That is why all popular backend languages and technologies will be listed below.
An important clarification: Regardless of which language you eventually decide to learn, the main thing is to keep learning it. No need to spread yourself across several options.
Node.js: a good option, because it is simply the JS environment (that is, if you know JS you will not need to learn a new programming language). And the most popular framework for learning and building applications is Express.
Ruby: another popular language for the backend. The most popular frameworks are Ruby on Rails and Sinatra.
Python: popular frameworks are Django and Flask.
Java: Java is rarely learned for backend use anymore, but there are companies that still use it, so it is possible to find a job with this programming language.
PHP: is now a cornerstone of the web, but not often used specifically in the backend.
Databases and web storages
When studying web development, you will sooner or later come to the fact that the data must be stored somewhere. And you also need to be able to access them later.
So it’s imperative that you delve into the following topics regarding databases and data storage:
The benefits of the relational data model, SQL.
NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB.
The ability to connect your chosen database to your chosen backend language (e.g. MongoDB and Node.js).
RDBMS advantages in RAM: Redis, Memcached.
Web storage for storing sessions, cookies and cache in browser.
Database scaling, ACID, ORM.
HTTP and REST
HTTP is an application layer data transfer protocol, it provides network and user interaction. For example, if JS-code makes any AJAX-request to the backend on the server, it happens through HTTP. Important in this part of the topic are listed below:
What is REST.
Using the REST API.
POST and GET requests.
Using Chrome DevTools.
Working with SSL certificates.
HTTP/2, SPDY, WebSocket.
Web application architecture
Once you’re familiar with HTML/CSS, JavaScript, the backend, databases, and HTTP/REST, it’s time to move on to the architecture of the web application. In order to create a complex application, you need to know how to properly structure code, how to separate files, where to keep large media files, how to structure data in a database, and so on.
Of course, you can read about all this on the web, but the best solution is to practice, because it is best to work in a team rather than alone.
Therefore, it’s not a fact that a person who has been developing for more than 7 years knows CSS or JS better than a developer with two years of experience. However, the more experience a specialist has, the more applications he has worked with, which means that when working with him in a team, there is an opportunity to learn more about application architecture and design (among other important things). Experience gives you the opportunity to see the whole picture.
However, while you’re at the beginning of your journey, check out the following topics:
Platform as a Service, such as Heroku, AWS and Hostman.
MVC.
Git is a version control system that allows developers working on the same project to keep track of changes to code. Learning how to use Git isn’t difficult, for this look at:
A Beginner’s Guide.
A Tutorial on Git.
Basic Commands.
Conclusion
Now you know all the basic topics you need to understand in order to carry the title of full-stack developer. Of course, theory is good, but in the world of programming practice plays the greatest role, so don’t forget to try and use everything you’ve read and heard in your work.