Is Python backend? Let's Find Out

Back-end Languages   

Before we go into details about what back-end languages are, we first need to point out that there are two types of back-end programming. There are object-oriented (OOP) back-end programming and functional back-end programming. What is it that sets them apart? Which languages does each of them include? These are great questions.

As its name suggests, object-oriented back-end programming focuses on the creation of objects. This type of back-end programming includes web development languages such as Java, Python, and NET. With this web programming, you can execute statements in a particular order. The functional back-end programming also does what it claims; it focuses more on action. So, some people call it an "action-based back-end programming. In this particular back-end web development, developers use declarative language. This means that you can execute statements in any order.

Web developers commonly use this functional back-end programming for data science. However, you can still use it in other fields. In addition, you need to know that Web development languages can be either dynamically typed or statically typed. Statically typed languages are more rigid, which makes them better at catching errors; dynamically typed languages allow variables to change types—however flexible these languages may be, they are not good at catching errors. Then, developers who are looking to catch errors have to use statically typed languages more than dynamically typed ones.

Let us examine a few of the more popular back-end programming languages that you need to know; we'll also consider what these languages are used for.

Java      

Java comes first on the list of most popular back-end languages for good reasons: 

• This back-end language is extremely versatile; you can use it on smartphones and smart cards. 
• Due to its versatility and reliability, Java has been used by developers for over 20 years.

Maybe you want to know what makes this back-end language so versatile. Well, those who have been in the Web development industry for a long time might have had an issue when compiling a program on different computers. The problem here is that the code created during the compilation process may run differently than expected on a different computer. That is no longer the case with Java, thanks to the  Java Virtual Machine (JVM) . Java virtual machine lets developers run compiled codes on any computer without any problems, as it acts as a middle layer. Yet, there is a problem with Java. Despite its popularity with desktop and business software developers, Java could be better for those who are just starting in the Web development field.

When it concerns catering to the needs of beginners, Java fails to do so; only Python, a great back-end language, helps them achieve their goal. Java is less beginner-friendly than Python because it is verbose and requires creating more codes to build out features. So, you are better off using a language like  Python when starting. But if you insist on using this back-end language in your project, you are free to do so. Given its popularity, Java has a large community that can help you out when faced with some issues. Many online tutorials and forum threads can help with questions that you might have about this particular language. 

Python  

If you are new to web development, what you need to use is Python. Like Java, Python is a versatile language that can be used for both desktop and Web management. There are numerous tutorials and guides online to help those who are entering into the world of Web development for the first time. This makes Python not only easy to use but also an accessible language for beginners.

Interestingly enough, this language has an easy-to-understand syntax when compared to other back-end languages. It is because of this that those who have used Python in Web development have raved about the readability, elegance, and beauty of its code on Stack Overflow. Python is a dynamically typed, object-oriented, and open-source language that you should consider using when learning to develop websites and applications for the first time. While other back-end languages are declining in popularity, Python is skyrocketing. 

JavaScript  

JavaScript is different from the back-end language Java. Unlike other programming languages, JavaScript can be used for both front-end and back-end development. This back-end language is also good for those who are just starting because it requires little setup. This higher-level language makes coding easy; you can start coding in your browser. The only downside of JavaScript is that it is difficult to maintain and scale, unlike most dynamically typed languages; the objects created in JavaScript are slow.   
Then, you need to bear this in mind if you are going to use this programming language to bring your project to life.

Despite the difficulty of scaling and maintaining this language, some people still choose to use JavaScript for its large community. This means that if you face some problems with the language, you will have access to a slew of resources within the community. With this back-end language, you can build websites, games, mobile applications, Web servers, desktop applications, presentations, and the like. Companies using JavaScript are HotelTonight, Airbnb, eBay, Asana, Square, and Codecademy.

Ruby   

This back-end language is more like Python in nature; it is also an object-oriented, dynamically typed, and open-source back-end language. The real difference between Ruby and Python is that Ruby's popularity is waning; Python is an increasingly popular programming language. Though the popularity of this language is decreasing, some developers still use Ruby. It has a simple and expansive code that makes it more appealing to developers.     

Developers love this programming language because it makes even complex development projects easy to tackle. Moreover, they love the good documentation and impressive open-source dependencies of this programming language. Should you come across an issue while using this language, you can find answers to the problem in its active community of supporting developers. Perhaps the only downside to using Ruby is that it takes some time to master it on the Rails framework.    

PHP  

Another popular back-end language that developers use is PHP. Many websites use this language as the back-end. Developers use PHP across platforms like UNIX, Windows, and Mac because of its nature. As a developer, you may use this language when creating some websites. There are some other programming languages in the Web development industry, but these are the most popular back-end languages that you need to know if you are starting in this field.

Python Back-end Framework      

As mentioned earlier, Python is by far the best programming language that beginners need to consider. It makes developing applications and sites an easy and simple task. As stated by Statista, Python has maintained its popularity to this day. In fact, it is the most popular back-end language of 2020. Yet, there is something unique about this language:  Python  comes with few built-in features. So, developers have to use frameworks to accelerate tasks. Aside from accelerating tasks, frameworks help developers take care of the complexities of execution. Here are three main types of frameworks for this programming language:    

• Full-Stack Frameworks: whether you want to build a Web application from an end-user interface to back-end services and database or vice-versa, you can use this framework to build the entire Web application.     
•  Micro Frameworks: though small, these micro frameworks make Web development simple because of their ease of use; they are suitable for small projects. With micro frameworks, you have only the component set required for building an application.   
• Asynchronous Frameworks: these are the most recent type of Python framework. While they are similar to micro frameworks, asynchronous frameworks handle a set of concurrent connections.    

Django      

You need this Python back-end framework called Django for rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. As a high-level Python web framework, Django will take care of much of the hassles of web development. Then, this framework will help you write your application; you will not need to stop to reinvent the wheel. Yes, there will be no need to repeat any of your developing processes once you complete your application, given that the framework follows the Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY) principle. What are the features of Django? This Python back-end framework has the following features:

• MVC architecture
• Object Relational Mapper (ORM)
• Built-in lightweight webserver
• Template system
• Fast development
• URL design
• Free and thorough documentation

If you would like to know the people or organizations using Django, there are, of course, some companies benefiting from this Python back-end framework. Among the companies are DropBox, Spotify, Instagram, and Udemy.

Flask   

Another  Python back-end  framework that beginners should use is Flask; this was designed to make getting started quick and easy. This lightweight WSGI Web application framework can also help you when working on complex applications.  Flask started as a simple wrapper around Ninja and Werkzeug. It then became one of the most popular  Python back-end  frameworks, as many people in the programming world tried and loved using it. As for features, Flask, which is Unicode-based, has these below:      

• Jinja2 templating       
• Plug-ins debugger      
• RESTFul request dispatching       
• Built-in debugger     
• HTTP request handling       
• Cookies support for client-side sessions      

Companies such as Trivago, Netflix, Lyft, and Reddit use Flask. This testifies to the reliability of Flask in meeting the needs of these big companies.      

Tornado   

Tornado, a Python framework originally developed at  FriendFeed , can scale up to tens of thousands of open connections. This makes Tornado ideal for Websockets and long polling. Not only that, this back-end framework can be used with other applications requiring a long-lived connection to each other. This is possible because Tornado uses a non-blocking network I/O. This Web framework is also associated with an asynchronous networking library.  Tornado has great features to spice up your developing experience; we are talking about the following features:

● Real-time services  
● Translation and localization support  
● Non-blocking HTTP Client  
● Web templating  
● High-quality performance  
● 3rd-party authentication and authorization

Facebook and other companies like IMO, HENNGE, and Delivery Hero use this Python back-end framework. Then, it is a reliable back-end framework for Python.

TurboGears      

Built using the experience of several next-generation web frameworks such as  TurboGears  1, Rails, and Django, TurboGears 2 provides the solution to the limitations that other frameworks, including Django, have had. Then, you can build websites and applications without so much difficulty if you use TurboGears2. TurboGears 2 comes with the features below:      

● PasteScript templates           
● Function decorator           
● Validation support with FormEncode         
● MVC-style architecture           
● Multi-database support           
● Front-facing WSGI-based servers           
● Pylon as a Web server support        

Companies like OnShift, Inc. and Emtec, Inc. use this back-end framework called TurnoGears.  

Hug   

Hug, which is another type of  Python back-end framework  , is for those people who would like to design and develop their API once and expose it to clients the way they would like to consume it. Then, if this describes you, you should use this special back-end framework when developing your applications or any other projects using Python. With Hug, you can build your projects either locally over HTTP or through the command line. According to some experienced developers, Hug is by far the fastest and most modern way to create APIs on Python3.    

This Python backend framework used by the company Ownlin has these important features:    

• Annotation-driven validation    
• Built-in version management  
• Compliance with  Cython      
• Support for automatic documentation       
• Write-Once, Use Anywhere' Feature  
• Option to use as a Python library      

Though not so many companies use this Python back-end framework, Hug has proven to be reliable in the Web development industry. So, you may consider using this framework in your projects as well. Plus, in this course, you will also be able to make an informed decision as to what Python back-end framework is ideal for your project.     

Which Language Is Best for Back-end?  

Developers and those wanting to learn how to code have been debating on which language is best for back-end development. There are good reasons you should take some time to find out the answer to this question. Let us mention the following:    

• Regardless of the type of project you would like to build, you need to develop it in a language that will ensure the speed of the operation;       
• The language you should choose to develop your project should be that which can modernize your application or service to meet the needs of your customers better;    
• You need to develop your application, service, or any other project you may be thinking about in a language that will quickly respond to the behaviors of your customers.    

Now that you have the reasons to choose the best programming language for your project let us find out which one is more suitable for the back-end. Though this question is straightforward, the answer to it will be far from it due to its nature. That is, many developers and other experts are still debating this question. So, we need to answer this question by looking at what each language has to offer and how easy to use and read the language is.    

Here are the most popular programming languages and their key strengths for you to consider:   

JavaScript      

JavaScript  is considered by many to be the most commonly used back-end language and an unchangeable leader; many people, both developers and non-developers, have expressed their interest in this language. For remarkable scalability and great support for multiple issues, many developers have adopted the Node.js back-end framework under their technological and production wings. They use the Node.js back-end framework when working on an application or service that has to handle many tasks coming from a large number of users quickly and at the same time.  Developers use Express.js together with Node.js to build APIs for multi-page, single-page hybrid mobile, and Web applications. A few companies use this programming language, including LinkedIn, PayPal, and Netflix.      

Django  

Django makes part of this list of which programming language is the best for the back-end for the following reasons:      

● This language works in tandem with Python, which is the most wanted language in the world of IT. Many people have shown an interest in learning Python. This includes developers and those aspiring to work in this industry.         
● As the most popular Python Web framework, Django encourages clean, pragmatic design and rapid development. Developers prefer this programming language to others because it is open-source and scalable for future projects.         
● With Django, you can develop websites not only in the standard way but also in fast and easy ways. Python is great, if not the best, for beginners because its goal is to make the creation of complex database-driven websites easy.   

Even more interesting is the fact that Django lets you create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This means you can further build this project with this programming language because it comes fully featured. Django already comes with all of the tools necessary to create any additional features for the product. Another reason developers love Django is that this programming language offers one of the best security levels of the frameworks that are currently available. So you know that your project is kept safe.If you would like to connect to a large number of existing third-party applications like Facebook, Twitter, and some payment applications, then Django is the one for you.   

You should also consider this other important aspect: when developing an application or website, you need to use a language that will help you focus on your project's development. This is something that Django can help you with. Aside from Django's scalability, which is critically important for web development projects, this language has one of the biggest communities that you can resort to when faced with some issues.  Developers who have access to the Django community and its open-source library have been able to develop more features in less time. Companies using this programming language include sites such as Instagram, NASA, and Disqus      

Pyramid  

Interestingly, all of the programming languages have a lot to do with Python. Pyramid is no different. It works with Python in that it works in all supported versions of it.    

Pyramid comes on the list of best languages for back-end development because it offers many features that can help you write complex software with ease.     

Unlike Django, Pyramid presents so many options that can make writing applications a daunting task. But it is great for developing small apps. Developers also use this language to create websites. SurveyMonkey, Dropbox, and Reddit use this back-end language.   

Briefly, there are many programming languages used for back-end development. This is why many developers recommend choosing a certain programming language, depending on your project and level of experience. In addition, most of the programming languages commonly used by developers are indicated below:    

• Flask      
• Perl    
• Laravel    
• Ruby on Rails    
• Phoenix (Elixir)   

Some people consider some of these languages to be web development frameworks. While you can use the one you'd prefer, you must choose the language depending on your project and level of expertise in the web development field. Should we ask you if you have already chosen the programming language that would best meet your needs?  Well, if you haven't yet, let us just point out which is the best language for the back-end: the best programming language for the backend is Python.     

10 Factors that make Python good for back-end  

There are numerous reasons why Python is a favorite among many developers; it's one of the most readable and efficient back-end languages in the world of IT. It has proven to be better than languages like PHP, Java, and a few others. Some people might argue that it is an old programming language. Yes, it is. But there is something positive to longevity. The fact that many people have used this language for many years proves that Python is a highly stable and reliable language. Because of its reliability and stability, Python has helped many developers land great jobs in this industry. As you learn to code with this language, you, too, will get massive benefits from it.As it has done with many developers, this language will push you to great heights. Here are ten factors that make Python good for the back-end:      

Python is easy to learn and use      

If you ask professional developers what the easiest programming language to learn is, they will probably say “Python.” When developers choose Python over other programming languages, they really mean it. This language is so easy that it seems to have been developed for newbies. The newbies can understand the basic concepts of Python in one day, given that it reads like kindergarten math. Every professional developer knows how difficult programming websites and applications can be. Then, as a beginner, you should choose to learn to code with Python, the language that facilitates the coding process.      

You can't go wrong with Python   

Obviously, if a programming language is easy to learn and to code, and it emphasizes readability and efficiency, it makes it very hard to make mistakes while using it. This is the case with Python. The language makes it nearly impossible to mess up with, given the highly established rules on which it is built. These rules, which we are going to talk about below, were inspired by Van Rossum yet written by Tim Peters; they are known as  The Zen of Python.  These rules consider readability as an important aspect; less is more, clarity is better than implied, and complex to be fine yet uncomplicated—they come in the form of a poem rather than a guide to programming.    

Python can enable you to build more functions with fewer lines of code   

Python is not only easy to learn, but it also helps developers build more functions with fewer lines of code. This makes Python the go-to back-end language for those who are new to the IT industry. The fact that Python is a quick study for everyone means you can easily do something like building a rudimentary game in, say, two days tops.          
Remember that you can do all of this in a very short amount of time, even if you do not know much about programming in the first place. Another reason Python is perfect for new developers or those aspiring to become programmers is that this language has a strong emphasis on readability and efficiency. This simplicity makes Python stand out from the crowd of programming languages, especially for beginners.   

Python lets you build prototypes quickly      

Considering the fact Python lets developers do more with less code, you can thus build ideas and prototypes in a short time. This is important given that many developers using other programming languages always need help building prototypes quickly. In other words, doing this task takes them much more time than they wish to spend on the project, which also costs them money. However, Python is better. You can now come up with functioning prototypes at a faster rate than you would when using other back-end languages. Then, you can save time and money when using this language to build your project. As a result, your clients will be satisfied.      

Python makes learning other codes easy  

As a beginner, you should start learning to code with Python; this back-end language can serve as a stepping stone for those who are new to the world of programming.         
Since Python's object-oriented principles are compatible with languages like JavaScript, Perl, Ruby, and others, it will be easy for you to learn them later on.  Learning these other programming languages will be easy for you, starting with Python, because they are grounded on principles similar to those of Python. So, you are at a greater advantage. Then, all you will have to do is focus on the syntax of these other languages; this is what matters most.   

Python offers a lot of resources  

Almost every developer loves Python because of the huge number of resources that this language has; these resources are constantly refreshed.  So, developers never get stuck when building their projects. You will need help finding resources to help you out when building your project. This language also offers an extensive library with built-in functionality. This means so many programs are written in this language.  With the built-in unit test framework of Python, your codes are bound to work properly as others' have. Python is definitely a back-end language you can trust.

Python has a robust stack of frameworks ready for use  

The reason Python delivers on its promises when it comes to building projects is that it has a robust stack of frameworks ready for use. With so many frameworks to choose from, developers can then focus on writing their applications and websites; after all, the frameworks that Python uses will take care of the tedious legwork that developers would have if they were using a programming language other than Python. The programming frameworks that Python uses include Django and Flask, which are responsible for making the development of specific applications quick and easy.

Python works in tandem with Django  

Yes, Python uses Django. As indicated by professional developers, this is one of the biggest advantages of coding with Python. With this framework as part of Python, a developer can focus on modeling their domain and code classes—the framework will do the rest. Django can help with building templates. Alternatively, you can use those already coming with this programming language; you can easily build applications that are ready for deployment. Because of its usefulness, Django is the foundation of sites and services such as Pinterest, The Guardian, Instagram, and The New York Times.      

Python is a budget-friendly language  

We know you may have your preferences when it comes to building your product; the same is true for expertise. However, how much you would like to spend on your project is also critically important. In fact, Python, which is open-source, can help you build your project at affordable rates. Whether you are keen on building a small or large project, you must think about your budget. Since Python is budget-friendly, many developers love this programming language. And so should you.      

Python offers a lot of job opportunities for developers  

With a programming language like Python, you can get many job opportunities. This is because so many IT companies love Python. Companies using Python include NASA, Google, Disney, Mozilla, JP Morgan, Nokia, Yahoo!, and other major organizations. As you can imagine, as long as these IT organizations heavily relying on Python continue to exist, there will always be a high demand for Python Web developers like you. So, this programming language is definitely the one you should consider when you begin to learn to code. It will get you a foot in the door to a rewarding career.      

Front-end Web Development and Python  

Do you remember when we said that IPbackend development is the activity happening behind the scenes, which makes website applications work as clients and users expect?  Well, front-end development is the opposite: also known as client-side development, front-end Web development is the practice of producing HTML, JavaScript, and CSS for a website or app to enable users to see and interact with them directly.  

Do you get the picture? This type of Web development is also complex; front-end developers constantly need to be aware of how the field is developing. This is because there is always a change in the tools and techniques used to create the front end of a website. Front-end developers have one objective, which is to ensure that users get to see the information of a website in an easy-to-read and relevant format when they open it up. But that's a challenging task. Because of technological advancement, people have access to devices with varying screen sizes and resolutions. So, those working on the front-end development of a site have to consider these aspects when working on the site.    

They need to do careful planning so that the site can come up correctly regardless of the type of browser, device, and operating system that users may be using. While front-end developers often use programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, it is possible to design and develop a site to improve its appearance using Python, one of the back-end languages used in the programming world.    

Back-end Developer    

On a site, what users see and experience first is the efforts of front-end developers, whose work is to ensure that the site opens up in accordance with the expectations of users. The work of back-end developers is also important. Without back-end development, the work of front-end developers would be non-existent.  Then, the question is, "What is a back-end developer?" To understand what back-end developers are, you need to look at the roles they play in Web development:      

• The work of back-end developers is to build an effective website architecture  
• They write codes and scripts to establish communication between the site's database and the browser used by the user to access the site — they may perform other tasks around the site's back-end- infrastructure.    

For this reason, users on the website often give little thought to what happens in the site behind the scenes for them to have such an amazing experience.    
You can now see how important back-end- development is for websites and applications, though users never get to see developers working behind the scenes to meet their needs.    

Python as a Backend Language    

When looking at the ten factors that make Python good for the back end, you can see that Python is the best language for the back end.  You can use Python for the back-end as it is easy to learn and code. In fact, this language looks as though it was designed for newbies. So, Python is definitely the first language that people starting in this field should use. They can learn to code literally in one week or less.  As mentioned above, many other reasons make Python the go-to language in the world of IT.    

How to become a Python back-end Developer    

Now that you know the importance of back-end development, you may want to learn Python to become a back-end developer. If yes, it is time you know the responsibilities back-end developers have and what you need to do in order to become one:    

• You have to understand the performance needs of a site together with its goals to develop effective, successful solutions;   
• As a back-end developer, you will need to develop and manage APIs;  
• Developers have to develop systems for websites with which to accept and securely keep data shared by users. We are talking about developing systems such as those involving payment processing;   
• You have to write codes, test them, and develop solutions for site maintenance;  
• You are responsible for developing site architecture, using Agile Scrum and framework or proper methodologies of the product life cycle;   
• You have to prepare solutions in case there are system problems on the site;   
• Developers have to organize system logic.  

After talking about developers' responsibilities, it is time we look at the skills required to become a back-end developer.  The skills required to become a back-end developer are not related only to back-end development itself; they also have a lot to do with the other type of web development—that is, front-end development. For you to understand why, you need to remember what a back-end developer is and relate it to the work of a front-end developer.     

A back-end developer is a person whose responsibility is to build and support the site's components, holding the site together and enabling it to function properly. To achieve this, the back-end developer needs to use the efforts of front-end developers as well. This way, they can deliver a better experience for the users. Most clearly, if you want to become a back-end developer, you need to have a depth of knowledge in back-end languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python, Node JS, Perl, and Java.Since back-end developers also benefit from the efforts of front-end developers, you need to have a foundational understanding of front-end programming languages such as CSS and HTML, as well as Python.

You need these extra skills because, even as a back-end developer, you will be working alongside front-end developers to develop solutions. Most back-end developers have to work closely with front-end developers if they want to be successful in the programming of their projects. In addition, you should have some non-technical skills if you want to choose Web development as a profession. Furthermore, you may need to be comfortable with analytical processes, have an interest in emerging technologies, work independently or within a team, and have decent communication skills.

Conclusion  

While you have seen that the best programming language for beginners is Python, it is still important that you get familiar with the most popular programming languages:

•  Back-end languages refer to those languages that developers use to build websites and applications behind the scenes;  
• When developing applications or websites, developers first focus on how these work. Then, they write codes that help with the functionality of these websites or applications.     
• Developers work behind the scenes to deliver a website or application responsive to the users' needs. This means that users never get to see the technology these back-end developers work on;  
• Back-end developers or those working behind the scenes are responsible for writing APIs, creating libraries, writing code to interact with a database, working on data architecture and business processes, and the like.  
• Programmers may not choose the role to play in building projects; the company hiring them is often responsible for determining their roles.

Therefore, pursuing a web development course is a surefire way to increase your chance of success in your future career. It is high time you made your dream come true by attending this course and becoming a web developer!

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