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The role of back end developers is crucial in the creation of a website or mobile applications. In essence, they are responsible for managing and optimising the back-end elements, such as databases and server performance. Not to mention, back end developers handle any technical challenges that may arise in the application by working closely with front-end developers.
Understanding the Role of a Back End Developer
Back end developers form the backbone of any web or mobile application as they are responsible for creating and maintaining the server, application, and database of your website. In particular, they utilise various web technologies like Java, Python, or Go.
To understand their role better, this article will explore their skills, responsibilities, and expertise levels. Simply put, back end developers are typically classified into three levels of expertise: junior, middle, and senior.
Junior Back End Developer
A junior back end developer typically has zero to two years of experience and is often referred to as an assistant. Despite having limited real-world work experience, they possess knowledge of common obstacles in server and database creation and can thereby offer a cost-effective solution for simple technical projects. However, junior back end developers might not have the speed and expertise of more experienced developers and thus may require additional guidance.
Middle Back End Developer
In the majority of scenarios, a middle back end developer has more experience and can better understand your business needs and budget. With that, they are often viewed as a safer option for companies as they have accumulated valuable experiences in server, application, as well as database creation and maintenance. Other than that, they usually also have a better understanding of the overall development process.
Senior Back End Developer
In the meantime, if the company needs an experienced back end developer for a senior position, a senior back end developer is most likely the best fit. With more than five years of experience, they possess the necessary skills and experience to lead your website’s development team. Amongst the best in the crowd, they would be fast and effective in their work and only require minimal supervision. As a result, senior back end developers are usually in extremely high demand by early-stage start-ups.
What Key Skills Do Back End Developers Possess?
A skilled back end developer is essential for the smooth operation of a website or application. More specifically, this professional is responsible for managing and maintaining the servers and databases that store and provide information to the users.
Thus, to fulfil this role, a back end developer must possess knowledge and expertise in various technologies, such as the following:
- Database management systems such as MongoDB, MySQL, and Oracle access, store, and manipulate data effectively;
- Server administration tools, such as Microsoft IIS, Linux, and Apache, to create and run the system;
- Application programming interface (API) technologies like AJAX, SOAP, and JSON facilitate the exchange of data between websites, mobile devices, as well as other connected systems.
Why Are Back End Developers So Important?
The core of software creation lies in the realm of back end development. This involves constructing code that interacts with the user-facing front end and facilitates the exchange of crucial data to be displayed on the screen. For a software application to function optimally, provide a seamless user experience, and keep users engaged, a series of requests are made to the back end servers that store vast amounts of data.
Other than that, the back end development also ensures that the programme operates without experiencing frequent crashes or error 404s, which may, in turn, impede the overall speed of the page. Currently, this task is performed by human experts rather than artificial intelligence (AI), making knowledgeable and seasoned back end developers highly sought after.
Tips On How to Hire the Best Back End Developers
In essence, your approach to hiring the ideal back end candidate can be divided into several stages. This will subsequently give you a more in-depth look at the necessary skillsets needed for the position.
Assess the Business Requirements
As a general rule of thumb, it is crucial to understand your company’s business needs before anything else. The clearer your requirements are, the easier it will be to hire back end developers. For instance, if your company specialises in app development, you should look for someone knowledgeable in back end programming languages such as PHP, Java, Ruby, Python, etc. All in all, this step is of utmost importance as the back end developer you choose will be responsible for tasks such as database management, security, optimising speed and efficiency, and many more.
Examine the Candidate’s Programming Portfolio
In general, a good back end software engineer should have a portfolio showcasing their programming skills. This is because it is the best way to assess a back end developer’s technical abilities. By reviewing their portfolio, you can determine which programming languages they are proficient in and how passionate they are about their field.
Conduct a Coding Assessment
A back end developer assessment is typically a popular and useful tool to evaluate a candidate’s abilities. Overall, this approach allows you to screen a large number of prospects through auto-evaluated tests quickly. Based on the results of the coding examination, you would be able to determine if a candidate fits the needs of your company.
Make Sure That the Candidate Aligns with The Company’s Working Culture
Hiring a back end developer who does not mesh well with the company’s culture can be a costly and disruptive situation. Therefore, it is extremely important to hire someone who aligns with your company’s work environment. For example, if your company operates with a remote team, you would probably need a back end developer who is comfortable working independently.
On the other hand, if your company values teamwork, it would then be vital to find a back end developer who integrates well with others. On that note, to determine if the candidate is a good fit, aim to familiarise yourself with your company culture and ask potential candidates about their preferred working environment during the interview process.
When it comes to finding the right candidate, companies can use hiring agencies, developer marketplace platforms like Deazy or freelancers platforms like Upwork or Guru.
The Bottom Line
The back end development team plays a crucial role in ensuring a positive user experience on your website or app. Quite literally, they serve as the foundation that supports the smooth functioning of your company’s platform. As a result, it is critical to give proper consideration to all the steps discussed above and make a deliberate effort to find the right personnel for your upcoming or current project. With that in mind, the time and effort invested in this process will pay off in the long run and contribute to the success of your website or app.
