Backend web development involves building all the aspects of a website that are not visible to the users but are essential for the proper working and functioning of the website. It is the behind-the-scenes function of different web applications and involves creating and maintaining the code that runs a website smoothly.

The backend comprises three main parts —

A Database - A database helps us store a large amount of information in an efficient and structured way compared to storing that information in a text file.
Server - A server is a computer that receives user requests through the front-end interface (also known as the client) and responds with a result computed by the application.
Application - An application is a computer program that listens for requests on the server, retrieves information from the database, and sends a response through the server.
Rather than front-end development that concentrates on the development of the user interface, backend development handles server-side web application functionality and integration as well as tasks such as designing APIs, generating libraries, and dealing with multiple components of the system. Backend programmers create the code that enables database and application communication.

what is backend

If you wish to step into the world of development, then you should check out Scaler's Full Stack Development Program. This program differs from the rest of the development programs because it focuses more on implementation than just theory. You'll develop practical projects by mastering an assortment of technologies. You'll also get 1:1 mentorship from professionals who have been in the real world and possess deep-domain expertise.

Who Is A Backend Developer?
Backend developer responsibilities

Following your orientation to backend development, it is critical that you comprehend the nature of the position. Working on-site layout, programming, and building code that interacts between the user's browser and the website's database are part of a backend developer's job description. Consistency and integrity of the data must be of the utmost priority.

To be more precise, backend developers are programmers that are dedicated to designing, fixing, and transforming the features of a software application that an end user will never see. Whenever a consumer makes any type of request to the system through the front-end framework, the back-end developers must ensure that a program can answer any request for data.

Top backend Technologies
When it comes to the types of backend technologies, we can find that a plethora of these are being extensively used in the domain. We have compiled a backend technologies list just for you to understand the various technologies. Let's take a comprehensive look at this list of backend technologies with the pros and cons of each.

1. PHP
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and is a server-side scripting language, meaning that programs created in it execute on web servers and are not dependent on an online browser. C. Rasmus Lerdorf is the creator of PHP, and its first version appeared in 1995. One of the most popular languages developers use to create new apps, PHP is extensively used to develop online applications.

Pros:

Open-source and free of cost
It's platform-independent
Faster loading rate
Cons:

It may not be suitable for all bigger web-based applications
Lacks debugging tools
Considered less secure relative to others
2. Python
Python is an interpreted, high-level, object-oriented, dynamically semantic programming language. It is particularly desirable for Rapid Application Development and usage as a scripting language to tie elements collectively due to its high-level built-in data structures, robust typing, and dynamic binding. Python's concise syntax prioritizes readability and simplifies learning, lowering program maintenance costs.

Pros

Open-source and free
Easy to learn
A vast collection of libraries
Cons

Has speed limitations
May have runtime errors
It consumes a substantial amount of space
3. JavaScript
JavaScript is a robust computer programming language. Its implementation enables client-side scripts to interact with users and create dynamic pages, and it is most extensively used as a component of web pages. It is an object-oriented, lightweight, interpreted programming language. Many times it's considered synonymous with Java backend technologies. LiveScript was the original name of JavaScript, but Netscape renamed it to JavaScript, maybe in response to the buzz that Java was causing. LiveScript, the predecessor to JavaScript, debuted in Netscape 2.0 in 1995. Netscape, Internet Explorer, and many web browsers all contain the general-purpose language's core.

Pros

Language is not complex
Effortless to implement
Has high interoperability
Cons

Substandard browser support
Debugging facility is absent
Functioning is sluggish
4. Laravel
Laravel is a PHP web application framework with expressive and beautiful syntax. Laravel offers the strong capabilities required for large, sophisticated applications and is easily accessible. You have the resources you need to create whatever application you are entrusted with an excellent inversion of control container, an eloquent migration mechanism, and closely integrated unit testing assistance.

Pros

Convenient to learn
Provides model view controller structure
Offers swift execution
Cons

Lesser in-built support
Community support is low
The overall process is complex
5. Django
Django is a Python-based framework that follows the model-template-views (MTV) architecture. It is also open-source. The independent US-based Django Software Foundation (DSF) is responsible for its upkeep. Django's main objective is to make it simpler to create intricate, database-driven websites. The framework emphasizes component reuse and "pluggability," low code, minimal coupling, and quick development.

Pros

Faster than most frameworks
Scalability is high
Security is robust
Cons

Steep learning curve
Not compatible with small projects
Possesses a monolithic framework
6. MongoDB
MongoDB is a cross-platform document-oriented database application. It is also open source. MongoDB, a NoSQL database application, employs documents that resemble JSON(JavaScript Object Notation is a lightweight format for storing and transporting data) with alternative schemas. MongoDB was created by MongoDB Inc. and is distributed under the Server Side Public License, which some distributions consider non-free.

Pros

Offers High speed
Provides flexible database
Has a good technical support
Cons

Faces memory limitation issues
Joins are not supported
May lead to corruption of data
7. MySQL
MySQL is one of the most widely used open-source databases worldwide. MySQL has established itself as the top database of preference for web-based applications thanks to its demonstrated performance, dependability, and usability. Popular websites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yahoo!, and many others use MySQL as their primary database. The next-generation web, cloud, mobile, and embedded applications are powered by Oracle's new features, enabling MySQL innovation.

Pros

High data security
Offers cross-platform compatibility
Highly versatile
Cons

Debugging is inefficient
Prone to data corruption
It doesn't support large databases efficiently
8. Apache
Apache is an open-source and free framework that supports a large portion of websites across the globe. The name of the server is Apache HTTP Server. The Apache Software Foundation is in charge of its creation and upgrades. Apache enables website operators to serve material across the internet. It is referred to as a "web server" for this reason. The Apache web server was first released in 1995, making it one of the oldest and most dependable versions.

Pros

Open source and free
Highly reliable
Has customizable code
Cons

Incompetent debugging quality
Time-consuming process
Security is considered substandard
9. NGINX
NGINX, sometimes recognized as NGIИX, is a reverse proxy, load balancer, mail proxy, and web server capable of handling HTTP cache. High performance for Web servers with massive scaling is provided by Nginx. It can operate at high speeds while carrying more weight. The reverse proxy feature allows a single site to present aggregated information sources as if they all come from one page. Through its load balancer, loads can be distributed among various resources, such as servers. Igor Sysoev developed the program, which was made available to the public in 2004. NGINX is available for free and open source under the rules of a two-clause BSD license.

Pros

Highly scalable
It's lightweight
Great configurability
Cons

Low community support
Lesser modules
Less compatibility
10. Docker
Docker is a software platform that simplifies the process of building, running, managing, and distributing applications. Using OS-level virtualization, Docker's platform as service offering distributes software in packages known as containers. There are free and premium versions. The Docker Engine is the name of the program that runs the containers. Docker, Inc. is the company behind its creation, and it originally began in 2013.

Pros

Swift deployment
Highly secure
Continuous integration
Cons

Lesser features
Low scalability
Compatibility issues may arise
11. Postman
Developers can easily create, share, test, and document APIs(Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other) with Postman, an API platform. Users are given the ability to generate, store, and read both simple and complicated HTTP/s requests and their responses to achieve this. As a result, the work is more effective and less tiresome.

Pros

Highly user-friendly
Provides timely support
The overall process is easy
Cons

Constrained integration
Low script reusability
Limited testing ecosystem
12. Jira
Atlassian, an Australian company, created the technology JIRA. This software does project management, problem tracking, and bug tracking. The Japanese word "Gojira," which means "Godzilla," is where the JIRA full form gets its name. This tool's primary usage is to keep track of problems and issues with your software and applications.

Pros

High speed
Easy bug fixing
Offers effortless integration
Cons

Difficult to handle
Complex than its contemporaries
Faces support issues
Conclusion
Every development procedure entails frontend and backend technologies. Back-end technology is a technology that we cannot see but plays a critical role in the overall operation of any software or application. Backend technologies usually allude to the collections of server-side languages used to build a website's server setup. The building blocks of software development are the backend technologies.