How to Become a Backend Engineer (Without Wasting Time)
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If you’re trying to become a backend engineer, chances are you’re wasting time chasing the wrong information.
Maybe you’re learning one framework when the job market is asking for another. Or you’re mastering a database that isn’t in demand.
Simply put, you’re probably learning the wrong things.
I’m here to change that.
👋 Hello, I’m Eric! I write and make videos about all things software engineering!
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- Codingwithroby update.
- Productivity Tip 🤓
Step 1: Understand What Backend Engineering Is
Before diving into tutorials and frameworks, it’s important to understand what backend engineering actually involves.
At its core, backend engineering is all about building and maintaining the behind-the-scenes components that power applications. There are three key areas you’ll focus on (without including design):
1. APIs and Endpoints: The part that handles requests and responses between systems.
2. Database Management: Storing, retrieving, and organizing data.
3. Security: Ensuring only authorized users access the right information.
Mastering these three areas will prepare you for most backend engineering roles.
Step 2: Choose the Right Programming Language
When it comes to backend engineering, there are endless language options — but you don’t need to learn them all.
I strongly recommend starting with Python or Java. Both are powerful, widely used, and highly in demand.
Why Python?
• Easier to read and write.
• Requires less boilerplate code, allowing you to build projects faster.
• Flexible enough for everything from web development to automation.
Why Java?
• More structured and verbose, forcing you to fully understand concepts like data structures and algorithms.
• Preferred in some industries for large-scale, enterprise applications.
For most people, Python is the best choice to start with because you’ll build real projects faster — which is key when you’re just starting out.
Step 3: Learn Python the Right Way
Once you’ve chosen Python, the next step is learning it effectively.
Video Tutorials
Since you’re here, you’re probably a visual learner. YouTube is an amazing resource for Python tutorials. Channels like Programming with Mosh and others cover Python fundamentals in detail.
I also have a 1-hour Python crash course that will walk you through the basics — from installing Python to writing your first programs.
Books
If you prefer books, search for best Python books on Google or Reddit. The most frequently recommended titles are usually the best ones to start with.
Whichever method you choose, practice as you learn. Don’t just watch — type along with the code examples and build mini-projects to solidify your knowledge.
Step 4: Master a Framework (FastAPI Recommended)
Once you’ve got the basics of Python down, it’s time to move on to a backend framework.
While Django is popular, I strongly recommend starting with FastAPI.
Why FastAPI?
• FastAPI is designed specifically for building APIs efficiently.
• It follows modern development practices and has built-in support for features like data validation and async programming.
• Most importantly, it makes backend development faster by reducing repetitive boilerplate code.
FastAPI’s “don’t reinvent the wheel” philosophy means you can focus on solving real problems instead of writing endless setup code. If you’re serious about backend engineering, FastAPI is the way to go.
Step 5: Understand APIs (And How They Work)
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the glue that connects your frontend to your backend — and understanding them is critical.
Imagine a restaurant:
• The kitchen is your backend — where data (or food) is prepared.
• The customer is your frontend — requesting information or services.
• The waiter is the API — taking the customer’s order, delivering it to the kitchen, and bringing the finished dish back.
APIs allow different systems to communicate efficiently. With FastAPI, building these endpoints becomes straightforward and intuitive.
Step 6: Learn How to Manage Data with Databases
As a backend engineer, you’ll need to store and manage data effectively. There are two main database types:
1. SQL Databases (structured, widely used in most companies).
2. NoSQL Databases (flexible, but less common in traditional backend roles).
For most backend roles, SQL is the smarter choice. Specifically, focus on these:
✅ PostgreSQL – Ideal for large-scale applications.
✅ MySQL – Another popular choice for production environments.
✅ SQLite – Perfect for smaller projects and lightweight development.
For career growth, mastering PostgreSQL or MySQL will give you the most opportunities.
Step 7: Master Authentication and Authorization
Security is a crucial part of backend engineering, and two key concepts you must understand are:
1. Authentication: Verifying who a user is (e.g., logging in with a username and password).
2. Authorization: Defining what that user is allowed to do (e.g., accessing admin-only features).
In modern applications, JWTs (JSON Web Tokens) are commonly used to manage both authentication and authorization. They’re secure, scalable, and widely adopted.
If you want to dive deeper, I have a FastAPI JWT tutorial that walks you through this step by step.
Step 8: Build for Scale, Reliability, and Maintainability
As a backend engineer, your job isn’t just to write code — it’s to build systems that:
âś… Scale to handle more users as your application grows.
âś… Stay Reliable by minimizing crashes and downtime.
âś… Remain Maintainable so future developers can build on your work without breaking things.
For scaling and reliability, AWS, GCP, and Azure are excellent platforms that offer high availability and redundancy to keep your app online.
For maintainability, mastering clean code principles and incorporating testing frameworks will make your codebase easier to improve over time. I highly recommend the book Clean Code by Uncle Bob for practical tips.
