Best Back-End Programming Languages 2024 and Beyond

From building a single web application to developing the most complex software systems, developers and programmers need to adopt their chosen languages. They have to point out programming languages that best suit them regardless of whether they need to work for huge cooperate businesses or startup organizations. Developing web application demands, but not necessarily, for proper command of both the front end and the back-end part. Most expert programmers and developers will always conquer the fact there is a bone to chew when it comes to back-end programming. We can refer to it as the backbone of building web applications. Well, IT experts are tasked with the need to provide modernized, fast, scalable, and trendy programs and applications. Therefore, all these calls for advanced knowledge in the areas of expertise.

However, designing the best applications fit for use requires a more advanced skillset. It demands a proper command of the modern technical programming languages. More often, most people prefer different programming languages basing on their reasons. Therefore, it isn’t easy to establish which language is better since all languages have their lovers. However, languages and especially back-end programming languages can always be useful depending on the number of programmers or developers who love using them. Furthermore, the same languages are best based on how they solve the latest technological problems. Moreover, the ease of doing it. You will often find it hard to solve a given problem using a specific language. Moreover, at the same time, find a suitable alternative to a language that can bring about better solutions to the issue at hand.

Establishing a language fit for a more straightforward project or a complex corporate one requires advanced knowledge and wise decision making. Regardless of the project’s status, each developer and programmer’s role is to establish the best way for the entire project. The first significant steps determine the best and suitable language to be used in the whole project. Provided a proper choice of a programming language is made, there is always a high chance of coming up with outstanding development projects that can capture many in the technology sector’s eyes.

An adequately chosen IT solution ensures stability in the entire project. That is why the whole piece explores the best back-end programming languages that will ensure each developer finds a happy time working on any given IT development project. Within no time, your task is done and made suitable for your client. Here, the primary factor is to understand the impact of poor language choices on programming projects. There is little criticality with knowing the distinctions between the languages and especially back-end programming languages. Let us dive right into the best back-end programming languages that will leave you completing back-end programming tasks successfully. Are you set?

Back-end vs Frontend: top differences

Before we can highlight the best back-end programming languages, let’s first of all understand the key differences between frontend and back-end. This will guide us in comprehending the best back-end programming languages in the sections to follow:

Features of frontend development

• Deals with the client-side of the website or application – visual design and layout
• Focuses on building the UI and UX
• Concerned with accessibility and usability
• Involves design tools like Sketch or Figma to design mockups and prototypes
• Ensures responsiveness and compatibility across different browsers and devices
• Ensures the frontend is visually appealing and easy to use

Features of Back-end development

• Deals with the database and server-side of the website or application
• Focuses on building the logic and functionality of the backend
• Concerned with data processing, storage, and management
• Involves working with APIs to connect different parts of the website/application
• Involves data security, testing, and debugging to ensure proper functioning and security
• Ensures scalability and performance of the backend

Back-End Programming Languages 2024

• Express.js

Well, tech-savvied experts wouldn’t argue with the fact that JavaScript is, to a greater extent, used in programming. Furthermore, it is also considered one of the notable bearers of programming with more than most programming, preferring it as a first choice framework. All these could explain why most programmers are transiting to Node.js as a reliable back-end framework. For sure, Node.js has extended capabilities that enable any focused programmer to bring scalability and extended support for multiple issues. Well, our focus is on Express.js. It is a back-end JavaScript framework, and Node.js supports it widely. The framework has a comprehensive and experienced community, making it possible to review, update, and improve code.

The framework also boasts extensive use to support the use of JavaScript for both front-end and back-end developments. Therefore, the development process is entirely faster since one expert can handle both data access and presentation layers. A good instance of implementing this framework is through platforms like Netflix, which is the most popular movie platform. LinkedIn, and many other lucrative platforms.

• Python 

Another essential tool that can support the back-end of any lucrative project is Django. Studies depict the fast-paced growth Python is making. Furthermore, statistics also showcase the increasing need for Python for simple as well as complex tasks. Additionally, many developers who have not been using the Python programming language in the programming journey express their zeal for the language. Among the most renowned frameworks in Python is Django. Its uniqueness arises from the ability to support rapid development with pragmatic designs. A useful feature that makes it more lovable is that it is open-source with outstanding scalability features. Moreover, making it easier for extended development. With all the features, web development is easier and faster.

The critical aspect of Python’s most loved framework is creating complex databases for simple and complex websites. Essentially, this Python’s framework provides the best way out to create Minimum Viable Products, extended security levels that assure proper project security, and the ability to link with third-party applications. It is open-source, scalable with a massive community of developers hence a go-for for developers who need to handle complex back-end projects. There is still more you can gather from Python’s frameworks.

Flask is another most loved Python framework that will always cater to most of your problem-solving ideas. It is essentially used for building web applications. Moreover, it is simple to learn and has a range of features. And it will help the back-end developer develop added functionalities. It supports the building of web applications of all types regardless of complexities and remoteness. A perfect instance of its implementation can be notable on popular platforms and organizations like NASA.

If any developer would love to work with an easy web application language, then the perfect option can always be Pyramid. It makes it all more comfortable and faster. Furthermore, it supports several features that enable the coding of more complex applications with little effort. A good reason you go for it and other best back-end languages is the provisions of advanced resources that any developer will keep yearning for. Dropbox and Reddit are some of the platforms with Pyramid incorporated.

Check out: Python expertise

• PHP 

PHP is an another best backend language, perhaps PHP developers can address the sweetness that comes with the usage of its frameworks. It is undebatable that PHP stands out to be among the most common languages, with its popularity overflowing to developers who are die-hard fans of other popular back-end programming languages. With PHP’s popularity, you can be sure of a massive backup community supporting the same language. PHP has a range of capabilities ranging from database integration to building projects dynamically. There is a scale of frameworks worth considering in PHP, and Laravel is part of the framework that should not miss out on the ranking.

While other frameworks within the PHP environment are essential, a pivotal factor in gathering much from Laravel is speeding up the entire development process. It has a straightforward syntax with more tools to secure the whole project and supporting the development of hybrid applications. Interestingly, PHP is also a popular choice for developers performing PHP web scraping tasks, which further extends its utility and versatility. Of course, there are critics as well as advocates of PHP. With all that, the language has massive support, with most programmers relying on it to come up with outstanding back-end projects. You can be sure of enjoying it too.

Check out: Hire PHP developer India

• Ruby 

Ruby’s love has currently been uprising with its ability to support easy writing of understandable back-end code. With Ruby, you can get access to reliable frameworks such as Ruby on Rails. With its highly increasing number of developers, many professionals are turning Ruby into a first-choice programming language. The framework, which is popular too, gives the developer a chance to develop faster. It is, therefore, the first choice for newbies or startups. Above all, it has an extensive backup community that works on advancing features. Even though it can be a good starter for newbies, experts, and other experienced programmers can always rely on it to develop faster, latest, and complex programs that solve current issues. It has extensive support for the back-end side of programming. Perfect examples of platforms with Ruby incorporated are Shopify and GitHub.

Check out: Mistakes Back-end Developers Make

• JavaScript

There is no doubt that JavaScript is among the top programming languages, and it has been topping the list for over ten years, with many developers using it in their development projects.

While JavaScript is highly known to be the best front-end programming language, recent discoveries have shown that it is also highly effective in back-end development as well.

While using JavaScript for back-end development, you will need to use it along with Node.js, which provides the required back-end functionality.

As a developer using JavaScript for back-end development, you will enjoy the useful frameworks such as Jext.JS offered by JavaScript. Such frameworks make the whole development process easy and faster.

One reason making JavaScript top the rank of the best programming languages is its universality as it is used in creating IoT, cloud solutions, and web applications.

Above all, JavaScript supports all modern browsers, making it highly reliable and effective. Some of the websites using JavaScript include Amazon, eBay, Yahoo, Facebook, and Wikipedia.

• Golang

Also known as Go, Golang is a language designed by Google, and it is growing at a faster rate.

Since the Golang programming language is highly scalable, easy to automate, and highly secure in memory management and garbage collection, it is gaining more popularity, and it will be among the top backend programming languages for developers.

What’s more, it is easy to learn the language and easy to interpret the written code, and it gets maximum support from Google.

• Kotlin

Kotlin is an expressive open-source programming language designed by JetBrain, operating on JVM, Java virtual machine.

Kotlin is compatible with JavaScript and Gradle and supports android app development. The features include:

Highly scalable, less prone to bugs, offers functional programming, is easily readable, gives coding room for improved performance, offers extensions and compact & clean syntax, is object-oriented, offers null-safe operators, and is concise.

What’s more, writing big projects is easier with Kotlin as compared to other programming languages.

Uber, Trello, Tinder, Slack, and Pinterest are among the famous websites using the Kotlin programming language.

• C#

As a general-purpose programming language, Microsoft created C# in 2001 based on C++ and C programming languages.

As a developer, once you have adequate knowledge and skills in C++ and C programming languages, you can master the C# easily.

It is a more efficient programming language due to the fact that it has a large number of libraries that makes coding a faster and more efficient process.

Although not as refined as other back-end programming languages, C# has a good library system for back-end development.

Xbox, Market Invoice, MSDN Forums, Code Plex, and Plural Sight are among the top websites using C# programming language.

• Rust

Used to build cross-platform solutions globally, Rust is one of the backend programming languages with features similar to C and C++. However, it is based more on memory safety

While Rust is not yet quite popular, using it will guarantee you fast and efficient memory management. Besides, it works just perfectly with other programming languages.

Also read: Rust vs Go

• SQL

When using SQL, which is a query language, you can manipulate and tailor backend elements to enhance overall performance.

SQL has features and syntax that simplify the process of handling large datasets and promoting optimal backend development.

Ideally, you will require a set of databases in backend development, such as MySQL, SQLite, and PostgreSQL. In this case, SQL programming language will come in handy.

In a nutshell, SQL in backend development enhances the following:

• Improving performance – it processes complex queries faster and in a seamless manner.
• Scaling and managing large data volumes and traffic
• Enhancing the security of the system as it has built-in security features like access controls, user authentication, and data encryption.
• Enhancing data accuracy, consistency, and error-free
• Helps in bridging with other relational databases.

• Java

Java is among the top backend programming languages that has been on the top for ages. Among the top features making Java an ideal backend programming language include the wide community support, solidness, and versatility. Therefore, you can easily develop a highly scalable, reliable, and solid backend of a system. Besides, it is easy to use Java for backend development since it is flexible with open-source libraries that can align with different development requirements.

Some of the top features that make Java unique include the following:

• It uses Spring, Maven, and Eclipse IDE frameworks for easy coding activities
• The wide community support enhances performance and effectiveness
• Enhanced security
• Highly flexible as it can be used for web or app development
• Most importantly, it is easy to master, develop, and maintain Java when compared with C++ and C.

• Perl

Looking for a backend programming language that is flexible and powerful? Perl got you covered. With Perl, you can build a backend system that performs great, is reliable, is easy to maintain, is modular, is secure, and is highly scalable. Again, it is easy to find Perl developers, thanks to its large community support.

The key features or advantages of Perl include the following:

• Perl comes packed with pattern-matching and text-processing capabilities
• It is compatible with applications that are operating on legacy code
• You can easily search, replace, and adjust text with ease
• It is easy to debug and test when using Perl
• You can add more functionalities through the CPANL – Comprehensive Perl Archive Network Library of packages.

• C++

Many backend developers prefer C++ programming language, thanks to its memory management, great performance, and the wide range of frameworks & libraries available. C++ also has strong security; hence, it has the ability to cancel possible threats from other systems or databases. Again, C++ is known for preprocessor commands, support for operator overloading, and exceptional handling; these elements make C++ one of the best backend programming languages.

The unique features or benefits of C++ include the following:

• It has STL- standard template library with algorithms, data structures, and contains, making work easy
• Multi-threading support and maximum utilization of the system’s resources
• Template metaprogramming is enabled, hence easy to read, create, and evaluate code
• Highly interoperability, hence compatible with C, Java, and Python programming languages
• Has extensive libraries & documentation with a community of seasoned developers

• Scala

As a backend developer, scala is one powerful programming language that is resourceful in many ways. Running on JVM- Java virtual machine, scala has varied tools, including Maven & Maven for building, along with extensive community support and IDEs, which make it a resourceful backend programming language.

The key features of scala include the following:

• Highly scalable & can handle large volumes of data, thanks to Play framework and Akka toolkit tools
• Has the ability to handle multiple requests, thanks to the multi-core processor feature
• Has type inference, hence as a developer, you won’t need to specify variable types
• Has an immutable structure of values and data

• TypeScript

TypeScript is a programming language that enhances the processes both in frontend and backend development.

The key features that make TypeScript unique include the following:

• Highly portable – You can use its code on different browsers, devices, or operating systems.
• Compatible with JS tools, frameworks, and libraries
• Statistically typed programming language, hence, allows developers to fix glitches while executing actions. It is, therefore, easy for a developer to identify and correct an error at an early stage.

Must-have skills for back-end developers

As a backend developer, the following skills are key to helping you execute all the backend actions during project development.

• Backend programming languages
• Database skills
• APIs knowledge
• Server skills
• Frontend technology skills
• Back-end framework skills
• Structure and algorithm of data

Back-end programming language FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions about backend programming languages with answers.

Which backend programming language is most popular?

There are many backend programming languages that developers prefer. However, JavaScript is the most used backend programming language by many developers because of its versatility.

What does a backend developer do?

While frontend developers focus mainly on the client side, backend developers focus mainly on the server side, including database management, server management, API creation, enhancing security, optimizing performance, scaling the system, user authentication & authorization, and enhancing security on the server-side, among many other related tasks.

What is API in backend development?

Application programming interface – API in backend programming is simply protocols and rules that promote communication among different components in the system. In backend development, API enhances communication between the client side and server side or between mobile and web apps.

What backend programming language is most versatile?

Many developers use JavaScript to develop web apps, serverless apps, and even mobile apps. The ability of JavaScript programming language to work on different projects makes it a versatile backend programming language.

Which backend programming language is the best for a beginner?

As a beginner in backend programming, you can opt for PHP, Python, and JavaScript programming languages. These backend programming languages have a wide community of developers, which makes it easy to find help. Besides, when compared with other backend programming languages, Python, JavaScript, and PHP are quite easy to learn and master the core concepts.

Can a developer use the same programming language for backend and frontend development?

Yes. Some programming languages, such as JavaScript, are highly versatile, enabling full-stack developers to execute both frontend and backend actions during project development.

Which backend programming language is highly secure?

Java is the most preferred backend programming language for many developers, thanks to its features that enhance security measures. For instance, garbage collection and sandboxing are some of the key features of Java that are hard to exploit.

Which backend programming language is the fastest?

The efficiency and scalability of Go make it the fastest backend programming language. Besides, it is packed with features that enhance performance in applications.

Conclusion

Programming projects demand exceptional mastery of crucial programming languages. Not only the back-end requires the best of programming languages but also the frontend too. Therefore, building a reliable program, regardless of whether it is for a startup or a cooperate, requires a proper choice of language developers find suitable. While the choice of back-end programming languages can impact the project, it is also essential to realize the need for choosing a language that you love and find fit for the project. Of the highlighted programming languages, developers can opt for one they have affection for and develop reliable projects. Most languages have advanced features with incomparable popularity and therefore encourage one to rely on them for any simple or complex task.

What is more important is discovering the need for working team-wise since it is a perfect way of incorporating ideas to develop advanced applications. The goodness with working as a team is that developers have different areas of specifications basing on the languages and therefore enhances the chance of incorporating ideas from any of the highlighted back-end programming languages. Right from Ruby and its framework, Python, PHP, and others, you can always get a chance to implement the best back-end ideas.

For more information contact leading software development company Aalpha

Also Read: Advantages of single page application