How to Become A Backend Developer - Important Skills
Key Takeaways:
- Importance of Backend Developers: They are crucial to the success of any software development team.
- Challenges of Becoming a Backend Developer: The path to becoming a backend developer is not straightforward.
- Blog Focus: Offers a detailed guide on achieving success as a backend developer.
- Content Coverage: Discusses the role of backend developers, necessary skills, and the benefits of the profession.
The demand for qualified web developers is at an all-time high, giving individuals with an interest in the field and a desire to learn new technologies an advantage in landing well-paying jobs. While web developers have different roles, this particular blog will focus specifically on backend developers.
Here, you will find a comprehensive guide on how to become a backend developer. Backend development can be a fulfilling career choice for professionals with a keen interest in development technologies. It is trending and is among the most desired jobs.
So, if you’re planning to start your career as a backend developer, you are in the right place. This blog will explore the role of backend developers and the skills you need and provide tips on how to become a backend developer.
Additionally, it will address various questions that may come to mind for aspiring developers. If you are ready to follow the path to become backend developer, then keep reading this blog until the end.
Why choose backend development as a career?
Before you jump on complicated questions like what the roles of backend developers are, what skills they require, or how to become a backend engineer, you need to first ensure this is the right career path for you. Therefore, this section will explore why backend development is the right path for you.
Backend development focuses on the server side of the website and application. Without the expertise of skilled backend developers, the front-end interface is completely useless. Needless to say, the role of a backend developer is completely irreplaceable. Therefore, if you want to become a backend developer, here are some key advantages you can look forward to:
- Lucrative job opportunities: As we said, backend developers are in high demand; therefore, their specialized skills often command higher salaries than other development roles.
- Career growth and versatility: Having expertise in backend development can open the door to various other IT roles as well. For example: System architect, DevOps engineer, database administrator, etc.
- Continuous learning opportunities: To become a backend developer means getting to learn something new every day. You’ll get the opportunity to refine your skills while also staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends.
- Greater job security: Since the demand for backend developers is high, skilled professionals will have a higher level of job security compared to others.
By now, you should have known clearly if you want to become a backend developer or not. To further prepare you for this position, the next section will look at the various roles played by backend developers.
What is the role of a backend developer?
backend developers are the backbone of web development, they are responsible for devising features that users interact with via front-end applications. Right now, backend development is in great demand across the globe.
However, becoming a successful backend developer is not easy. One must boast many skills, including deep knowledge of programming languages, problem-solving skills, communication skills, etc.
Despite its complexities and high skill demand, working as a backend developer is a rewarding career with a clear progression path. Here are some of the roles you may have to assume to become a backend developer:
- Forming a deep understanding of the performance needs and goals of the product to develop an effective solution.
- Development and management of APIs.
- Developing systems for websites and applications to accept and securely store data.
- Organization of system logic.
- Writing codes, testing, and developing solutions for ode-related issues.
- Developing site architecture using proper methodologies like agile and scrum frameworks.
- Providing solutions to system problems.
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Aside from these, there are many other roles and responsibilities you may have to take once you become a backend developer. These roles can be demanding and may require a lot of skills, therefore, the next section will explore the various skills required to become a backend developer.
How to become a backend engineer? What skills do they need?
Becoming a qualified-backend developer is no walk in the park. Therefore, if you want to become a backend developer with a lot of success, here are some skills you will need to master:
Programming language
Being perfect in backend programming languages is really the bare minimum. It’s from the base to become a backend developer. If you want to be good at what you do, then you need to at least master these three major languages:
Knowledge of front-end technology
Only knowing the basics of backend programming is not enough, you also need to have a great hold of front-end development. Although not mandatory, you need to know enough to give instructions to computers for communicating and for applying the different algorithms. Therefore, you should have a good command of languages like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
Knowledge of the backend framework
The framework is the backbone of a language on a program on which you are working. Thus, once you have decided on a language, you should brush up skills with the framework as well. Here are some frameworks you should consider working on to become a backend developer:
- Spring Boot for Java
- Django for Python
- Laravle for PFP
API
API is necessary to establish connections between different applications. Backend developers use APIs to form connections with different apps to enhance the user experience. Therefore, as a backend developer, it's inevitable you learn about application programming interfaces. Some of the most popular APIs among backend developers include JSON, SOAP, GSON, REST, etc.
Version Control System
Also called the source contro, it tracks every single modification of codes in different databases.
If you want to become a backend developer, you need to have expertise on version control systems. This is because it can be very helpful if you want to reverse a mistake. Additionally, it also helps protect the source code from any such incident. Here are some of the most popular version control systems you should be aware of:
- AWS code commit
- GitHub
- GitLab
Database
The storage of data is very important because it carries a large amount of information. So it’s a must for backend developers to have command over the database. When you become a backend developer, you will have to create a relational mapping so that the data can be retrieved whenever required. To handle database management, you will need to use MySQL, SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.
Data structure and algorithm
DSA is also an important skill to have if you want to become a backend developer. DSA allows efficient management and proper retrieval of data to prevent any memory leak. It is also important because it forms the basis for accessing, organizing, and modifying data in programming. Further knowledge of DSA will help make the code more optimized and efficient.
Server Handling
To become a backend developer means to be responsible for every action performed behind the curtain. Therefore, you must have a good command over handling the server. A server, if you don’t know already, is a cloud system that provides useful information and offers services like file storage, databases, and security to other systems connected to that network. Some of the best tools for server handling include Docker, Kubernetes, etc.
Problem-solving
Backend development can be quite tricky; therefore, you must have problem-solving skills in order to work smoothly. Backend developers are the backbone of the website as well as the main problem solvers. Thus, if you want to become a good backend developer, you need to be a great problem solver too.
Communication
When companies want to hire backend developers aside from technical skills, they also look for good communication skills. Therefore, having good communication skills is very important for backend developers because you will have to work with a team. Further, you will also have to discuss various with teammates, managers, as well as clients.
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Moving on, the next section will provide a simple step-by-step guide to become a backend developer.
Steps to become a backend developer
Becoming a backend developer requires hands-on training in many facets. Here is a simple guide you can follow to take the first step to become a backend developer:
- Learn programming language: Choose one programming language and start learning it. You need to understand every single step and technique to be able to truly master a programming language. Make sure you focus on one language first before focusing on the other.
- Get a clear knowledge of data structure and algorithm basics: DSA is an absolute phenomenon behind any software and application. So it’s essential for you to have a clear picture of its basics.
- Learn framework: Learning framework is time-saving since you can use the same framework for multiple purposes. It cuts off rewriting code every time, thus it’s critical if you want to become a backend developer.
- Learn database concepts: Learning about databases is essential for backend developers because it is the vault where you can store the data using a programming language.
- Hands-on training: Theoretical knowledge won’t take you a long way; you need practical experience to become a backend developer. Developers can't understand the technique and format behind a programming language until they practice it themselves. Further, companies look for practical experience when they want to hire backend developers. Therefore, you need to write, analyze, and improve codes on your own to become successful.
- Ideat and develop: With enough practice, you would be ready to create your own unique ideas and develop them into any software or application.
- Launch your idea: Lastly, once you have successfully gone through every step, it’s finally time to make your product available online.
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The steps to become a backend developer are not easy, but with the right guidance, you easily overcome every challenge.
AppSierra: Your path to become backend developer
If you are ready to take your web development career to the next level, then we have a lot of opportunities waiting for you. AppSierra is a well-known development company that has helped clients across various industries build reliable and results-driven software and applications.
Our experts have spent years refining their skills and can train you to become a top back-end developer. Get your foot in the backend development door by learning valuable skills from AppSierra’s top-class developers.
Conclusion
As a backend developer, you will have a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. But as demanding as this career is, it's also very high in demand. So if you think you have what it takes to become a backend developer, you need to be prepared to keep up with the rapidly evolving development field.