No one today can live without applications. From sharing pictures with your loved ones to ordering food to make bank transactions, applications are used all the time.
These applications generally provide an easy and seamless user experience, but have you ever wondered how?
All the credit goes to the application’s backend, which does all the essential tasks you don’t see.
Who Is Backend Developer
Before discussing the definition of the backend developer profession, first, get to know what a backend means. What is meant by the back end of a website you can imagine as the “brain” of a site?
The back end of a website is a combination of technology and programming that makes a website live. There are 3 (three) parts in a website that are not visible to users,such as servers, applications and databases.
So, what is the role of a backend developer in building a website?
Role of Backend Developer
A backend developer builds and maintains the technology needed to ensure the existence of the components that run the part of the website that the user sees. That way, the back end code adds to the utility of everything a front end developer creates.
If summarized from the Career Explorer explanation, the back end developer is responsible for creating, managing, testing, and debugging the entire back end.
These responsibilities include core application logic, databases, data and application integration, APIs, and other backend processes.
What Does Backend Developer Do?
As previously mentioned, the back end is the side of the website that is not seen and not used by users to interact. Even so, that does not mean its existence is wholly lost.
The backend Developer ensures a website’s functionality and a desktop-like experience.
Therefore, a back end developer certainly plays a vital role in the web development team. One of the reasons is that the back end developer will ensure that the data or service requested by the front end system and software is fulfilled.
The back end combines database and software written in server language, which runs on web servers, cloud-based servers, or hybrid servers that combine the two.
So, the language used by a back-end developer is executed so that servers, applications, and databases can communicate with each other.
Programming Languages Overview
Back-end developers commonly use several programming languages, including Java, .Net, PHO, Python, and Ruby. In addition, back end developers also use tools such as MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server to find, store, or change data and then present the data to users through front end code.
Of course, what a back end developer does is always tailored to the needs of the client or user.
Therefore, Backend Developers must know and understand their client’s needs and technical requirements to create web applications with clear and well-documented code.
Overall, the responsibilities carried out by a backend developer include the following processes:
1. Database creation, integration and management.
2. Back end framework design for building server-side software.
3. Web server technologies.
4. Cloud computing integration.
5. Use of programming languages.
6. operating system.
7. Content management system development and maintenance.
8. integration API.
9. Security settings and hacking prevention.
10. Compilation of reports containing analysis and statistics.
11. Technology to backup and restore files and databases from websites.
The Differences of Frontend Developer and Backend Developer
Back end developers are very different from front end developers in terms of tasks. Even though both of them are the supporting figures behind the development of website or mobile applications, both of them are different in terms of understanding, responsibility, and the time to complete the task.
Frontend Developer
A front-end developer has more to do with how the web looks, starting from the layout side to colour settings so that users can access the web.
Frontend developers will mostly use 3 programming languages, namely Javascript, CSS, and HTML, which are then used to manage frameworks and code libraries.
Front end developers will work more closely with UI/UX designers. The UX designer will first set up the web or application framework. Then the UI designer will complete all the icons.
After both of them are sure of the display framework, the front end developer will immediately execute it.
Backend Developer
Backend developers start working after the frontend developers finish their work. The backend developer handles more on the inside of the website after the front view has been completed.
It could be that the back end developer works before or at the same time as the front end. However, the results cannot be displayed with good UI/UX because they are still a dummy.
Technical Skills Requirement
If you are interested in pursuing career opportunities as a back end developer, you must master the following 7 skills.
1. Mastery in Programming Languages
There will be more programming languages that back end developers must master compared to front end developers. This is because the things that must be done in this position are more crucial and complex.
Several programming languages must be mastered, for example, Javascript, C +, PHP, NodeJS, Python, to Golang.
2. Server System Management
Several types of servers are usually used by back-end developers, namely Nginx, Apache, and Litespeed. However, if you are still learning, you can master one first.
This server management will benefit users’ smooth access to the program. When the back-end developer is experienced, the program will not experience downtime on the server even though there are many visitors at once.
3. Database Management
Database management will also determine whether the program’s performance is good. Back end developers will manage it so users stay safe and the website or application operates smoothly.
4. Understanding of API Management
Application Programming Interface or API is an interface platform that connects servers and users. In general, back end developers will use XML and Jason formats.
Back end developers must master managing the API so that the appearance of the program for users matches the requested data. Apart from that, an API can also help back end developers activate more sophisticated features.
5. Mastery in Version Control System
Back end developers must be familiar with VCS. This system is beneficial for program developers because, with VCS, a developer will know which programming is the best for his program.