Top 10 Backend Technologies You Must Know

To provide any responsive and effective software solution, frontend, and backend are the two most essential technologies that work together. A back-end framework is used to create server-side web architectures stably and efficiently. Backend technologies focus on improving the hidden aspects of the websites and are very important for the proper execution of any web application. It enables the smooth creation and maintenance of a website.

Backend development focuses on managing the server-side functionalities and implementation with tasks like designing APIs, dealing with various components, etc. Moving ahead, in this article, we’re going to discuss some of the best technologies that are being used by backend developers.

First thing first, let’s understand the basics of back-end development.

What is Backend Development?

Whenever you use any application or website, the components that are not visible from the front eye i.e. the logic behind contents or pages are being developed and managed by a back-end developer. However, they are responsible for handling 3 major components:

• Server
• Database
• Logic

Supporting this, all the functionality of any app or website works as it should.

Top Backend Technologies

Now, let’s find out some of the best backend technologies that you should know while starting your career in back-end development. Below here is the backend technologies list:

1. Laravel

Laravel is an open-source backend framework that is based on Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. It is a PHP framework and has support for large teams and modern toolkits. Laravel provides a built-in user interface, flexibility, API support, creativity, and an extensive range of various libraries that help in the development process of secure web applications.

Laravel has many PHP features such as overloading, arrays, interfaces, anonymous functions, namespaces, etc. Laravel helps in developing websites that are secured and prevented from various web attacks.

Pros:

• Ready-to-use packages: Laravel provides many ready-to-use packages like OAuth authentication with Google, Facebook, GitHub, LinkedIn, etc.
• High security: Laravel provides high security to the applications. For example, Bcrypt Hashing Algorithm is used to generate a salted password which is then stored in the database in the encrypted format.
• Exception Handling: Laravel has a built system to handle exceptions and address configuration issues which leads an application to have a more interactive and responsive user interface.
• Efficient Management and Command Setup: Laravel enables the developers to create skeleton codes with the help of a command line interface. This relieves developers from routine tasks and helps in managing the database.

2. Node.js

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript framework that is used to build server-side and networking applications. Node.js is built using Google’s V8 JavaScript engine. Node.js provides various JavaScript modules and integration with various third-party libraries and APIs to develop web applications easily and efficiently.

The Node.js framework makes it easy for developers to write command-line tools and server scripts with the help of JavaScript.

Pros:

• High Performance: Node.js can create high-performance applications that can execute in less time. It enables the non-blocking of I/O tasks which increases the speed of code execution.
• Scalability: Node.js provides growth of applications in both vertical and horizontal orientations. Vertical scaling is done by allowing the addition of extra resources to single nodes. Horizontal scaling is done by allowing the addition of nodes to the existing system.
• Rich Community: The online community of Node.js helps developers whenever they are stuck on any piece of code. Big companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, etc, have also contributed to the Node.js community.
• Reduced Loading Time: Node.js uses caching which decreases the loading time and code re-execution.

3. Django

Django is an open-source framework based on Python. It is a web framework from the server’s side. Django follows the Model Template View (MTV) architecture. It focuses on the reuse of code, an easy and fast development process with minimal coupling. This allows the developers to look at and learn about any functionality in an easy way instead of searching it online.

Pros:

• Rich Community: Django has a rich community of developers who help that users who are stuck and resolve their issues.
• Documentation: Django provides precise and organized documentation divided into various sections for developers.
• Security: Django provides high security of accounts and data with the help of a user authentication system, protection from SQL injection, etc.
• Versatility: Django is flexible in handling all types of complicated tasks like data analysis, machine learning, etc.

4. Spring Boot

Spring Boot is an open-source web framework based on Java that allows developers to build production-grade and standalone applications. It is free to use. It makes use of a micro-framework that helps in developing microservices for websites and mobile applications.

Spring Boot requires very minimal configurations to set up and provides developers with a quick approach to creating and deploying applications and services. It decreases the requirement for writing XML setup and annotation, as well as the boilerplate code, which is code that must be included in numerous areas with little modification.

Pros:

• Flexibility and scalability: Spring Boot provides high flexibility and scalability by configuring XML configurations.
• Auto Configuration: Spring Boot has a feature of auto configuration which means that neither XML configuration nor code generation is required.
• No need for WAR files: WAR (Web Application Resource) files can be used by Spring Boot, but they are not required. Instead, JAR (Java Resource) can be used by Spring Boot because of its short and simple structure making it very useful for developers.
• Bootstrapping conserves memory: Boot Initialiser is used for compiling the source language. The technique of bootstrapping helps developers in conserving space on their devices and rapidly loading of applications.

5. PHP

PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor is a popular backend technology that is widely used for Web Development. Basically, it is a server-side scripting language that is primarily designed for creating dynamic web pages and web applications. The programs that are created in it are executed on web servers and are not dependent on an online browser. 

PHP was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994. PHP is considered a popular choice for backend development due to its simplicity, broad community support, extensive documentation, compatibility with databases, and ability to build robust web applications.

Pros:

• Easy to Learn: PHP is known for its simplicity, which makes it accessible to beginners. The syntax of PHP is similar to that of C, Java, and other programming languages, which makes it easy to grasp.
• Fast Execution: When it comes to Web Applications, speed matters. Here, PHP comes to play, Its built-in caching mechanism and optimization techniques make it faster in execution.
• Security: PHP provides built-in functions and libraries to handle common security issues, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection attacks and it is significantly improving its security terms over the years.

6. Flask

Flask is a micro framework based on Python which is easy to use and provides high speed and productivity. It is lightweight and has only the required components for web development like request handling, sessions, etc hence it is ideal for small-sized modules and application development.

Flask has no dependencies or common code that can distract end users from the core functionality of the application.

Flask allows the use of secure cookies which are part of HTTP requests to add security to the channels to ensure that no unauthorized person can have access to the text.

Pros:

• Independent development: Developers using Flask have the independence to create applications with full control. They can play with the architecture and the framework libraries.
• Integrated system: Flask has integrated testing which helps in making debugging and development powerful. It also allows easy testing of applications.
• Documentation: Developers using Flask will have access to many examples and suggestions organized in a structured order. This helps the developers to work on this framework as it is easy and simple for them to learn and work with.
• Scalable and Flexible: Flask is easy to use and uses few dependencies which help in the smooth execution of applications and help in scaling it. Flask also ensures that the structure remains intact if a component is changed making it flexible in nature.

7. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is an open-source, high level and multipurpose web application framework that is used to develop server-side applications written in the Ruby language. It follows the Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. It uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to develop a user interface and XML or JSON for transferring the data.

Ruby on Rails provides fast launch of web applications. It makes use of Metaprogramming to write programs. It helps the developers to maintain and prevent migration issues. Ruby on Rails has an active record framework through which developers can easily create interactive database queries.

Pros:

• Model View Controller Architecture: Ruby on Rails is based on MVC architecture. The model maintains the relationship between the database and the object. The view is a set of templates for creating data users for web applications. The controller is used to combine the model and view. In order to distinguish between how data is internally represented and how it is presented to and received from users, developers create user interfaces that divide data into three interconnected components.
• Built-in testing: Ruby on Rails saves a lot of time and cost for developers as it provides a set of test cases to test the code.
• Scaffolding: Scaffolding is a feature with which a developer can define how the application database is working. This method automatically generates interfaces.
• Simple Syntax: Ruby on Rails has a very simple syntax and structure as it is written in Ruby language.

8. ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a free, open-source platform and cross-platform created by Microsoft which supports many operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. It provides support for many programming languages like C#, J#, JScript.NET, Perl, Python, etc.

ASP.NET is used in developing games, IoT, web, desktop, and mobile applications when used with other languages, libraries, and editors. It contains many class libraries in Framework Class Library (FCL).

Pros:

• Cross-platform: ASP.NET code used with C# or any other language, runs natively on any operating system.
• Easy development: ASP.NET provides many tools to developers to make their solutions easy to develop. It provides the ability to reuse the code which is cost efficient.
• High performance: ASP.NET applications have faster response time and require very less computing power. These applications have high built-in security and perform all the server-side tasks and functions very efficiently. 

9. Golang

Golang is an open-source, simple, and efficient programming language developed by Google developers in 2009. It has a syntax like C. It has a fast-loading time, can execute without a virtual machine, and has decreased runtime overhead. It has automatic management for garbage collection, is portable in nature, and has many inbuilt libraries.

Golang serves as a gateway to building native cloud solutions. It is used to build high-performance applications and large-scale systems.

Pros:

• Simplicity: Golang has a simple and easy-to-understand and implements syntax. Developers do not need to use classes and types to write the code, instead, they can write the code by using functions only making the code clean and precise. Golang helps in web development as well as in creating highly scalable databases.
• Concurrency: Golang supports concurrency like Java. Goroutines is a feature of Golang that refers to multiple functions running at the same time. It is lightweight which enables developers to use multiple Goroutines without influencing the system.
• Backend Development Tools: Golang provides open-source editors, plugins, and IDEs that can be used to develop any project. These plugins are easily available and can be accessed through the GitHub repository or various online communities.

10. Scala

Scala stands for Scalable language. It is a high-level and multi-paradigm programming language supporting object-oriented, functional, concurrent, and imperative programming paradigms. It is an object-oriented programming language that also supports the functional programming paradigm. With the help of Scala, developers can build any software solution like mobile, web, desktop, and enterprise applications.

Pros:

• Interoperable with Java: Scala is compatible with Java and runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This helps the Java developers to easily integrate Scala to use it as their backend technology.
• Easy maintenance: Scala code can be easily maintained which helps the developers to read and understand the code easily. –
• Concise: Scala can combine functional and object-oriented programming paradigms. This helps in making the code concise and easy to maintain.
• Highly Functional: Scala is a highly functional language which means that functions can be passed as arguments to the other functions and can be returned as values from the other functions.

Conclusion

There are a variety of backend technologies to choose from while developing any software solution. Each technology has its own advantages as well as limitations hence the choice of technology will vary according to the project requirements.

FAQs on Backend Technology

Q1. What is the fastest backend technology?

Answer:

Python is the fastest backend technology to learn and use.

Q2. What are the 3 parts of backend development?

Answer:

The 3 major parts of the backend are:

1. Server
2. App
3. Database

Q3. Is Python or Node.js better for the backend?

Answer:

Python is recommended for backend development.

You could use Node.js both for backend as well as frontend development.

Q4. Is Node.js faster than Java?

Answer:

Node.js is faster than Java in terms of speed due to the absence of buffering and distinctive code execution.

Q5. Which is faster .NET or Node.js?

Answer:

.Net would be better at handling CPU-consuming tasks. Node.js would be better at handling blocking tasks such as reading files or fetching HTTP data.