The best programming languages for the backend
Are you still looking for a programming language that you can use for the backend of your planned programming project? Then you've come to the right place, because we'll introduce you to eight different backend languages and their advantages. Hopefully, you will quickly find the right development language that is suitable for your application.
You can expect the following content in this blog post:
- What types of programming languages are there?
- The application backend
- How can you decide which backend programming language makes sense for your project?
- A comparison of the best backend programming languages
- Our conclusion
- FAQ: Questions and answers about backend programming languages
What types of programming languages are there?
Programming languages exist for many different purposes and can be used in different areas. For a better overview, we would first like to introduce you to the most common types of programming languages:
- High-levellanguages: High-level languages are the general programming languages for developing software applications. These include Ruby and JavaScript, for example.
- Scripting languages: So-called scripting languages can be used for the automation of tasks and the execution of scripts. They are used, for example, in data analysis, server administration and web development. Scripting languages include Perl, PHP and PowerShell.
- Database languages: Database languages are used to access databases. This also allows interaction with the database. The most commonly used database language is SQL (Structured Query Language). There are also the database languages PL/SQL (Oracle), T-SQL (Microsoft SQL Server) and PostgreSQL.
- Markup languages: Another type of programming language is the markup language. This type of programming language is used to define the appearance and structure of documents. Markup languages include HTML and XML, for example.
- Object-oriented languages: Languages that are object-oriented model the code around objects that combine data and behavior. Java, Python and Ruby are object-oriented languages.
- Functional languages: The immutability of data plays a major role in functional languages. They are based on the mathematical concept of functions. Functional languages include Lisp and Haskell.
- Domain-specific languages: These languages are also called DSLs and have been developed for very specific areas of application so that they can address individual cases. It is also possible to work at a higher level of abstraction. Regular expressions (RegEx) for text pattern recognition and MATLAB for numerical calculations are examples of such DSLs.
Backend languages can also be classified as high-level languages. This is because the part of the software application that is important for interacting with systems or databases and processing data is developed in the backend.
The application backend
The application backend actually only refers to the backend of your application. Data processing is handled in this part of your application architecture. This is also where communication with third-party services takes place. The users of your application will not get to know this part, they only use the front end. Meanwhile, the backend provides the necessary functions so that the application can be used in the frontend and then also processes the requested actions.
The backend usually runs on a cloud platform or on a web server. Depending on the application and preferences, the backend can be used in different programming languages. We will show you which backend languages are available and which are the best in a moment. However, it is also important that you know which tasks are performed by the backend. The main tasks of the backend include
- The processing of data: Data is processed and stored in the backend. Data processing tasks also include data validation, data cleansing and data manipulation.
- External communication: Communication with other services can also be established via the backend. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are used for this purpose.
- Business logic: You can use the backend to define which operations are permitted, how they should be executed and how data should be processed. This is where you define the application's business rules.
- Performance optimization: You can also optimize the performance of your application in the backend. Response times are improved with caching techniques, for example.
- Security: Authentication mechanisms can also be managed in the backend. You can set up encryption to be used here so that you are protected against attacks on the application.
- Error log: In the backend, you will also find the errors that may occur during execution. The errors are recorded in an error log so that you can fix and analyze them.
- Create frontend functions: Another function of the backend is that you can provide all data and functionalities for the frontend here and create the user interface.
How can you decide which backend programming language makes sense for your project?
You may be planning a project and want to know which backend language is best suited to it. You may also want to learn a new backend language and want to know which one is best suited for a variety of projects. Or you already know a programming language and want to know which applications you can create with it. In each of these cases, our article can help you. However, if you are currently at the first point mentioned and have a concrete idea for a project without knowing which programming language is suitable for the backend, then you will find some points here that can help you with your planning phase:
- The specific requirements of your project: First of all, you should think about what requirements your project needs to fulfill. This will allow you to determine what functions and tasks your backend needs to perform. You can also determine here whether you will need to scale your project in the future. If so, you can see which backend language is best for this. It is also worth considering whether you need or might need special integrations and libraries.
- The skills in your team and/or your own knowledge: When deciding which programming language is suitable for the backend of your project, it's worth looking at the skills you already have or that are represented in your team. Perhaps well-known programming languages can also be used for your project, giving you the opportunity to start directly and save resources. In addition, your team will probably work more productively and efficiently.
- Scaling and performance: We already mentioned in the first point that you need to consider whether your project needs to be scalable, but you should also think about this in more detail. Estimate how high the expected user volume is and also how high the performance requirements of your project will be. Some programming languages and frameworks offer better support for scalability and performance than others.
- The community of the programming language: Another factor that can be decisive is the size and activity of the community of the selected backend language. This is because a large and active community also means that you are better able to seek help in the event of problems. In addition, there are usually better libraries, resources and frameworks.
- Tools and more: Also check whether there are enough libraries, frameworks and tools that can help you with the development of your project. They can usually significantly improve your productivity and the quality of your programming.
Don't forget that the choice of programming language for your backend is a long-term, if not final, decision. Once you have decided on one, you cannot simply use a different backend language for your project. Depending on the project, however, you have the option of using several languages for different parts of your backend. It is recommended that you carefully consider your choice and analyze all the points mentioned in detail.
Comparison of the best backend programming languages
To help you decide which backend languages to choose for your project, we would first like to introduce you to the best programming languages for the backend. Using the criteria from above, you can then check whether the programming language is also suitable for the backend of your project or which backend language is the best choice. In total, we will look at the languages PHP, Golang, Python, Kotlin, Elixir, Scala, JavaScript with Node.js and C#. If you would like to get to know other programming languages that are suitable for web development, then take a look at our article on the best web development languages!
PHP
The programming language PHP or Hypertext Preprocesssor is mainly used in the field of web development. PHP is used particularly in the backend area. It is also very versatile, as programs coded in PHP can run on any browser and any operating system.
There are also some very well-known frameworks for PHP. Frameworks are ready-made software components or structures that can be used by developers. Popular PHP frameworks include Laravel and Symphony. Incidentally, Symphony is also used by Shopware for the store system. For this reason, the developers at EXWE are also very familiar with PHP. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
The advantages of PHP as a backend language: |
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Golang
Golang, also known as Go, is a programming language developed by Google. It is becoming increasingly popular as it is ideally suited for scalable network services as well as cluster and cloud computing. It is now often used for the backend, especially when it comes to developing software and real-time applications. Good examples of the use of Go as a backend language are online games, video conferencing applications, community storage solutions, embedded software systems and chat messaging applications.
The advantages of Golang as a backend language: |
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Python
Python has been around since 1991 and is one of the most popular programming languages. Python is also very suitable for the backend, as the language offers a clean and simple development environment. With Python frameworks, for example, web applications can be created very quickly.
The advantages of Python as a backend language: |
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Kotlin
You can find the Kotlin backend language in Android Studio. Kotlin was originally created for Android development. However, it is now also being used more and more as a backend language. Kotlin was also developed to work seamlessly with Java. This means that existing Java code can be reused in Kotlin and vice versa. This enables a step-by-step migration from Java to Kotlin in existing backend systems. But Kotlin can also be the perfect choice for reprogramming an application.
The advantages of Kotlin as a backend language: |
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Elixir
The functional programming language Elixir was developed by José Valim in 2011 and is based on the Erlang virtual machine (BEAM). The language can be used in the backend, especially in areas such as web development, IoT applications, real-time communication and financial technology.
The advantages of Elixir as a backend language: |
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Scala
Scala is an object-oriented programming language that works very precisely and therefore requires very little code, unlike other general-purpose languages such as Java. The Scala programming language has been around since 2004 and has since been used for a wide range of applications such as web development, software systems, big data analysis, scientific applications and much more.
The advantages of Scala as a backend language: |
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Javascript with Node.js
Javascript, originally created in 1995 for front-end development, has evolved into a good back-end language with the introduction of Node.js in 2009. Node.js enables the server-side execution of Javascript, allowing developers to use Javascript for server-side and client-side scripts. The widely used Express.js framework, which was introduced in 2010, extends Node.js with helpful tools to simplify the creation of web applications.
The advantages of Javascript with Node.js as the backend language: |
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C# as a backend language
C# is a versatile backend language developed by Microsoft and first introduced in 2000 with the release of the .NET Framework. It is an object-oriented language that is mainly used to develop powerful and scalable backend applications. C# allows you to create web applications, RESTful APIs, microservices, cloud applications and other server-side solutions. Thanks to its robust type safety, efficient resource management and extensive standard libraries, C# is a popular choice for developing sophisticated and reliable backend systems in software development. If you want to develop software, you should definitely include C# on your shortlist for the backend.
The advantages of C# as a backend language: |
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Our conclusion
Choosing the right backend programming language can be a challenge due to the variety of options, as each offers its own individual advantages. Your previous experience, the development goal and the required scalability are just some of the aspects you should consider. However, if you understand the specific requirements of your project, you can effectively choose the right language. Remember that you are not alone in this process - we, the experts at EXWE, are available to advise you on this important decision. Together we will find the optimal solution for your backend.
FAQ: Questions and answers about backend languages
To conclude our backend language comparison, we'll answer a few more questions that might be of interest to you about programming languages and the backend. If you still have questions that we haven't answered yet, please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help you with anything to do with backend languages and development in general.
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Which programming language has a future?
It is difficult to predict exactly which programming language will be the most successful in the future. The technology sector is constantly evolving and new languages and frameworks emerge while others gain or lose popularity. However, there are some programming languages that are currently strong and have promising futures:
- Python: Python has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and is widely used in various fields such as web development, data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning due to its simplicity, readability and versatility. Python has a large and active community that is continuously developing new libraries and frameworks, which further strengthens its future prospects.
- JavaScript: JavaScript is the language used for developing interactive websites and web applications. It is the most widely used language in the front-end area and is also increasingly used in the back-end area with Node.js. The further development of JavaScript and the use of frameworks such as React, Angular and Vue.js contribute to the popularity and future viability of this language.
- TypeScript: TypeScript is a language developed by Microsoft that is an extension of JavaScript. It adds static typing, enabling better code quality, error detection and tool support. Due to its advantages, TypeScript is becoming increasingly popular, especially for larger projects. It is used closely with JavaScript frameworks such as Angular and has a promising future.
- Go: Go (also known as Golang) was developed by Google and is characterized by its simple syntax, efficiency and good support for concurrent programming. Go is often used for server-side applications, cloud applications and tools. Due to its performance and increasing acceptance in the developer community, Go has good prospects for the future.
- Kotlin: Kotlin is a modern programming language designed for the development of Android apps. It has quickly established itself as a popular alternative to Java as it is more functional, secure and productive. Kotlin can also be used for backend development with the Ktor framework. Given the growing popularity of Android and the increasing use of Kotlin, this language will have a promising future.
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What backends are available?
There are different types of backends that can be used depending on the type of application and the requirements of the project. Here are some common examples:
- Web backend: A web backend is responsible for processing web applications. It receives HTTP requests from the front end, processes them and returns the corresponding responses. Web backends are often developed with web frameworks such as Django (Python), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), Node.js (JavaScript), ASP.NET (C#) etc.
- Mobile backend: A mobile backend supports the development of mobile applications. It provides features such as user authentication, data processing, push notifications, integration of third-party services, etc. Mobile backends can be created with platforms such as Firebase, Parse or self-developed solutions.
- API backend: An API backend (Application Programming Interface) is used to make data and functions available to other applications via a defined interface. It enables communication and integration with other systems and services. API backends are often developed with RESTful APIs, GraphQL or SOAP.
- Cloud backend: A cloud backend is based on cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform or IBM Cloud. It uses the infrastructure and services of these platforms to provide scalability, storage, data processing, databases, security and other functions.
- IoT backend: An IoT (Internet of Things) backend enables the connection and control of IoT devices. It processes the data sent by the devices, manages device registration, monitoring and control, stores data and enables integration with other systems.
- Enterprise backend: An enterprise backend supports large enterprise applications and systems. It provides functions such as data management, user management, business logic, integration with enterprise resources, analytics, reporting, etc.
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What is the "most powerful" programming language?
It is difficult to label a particular programming language as the "most powerful" as this depends on various factors and can also be a subjective assessment. The power of a programming language depends on its expressiveness, flexibility, the range of libraries and frameworks available and the ability to solve complex problems efficiently. The PYPL (Popularity of Programming Language) Index, for example, is a benchmark that measures the popularity of programming languages based on search queries in search engines. It is also important to note that the PYPL index is only an indicator and does not necessarily reflect the "power" of a programming language.
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What is a runtime environment?
A runtime environment is the environment in which a software program works during its execution. It provides the necessary resources, services and runtime libraries that are required for the correct execution of the program. The runtime environment typically comprises the execution environment, runtime libraries, a virtual machine (if available) and runtime data.
The execution environment is the core of the runtime environment and provides the framework for executing the program. It provides functions for managing processes, threads, memory and other resources.
Runtime libraries are collections of code that are used at runtime to provide specific functions. They can cover common tasks such as input/output, file management, network communication, graphics, mathematical operations and much more. The runtime libraries provide developers with an interface to access these functions and integrate them into their applications.
In some runtime environments, a virtual machine (VM) is used to execute the program code. The VM interprets or compiles the source code of the program and then executes it. Examples of virtual machines are the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for Java programs and the Common Language Runtime (CLR) for applications developed in C# or other .NET languages.
The runtime environment also manages data that is required during the execution of the program, such as configuration files, log files, temporary data and other artifacts.
The runtime environment is specific to a programming language or platform. Each programming language has its own runtime environment that provides specific functions and services. Examples of well-known runtime environments are the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for Java applications, the .NET Framework for C# applications, the Node.js Runtime Environment for JavaScript and the Python Runtime Environment for Python applications.
The use of a runtime environment enables greater portability of applications, as it can work independently of the underlying hardware or operating system. Developers can focus on deploying the source code and runtime environment without having to worry about the details of the underlying platform.
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What is tiobe?
Tiobe stands for "The Importance of Being Earnest" and is a company that specializes in evaluating and analyzing the popularity of programming languages. Tiobe's best-known indicator is the Tiobe Index, which is published monthly. The Tiobe Index is based on various criteria, such as the number of searches for a particular programming language in search engines, the number of lines of code written, the number of job offers looking for knowledge of a programming language and other factors.
The Tiobe Index is intended to provide an overview of the popularity and trend of programming languages. It is often used by developers, companies and educational institutions as a guide when deciding on a programming language. The Tiobe Index lists the 20 most popular programming languages and shows changes compared to the previous year or previous years.
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What is Bytecode?
Bytecode is an intermediate form of code used by programming languages that run on virtual machines. Instead of being translated directly into machine code, the program is compiled into bytecode. This bytecode allows programs to interact on different platforms because the virtual machine executes the bytecode and communicates with the operating system. Since the bytecode is understood by the virtual machine, a uniquely programmed program can be executed on different operating systems without having to be rewritten for each platform.
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What is MongoDB?
MongoDB is a document-oriented NoSQL database designed to store large amounts of unstructured or semi-structured data. It implements the JSON-like document model, where data is organized in flexible, hierarchical structures with different data types. This allows developers to easily model complex data structures without having to predefine a rigid schema. MongoDB reduces the complexity of database queries by providing efficient indexing and a powerful query language to retrieve data quickly and scalably. These features make MongoDB popular for modern applications with changing requirements and large amounts of data.
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Hello, my name is Meike. I take care of the EXWE back office and am responsible for our social media channels. All of our articles are meant to make your life easier and help you make decisions. Nevertheless, it can happen that something remains unclear, so: If you have questions about this article you can easily reach me at +49 231 93149827.
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