Backend languages are used to handle the server side of any web application. The server side consists of all the functionalities of an application and with the help of these backend languages we can create, alter, and modify these functionalities. These backend languages are a medium for us to interact with the computer systems.Â
Start your career in Programming with our Coding Courses which provide you with an all-in-one platform to learn and practise all at a very affordable price. Get tutored by industry-level experts with 100% placement assistance and more. Let us learn more about the backend languages in this article.
What are Backend Languages?
Backend languages are programming languages used to create the server-side logic of web applications, which typically involves handling data, processing requests from clients, and generating responses. Backend language interacts with databases, handles user authentication, manages sessions, and performs various other tasks necessary for the functionality of web applications.Â
There are many different backend languages and frameworks available, each with its own strengths and use cases. The choice of the backend language often depends on factors such as the specific requirements of the project, the developer’s familiarity with the language, and the scalability and performance needs of the application.
Key Takeaways:
- Backend languages handle the server-side logic of web applications, including data handling and processing client requests.
- Learning backend languages can open up career opportunities, increase earning potential, and keep skills relevant in the tech industry.
- Top backend languages for 2024 include Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Go, each with its own strengths and use cases.
Why should someone learn backend languages?
Learning a backend language according to demand can open up new career opportunities, increase your earning potential, and ensure that your skills remain relevant in the ever-changing tech industry.
Learning a backend language according to demand can be advantageous for several reasons, such as:
- Backend development is in high demand, with many job opportunities available for skilled developers. By learning a backend language that is in demand, one can increase their chances of finding employment and advancing their career in the tech industry.
- Having skills in a backend language that is currently in demand makes one more marketable to employers. Companies often seek developers proficient in specific languages to work on their projects, and being able to fulfil those requirements can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Backend language often correlates with higher salaries due to the scarcity of skilled developers.
- Learning a backend language increases one’s flexibility to work on a variety of projects. One can contribute to a wide range of web development projects, from small-scale applications to large enterprise systems, which can enhance career opportunities and job satisfaction.
- Learning backend languages demonstrates one’s ability to adapt to changing technologies and industry trends.
Top 5 best backend languages to learn in 2024
Several backend languages can be learned in 2024. A few backend languages that are in demand in 2024 and should be learned by developers to improve in their sector include:
1. PythonÂ
Python is a high-level programming language that is one of the most popular languages among developers. Python’s simplicity, versatility, scalability, and extensive ecosystem make it a compelling choice for backend development, powering a wide range of web applications, APIs, microservices, and more.Â
| Python Language | |
| Characteristic | Description |
| Paradigm | Multi-paradigm: supports procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles. |
| Syntax | Clean and readable syntax with minimalistic and explicit code structure. |
| Interpreted | Interpreted language: code is executed line by line without the need for compilation, aiding in rapid development. |
| Dynamic Typing | Dynamically typed: variable types are inferred at runtime, offering flexibility but posing debugging challenges. |
| Libraries | Extensive standard library with modules for various tasks, facilitating rapid development. |
| Ecosystem | Large ecosystem of third-party libraries and frameworks for diverse applications. |
| Community | Active and supportive community providing resources, tutorials, and assistance. |
| Versatility | Versatile language is suitable for web development, data analysis, machine learning, scripting, and more. |
| Portability | Cross-platform compatibility: code can run on different operating systems with minimal changes. |
| Scalability | It is scalable for a wide range of projects, from small scripts to large-scale applications. |
| Performance | Generally slower than compiled languages, performance can be optimized with techniques like Cython. |
| Documentation | Comprehensive documentation and extensive resources are available online. |
2. JAVA
Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming (OOP) language. Java is a popular backend language with a long-standing presence in the industry. Java’s robustness, scalability, cross-platform compatibility, and strong community support make it an excellent choice for backend development, particularly for those looking to build reliable and scalable web applications.Â
| JAVA Language | |
| Aspect | Description |
| Language Type | Object-oriented, class-based programming language |
| Primary Use | The general-purpose programming language used for building web applications, mobile apps (Android), enterprise software, and more |
| Key Features | Platform independence (write once, run anywhere), strong typing, automatic memory management (garbage collection), multithreading, exception handling |
| Ecosystem | A vast ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools including Spring, Hibernate, Java EE (Enterprise Edition), Apache Maven, Apache Tomcat, and more |
| Popular Frameworks | Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data), Hibernate, JavaServer Faces (JSF), Java Persistence API (JPA), Apache Struts, Apache Wicket, and Play Framework |
| Development Tools | Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) such as IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and NetBeans, build tools like Apache Maven and Gradle, version control systems like Git |
| Community Support | Large and active developer community, extensive documentation, forums, tutorials, and resources available |
| Job Opportunities | Abundant job opportunities across various industries, including finance, healthcare, government, technology companies, and more |
| Cross-Platform Support | Write once, run anywhere philosophy allows Java applications to run on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed |
| Long-Term Viability | Java has maintained its relevance and popularity in the industry for decades, with continuous updates and support from Oracle and the Java community |
3. JavaScript
JavaScript is a high-level script programming language. JavaScript can be used to handle both the front end and the back end of any web application or website. JavaScript is indeed a popular choice for backend development, particularly with the rise of Node.js. JavaScript’s versatility, performance, and large ecosystem make it a compelling option for many developers, particularly those intended for stack development or real-time, scalable applications.
4. PHP
PHP language was created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf and has since become one of the most popular languages for building dynamic web applications.
| PHP Language | |
| Feature | Description |
| Syntax | Syntax similar to C, Java, and Perl, with HTML embedded directly within PHP code. |
| Type | Dynamically typed language, meaning variable types are determined at runtime. |
| Variables | Prefix variables with the dollar sign ($) to define and use them. |
| Data Types | Supports various data types, including strings, integers, floats, booleans, arrays, and objects. |
| Functions | Allows defining and using functions, including built-in functions and user-defined functions. |
| Classes and Objects | Supports object-oriented programming, including classes, objects, inheritance, and encapsulation. |
| File Handling | Offers functions for reading from and writing to files, as well as manipulating file system paths. |
| Database Support | Supports various database systems through extensions like MySQL, PDO, and others. |
| Web Development | Designed specifically for web development, with features for handling HTTP requests and responses, sessions, cookies, etc. |
| Security | Provides features like input validation, data sanitization, and measures to prevent common security vulnerabilities. |
| Extensions | Extensible through a vast ecosystem of extensions, libraries, and frameworks, enhancing functionality and productivity. |
5. Go
GO, also known as GoLang, is a language that is increasingly being used as a backend language for building scalable, high-performance web applications. The combination of performance, simplicity, concurrency support, and a rich standard library makes Go an excellent choice for building backend services.
| GO Language | |
| Feature | Description |
| Origin | Google developed it in 2007 with Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson. |
| Syntax | Simple, clean syntax with minimalistic design, influenced by C. |
| Type System | Statically typed language with type inference, ensuring safety and performance. |
| Concurrency | Built-in support for concurrency with goroutines and channels, facilitating parallelism and asynchronous programming. |
| Memory Management | Automatic garbage collection, reducing the burden on developers for memory management. |
| Package Management | Integrated package management system with the “go” command, making dependency management straightforward. |
| Compilation | Fast compilation to native machine code, enabling efficient execution. |
| Cross-Platform | Supports compilation to various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and others. |
| Standard Library | Rich standard library providing essential functionalities for web development, networking, and more. |
| Error Handling | Uses explicit error handling with multiple return values, promoting clear and robust error management. |
| Tooling | A comprehensive set of tools for formatting code, analyzing dependencies, testing, profiling, and more. |
| Web Development | Provides web frameworks like Gin, Echo, and Beego for building web applications. |
| Community | A growing community with active contributors and a thriving ecosystem of libraries and frameworks. |
Backend Languages FAQs
What will be the most popular backend language in 2024?
JavaScript will be the most popular backend language in 2024, especially after the introduction of frameworks like Node.js. Detailed information about the javascript is mentioned above in the article.
Can Python be used as a backend language?
Python is a simple and versatile language. It can be used as a backend language as it consists of several libraries supporting web development. Detailed analysis of Python as a backend language is mentioned above in the article.
What are the best 5 backend programming languages?
The top 5 best backend languages are: Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and GO. Detailed information about all the languages is mentioned above in the article.
