Backend development is an essential part of web development, and it involves the creation of the invisible infrastructure that makes websites and applications run.
It’s a complex process that requires highly specialized skills to create a functional product. It’s also an important piece in creating user-friendly digital experiences for customers.
Developers specializing in backend design use programming languages such as Java, Python, Ruby on Rails, PHP, and SQL to build the core functionality of websites or applications such as data storage management, security protocols, business logic coding, and server configuration.
The complexity of these tasks can vary depending on the project’s requirements but each system needs to be built for scalability and performance.
Backend developers are focused on building reliable systems that will serve their client’s needs now and into the future.
Are you interested in learning backend development?
This article will provide an overview of the best books to learn backend development.
A Tour of C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup
C++ is one of the most popular programming languages today, and its creator Bjarne Stroustrup has written an influential book about it: A Tour of C++.
In this comprehensive tour of the C++ language, Stroustrup provides a detailed overview of all the major features that make C++ such a powerful and versatile language.
From basic syntax to advanced techniques like generic programming and object-oriented programming, Stroustrup covers everything you need to know to become a proficient C++ programmer. He also provides insight into how best to use these features in real-world applications.
Stroustrup starts by introducing readers to the basics of C++, including variables, data types, expressions, and statements. He then moves on to more complex topics such as classes and inheritance, templates, exception handling, and concurrency control.
Algorithms by Robert Sedgewick, Kevin Wayne
Algorithms by Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne is an essential book for any computer scientist or engineer looking to master the fundamentals of algorithm design.
This comprehensive text provides readers with an in-depth look at the data structures and algorithms that are used to construct efficient programs.
With a wealth of examples and exercises, Algorithms introduces readers to important concepts such as sorting and searching, graph processing, string processing, geometric algorithms, and randomized algorithms.
The authors also discuss advanced topics such as parallel computing, dynamic programming, and memory management.
The book provides ample code snippets written in C/C++ that can be compiled into functioning software applications.
In addition to providing detailed discussions on algorithm design techniques, Algorithms examines the complexities of time complexity analysis so that readers can better understand the performance characteristics of their code.
Building Microservices by Sam Newman
Building Microservices by Sam Newman is a comprehensive guide to creating and deploying microservice applications.
This book offers practical advice on how to design, develop, deploy, and maintain distributed systems in an agile manner.
It covers topics such as using domain-driven design for a better understanding of the business problem; use of API gateway for authentication and authorization; managing state in microservices; developing resilient architectures that can handle failures gracefully; monitoring microservices performance; securing your services with encryption and authentication techniques; testing microservices components with automated tests and so on.
With this book, readers will be able to effectively create architectures that are built for scalability, flexibility, reliability, availability, resilience, and manageability. In addition to offering best practices for designing services architecture, it also provides detailed guidance on security aspects such as access control policies, identity management solutions, etc.
Clean Architecture by Robert Cecil Martin
Robert Cecil Martin’s Clean Architecture, This book provides an in-depth look at the principles and practices of software architecture, helping developers learn how to create maintainable and extensible applications. In addition, readers gain insight into how to work with teams and customers to ensure that their projects are completed successfully.
Clean Architecture covers topics such as separating code into layers, using abstractions for data access, managing dependencies between components, building user interfaces, testing strategies, and more.
Martin also explains how each concept works together in order to create robust applications that can easily be adapted as business needs change. The book is written in an easy-to-understand style that makes it accessible to developers of all skill levels.
Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell
Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is an essential guide for anyone who is looking to land their dream job in software engineering.
The book provides practical advice on how to prepare, practice, and perform well during coding interviews. It covers all aspects of the interviewing process – from how to answer tough algorithm and data structure questions, to mastering behavioral questions, to negotiating a job offer.
The book is written in an easy-to-follow style that makes it accessible even for those who lack prior experience with software engineering or coding interviews.
It offers plenty of tips and tricks on how best to tackle the various stages of the interview process – from prepping effectively through practice sessions, formulating answers quickly and confidently during the actual interview, and ultimately landing a great job offer.
Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann
Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann is a comprehensive guide for software developers and data engineers looking to create powerful, reliable, and effective applications.
The book lays out the key principles of distributed systems architecture and how to apply them in today’s complex technology landscape. With over 500 pages of content, Designing Data-Intensive Applications is a must-have for any engineer focused on creating successful data-intensive applications.
Kleppmann breaks down core concepts such as scalability, fault tolerance, consistency models, stream processing architectures, microservices deployment strategies, and more.
With detailed explanations of practical examples from industry leaders such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Uber Technologies Inc., Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and more – this book provides readers with an invaluable understanding of the complexities involved with designing data-intensive applications.
Eloquent JavaScript by Marijn Haverbeke
Eloquent JavaScript by Marijn Haverbeke is a complete guide to learning the fundamentals of JavaScript.
This book is ideal for aspiring web developers and coders who want to master the essentials of programming with ease. It provides an introduction to the language and its features, while also teaching readers how to write clean and effective code.
Haverbeke’s writing style is both comprehensive and easy to follow; he takes readers through each topic slowly, making sure that all concepts are fully understood before moving on to the next.
The book covers topics such as functions, objects, data structures, control flow, and more. In addition, it includes exercises for practice at every step along the way. Furthermore, Eloquent JavaScript provides detailed explanations of the syntax used in each example so that readers can get up to speed quickly on their own terms.
Go in Practice by Matt Butcher and Matt Farina
Go in Practice by Matt Butcher and Matt Farina is a comprehensive guide to the Go programming language. Written for experienced programmers, this book covers all the fundamentals of Go as well as more advanced topics such as concurrency, testing, and profiling. It dives deep into language details like types and declarations, showing you how to get the most out of your code. it’s perfect for any programmer looking to master Go.
Go in Practice is filled with best practices that will help developers write high-quality code quickly. The authors cover topics such as developing fault-tolerant software, interface design techniques, and working with databases, giving readers an insight into how professional applications are built with Go.
Each chapter includes diagrams that illustrate key concepts and provide helpful visual aids while exploring complex topics like channels or goroutines.
Head First Design Patterns by Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra, Elisabeth Robson
Head First Design Patterns, by Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra, and Elisabeth Robson, is a modern classic when it comes to teaching the fundamentals of software design. It takes a unique approach to learn how to create effective software designs with an emphasis on clarity and efficiency.
The authors use a conversational style that makes complex topics easy for beginners to understand. By introducing popular design patterns like Observer, Decorator, and Factory Method in clear and concise language, this book provides an ideal introduction for any programmer interested in mastering the art of software development.
Throughout the book, examples are used to illustrate each pattern so readers can get an immediate understanding of how these concepts work in practice. In addition to providing detailed explanations of each pattern’s purpose and structure, the authors also provide guidance on when they should be used and what mistakes to avoid while implementing them.
Java: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt
Java: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt is the perfect book for any level programmer interested in learning Java. Written by a renowned computer programming author and educator.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of Java language principles and its development environment. It covers all aspects of the language from basic syntax to advanced features, making it an essential resource for both new and experienced programmers alike.
Learn Python 3 the Hard Way by Zed Shaw
This book, Learn Python 3 the Hard Way by Zed Shaw, is an excellent introduction to the world of computers and code. It offers a simple yet comprehensive way for beginners to learn programming with Python 3.
This book is designed for readers who have little or no knowledge of coding, as well as those who want to master the basics before delving into more advanced topics.
Through its easy-to-follow lessons and exercises, readers will gain a real understanding of important concepts such as variables, strings, lists, classes, and many more.
With its step-by-step approach and time-tested methods used by professional developers everywhere, you can be sure that you are getting the best learning experience possible.
Node.js Web Development by David Herron
David Herron’s book, Node.js Web Development, provides a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of Node.js in web application development.
With this book, readers can learn how to create modern web applications with JavaScript, develop APIs with ease and secure them with authentication and authorization processes, deploy their own applications on the cloud or any other environment, and much more.
Each part of this book takes readers step-by-step through various aspects of developing successful web apps using Node.js as well as providing best practices for deployment and security considerations for these apps along the way.
NoSQL Distilled by Martin Fowler and Pramod Sadalage
NoSQL Distilled by Martin Fowler and Pramod Sadalage is a comprehensive resource for modern software developers who need to understand the rapidly changing landscape of data storage.
The book covers the fundamentals of NoSQL databases, from their underlying technologies to essential concepts such as indexing, querying, and scaling. It provides readers with an in-depth look at several popular NoSQL databases, including Cassandra, MongoDB, and Redis, as well as insight into their respective architectures.
The authors provide practical advice on how to evaluate NoSQL solutions when it’s appropriate to use them, and what types of problems they excel at solving.
They also explore advanced topics such as sharding and replication strategies that can be used to increase performance and scalability. The book is filled with useful code examples throughout which serve to help readers make sense of the discussed material.
PHP & MySQL by Jon Duckett
PHP & MySQL by Jon Duckett is an essential guide for anyone looking to learn web development. This book provides a comprehensive overview of server-side programming languages, such as PHP and MySQL, and guides readers through the process of creating dynamic websites and applications.
The book focuses on clear examples that illustrate key concepts, enabling readers to quickly grasp topics such as manipulating data using SQL queries, working with Strings in PHP, object-oriented programming in PHP 7, website security, and creating their own content management systems.
Furthermore, Duckett’s easy-to-follow visual layout makes it possible for any reader – regardless of experience level – to easily absorb all the information provided in the book.
The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos
The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos is a highly acclaimed book that has caught the attention of many in the tech world. In this book, Domingos makes a compelling argument for an algorithm that could have far-reaching implications for society and technology.
He explains how algorithms are currently being used to analyze data and make decisions, and how these algorithms can be improved with the introduction of a master algorithm. This master algorithm would be able to learn from any data set, no matter how complex it may be.
Domingos delves into the history of algorithms throughout his work, illustrating their evolution over time and exploring their current capabilities as well as their potential future applications.
He also dives into topics such as machine learning, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing while discussing why they are important components of this new master algorithm.
The Pragmatic Programmer by Andy Hunt and David Thomas
The Pragmatic Programmer by Andy Hunt and David Thomas is a must-read for any software developer or programmer. Published in 1999, this groundbreaking book has since become an essential resource for programmers of all levels. It offers valuable advice on how to be a more efficient, productive programmer using pragmatic principles.
This timeless text provides an in-depth look at the core skills necessary to become a successful programmer and survive in the industry. From debugging code to refactoring existing program structures, the authors deliver solid strategies that programmers can use right away.
They also provide suggestions on how to become more well-rounded and prepared for inevitable changes within the development cycle. The Pragmatic Programmer is full of insight into writing better code, improving technical communication, understanding different programming languages, and much more.
FAQs
What is the best way to learn backend development?
Learning the basics of backend web development can help you create powerful, dynamic websites or applications. The best way to learn backend development depends on your individual skill level, learning style, and goals.
If you are new to programming, a good place to start is with HTML and CSS. These two languages form the foundation for all website design and allow you to understand some basic concepts of coding before moving on to more complex back-end scripting languages such as PHP or Python.
Is the backend a good career?
Backend development is an attractive option for many aspiring developers. It’s a great choice for those who want to make a difference in the world by coding and creating software applications.
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