Back End Web Development: Everything You Should Know

So, you’ve done some soul-searching, looked at all the available options, and made the decision to enlist at a learn programming academy in San Diego in order to begin a career in web development. Excellent decision. Front end and back end web developers are highly sought after in today’s market and their popularity is only going to keep growing.

But wait, what is the difference between these two types of web developers? What does back end development mean? What do front end developers do? What constitutes a full stack web developer?

In this article, we’ll explain what all of these terms are, and answer a few common questions about back end development. Read on for more information.

What is front end vs back end development?

Modern websites have multiple layers that must all work together to create a combination of functionality and quality user experience that truly brings a designer’s concept to life. The front end of a website or web app is what the user sees and interacts with whereas the back end consists of all the databases and servers that form its “inner workings”.

Front end developers are tasked with creating a user experience that comes as close as it can to a desktop functionality. This includes making a website work correctly across multiple devices, as well as optimizing its speed, efficiency, and smoothness.

Back end developers, on the other hand, deal with the machine that runs the website. This includes working with a combination of a database and software written in a server-side language. These run on web servers, cloud-based servers, or on combinations of both.

What a backend developer should know?

The back end developer’s job is to take the finished front end code and give it working functionality. For instance, a drop down menu that shows certain values is only possible because back end developers created the infrastructure that draws these values from a specific database.

The responsibilities of a back end developer also include:

  • Building server-side software by using back end frameworks.
  • Database creation, management, and integration.
  • Cloud computing integration.
  • Working with web server technologies.
  • Using server-side programming languages such as JavaScript and Ruby on Rails.
  • Using operating systems such as Unix and Linux, as well as Windows Server and MacOS X.
  • API integration.
  • Preventing hacks and optimizing website security.
  • Development, maintenance, and deployment of content management systems.
  • Restoring and backing up technologies for a website’s databases and files.
  • Generating statistics such as system reports of server load, geography and number of visitors, and so on.

How do I become a back end developer?

Many aspiring developers believe in the misleading notion that they can learn web development on their own. Technically speaking, this isn’t impossible, but it’s highly inadvisable to do so.

Without the help of professional teachers and a well-rounded curriculum, even if you manage to learn coding on your own, you’ll likely end up internalizing many bad coding habits that will hurt your career prospects.

The best way to become a back end developer today is to enlist in an intensive coding bootcamp supplied by a trusted coding academy. This will not only give you the complete skill set you need to get a job as a back end developer, but it will also provide you with real working experience through an internship.

What’s a reputable learn programming academy in San Diego?

Located near Uptown in San Diego, Learn Academy is your one-stop shop for all things related to becoming a web developer. Between our first-rate teachers, our tried-and-true curriculum, and guaranteed coding internship, we are uniquely positioned to give you the best possible coding bootcamp.

Become our student today and take the first steps toward a phenomenal coding career.