This translation is machine-generated and pending review.
Back-end development is server-side development. It is the term used for the development that happens behind the scenes, unseen by users. In other words, back-end developers build the business rules, the logic that makes a web system work correctly, and they do this through the use of programming languages specific to the server side, such as NodeJS, PHP, or Python.
To better understand the concept of the backend, we need to look at the other end of a web system, the frontend.
Simple Web Flow
The drawing above represents a simple flow of a website or web system. We have the end we call the client, which requests some information from the server side. In this case our client is a web browser requesting some page from a website.
The client part, which displays the information in a structured way, is developed by the frontend developer, while the part that responds to the requested information, querying the database and applying other business rules, is handled by the backend developer. Communication between these two ends is usually done through APIs (protocols and standards for communication on the internet).
There are cases of full-stack developers who are able to develop on both ends.
Popular Programming Languages for the Backend
There are several programming languages specific to the backend, and new languages are constantly created and new versions are released. It is a very dynamic field that requires constant updating. Among the main languages we can mention:
NodeJS
The node environment has everything you need to run scripts in JavaScript, which until then* was only possible in browsers. It lets you use JavaScript as a backend language and uses the V8 JavaScript engine developed by Google for Chrome.
Python
Python is a general-purpose interpreted programming language, very popular and usable to develop a wide variety of applications. It has high-level data structures, modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, dynamic binding, and many features.
PHP
PHP (a recursive acronym for “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor”) is an open-source interpreted language, used mainly in server-side (backend) development of web applications.
Java
Java is a type of programming language created and marketed by Sun Microsystems since 1995. It is defined as an object-oriented language.
Its intention is to allow developers to write the program just once and run it on any device.
Responsibilities of a Backend Developer
The responsibilities of a back-end developer can include working with:
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Storing data and also ensuring it is displayed to the user
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Creating, integrating, and managing databases
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Managing API resources that work across multiple devices
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Understanding back-end development structures and architectures
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Integration with server and cloud
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Integration with third-party systems
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Security settings and attack prevention
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May be involved in the architecture of a system and in data science analyses.
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Building structures or architecture to make programming easier.
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Implementing optimized algorithms and solving system-related problems.
How Much a Backend Developer Earns
The technology field is known for having a very attractive work environment and compensation. A backend developer’s salary can vary a lot, both by company and by region. According to job-specialized websites, the average salary of a backend developer in Brazil is R$ 4,200. More experienced developers can earn more than R$10,000, not counting the generous benefits that technology companies provide.