Backend dev | Perfect 4 months roadmap to get a Job | Part 1

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive 4-month roadmap for aspiring backend developers, focusing on languages like Go, Rust, or Java. The guide starts with mastering the basics of your chosen language, then progresses to building a REST API with a selected framework. Key topics include integrating databases, implementing authentication (such as token-based and two-factor), and ensuring secure user registration. The roadmap emphasizes refactoring code for best practices, writing tests (unit and integration), and preparing for backend development interviews. By following this roadmap, viewers can gain hands-on experience and confidence in backend development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start by choosing a backend language (Go, Rust, or Java) and refresh your knowledge if you're already familiar with it.
• 😀 If you're new to the language, use AI tools and YouTube to quickly learn the basics, including control flow, data structures, and types.
• 😀 Once the basics are mastered, choose a framework for your language (e.g., Actix Web for Rust) and start building a REST API.
• 😀 While building the API, use AI assistance to understand each line of code and, ideally, write it yourself to ensure thorough learning.
• 😀 After creating the API, integrate a database connection. Begin with simple methods and progressively refactor using configuration files and better project structure.
• 😀 When adding a database connection, learn about migrations, ORM, and SQL queries. For Rust, use SQLX instead of Prisma.
• 😀 Choose an authentication method (e.g., Firebase or AWS Cognito) for your app, and follow token-based authentication with optional two-factor authentication.
• 😀 For security, always verify the user's email before saving them in the database to avoid fake or invalid entries.
• 😀 Implement advanced features like forgot password, reset password APIs, and temporary account hibernation to enhance your authentication flow.
• 😀 Write tests for your code, starting with unit tests (mock external calls) and integration tests (real database calls), to ensure reliability before deployment.

Q & A

What are the main languages discussed for backend development in the video?

The main languages discussed are Rust, Go, and Java. The speaker encourages selecting one of these for backend development.

How should someone with no experience in backend development approach learning these languages?

For beginners, the first step is to pick a language (Rust, Go, or Java), refresh basic programming concepts, and focus on control flow, basic data structures, and types like hashmaps, strings, and lists.

What is the recommended approach to learning backend frameworks in the video?

The recommended approach is to choose a framework that corresponds to the selected language (e.g., Actix Web for Rust). Use AI tools and YouTube tutorials to guide learning and practice building a REST API using the framework.

What is the importance of understanding basic data structures for backend development?

Understanding basic data structures is crucial because they form the foundation of backend programming. You need to be comfortable with structures like hashmaps, arrays, and lists to manage data efficiently and optimize code performance.

Why does the speaker suggest using AI tools for learning backend development?

AI tools are suggested because they provide personalized guidance, offer quick solutions to problems, and allow for interactive learning, especially when trying to master frameworks and develop backend systems like REST APIs.

How should someone approach building a REST API according to the script?

When building a REST API, it is recommended to use AI assistance for code generation. However, the speaker advises not to copy entire files at once; instead, copy the code line by line to understand the logic and structure.

What best practices are suggested when adding a database connection to a backend project?

The speaker advises using configuration files to manage database connections instead of hardcoding them into the project. It is also important to separate database connection logic from business logic to improve project organization.

What authentication methods does the speaker recommend for backend development?

The speaker recommends using token-based authentication with services like Firebase or AWS Cognito. These services provide secure user authentication, including features like email verification and password reset functionality.

What is the role of testing in backend development according to the video?

Testing is crucial to ensure that the code works as expected. The speaker suggests starting with unit testing (mocking external calls) and integration testing (testing actual database and API calls) to validate the functionality and reliability of the code.

What is the advanced feature that the speaker suggests implementing if time permits?

The advanced feature suggested is implementing passkey authentication, which provides an extra layer of security. While there are no comprehensive resources available for this, the speaker encourages experimenting with AI to implement it.