Web development is an attractive and popular job but also challenging. There are two parts to building a website: the Front End, which creates the appearance, and the Back End, which handles the behind-the-scenes coding. Back-end development focuses on designing and building website engines. Would you like to learn about back-end programming languages that allow us to develop the back-end? So, stay with us.
Which language is best for back-end web development?
In the past few years, server-side programming languages have expanded dramatically, resulting in an ever-expanding web design market. Developers can design the site and back-end using different languages. Each language has advantages and disadvantages, which you can learn about online. In the following, we will examine some back-end programming languages.
Python
Python is a general-purpose and interpreter programming language that runs on many operating systems. This programming language was introduced in 1370 (1991 AD) by “Guido van Rossum”.
Python can process text, numbers, images, scientific data, data science, artificial intelligence, and anything else you store on your computer. This language is used daily in Google search operations, YouTube, the NASA Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the New York Stock Exchange.
This language is an excellent choice for those who want to learn programming for the first time. This is because its syntax is similar to English words and easier to understand than other languages. Python has a wealth of online learning resources and support forums, which will help resolve potential errors and questions. In addition, this language greatly reduces coding because it has many different functions, methods, libraries, and frameworks for various purposes. The main and most critical Python framework for web back-end programming is “Django.” Learning how to work with this framework is very critical after learning Python.
Many consider Python the “fastest-growing programming language” in the world, and that’s why the number of hire Python developers worldwide is increasing.
Famous companies like Uber, Pinterest, Mozilla, Quora, and Netflix use Python.
Java
Java is another programming language widely used in back-end programming. Also, this language has an object-oriented programming approach and is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. This language is used in mobile phones, desktop applications, web design, card readers, ATMs, etc. What makes Java so popular is the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). “Write once, run everywhere” is a concept that Java implements through the JVM. The Java Virtual Machine is a middle layer that runs code on any device, regardless of what it is written for.
Java programming language is very popular but requires much effort to learn. Understanding some Java topics is difficult for beginners. Python is a better language for beginners. Java is a more code-intensive language than Python and uses more code to build basic features.
With Java programming, tasks such as database connection, image processing, Android application development, website development, GUI-based application development, networking, and others can be performed easily. “Spring Boot” is one of Java’s most popular back-end frameworks used for web development.
Java has many support forums online. As a result, if you encounter a problem and have questions, you can ask them.
Famous companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Pinterest use Python.
JavaScript
Programming languages such as JavaScript are very popular worldwide. Most of the time, this language is used for front-end design. However, with the emergence of Node.js in recent years, JavaScript is still considered a viable option for back-end development, proving the importance of learning JavaScript. JavaScript develops and implements server-side or back-end capabilities and client-side or user-side (front-end) programs.
Because of its universality, JavaScript has helpful and active online support communities that contribute to programmers’ development. JavaScript can be used for developing websites, mobile applications, desktop applications, games, web servers, etc. The Node.js framework is considered the most critical back-end programming tool with JavaScript. JavaScript programming language was introduced 27 years ago, in 1373 (1995 AD), and is usually known as “JS”.
Many large companies like Codecademy, HotelTonight, eBay, and Square use JavaScript.
But you may ask yourself, “JavaScript or Python, which is better for the future?”
There is not much difference between Python and JavaScript since both Python and JavaScript share features such as lexical-scoped, object-oriented, interpreted, functional, and imperative programming; you can practically do whatever you want with them. Now, if you want to choose one of the Python or JavaScript languages to learn, you must first know what your goal is in understanding that language. Since each has a specific function, a Python programmer or developer can code for any JavaScript application. Moreover, for beginner programmers, Python is easier to learn than JavaScript, so it has a larger presence in the job market.
Currently, JavaScript has become the most in-demand back-end language, and according to statistics, JavaScript will be the most popular back-end language in 2023.
C#
C# is another modern and general-purpose web programming language that can be used for different purposes, like developing a mobile application, a desktop application, a game, and a website, and purposes in different professions. Microsoft designed this language, and it runs on the .NET framework.
C# is one of the most popular back-end programming languages. Many of today’s professional developers started their careers in C# programming. One of the reasons for choosing this language is its general purpose, and it can be used for back-end development along with different platforms and frameworks. Compared to Python and other languages, C# is a low-level language. However, this low level allows for many other possibilities.
Large companies such as ANSYS, Wells Fargo, UnitedHealth Group, and others use C#.
Ruby
Ruby is an object-oriented language designed and developed in 1995 by Yukihiro Matsumoto. Ruby is a dynamic, high-level, open-source, popular back-end programming language emphasizing simplicity and productivity. Programming with Ruby allows developers to create web applications quickly without writing much code.
Ruby’s main advantage as a back-end programming language is Productivity. Ruby is similar to Python and prototyping well. Ruby can be used for website development, mobile application development, mobile game development, etc.
Large companies like Codecademy, AngelList, and RapGenius use Ruby.
Perl
Perl is another programming language used to develop back-end and front-end applications. Furthermore, Perl is considered a traditional language for user-side programming. Consequently, Perl can be used for both back-end and front-end programming. This language was designed in 1987 by Larry Wall for text processing. It includes extracting required information from a text file and converting it into another format. Perl is similar to C and easy to learn for C and C++ users.
This language, designed for text editing, is now used for various tasks, including Linux system administration, network programming, web development, and more.
Famous companies like Facebook, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin use Perl.
PHP
PHP programming language is an open-source back-end or server-side scripting language. Approximately 79% of all websites worldwide are programmed in PHP. When the language was released in 1995, there were few options for creating dynamic websites. This programming language provides web developers with many tools to choose from. PHP’s most significant advantage is its ability to interact with databases easily.
PHP is an excellent choice for learning a first programming language. This language has many educational resources and support forums online. You can get help if you need it. PHP’s website says you can use this language to collect form information, generate dynamic page content, send and receive cookies, write server-side scripts, and most web developers prefer PHP as a server-side language. In addition, when business managers hire a PHP developer, finding a PHP developer is relatively easy.
Famous companies like Facebook, Lyft, Viber, and many others use PHP.
Rust
Rust is another popular and powerful back-end programming language introduced in 2010. Rust is considered a “multi-paradigm programming language”, similar to C++. Rust programming language has many advantages in back-end programming. These include clear error messages in the Rust back-end programming language and its high performance and speed.
Companies like Dropbox, Microsoft, Facebook, and others use Rust.
Kotlin
Kotlin is one of Android applications’ most popular back-end programming languages. This programming language can easily interact with Java. As a result, Java applications can be created using this programming language.
The Kotlin back-end programming language has many advantages, including interoperability with Java and extension functions. In comparison with other programming languages, Kotlin is more productive and efficient than other programming languages.
Companies like Udemy, Slack, Robinhood, and others use Rust.
Go
Go (or Golang) is another back-end programming language developed and released in 2008. It is also a back-end programming language with static types. Moreover, it is syntactically similar to C. It also provides useful features like garbage collection, structural type, etc. The advantages of this programming language include its object-oriented nature and code-testing methods.
Companies that use this language for development include Google, Netflix, Uber, Twitch, Dailymotion, MongoDB, Dropbox and Soundcloud.
Final thoughts
In this article, we provide helpful information about back-end programming languages. This is a partial list, giving an overview of back-end programming languages. If you want to learn more about any of these languages, you can get more comprehensive information about each one with some searching.
If you want to become a programmer and work in back-end development or any other field, don’t let what others say scare you. Every expert starts as a beginner. The only way to become an expert in back-end programming is to practice and persevere. With the above-mentioned content, which language do you prefer to develop the back-end in?