Backend Technologies - Top 10 Backend Technologies You Must Know

To create any responsive and effective software solution, the frontend and backend technologies are two key aspects that work together. The backend is like the engine of a website, which is basically responsible for making sure that everything runs smoothly. It is essential for building and maintaining the server side of web applications. Backend development focuses on the parts of a website that you don’t see but are crucial for its functionality. It helps you to ensure that the website or application operates efficiently and is easy to maintain.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best backend technologies used by software developers. But first, let’s start by understanding the basics of backend development.

Table of Contents

What Is Back-End Development?

Whenever you use an app or website, you interact with the front-end part of it. It is the part that you can see and use. However, there is another crucial part that you don’t see, called the backend. The backend is the hidden part of the website that is not visible to users but is responsible for making sure that everything on the front-end works smoothly. There are three main components of the backend technologies, these components include-

Server: This is where the app or website runs.
Database: This is responsible for storing all the data and information.
Logic: This is the brain behind how everything will work smoothly.

By managing these components, back-end developers make sure that the app or website functions smoothly and does what it is supposed to do.

Top Backend Technologies List

Now, Let’s explore some of the best backend technologies you should know when starting a career in backend development. Here’s a list of some key backend technologies with their pros which will help you to choose the best one for you:

1. Laravel

Laravel is an open-source backend framework built on the Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. It is a PHP framework that supports large teams and modern toolkits. Laravel offers a built-in user interface, flexibility, API support, creativity, and a wide range of libraries to help you in developing secure web applications.

Pros Of Laravel:

Ready-to-Use Packages: Laravel offers ready-made packages for things like OAuth authentication with Google, Facebook, GitHub, LinkedIn, and more.
High Security: Laravel ensures high security for applications. For example, it uses the Bcrypt Hashing Algorithm to create a salted password that is stored in the database in an encrypted form.
Exception Handling: Laravel has a built-in system for handling exceptions and configuration issues, leading to a more interactive and responsive user interface.
Efficient Management: Laravel allows developers to create skeleton codes using a command-line interface which frees them from routine tasks and helps them in managing the database more effectively.

2. Node.js

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform framework that uses JavaScript to build server-side and networking applications. It runs on Google’s V8 JavaScript engine and provides various JavaScript modules along with integration with third-party libraries and APIs to make web application development easier. By using Node.js, developers can easily write command-line tools and server scripts using JavaScript.

Pros Of Node.js:

High Performance: Node.js creates high-performance applications that run faster. It supports non-blocking I/O tasks, which speeds up code execution.
Scalability: Node.js allows applications to grow both vertically and horizontally. Vertical scaling is done by adding resources to single nodes, while horizontal scaling is achieved by adding more nodes to the system.
Rich Community: Node.js has a strong online community that helps developers when they encounter problems. Big companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook also contribute to this community.
Reduced Loading Time: Node.js uses caching to decrease loading times and avoid code re-execution.

3. Django

Django is an open-source framework based on Python and is used for server-side development. It follows the Model Template View (MTV) architecture and focuses on code reuse, quick development, and minimal coupling. This makes it easier for developers to understand and implement functionalities without extensive online searches.

Pros of Django:

Rich Community: Django has a supportive community of developers who help users to solve problems.
Great Documentation: Django provides clear and organized documentation divided into sections, which makes it easy for developers to follow.
Security: Django offers high security for user accounts and data through features like user authentication and protection against SQL injection.
Versatility: Django is versatile and can handle complex tasks like data analysis and machine learning.

4. Spring Boot

Spring Boot is a type of open-source backend technologies in Java, which is designed to create production-grade and standalone applications. It uses a micro-framework that is ideal for developing microservices for websites and mobile apps.

Spring Boot requires minimal setup and offers a quick approach for creating and deploying applications. It reduces the need for writing XML setup and annotation which makes the development process more efficient.

Pros of Spring Boot:

Flexibility and Scalability: Spring Boot offers high flexibility and scalability with XML configuration options.
Auto Configuration: It has an auto-configuration feature, which means that you don’t need to write XML configurations or generate code.
No Need for WAR Files: Although Spring Boot can use WAR (Web Application Resource) files, they are not necessary. Instead of this, it can use JAR (Java Archive) files, which have a simpler structure and are easier to manage.
Memory Efficiency: The bootstrapping technique used by Spring Boot conserves memory and allows applications to load quickly.

5. PHP

PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is among one of the popular backend technologies which is widely used in web development. It’s a server-side scripting language which means that the code written in this language generally runs on web servers, not in your browser. PHP was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 and is highly valued for its simplicity, large community support, extensive documentation, and compatibility with databases. It’s a great choice for building strong and reliable web applications.

Pros of PHP:

Easy to Learn: PHP has a simple syntax, similar to languages like C and Java. this makes it accessible for beginners.
Fast Execution: PHP is designed for speed. Its built-in caching and optimization features make web applications run faster.
Security: PHP includes built-in functions and libraries to handle common security issues, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection, with continuous improvements over the years.

6. Flask

Flask is a lightweight, easy-to-use web framework based on Python. It is designed for simplicity and high productivity, making it ideal for small-scale projects and modules. Flask does not have unnecessary dependencies and it only focuses on the essentials needed for web development, like handling requests and sessions. This makes it fast and easy to work with.

Pros of Flask:

Independent Development: Flask gives developers full control over the application by allowing flexibility in architecture and library choices.
Integrated Testing: Flask comes with built-in testing features, making debugging and development more efficient.
Documentation: Flask has a wealth of organized documentation, making it easy for developers to learn and use.
Scalable and Flexible: Flask is scalable and maintains flexibility, ensuring that changes to components don’t disrupt the overall structure.

7. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is an open-source web application framework written in Ruby. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, which separates the application into three interconnected components: The model- Which handles data, View- which manages the user interface, and the Controller- Which connects the Model and View. Rails is known for its speed in developing web applications and is a popular choice for server-side development.

Pros of Ruby on Rails:

MVC Architecture: Rails uses the MVC pattern, which helps in organizing the code and separating data management from the user interface.
Built-in Testing: This backend technology includes a set of test cases that save developers time and money by streamlining the testing process.
Scaffolding: This feature automatically generates interfaces, making it easier to define how the database interacts with the application.
Simple Syntax: Ruby on Rails has a easy to understand syntax. Which makes it easier to read and write code.

8. ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a free, open-source web framework developed by Microsoft. It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, and works with various programming languages like C#, J#, and Python. ASP.NET is among on of the versatile backend technologies used for developing web, desktop, mobile applications, games, and more.

Pros of ASP.NET:

Cross-Platform: ASP.NET code can run on any operating system when combined with languages like C#.
Easy Development: ASP.NET offers tools that simplify the development process and allow for code reuse, this helps in making it cost-effective.
High Performance: Applications built with ASP.NET are fast, require minimal computing power, and have strong built-in security features.

9. Golang

Golang, also known as Go, is an open-source programming language developed by Google in 2009. It is known for its simplicity and efficiency, with a syntax similar to C. Golang is popular for building high-performance applications and large-scale systems due to its fast load times, minimal runtime overhead, and automatic garbage collection.

Pros of Golang:

Simplicity: Go’s syntax is easy to understand and allows developers to write clean, concise code using functions instead of classes.
Concurrency: Go supports running multiple functions simultaneously which makes it efficient for large-scale applications.
Backend Development Tools: Go also offers various open-source editors, plugins, and IDEs that are easily accessible. This feature helps developers to build and maintain projects efficiently.

10. Scala

Scala is a short form for Scalable Language. It is basically a high-level programming language that combines object-oriented and functional programming features. It has vast uses and supports the development of mobile, web, desktop, and enterprise applications. Scala runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which makes it operable with Java and an attractive choice for Java developers.

Pros of Scala:

Java Interoperability: This is an example of Backend technologies in Java as Scala works and integrates seamlessly with Java. This allows Java developers to use Scala in Java-based projects.
Easy Maintenance: Scala code is concise and easy to maintain, which helps the developers in reading and understanding the code more effectively.

Each of these backend technologies offers unique benefits and is well-suited for different types of projects. Whether you’re building a small web app with Flask or a large-scale enterprise application with Scala, choosing the right tool for the job is the key to success.

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Backend Technologies FAQs

What is a server-side scripting language?

A server-side scripting language is a type of programming language that runs on the server, not the client’s browser. It processes user requests, interacts with the database, and sends the necessary data to the client. Examples of this include PHP, Django, and Ruby.

What is the role of a database in backend technology?

A database is used for storing and managing the data used by a website or application. The backend interacts with the database to perform operations like creating, reading, updating, and deleting data (CRUD operations). Common databases include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and SQLite.

What is an API, and why is it important?

An API, which stands for- Application Programming Interface is a set of rules and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs enable the backend to interact with other services and applications, such as payment gateways or social media platforms, and are crucial for integrating different functionalities.