Web technology is evolving very fast so now we have a lot of modern tools and frameworks. Maybe you are standing between the choice of frontend, backend or database. Many developers have this big question – Which technology should I start with?

Sometimes we choose a language with which we have worked before or a language with which we are comfortable. It’s human nature, we always cling to our comfort zone and that’s where things start to go wrong. Including choosing a framework overkill. Or even worse, we choose a different technology in the middle of a project and end up rewriting the code in a different language.

Therefore, it is important to choose the right technology before starting a new project. So in this article, I will help you choose the best backend language.

In this article, I will talk about different backend technologies like Node.js, Java – Spring, Laravel – PHP and Python – Django. We will compare them on different aspects like reliability, scalability, performance, security, developer experience and most importantly, hosting cost.

What is backend?

In a nutshell, the backend has code that runs on the server side and is responsible for handling and managing storage, databases, and other resources. The backend is also known as the data access layer of the software.

You should always start with choosing the right backend. As it serves as the backbone of your application. We have a lot to choose from, but I’ll just cover some popular backend frameworks in this article and see which one works best for you.

Node.js

Node.js use asynchronous programming! That is to say, it is “non-blocking”. In other words, it doesn’t wait for a resource to finish working. It will immediately be ready to take on the next request and call back when it’s done. Node.js is highly extensible.

When to use Node.js?

When your application is “event driven” and does a lot of I/O operations. Also, when you have to make different API calls from the backend program itself. Here in this case you can take advantage of the feature non-blocking of Node.js.

When NOT to use Node.js?

When you have a heavy algorithm or a job that consumes a lot of CPU resources. Since Node.js runs on a single thread like client-side js, your application will be very inefficient for CPU-intensive tasks.

4. Java – Spring Boot

Spring is the most powerful, lightweight, and popular framework that makes Java faster, easier to use, and more secure. Spring boot helps you build Spring-based applications. It serves 80% of people’s needs for a modern web application. It is useful for creating standalone applications with minimal effort.

When to use Spring Boot?

When your main focus is security, you may want to write banking or financial applications. In case you cannot prioritize security, Spring boot will be the best choice. Since Java supports multithreading, it becomes a great choice for building complex and highly concurrent web applications.

When NOT to use Spring Boot?

Although, there is no limit to spring, it can serve all your needs. However, sometimes applications that don’t normally need heavy computation, then spring is an overkill option. The only thing to say no to Spring boot is that it is a bit complicated and requires a lot of expertise.

5. PHP – Laravel

Laravel is an open source PHP framework. It follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. Laravel makes life easier because it has a lot of developer friendly features, one of them is query builder or ORM (Object Relational Mapping). Before Laravel, it seemed that PHP was dying but now it is one of the most popular frameworks.

When to use Laravel?

When development time is what you need, then Laravel is the best choice. Because it has a lot of outstanding features that help the web grow very quickly compared to other frameworks. Also, Laravel can be hosted on a shared server thus making it cheaper as well, so when time and cost are key then you should use Laravel.

When NOT to use Laravel?

PHP is not considered more secure than Spring and Node.js, however, Laravel prevents some basic attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting and adds an extra layer of security to it. However, PHP is never recommended for applications that need security.

6. Python – Django

Django is a web framework Python high level is fast, secure and extensible. Django promotes clean and fast application development. It handles most of the intricacies of web development, so you can focus on writing your apps without worrying about anything else.

When to use Django?

Since Django is based on python it supports libraries machine learning like PyTorch, NumPy, etc. Its computational and statistical capabilities make it the ideal platform for machine learning applications.

When NOT to use Django?

Django is not suitable for small projects with only a few features and requirements. Because it is framework It’s complete, so it has a lot of code available that small projects don’t need. As a result, unnecessary server processing time and bandwidth is consumed.

7. Conclusion

Each language and framework has its own pros and cons. You need to know what your requirements are to decide on the right language. Because it will be associated with the life cycle of the product.

This article will help you understand Backend, Who is Backend Developer and how to become a Backend Developer. There are many software or apps on phones and computers that we use for activities ranging from social interactions to financial transactions without knowing what makes the product and the terminology associated with it. regarding it.

Each software product is created by an individual or a group called developers (developers) or software engineers.

Although a variety of terms such as APImiddleware, server-side, user interfacethe backend can be quite confusing, but the good news is that you don’t need to write code to understand the basics of software and Backend Developer.

What is backend?

Backend is the term for software or web development and it is the development activities performed at the back end of the program such as data storage and analysis, as well as ensuring application performance.

Back-end development includes server-side web application logic and integration and activities, such as writing APIs, creating libraries, and working with system components instead of frontend development, which focuses on services. customer-oriented services and programs.

The backend is often called the server-side while the front-end is called the client-side.

Backend developers work on a part of the product (application or website) that cannot be seen by the user – where the user’s logic and data are handled.

They build the infrastructure for a website, application or program, focus on functionality, integrate systems, write code that enables communication between the database and the application, and other core logic.

Role of Backend Developer

• Back-end developers also create and maintain the entire back-end of the system, including the core application logic, database, data and application integration, and API (Application Programming Interface).
• They will also handle the underlying, complex structure, ensuring robust performance, scalability, and security.
• Perform testing and debugging of any application or back-end system.

Tools used by Backend Developers

• Backend programming languages ​​like C, C++, C#, Python, Node.js, Java, PHP, Go Lang, Rust, etc.
• Frameworks and Libraries like Express, Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, Symfony, Gin, .NET, Xamarin, .NET, Xamarin, Boost, etc.
• Database management systems such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, SQL, MySQL, etc.
• Code editor and IDEs like vscode, pycharm, codeblock, sublime text, etc.

How to become a Backend Developer

Backend requires a lot of skill, however, you can focus on the basics and then explore more as you progress in your career. Even though you are aiming to become a Backend developer, you should also familiarize yourself with some front end technologies. You should learn:

• HTML for markup
• CSS for styling
• Javascript to interact

After familiarizing yourself with these basic user interface technologies, you can then focus on back-end technologies such as:

• Choose a back-end programming language to learn and choose a Framework. Eg; PHP Node.js, Python, Express, Laravel, etc
• Learn the basics of Data Structures & Algorithms
• Learn Database basics
• Construction projects; Start with basic, intermediate projects and then advanced projects.
• Create your own project
• Learn about host management

Learn about Version Control Systems (Git).

summary

The journey to becoming a backend developer requires a lot of skill, bravery, and a growth mindset. It sounds difficult at first but don’t give up, just focus on the basics and improve gradually. There are many free resources and courses that you can refer to for self-study online.

When choosing a programming language for Backend development, your choice will determine how the product will perform, scale, and meet user needs.

One of the most awkward choices is Node.js vs Python. These two languages ​​are very popular and have their own pros and cons. So in this article, we will compare their advantages and disadvantages and help you decide which language is better for your project.

Deciding factors when choosing a programming language

Before choosing a programming language, determine your requirements first. Focus on the following points:

• Define product type. Is it a data-intensive application or an interface-focused program? Is its functionality mostly static or interactive? At this stage, analyze your competition, market, and end-user needs.
• Define the area. You must understand where your product will be used: in a particular region, nationally or internationally. The larger the area, the more carefully you have to think about architectural and technological solutions.
• Conduct marketing research. It’s important to be unique and get constant attention. It means doing marketing research, understanding your main competitors and the personality of your users.
• Analyze your resources. How many people do you have with the right experience and whether you need to hire more developers.
• Clarify key performance criteria. There is no perfect backend development tool. Analyze speed, security, interactivity, responsiveness, and pick the ones you prioritize the most.

Python

Python is a dynamic, object-oriented language that is prized for its simple syntax and universality. Python is still one of the most employed languages ​​on the market. One of its main advantages is its support for multiple programming styles, making it well-suited for complex computational projects and simple websites.

Statista defines Python as the most popular programming language in 2020. It is used by 29% of developers worldwide. According to research by JetBrains, 87% of developers know Python and use it as their primary programming language. 27% of them use Python in web development, 28% – in machine learning (machine learning) and 18% – in data analytics.

Python grants access to the Berkeley sockets API. This is the client-server network handling module. Python provides a simple and rigorous API that corresponds to the C equivalent system calls. Python has classes that make it easier to use these low-level socket methods.

Advantages of Python

Rapid deployment and development

The dynamic and object-oriented syntax allows Python developers to spend less time working on complex pieces of code. Many packages, add-ons, and libraries provide ready-to-go options from the simplest web backend software to complex scientific calculations.

These make Python a perfect decision for the development of MVPs and prototypes. As a result, companies can get to market faster, and code reuse rates are high.

Simple syntax

Python uses fewer lines of code than other languages ​​and frameworks. It’s not just about volume, it’s also about making your code easier to understand when working as a team. Python allows programmers to express complex ideas in a few lines of code.

Python has the particular advantage of frequently using English terms rather than mathematical expressions. The code is easy to read and understand.

Vast ecosystem

Python meets many development challenges. While the ecosystem isn’t new, the constant addition of new packages and add-ons keeps it up to date with technology. Currently, python is one of the most suitable languages ​​for AI, computer vision, machine learning, data science, statistics and other fields.

Important community

Python has been around for a while, so it has built a large community. Developers use open source resources and tutorials, making it easier to develop skills and exchange experiences.

This community may not seem important at first, but it helps developers Q&A and updates.

Disadvantages of Python

Speed

Python won’t be the best choice if you prioritize speed. Python easily handles intensive operations, but takes more time than other languages. If you need to run a lot of tasks, Node.js will suit you better with asynchronous input and output.

Mobile performance

Low performance in mobile apps is a big problem. If the backend is slow by design, the user experience will suffer. Another problem with adapting Python code for mobile is that it doesn’t work well with native components. If you add effects from an incompatible codebase with low performance, you will have performance problems.

Node.js

Node.js is a runtime environment for backend development based on the JavaScript programming language.

Node.js uses asynchronous, event-driven input-output. It turns out that the runtime environment can handle several requests at the same time without having to wait for the previous request to complete.

Node.js is the most used framework, according to Statista. About 53% of all developers use Node.js for their projects. Twitter, Aliexpress, Coursera and many other huge services are created with Node.js. Netflix and Paypal have chosen Node.js to empower their microservices. It allowed them to shorten the boot time from 40 minutes to just 1 minute.

Node.js is a programming language that allows you to create WebSocket (a protocol that allows creating a real-time bidirectional client-server network). In online applications, WebSockets are an alternative to HTTP communication. The channel is kept open when a connection is established, allowing for fast, low-latency and low-cost connections to client-server networks. Chat, online multiplayer, Google Docs, and other common use cases are just a few examples.

The main advantage of Node.js is the way it handles complex concurrent processes. Large companies choose it to power their infrastructure because of its ability to handle large workloads quickly.

Advantages of Node.js

Fast performance

The main reason to use Node.js is because it has super fast performance. It handles multiple requests in parallel on a single Node.js server.

Node.js uses Google Chrome’s V8 engine as the runtime environment to execute JavaScript. This tool uses just-in-time compilation to process JavaScript code and provide instant output quickly. It makes Node.js a good choice for interactive development.

As a result, you get a great user experience, making Node.js the top choice for real-time apps, messaging apps, games, and more.

Full stack web development

Full-stack web development is trending – businesses like Medium, Airbnb, Paypal, Netflix have turned to Node.js to use JavaScript both on the front end and backend development. It guarantees:

• Better teamwork. Work with a single team instead of 2 separate front end and backend teams.
• Code reuse. Developers are free to reuse the code from the front end for backend development and vice versa. It reduces the number of lines of code, impacts delivery speed, and makes refactoring and maintenance simpler.
• A large talent pool. One of the most widely used programming languages ​​is JavaScript. A skilled front-end engineer can easily learn Node.js because the fundamentals are very similar. So becoming a Full-stack web developer will be easier.

Reusing JavaScript throughout development on a Node.js server speeds up delivery and makes communication easier. It’s a huge advantage when all team members can understand the code.

Microservices development

The Node.js server has many NPM packages. Netflix and Paypal have simultaneously migrated to Node.js and microservices, which has yielded amazing results. They removed duplicate code, organized the architecture, introduced additional functionality, and improved the user experience.

Disadvantages of Node.js

Low performance with big data

At larger data volumes, Node.js is not well equipped to handle complex operations. Its advantage is fast processing of many simple requests, but anything complicated leads to delays.

• A single thread event loop. When talking about fast I/O operations, the tasks will finish quickly. But if it’s a calculation, it takes a while to get the results. The upstream stream is blocked and other operations cannot be performed.
• Node.js and JavaScript. JavaScript is a user interface language that complements Node.js’ limited CPU capabilities. It does not communicate smoothly with the hardware and processing unit.

Suppose your application has to run complex operations. Node.js is not a good choice. There are ways to make Node.js work better with complex tasks, but the default functions don’t work well.

Messy syntax

This programming language is built on top of the NPM module, allowing you to extend the built-in functionality and create almost anything. However, a particular module may work fine on its own but not be compatible with the rest of the system.

Some NPM modules may be incompatible and need to be reset. If you run large infrastructure, this error can lead to several problems.

Python use cases

• Data Science: work with data collection and analysis. Apache Spark, the Facebook data analytics system, and the speech recognition system use Python as the primary programming language.
• Complex web platform: perform calculations, process lots of data, and analyze.
• 2D and 3D GUI: Python APIs like Scribus, Maya, and Blender are great for creating complex animations and graphics.
• Technical sorfware: FreeCAD, an application for 3D modeling, analysis software like Abaqus and others built on Python.
• Data collection and parsing software: Collect data for forecasts and analysis and display the results in a visual dashboard.
• Testing and development: write test automation frameworks.

Node.js . use cases

• Streaming Apps: create an uninterrupted streaming environment.
• Collaboration platform: when several users join an audio or video conference or edit files simultaneously, Node.js ensures real-time updates. Trello is a prime example.
• Real-time messaging: Many APIs and NPMs allow two-way exchanges to be created over a single connection, which is what messaging applications need. It also has add-ons for real-time server-side notifications and updates.

Conclusion

Node.js and Python are great backend languages ​​that offer impressive capabilities to developers. Python is great at performing complex operations and supports extensions, but it lags behind in speed. Node.js has outstanding performance but is not good at handling complex operations. The final decision depends on your project type.