are also essential. Finally, understand data structures, perform CRUD operations, test and debug APIs, automate tests, and manage deployments efficiently using tools like Git, Docker, or Kubernetes.

In todays thriving digital world, we can have multiple solutions to build the required backend system to achieve a cetain business use case. But we should always keep this point in mind that we should choose the back end solution either it is a web server/ database/ API, it should be aligning with the compliance & policies of the business, secured and performance optimized.

The back-end faces challenges like scalability (serving increasing numbers of users), security (protecting against threats), and data integrity (ensuring accuracy and consistency). Crafting code that’s robust and efficient, while foreseeing potential failures, requires a mix of technical know-how and strategic foresight.

The greatest challenge of all, due to the sheer amount of responsibilities and functionalities that the server side must have, is to "Keep It Simple". Always try to write the least amount of easily-readable code to keep it maintainable and always refactor the code base a bit along the way.

Back-end development faces distinct challenges: - Security: Implementing robust defenses, including encryption and access controls, is crucial to protect against breaches. - Performance: Techniques like caching and indexing are essential to keep applications running smoothly under load. - Scalability: Preparing for growth with strategies like microservices ensures the system can handle increased demand. - Maintenance: Clear coding standards and documentation are key to ease updates and debugging. Each challenge is an opportunity to enhance the backbone of web applications, making them secure, swift, and scalable.

Los mayores desafíos son sin duda: - Mantener una arquitectura fácil de actualizar y mantener - Cuidar la seguridad para evitar accesos no autorizados a diferentes partes de la aplicación - Realizar las consultas a la base de datos necesarias y optimizadas para mantener un buen rendimiento y uso de recursos del sistema.

Back end development is the HEART of any website/software/Application. So perfect functioning of heart is very important for any project. Here I am sharing my experience Sometimes it's crucial and complex to manage the back end development. But with the proper planning, strategy and with the extra care for security, efficiency and for the performance we can manage well. While working with any part of back end make sure to follow perfect coding standard with perfect commenting in code, documentation guidelines as well easy to update and debug. This will makes overall current as well future enhancement/development easy.

Backend web development involves working with server-side technologies and databases to handle data processing and logic for web applications. Key components include server technologies (Node.js, Python, Ruby, Java, PHP), database management, and the creation of APIs for frontend-backend communication. Developers must also handle authentication, security, performance optimization, and scalability considerations. Testing, logging, monitoring, and documentation are essential for maintaining and troubleshooting backend systems, and deploying code effectively is crucial for production. Collaboration, version control, and CI/CD practices further enhance the development process.

Build strong foundations. Learning the basics of HTTP, TCP/IP, and operating systems, the trade-offs between microservices and monoliths, and connection pooling will bring much more awareness about what is happening than mastering the new framework that the Twitter boys are ranting about this week.

- How web systems(client-server) work with http(s)? - Rest-APIs and request response cycle - SQL Database and queries - How Auth/JWT work ? - Exception Handling and error responses These are the surface level basics for any beginner level developer, otherwise it's a whole ocean out there. It's more like a benchmark for a fresher/junior level back-end developer.

A backend developer should understand data encryption. It is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information. This is vital for securing user credentials, financial transactions, and other confidential data. Encryption adds an extra layer of security, mitigating the risk of data breaches and unauthorized use.