6 MIN READ
All websites and applications are underpinned by the backend – the ‘brick and mortar’ that the user doesn’t see.
The backend consists of database management, automated testing frameworks and several key programming and scripting languages. In this article, we focus on these programming languages and why they’re so important for backend developers.
The key backend programming languages
Python
What is it?
The world’s most used programming language, Python is a general purpose language with around 8.2 million active users. An object-oriented, high-level language, it was created to help programmers write clean, straightforward code for small-scale to large-scale projects.
What does it do?
Python is used to build websites, mobile apps and different types of software. It’s also used as a data analysis tool, to build machine learning algorithms and to automate tasks. As it’s able to run on almost any system architecture, Python is considered a universal programming language – hence its popularity.
Why’s it so great?
Python is an extremely flexible and adaptable language, with an incredible range of uses. Not only is it the key language that underwrites most websites and applications, it’s also useful for different types of data analysis and data mining, as well as for building machine learning and deep learning models.
Not only is it an important language; Python is also considered to be one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Its simple syntax makes it easy to understand, write and utilise. In fact, it’s often used by data scientists with minimal programming knowledge to carry out simple analysis or organisational tasks.
Key frameworks and libraries
Django, Flask, CherryPy, Bottle
Java
What is it?
Another object-oriented programming language, Java is a high-level, robust language that was designed to have minimal implementation dependencies. Originally designed in 1995 for the use of interactive television, Java outgrew its use and became a key 21st century backend computing language.
What does it do?
Java is used to build mobile applications (specifically Android), enterprise-scale web applications, web and application servers, games and database connections. It’s typically used to deal with huge amounts of data in the data science and research sectors, as well as to create applications for large banking, retail and financial services.
Why’s it so great?
Java is robust, fast and has superb memory management, with built-in garbage collection that allows for objects to be created without the need for memory allocation. It’s also built on the ‘write once, run anywhere’ principle, making it platform independent. This makes for easy portability between platforms.
Key frameworks and libraries
Spring Boot, Apache Struts, Hibernate
PHP
What is it?
Otherwise known as ‘Hypertext Preprocessor’, PHP is an open source scripting language that is focused on web development, particularly through automating tasks.
There are 20 million websites that use PHP, ranging from e-commerce sites and social media platforms to blogs and messenger services. Some of the biggest companies that use PHP include Facebook, WordPress, Magenta and Yahoo.
What does it do?
PHP generates dynamic page content, encrypts and collects data, sends and receives cookies, interacts with files on a server and generally develops dynamic, interactive websites. One of the first languages with the ability to be embedded into HTML, PHP is used by over 78% of websites, making it a hugely influential backend programming language.
Why’s it so great?
Due to its power and flexibility, PHP is able to play a pivotal role in a huge range of websites. Not only is it at the centre of the blog ecosystem (PHP is the language that underpins WordPress) but it’s also powerful enough to run social networks.
Despite this power, PHP is also simple to use. Beginners find it easy to get to grips with. Not only is the syntax straightforward, but PHP has a large, supportive community and lots of helpful resources.
Key frameworks and libraries
Laravel, CakePHP, Symfony
C++
What is it?
A high-powered object-oriented programming language, C++ is used to create high-performance operating systems, applications, games and browsers. One of the harder general purpose languages to learn, C++ is less popular than it used to be – mainly due to easier object-oriented languages like Python. But when it comes to creating fast performance applications, C++ is the go-to language for many developers.
What does it do?
C++ is an excellent skill for backend developers to learn. It also has a wide range of features, including multiple inheritance, templates, operator overloading and preprocessor commands. You can also easily manipulate hardware resources, as there’s less code between the hardware and the C++ code.
Why’s it so great?
C++ is faster than most programming languages and, when it comes to getting beneath the hood and really understanding the workings of computers, C++ is one of the best languages to learn. Unlike some other backend programming languages that are designed with simplicity in mind, C++ is closer to the concepts of computing. Those who learn C++ early on find it much easier to learn other languages.
Key frameworks and libraries
CppCMS, Crow, SonarQube
SQL
What is it?
Used for managing and maintaining relational databases, SQL is the go-to language when it comes to backend data. Essentially, it’s the language that communicates with the data held in the server. Originally designed in 1970, SQL has been influential for decades and is still an in-demand language for developers and data scientists today.
What does it do?
SQL is a very powerful tool that’s used to interact with databases. It allows you to pull, add, delete and edit data at high efficiency, understanding and analysing datasets large and small.
Why’s it so great?
As data becomes ever more influential in our daily lives, SQL becomes more important. Almost every business uses SQL and, fittingly, it’s one of the most in-demand programming language skills. It’s also quite easy to learn, can help you understand the inner-workings of other key languages like Python and Java, and is supported by a large community with lots of resources.
Key frameworks and libraries
MySQL
Ruby
What is it?
Ruby is a dynamic, general-purpose, programming language that’s easy to read and write, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. Ruby strikes a balance between imperative programming and functional programming, meaning it aims to be simple but effective. It gets this balance just right, which is why it has become a hugely popular language for web development.
What does it do?
Ruby is mainly used for web development. In fact, its hugely popular framework ‘Ruby on Rails’ (see below) is said to have revolutionised web development (and kickstarted the startup boom) over the last decade and a half, making it easier and less expensive than ever before to create complex applications.
Why’s it so great?
Ruby supports every major platform and has a syntax that’s extremely easy to write, understand and learn. The language is based on simplicity and productivity, which is why so many developers learn it early on. When it comes to creating powerful websites and applications in a short timeframe, Ruby is as good as it gets.
Key frameworks and libraries
Ruby on Rails, Sinatra, Padrino
Golang (Go)
What is it?
Developed by Google as an alternative to C++ and Java, Golang – or Go as it’s often called – is a general purpose system-level programming language. It aims to strike a balance between performance, usability and speed. Go has been called the future of web development.
What does it do?
Go allows you to develop highly scalable, secure web applications with ease. These applications include distributed network services, media platforms, AI and machine learning tools, cloud-based server side applications, infrastructure tools and DevOps automation.
Why’s it so great?
Go is simple to learn and understand, so it’s a great programming language to learn early on. Still, it’s aimed at creating high performance applications, so beginners can get a lot out of it. Also, when it comes to building infrastructure tools, Go is one of the best languages out there. Aside from being robust, easy to learn and powerful, Go has a growing list of libraries and frameworks and a supportive developer community.
Key frameworks and libraries
Buffalo, Goji, Mango, Gorilla
How do you get into backend development?
Start by getting to know the basics of data algorithms and data structures. This will give you a good grounding in backend development.
Next, learn a programming language! The programming languages mentioned above, particularly Python, are excellent tools to have as a backend developer. They help you understand the basic logic and form of coding, along with the best practices.
It would also be a great idea to learn a few frameworks. Ruby on Rails, Laravel and Django are three of the most useful frameworks to learn for backend programming. The advantage of learning a framework is that you already have a ready made template available, allowing you to get creative with your coding.
For those serious about getting into backend development, a coding bootcamp is an excellent path to take. Whether it’s making a complete transition from another type of career or making the switch from outside the world of development, enrolling in a coding bootcamp gives you a well-rounded toolkit, while giving you the chance to get hands-on and learn by doing.
CodeOp has a wide range of comprehensive courses to suit all needs. Led by experts in the field, our courses prepare you for a career in tech, with strong technical curricula, strategic mentorship and 360 degree support.
If you’d like to know more, download our ebook 5 Steps to Starting a Successful Career in Programming and find out more about what we do at CodeOp.
6 MIN READ