Paths That a Backend Developer Must Know

Who am I?!

  • Freelance Web Developer, WordPress Specialist
  • Working since 2005
  • Started with Macromedia Flash MX (ActionScript)
  • Dynamic Content: Server-side <=> XML <=> Flash
  • Got into ASP.NET, SQL Server, Oracel
  • Very quickly moved to Open Source
  • Tried many PHP CMSs and Frameworks
  • Started with WordPressΒ version 2.8Β and loving it
  • Joined Codeable.io in December 2015 and what a ride!

Nabeel Molham

Simple Web Request Flow

Web Client (Web Browser)

ISP (TEData, Orange, Etisalat, etc)

DNS Server (closest DataCenter to ISP)

Web Server

(website document root, process request and data)

Simple Web Request Flow

Asks to domain IP Address

http://google.com

Redirects the request

Responds with website content

Pass on the response

Frontend or Backend or Both?!!!

What is common/different between

Frontend and Backend?

  • Both serve the web client 🌐
  • Both need performance optimization ⚑
  • Both need each other πŸ’—
  • Both have their fair share of difficulties 😫
  • Both can be a specialty career πŸ’²
  • Security is #1 in Backend πŸ”
  • Frontend can get missed up so quickly without careful planning πŸ‘·β€β™‚οΈ
  • Backend can talk to many other clients (API) 🦎
  • Frontend deals with so many devices πŸ“±
  • Backend dispute having so many technologies and tools, it still consistent πŸ‘΄

The difference between Framework, Library & CMS

  • Library is a set of code that you call/run in your own code πŸ‘ˆ

Β 

  • Framework is a set of Barebone system code that calls/runs your code πŸ‘‰

Β 

  • CMSΒ is a set of full-featuredΒ system code with default functionality/logic that you integrateΒ with to customize and build on-top πŸ”€

What makes me a Good Web Developer?

Frontend or Backend or Full Stack

  • Problem SolverΒ is your job description πŸ‘¨β€πŸ”¬
  • Don't try to force it 😟
  • Work on what interests you πŸ˜„
  • Planning is always good πŸ‘·β€β™‚οΈ
  • Cut down distractions πŸ”•
  • Create your identity πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’Ό
  • Be patientΒ and stubborn 🧐
  • ContributeΒ to Open-Source Projects πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»
  • Work smart not hard πŸ’‘
  • It's about how you think, not what you know πŸ€”
  • Always growth, there is not end πŸ“ˆ
  • Accept advice and criticismΒ πŸ‘©β€πŸ«
  • Socialize and attend meetups 🀝

What server-side language to start with?

1️⃣πŸ₯‡

Standalone Languages

PHP, Python, Go, etc.

2️⃣πŸ₯ˆ

Open-Source bundles

Node.js, HHVM, etc.

Should I focus more on working with Frameworks or CMSs?

❔❓

Nabeel Molham

Questions? Reach out!

Resources

https://nabeel.molham.me/tybnd

Slides:

Paths That a Backend Developer Must Know

By Nabeel Molham

Paths That a Backend Developer Must Know

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