Backend web development - a complete overview

Summary

This video script from Super simple.dev by Simon explains the backend of a website, focusing on technologies like backend programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Java), frameworks (Express JS, Django, Ruby on Rails, Spring), and package managers (NPM, PIP, Bundler, Maven). It covers databases (MySQL, Postgres, MongoDB), request-response cycles, REST APIs, and the shift towards cloud computing with services like AWS, GCP, and Azure. The script also introduces microservices, SaaS, and additional backend technologies like blob stores, search databases, caches, and job queues, emphasizing their importance in modern web development.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Websites consist of two main parts: the front end (visual elements) and the backend (data management and processing).
• 💻 The backend is crucial for storing and managing data, such as user profiles and order histories on sites like Amazon.
• 🔌 Backend programming languages like JavaScript (Node.js), Python, Ruby, and Java are used to create servers that can receive and process messages.
• 🛠️ Backend frameworks (e.g., Express.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, and Java Spring) simplify server creation and reduce the amount of code needed.
• 📦 Package managers (e.g., NPM, PIP, Bundler, and Maven) are essential for installing and managing packages that perform common tasks in the backend.
• 🗄️ Databases (e.g., MySQL, Postgres, and MongoDB) are used to store and manage data for websites, and they often run on separate computers that communicate with the backend.
• 🔁 The request-response cycle is a fundamental concept in web applications, where the frontend sends requests to the backend, which then processes them and sends responses.
• 📡 REST (Representational State Transfer) is a common naming convention for APIs, defining the type of request (e.g., POST, GET, DELETE) and its purpose (e.g., creating or retrieving data).
• ☁️ Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, and Azure) offer Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) to simplify backend deployment and management.
• 🔍 Additional technologies like blob stores, CDNs, search databases, caches, analytical databases, and job queues are used to address specific backend challenges and enhance performance.

Q & A

What are the two main parts of a website?

A website can be split into two main parts: the front end, which includes all the visual elements seen on the webpage, and the backend, which is responsible for saving and managing data.

What is the role of the backend in an online shopping scenario like Amazon?

In an online shopping scenario, the backend is responsible for storing user data such as order history and profiles, loading search results, and processing orders when a customer clicks 'place order'.

What is the difference between a client and a server in the context of internet communication?

In internet communication, the client is the computer that sends a message, such as your personal computer when you place an order on Amazon. The server is the computer that receives the message, in this case, Amazon's computer that handles the order.

Why do we need a backend programming language to receive messages from the internet?

Computers cannot receive messages from the internet by default. A backend programming language is needed to program the computer to receive and process these messages.

What are some popular backend programming languages and their corresponding frameworks?

Popular backend programming languages include JavaScript (often with Node.js), Python, Ruby, and Java. Their corresponding popular frameworks are Express.js for JavaScript, Django for Python, Ruby on Rails for Ruby, and Spring for Java.

What is a package manager in the context of backend development, and what are some examples?

A package manager is a tool used to install and manage packages, which are pieces of code written by others to perform common tasks. Examples include NPM for JavaScript, PIP for Python, Bundler for Ruby, and Maven for Java.

Why do we use a database in the backend of a website?

A database is used in the backend to store and manage data such as user information, order histories, and product details. It's a software that runs on a computer and communicates with the backend.

What is the request-response cycle in web applications?

The request-response cycle is a fundamental concept in web applications where the front end sends a request (like an order) to the backend, which then processes it and sends a response back to the front end (like a confirmation of the order).

What is an API and why is it important in backend programming?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. It defines the types of requests the backend allows and how it should handle them, which is crucial for defining how different parts of a web application communicate.

What does REST stand for, and how does it relate to web requests?

REST stands for Representational State Transfer. It is a naming convention for web requests where the type of request (like POST, GET, PUT, DELETE) has a special meaning, indicating actions like creating, retrieving, or deleting data.

How does cloud computing change the way companies manage their backend infrastructure?

Cloud computing allows companies to rent computers (virtual machines) from cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure instead of purchasing their own. This provides flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency for managing backend infrastructure.

What are microservices and how do they benefit the backend of a website?

Microservices is an architectural style where the backend is split into separate, smaller, and focused services, each running its own code base and potentially its own database. This approach helps keep the codebase manageable and scalable.

What is SaaS and how does it relate to backend services?

SaaS stands for Software as a Service, which is a model where a third-party company provides a backend and API for a specific service, like sending emails. This allows developers to use these services instead of building their own microservices for those functionalities.