We’ve talked about front end developers in the past, but what are back end developer job responsibilities? Although for a lot of tasks, front end and back end may go hand in hand there is a difference. Most developers out there are specialists in either front or back end. There are also a group of people who can do both. We call them full stack developers.
I personally am considered a full stack developer but definitely specialize more on front end work. Back end developer job responsibilities consist of what we like to call “the dirty work.” According to Betterteam, “back-end developers create, code, and improve the server, server-side applications, and databases that, when combined with front-end codes, help create a functional, seamless experience for the end-user.” Let’s break that down, what exactly does that mean?
What Is A Back End Developer?
As a back end developer, your job is to make sure that everything runs smoothly. The design aspect of the output is left to the front end developers but getting the correct data is your job. As a back end developer, you will be in constant collaboration with the front end developers. There are plenty of different hats that a back end developer wears.
A backend developer is responsible for building and maintaining the servers, application logic, and database that power a web application. They work closely with frontend developers to ensure that the web application is delivered to users through a web browser in a seamless and efficient manner. Some of the tasks that a backend web developer may be responsible for include building APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), implementing security measures, integrating third-party services, and optimizing database queries. They may also be involved in testing and debugging the web application, as well as maintaining and updating the codebase as the application evolves over time.
What languages?
Backend web developers typically use a variety of programming languages and technologies to build and maintain the servers, application logic, and database that power a web application. Some of the most common languages used by backend web developers include Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, and C#. These languages are all powerful and versatile, and they can be used to build a wide range of web applications.
In addition to these general-purpose programming languages, backend web developers may also use technologies such as SQL (Structured Query Language) to interact with databases, and frameworks like Django, Rails, and Spring to streamline the development process. The specific languages and technologies used by a backend web developer will depend on the needs of the web application they are working on and the preferences of the development team.
Personally, I use PHP as my backend programming language. I have always used PHP because it is a powerful language that powers WordPress. WordPress is a super useful resource when it comes to web development and build using PHP and usually MySQL.
Back End Language Popularity
It’s difficult to determine the most commonly used programming language for backend web development, as it can vary depending on the region, industry, and type of project. That being said, here are some recent statistics on the popularity of various backend programming languages:
According to the TIOBE Index for January 2021, the top 5 most popular programming languages are:
- C
- Java
- Python
- C++
- C#
Based on the Stack Overflow Developer Survey for 2021, the top 5 most popular backend technologies are:
- SQL
- Java
- JavaScript
- Python
- PHP
According to the RedMonk Programming Language Rankings for Q3 2020, the top 5 most popular programming languages are:
- JavaScript
- Python
- Java
- PHP
- C#
As you can see, the rankings of programming languages can vary depending on the source. However, it is clear that Python, Java, and JavaScript are among the most popular languages for backend web development. It’s also worth noting that many backend developers use multiple languages and technologies in their work, depending on the needs of the project.
Conclusion
As you can see there is a lot that goes into back end development. Not only are there a lot of different languages you need to learn but you also need to understand how to connect data to the front end. Without data, websites or software applications are pretty dull and useless. Comment below which back end language you use and for how long. If you are interested in reading more like this, check out our front end web developer job responsibilities. As always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us.
