How to Become a Self-Taught Python Backend Developer?

The path of a self-taught python developer is dotted with challenges unless a route map is lacking

Software development essentially involves two parts: front-end development, and back-end development, which have their own challenges. But backend development, by and large, is considered an experts' paradise that freshers fear to tread. Back-end development involves much more than just developing code. It requires good mathematical acumen and a thorough understanding of software and software development. It involves understanding how servers work and how they communicate with individual systems. The back-end developers should have a broad knowledge of databases, applications, security architecture, and hosting environments, and an understanding of automation and frontend processes. As backend development is possible in several languages, the majority of developers choose Python for its versatility, clean code, and compatibility with data science and machine learning techniques. Python has become the go-to language for backend development for major platforms like Quora, Netflix, Google, Facebook, etc opening doors for python backend developers. As per the statistics from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, backend development will grow by 13% by 2028 with the increasing usage of mobile phones and the e-Commerce industry and hence the inevitable increase in demand for Python backend developers.

But when it comes to python backend development, the very reason that it involves having a deeper and wider knowledge, it is considered a restricted zone, more so when you are new to programming and have no plans to have a conventional degree. The path to becoming a self-taught python developer is dotted with challenges but not if you have a route map.

Building Basics:

Learning the basics of Python is the first step you should take as a beginner. Learning to write syntax requires installing IDE to be able to edit the code or you can go to online editors for this task. Next, you would want to go to online tutorials to learn how to actually write code. Most of the tutorials are quite helpful in giving the basic idea of what the Python code looks like and that is the only thing they do. If you don't want to kill your desire to learn Python at the beginning itself, it is better to get a good grasp of theoretical concepts. Get to know about variables, data types, comparison loops, arrays, and functions. Start with simple examples moving on to complex ones as you progress with the concepts and remember nothing beats experimentation in programming.

Bridge with Front-End Frameworks:

To be employed as a backend develop, you would not need front-end knowledge. If only you want to avoid unnecessary trouble during synchronizing with front-end development, peeping into it will help like a spell. Be it communicating end-points, identifying security flaws in code, or correcting circuitously written useless code, knowing the hows and whys of the front end will help. So, make sure you get a taste of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for cooking in the backend well. That being said, it is not necessary to see through the pipeline of front-end skills to its end, because it is overwhelming unless you are aiming to become a full-stack developer. Knowing what to learn and where to stop is a continuous process.

Backend Development – the Good Part:

Backend Development in Python primarily requires learning two frameworks: Django and flask. They help in URL routing, HTTP requests and responses, accessing databases, and web security, making programs more reliable and scalable. Though they are not an absolute necessity for developing websites, they are largely utilized to develop complex applications in significantly less time. The Python frameworks vary from each other in the functionality and flexibility they offer. While Django is a bulk framework facilitating pragmatic and highly scalable code, Flask is a micro framework with limited features suitable for those who want to upscale the product according to their requirement. Choosing the right framework to start with is not rocket science though it seems like one. If you want to learn frameworks from scratch, Django will offer you all the support and experience. Otherwise, if you are looking for building something off the codebase, the Flask framework is the one for you.

The parting advice:

Done with learning? Do not keep your fingers crossed. Attempt structured projects to master everything that you've learned. After gaining enough grounding move on to making projects on your own.