Top 10 Backend Technologies You Must Know!

Last updated by Rishabh Dev Choudhary on Aug 30, 2024 at 06:03 PM | Reading time: 8 minutes

In any software or application, there are two parts: frontend and backend. The frontend is what the users see and interact with, while the backend operates on logic of the application. Backend technologies and frameworks are crucial for developing scalable applications and managing server operations and databases. Selecting the right framework helps to enhance development productivity and application performance.

In this article, we explain the top 10 Backend Technologies like Python, JavaScript, Laravel, and others. We also discuss their key features and pros & cons. We also give some insights into the top Backend Technologies trends that will help you understand how these frameworks are progressing and how they will impact application development in the future.

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What is Backend Technology?

The backend is the nerve center of any application. It is the backbone of the application and is crucial to ensuring that the app or software works smoothly. It is a binding force for everything that the application does so that the commands given by the user are carried out.

From a technical point of view, the backend includes writing, optimizing, and deploying server-side code. This process involves writing complex functional protocols, building libraries, and developing other such components that keep the software running smoothly.

Backend frameworks are the programming language used in web or application development. They are responsible for the behind-the-scenes work such as data storage, authenticating users, providing APIs for front-end applications, and more.

Now, let’s look at some of the main parts of the backend technologies.

Also read: A Guide to Full Stack Developer Salary in USA

Key Components of Backend Technology

Backend technologies are the tools, frameworks, languages, and databases used for building servers or the technical side of the applications. By working behind the scenes, these technologies help manage the servers and databases to facilitate communication between the server and the user’s browser (the front-end).

Let’s look at some of the main components of the backend:

Programming languages: Backend runs on programming languages like Python, JavaScript, PHP, and others. These are used to write backend logic.
Frameworks: It includes technologies such as pre-written, reusable code libraries to streamline the development. Its examples include technologies such as Express.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, etc.
Databases: The backend stores data on relational databases like MySQL and on NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Cassandra, and others.
Servers: They are an essential part of the backend because its frameworks are deployed and managed on servers that can be either cloud-based or physical.
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): Often the backend technologies use APIs to interact with the other services and give access to external tools for their functionalities.
Containers and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, and other such technologies help in managing and deploying backend applications in a containerized environment efficiently.

Also read: What is Full Stack Development

Top 10 Backend Technologies

There are several types of backend technologies being used for app and software development. Here we have compiled a list of top 10 backend technologies along with their features and benefits & limitations.

1. Python

One of the most versatile and popular backend languages is Python. It is mainly used for web development and is one of the most popular backend technologies in this comprehensive list. Its simple syntax makes it easy to learn and use allowing the developers to quickly develop applications without having to write lines of complex codes. In addition, it supports a variety of frameworks like Django, Flask, and many more.

The following table shows the key features, pros, and cons of Python.

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Simple and beginner-friendly Accessible to experienced developers also	Easy to learn	Speed limitations
Has a vast library and frameworks reducing the need to build many functionalities from scratch	Huge collection of libraries	Sometimes can have runtime errors
It is platform-independent ensuring that the code can run on different operating systems without any modifications	Open-source & free	Requires a significant amount of space

Also read: Python Main Function and Examples with Code

2. JavaScript

It is a robust computer programming language, implementing which allows client-side scripts to interact easily with the users and create dynamic pages. JavaScript is an object-oriented & lightweight programming language. It is a versatile language because it can be used for both front and backend development. As a result, it has high interoperability with seamless third-party integration and dynamic web interfaces.

Let’s look at some of the key features, pros & cons of JavaScript:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Reduces load on the backend by executing many basic functionalities on the client side	Easy to learn programming language	The browser support is not optimal
It supports efficient execution of multiple blocks of code through asynchronous processing	Can be implemented and maintained easily	Lack of debugging facility
Enhances the quality of code and standards of compliance with dynamic data types	High interoperability	Sluggish functioning

3. C#

Next in the list of backend technologies is C# (pronounced as C-Sharp). It was initially released by Microsoft with the .NET framework in the form of a closed-source programming language. But with time, it became a free and open-source language. It is mostly used in game development, cloud-based services, and enterprise software development.

Here are some of the main features, benefits, and limitations of using C#.

Key Features	Pros	Cons
It has an active and thriving community of developers who help with its future development	The vibrant community of C# developers contributes to making the language popular	Steep learning curve
Efficient interoperability on different platforms makes it more scalable in comparison to other languages	Developers can create applications that can be used seamlessly across multiple operating systems	Over-dependence on the .NET framework
Developers find this high-level coding language efficient and easy to use	Object-oriented programming enables developers to design data types & structures and apply relevant functions to them	Developers might run into difficulty surrounding compatibility between different versions because of updates and new versions

4. Java

Another highly popular backend technology is Java. The best thing about backend development on Java is that the code can be run on different platforms and operating systems like Linux, Windows, etc. seamlessly.

Let’s look at the key features, advantages, and disadvantages of Java.

Key Features	Pros	Cons
It is loved for its simplicity of implementation and intuitiveness	Simple and easy to use	Its performance is poor and slow
Developers can create secure deployed apps using public encryption elements	Cheap and economical to use & maintain	Lack of backup facility
It can write and execute multiple tasks at the same time	Java is not dependent on a single platform, meaning that it can run on devices with different OSs such as macOS, Linux, etc.	Huge amount of space is required

5. Django

Django is a high-level framework that follows a model-view-template architectural pattern that helps keep the code logically organized into different layers. The developers just have to focus on specifying the data view and presentation templates.

Some of the key features, benefits, and limitations of Django are:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Enhanced security so users can manage their passwords and accounts with a user-authentication system	It is faster than most of the other backend technologies	Has a steep learning curve
Helps faster development	High scalability	It is not compatible with many small-scale projects
The apps developed using Django are highly scalable and can switch easily from small-to-large-scale projects	Robust security	Has a monolithic framework

6. Laravel

It is a PHP-based web application backend technology that has an expressive and beautiful syntax. Laravel has strong capabilities necessary for large-scale and sophisticated applications.

Let’s look at some of the features, benefits, and limitations of Laravel:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Database migration	Easy to learn	Minimal in-built support
Integration with third-party apps	It provides a model view controller structure	Low community support
Multiple security layers	It offers a swift execution	Complicated overall process

7. Ruby on Rails

This backend technology is most popular for its full-stack capabilities and is very easy to use. Ruby on Rails focuses on building simple web applications. It has a vast library of infrastructure (components) that allows the developers to focus on the most important thing - the application’s code.

The following are some of the main features, pros, and cons of Ruby on Rails;

Key Features	Pros	Cons
It uses active records to make it easy to link object-oriented functions with relational databases	Real-time updates and data synchronization	Lack of flexibility
Has a simple and easy learning curve	Adaptable and flexible giving developers total control over their projects	The boot time of this backend technology is long
Reliable testing tool making it a robust backend framework	Creates highly secure applications	Even a simple mistake can heavily influence the performance time

8. Node.js

Node.js supports both frontend and backend development using a unified programming language framework. As a result, it helps build high-performance applications.

Let’s understand its key features, pros, and cons:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Simplified development and deployment	Offers easy scalability	Lacks library support
One of the easiest programming languages	Targets all major platforms	Has an unstable API
It provides high-performance	Provides long-term support for businesses	High-demand but few experienced developers

Also read: What is Node.js? Why is it Transformative in Web Development?

9. ASP.NET

It is a backend technology supported by Microsoft for building contemporary and cross-platform applications. It can be deployed using the .NET framework. It can be used on different platforms like Windows, macOS, Docker, etc. This technology can be used to build web applications and API servers with different programming languages like C#, Node.js, JavaScript, and more.

The following are the key features, benefits, and limitations of ASP.NET:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
Has a reliable authentication system	Uses JavaScript for backend	Stability issues for new releases
Can be run on multiple devices and operating systems	Requires minimal coding	Memory leaks
Has active community support because of its open-source nature	Optimal performance improvement making it the best framework for backend development	High cost of licensing

10. MongoDB

MongoDB is a cross-platform document-oriented database program that provides open-source NoSQL data storage for modern applications. It is one of the most popular non-relational databases.

Let’s look at the key features of MongoDB along with its pros and cons:

Key Features	Pros	Cons
All data is stored in documents instead of tables like in RDBMS	It offers speed	Has memory limitation issues
Every file in the document is indexed with primary and secondary indices making it easier to get or search data from a large pool of data sets	Has a flexible database	No support for joins
Its performance is high compared to other databases and programming languages	Strong technical support system	Can corrupt data

Top Backend Trends to Follow

Today, there are many backend technologies that developers need to follow and understand. Now let’s look at some of the key backend trends:

Backend as a Service (BaaS): It is a cloud-based model where the technical teams outsource backend operations to external service providers. This way the in-house developers can focus more on writing code & maintaining the front end, thereby helping build applications faster.
Serverless computing: In this model, a cloud provider allocates resources as per the demand, and helps take better care of the users. Since the service is cloud-native, the developers do not have to focus on managing the infrastructure, availability of servers, or idle time.
Headless Content Management System (CMS): It is a very powerful and flexible way to manage content allowing faster delivery of content to the front-end. Here, the frontend and backend of the applications are separated making it easier to mitigate the targeted attacks.

FAQs: Top Backend Technologies

What are the factors to consider when choosing a backend framework?
When choosing a backend framework, you should consider factors like time to learn, develop, and deploy, active community support. This will help you develop a strong backend for your application.

Which is the most popular backend framework?
JavaScript is the most popular backend technology. It is used by over 97% of websites and is also the most preferred language for several frameworks like Node.js and Express.js.

What is the best backend technology for beginners?
JavaScript, PHP, and Python are a good choice of backend technologies for beginners. They all can be learned very easily and have an active and strong community of developers.

Can the same language be used for both backend and frontend?
Yes, backend technologies like JavaScript can be used with Node.js, and with React or Vue for frontend can be used.

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AUTHOR

Rishabh Dev Choudhary

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Rishabh Dev Choudhary

Attend our Free Webinar on How to Nail Your Next Technical Interview

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The Business Impact of Machine Learning: Real-world Case Studies

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Mock Interviews for Generative AI: Essential Practice to Land Top AI Roles

Top Python Scripting Interview Questions and Answers You Should Practice

Complex SQL Interview Questions for Interview Preparation

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