How statistics are calculated
We count how many offers each candidate received and for what salary. For example, if a Back-End Web developer with ASP.NET Core Framework with a salary of $4,500 received 10 offers, then we would count him 10 times. If there were no offers, then he would not get into the statistics either.
The graph column is the total number of offers. This is not the number of vacancies, but an indicator of the level of demand. The more offers there are, the more companies try to hire such a specialist. 5k+ includes candidates with salaries >= $5,000 and < $5,500.
Median Salary Expectation – the weighted average of the market offer in the selected specialization, that is, the most frequent job offers for the selected specialization received by candidates. We do not count accepted or rejected offers.
Trending Back-End Web tech & tools in 2024
Back-End Web
What does a back-end developer do?
A back-end developer is in the back end of a more or less invisible system of unseen work, but vital all the same to web development. Back-end developers make sure the website or application works how it should. They have to deal with servers, databases, and application logic. They develop systems and processes. They maintain databases. They deal with bugs. They interface with APIs. They make security systems work correctly.
Specifics differ from firm to firm, but on the back end a back-end developer might oversee some, most, or all of the following:
- Developing the systems and processes to meet the application’s specified requirements
- Maintaining databases, including data storage and retrieval, organization, backups, and security
- Finding and fixing bugs in the back-end code
- Managing any APIs the company uses to integrate applications, both externally and internally
- Conducting performance optimization to increase efficiency and improve the user experience
- Building and managing libraries of code for reuse by developers across the business
- Helping develop the overall architecture of the application’s back-end
- Securing the application from cyberattacks
Back-end developers also work together with front-end developers to transform their function into user-facing content in the app interface. Back-end developers often deal with managers, architects, designers, researchers, IT security and so many others to make web applications work.
In the end, front-end developers aim to make the interface fun, playful, and interactive while back-end teams build up the invisible structures that power the front-end.
Back-end Developer Skills
Ok, so we now know what a back-end developer does (mostly). But what does she need to know in order to do it? In this part, we’ll be looking at the primary skills to look for if you’re hiring a back-end developer, or if you’re hell-bent on becoming one.
Programming Languages
Web developers use a multitude of languages to build the servers, databases, and application logic on servers. Here is the list:
Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language, commonly used for building the non-public, or ‘back-end’, part of software programs and web applications currently charging you for breakfast, dinner, or that retro toy you ordered on a whim on a marketplace site last night. It is a powerful language that is enjoyable to write in, and able to operate well for any purpose you throw at it. Every back-end programmer should at least have a basic level of knowledge about it.
Java
Java, another general-purpose language, is often used in the back-end of application development for the same reason. It’s deployable across many environments and flexible enough to power very large, complex, high-performance software projects.
PHP
PHP is a so-called server-side programming language – this basically means, you create a website using PHP which dynamically loads content at the demand of the user (or the browser requesting the page). PHP dynamically builds the page on the server from content of housed databases. The opposite of this is a static website – which means you create a website, and it’s stored completely on the servers and therefore presented exactly the same to all visitors – even if, in PHP, the display can be different.
Other Languages
True, there are many other programming languages that back-end developers might prefer. There’s Ruby, a high-level language that allows one to build both web and mobile applications in a quick and effective manner, there’s C, a lower-level language (and the most popular language in the world), and there’s .NET, a framework provided by Microsoft to build websites and web apps.
Furthermore, a back-end developer might write code in SQL (Structured Query Language) or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), programming languages that are geared towards database management.
Front-End Languages
Although it’s often the case that the back-end developer works almost exclusively on the server-side in a language like PHP or Java, some basic knowledge of front-end languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will still come in handy when you work on a web-based project. In general, there are three technical languages that you learn on the front end:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Codes content (text and links) and structure of a web page. All web pages are built with HTML, and its file names always end in .html.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Because Cascading Style Sheets are a programming language that describes how pages should look – without it, the web would be filled mostly with seas of block text and images with no layout or style. CSS is also the reason that web page content adapts to fit different browser sizes and devices.
- JavaScript: Often abbreviated as JS, developers use it to change animations, dynamically update page content, and on websites run scripts without having to ask the back-end.
These languages will make it easier for you to work with front-end developers and designers and, if there is a bug that uses both front-end and back-end resources, it will help you to diagnose it faster. They are also good skills to learn in general, especially if you want to learn design or become a full-stack developer.
Database Management
Moving data in or out of the application database, a significant part of the back-end developer’s work, comes under the scope of modern database technologies.
Databases can be divided into two types: relational databases and non-relational databases. Relational databases store related data points like a customer such as name, and email or account ID. Relational Databases are data arranged in a tabular manner with relata in the same row and the language used to interact with it is SQL.
Then, in contrast to relational databases, non-relational databases (or NoSQL databases) don’t typically store data points based on their relatedness (though they might relate the data nonetheless). Instead of rows in tables, non-relational databases store their information in Extensible Markup Language (XML) and/or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Useful knowledge about NoSQL database programmes, such as Redis and MongoDB, can go hand-in-hand with SQL on the back-end.
Server-Side Software
Back-end developers get process versions in server systems. You should be familiar with standard server software such as Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and Linux-based operating systems. You should know how web servers receive and handle requests for web pages on websites, how they store the data they get, and the basics of keeping them scalable and safe.
APIs
An API – an application programming interface – is a set of definitions and protocols that allows two applications (or pieces of software) to talk to and share data with each other. An API goes out and listens for incoming requests from another application, and then responds by carrying out that request (which could be requesting or modifying some chunk of data in the database of the other app). Every time you see one piece of software reused in another, APIs made it possible. Apps such as Facebook, YouTube, Google and Spotify make tons of their data available through public APIs.
There are plenty of APIs in existence today, the most prominent of which are REST APIs. If you want to be a web developer, you’ll need to have a working knowledge of REST APIs (and possibly SOAP ones), a technology that ties together not only different applications owned by different vendors, but also individual back-end services.
Data Structures and Algorithms
In contrast to other, more concrete technologies that will be discussed below, data structures and algorithms are highly conceptual but still incredibly important. A competent back-end developer must have a decent understanding of these areas to perform his or her job, which is why they appear in the academic curriculum of computer science.
Making a picture in the mind: a data structure is a pattern we use in a computer to organise data. The above examples were arrays, linked lists, trees, and tries; hash tables, heaps, stacks, and queues – the back-end developer will run into most or all of these at some point in their career.
Broadly, an algorithm is a defined process to solve a problem. Every back-end developer is familiar with the foundational algorithms of computer software: you’ll use some form of sorting algorithm; you’ll write some kind of search algorithm for searching texts or databases; you’ll parse and compare strings; you’ll hash stuff to make comparisons between string lengths easier; you’ll use recursive algorithms, or code that’s essentially a textual expression of how a function repeats itself.
Other Important Skills
There is also much more that you can learn in the domain of back-end programming than just those core skills, as listed above. Here are some more skills that you will find useful as a back-end programmer:
- Experience with a version control system — likely Git, as well as familiarity with GitHub
- Knowledge of orexperience with server management
- Communication skills, and an ability to explain complex technical topics to non-experts
- Time management skills, as you’ll likely be balancing several responsibilities at once
- Understanding of cloud computing and hosting
- Understanding web accessibility best practices
- Understanding cybersecurity best practices
Where is ASP.NET Core Framework used?
High-Octane Web Engines
- Cars need engines, websites crave ASP.NET Core to turbocharge into the fast lane with responsive, scalable web apps that laugh in the face of high traffic.
Getting Chummy with Microservices
- Ever seen a beehive? ASP.NET Core makes each microservice buzz with its own mini-mission, harmonizing into a grand symphony of efficient software functions.
The eCommerce High Roller
- From cart to checkout, ASP.NET Core rolls out the red carpet, ensuring your e-shopping spree is as smooth as a limo ride down Rodeo Drive.
Restful APIs, the Talkative Types
- ASP.NET Core is the chatty friend that helps your services gab away with RESTful APIs, akin to international diplomacy but for software components.
ASP.NET Core Framework Alternatives
Node.js
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It’s used for building fast, scalable network applications.
const http = require('http');
http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
res.end('Hello World\n');
}).listen(1337, '127.0.0.1');
- Non-blocking I/O model, highly scalable
- Unified programming language (JavaScript) for client and server
- Huge ecosystem of libraries (npm)
- Callback hell can lead to complex code
- Performance issues with CPU-intensive tasks
- Lacks strong type-checking (compared to TypeScript)
Spring Boot (Java)
Spring Boot simplifies the setup and development of new Spring applications with Java, providing opinionated 'starter' dependencies.
import org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication;
import org.springframework.boot.autoconfigure.SpringBootApplication;
@SpringBootApplication
public class Application {
public static void main(String[] args) {
SpringApplication.run(Application.class, args);
}
}
- Comprehensive and widely used in enterprise
- Integrated security and transactions support
- Great for layering business logic over data access
- Steep learning curve for new developers
- Less performance on startup compared to Node.js
- Can be overkill for small applications
Django (Python)
Django is a high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.
from django.http import HttpResponse
def index(request):
return HttpResponse("Hello, world. You're at the polls index.")
- Includes an ORM and admin interface out of the box
- Good for rapid development
- Philosophy of ‘Don't Repeat Yourself’ (DRY)
- Monolithic structure can be restrictive
- ORM may not be suitable for complex queries
- May not be as fast as Node.js for I/O operations
Quick Facts about ASP.NET Core Framework
1. Birth of the Turbocharged Framework Baby
When the web development world was comfortably swaddled in classical ASP.NET, Microsoft pulled a fast one with the birth of ASP.NET Core in 2016. The tech stork delivered this open-source, cross-platform framework, and it was no ordinary child. ASP.NET Core was designed to construct web apps more like constructing a Lego set – modular and fun, minus the stepping-on-a-piece-in-the-dark kind of pain.
2. The Framework that Took a Diet Seriously
Forget the heavyweight champ of the past, ASP.NET Core came in like a featherweight, lean and mean with performance in mind. With the modular design, developers could plug and play only what they needed. This "only bring what you need to the party" mentality cut down on unnecessary bloat. And the most groundbreaking bit? It was like a unicorn in the tech woods – capable of running on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
{
// Only add services that you need!
services.AddControllers();
}
3. Versioning to Victory
ASP.NET Core didn't stop growing up after taking its first baby steps. It's been sprinting through version numbers, with significant pit stops at ASP.NET Core 2.0 in 2017, shocking everyone with the grand entrance of Razor class libraries and SignalR, to ASP.NET Core 3.0 in 2019, flaunting its full integration with Blazor for client-side C# chutzpah. Then came 5.0 in 2020, flexing with record-breaking performance like a bodybuilder on tech steroids.
app.MapControllers(); // Razor sharp routing in action
What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert ASP.NET Core Framework developer?
Seniority Name | Years of Experience | Average Salary (USD/year) | Responsibilities & Activities |
---|---|---|---|
Junior | 0-2 | 40,000 - 60,000 |
|
Middle | 2-5 | 60,000 - 85,000 |
|
Senior | 5-8 | 85,000 - 120,000 |
|
Expert/Team Lead | 8+ | 120,000+ |
|
Top 10 ASP.NET Core Framework Related Tech
C#
Like a knight in shining armor, C# steps onto the battlefield, ready to slay bugs and court pretty lines of code. It’s the cornerstone of ASP.NET Core, sporting object-oriented features that let developers craft scalable, robust applications without breaking a sweat. If it were a movie star, it’d have its own star on the developer’s Walk of Fame. With C#, you’re spinning the yarn of software tales—it’s versatile, powerful, and the go-to language for ASP.NET Core enthusiasts.
.NET Core/Framework
Picture this: a tool so flexible that it fits into the developer's toolkit like a Swiss Army knife. That's .NET Core for you, the grand stage where C# performances are orchestrated. It boasts cross-platform capabilities that invite coders to play outside the Windows sandbox and frolic in the fields of Linux and macOS, too. Think of .NET Core as the engine of a high-performance sports car—except it's free, and you won't get a speeding ticket.
Entity Framework Core
Hate the idea of wrestling with SQL statements like a mad person talking to spaghetti code? Entity Framework Core to the rescue! It's the magician that turns complex data wrangling into a walk in the park, thanks to its ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) capabilities. Imagine conversing with your database as if it were your chummy neighbor, all without the awkward small talk. Simply put, EF Core is the love letter to those who'd rather not spend the date night with raw SQL.
using (var context = new BloggingContext())
{
var blog = new Blog { Url = 'https://example.com' };
context.Blogs.Add(blog);
context.SaveChanges();
}ASP.NET Core MVC
Enter ASP.NET Core MVC, the framework that's like having an over-organized personal assistant, keeping all your Models, Views, and Controllers in check, so you can focus on building exceptional web apps. It's like playing with Lego blocks, but instead of stepping on them painfully, you're snapping together parts of your application with ease, creating something both functional and good-looking. And who doesn't want their code to be both smart and attractive?
ASP.NET Core Razor Pages
Razor Pages might sound like a band name, but in reality, it's the less drama queen sibling of MVC. Perfect for web pages that just want to get straight to the point without the MVC fanfare, Razor Pages is like a trusty sidekick that simplifies page-focused scenarios. It’s like speed dating with web development—not a lot of commitment, and you get straight to all the good parts.
ASP.NET Core Identity
Security isn't just about wearing a helmet when you go biking—it's also crucial for your web apps. And that's where ASP.NET Core Identity rolls up, ready to ID every Tom, Dick, and Harry, and ensure everyone is who they say they are. Think of it as a bouncer at the club door of your website, checking IDs and making sure no suspicious characters sneak by to poke around your precious data.
Blazor
If you ever wished you could write interactive web UIs using C# instead of JavaScript, pinch yourself awake because it's not a dream. Blazor lets you build reactive web apps while banishing the haunting nightmares of JavaScript. It's like having a delightful chat with your web components, all in the comfort of your favorite language—no JS babel needed.
SignalR
Communication is key in relationships and web development. SignalR is the digital equivalent of courier pigeons, but a million times faster and more reliable. Need to chat, receive live updates, or enable real-time features on your web app? SignalR says, "No problem, buddy!" It's like texting with your app, but the messages are instant, like 'seen' and 'replying' at the speed of light.
Docker
Imagine you could pack your app and all its friends (dependencies) into a container ready for a journey to any virtual land. Docker is that world-class travel agency for code, streamlining deployment and ensuring your app behaves nicely everywhere, uniform like a well-rehearsed flash mob. It avoids the dreaded "it works on my machine" calamity and keeps developers sane.
Visual Studio / VS Code
Every craftsman needs a good set of tools. For the ASP.NET Core developer, Visual Studio and VS Code are the Mjölnir and Stormbreaker. Whether you need a full-featured IDE that's got more gadgets than a Swiss timepiece, or a sleek, fast editor that can launch quicker than a caffeinated greyhound, these two are your go-to for slinging lines of C# with superhero grace.