Role

Back-End Developer

Builds the server, database, and APIs that power digital products behind the scenes.

14 chaptersAbout 5–6 months15–30 min a day14 skills2 projects
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Chapter 1 is free. No card needed.

Day 1 on the Back-End Developer path.

What a Back-End Developer does

Builds and maintains the server-side code, databases, and APIs that keep apps fast, secure, and reliable for users and teams.

  • Design APIs that let apps and services share data safely
  • Build server-side features like accounts, payments, and search
  • Model and query databases to store and retrieve data efficiently
  • Write automated tests to prevent bugs and regressions
  • Review code and improve performance, reliability, and security
  • Monitor systems, debug incidents, and fix production issues
  • Document endpoints and data flows for other developers to use

A day in the life

  1. Plan tasks, clarify requirements, and estimate work with the team
  2. Implement an API or service, then write tests and run checks
  3. Review pull requests and discuss design tradeoffs in code review
  4. Investigate a bug using logs and metrics, then ship a fix
  5. Update documentation and share progress in a short team sync

Tools you will use

Languages: Python, Java, JavaScript, C#Frameworks: Django, Spring Boot, Express, ASP.NETDatabases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDBAPIs: REST, GraphQLVersion control: Git, GitHubCloud and hosting: AWS, Azure, Google CloudContainers: Docker, KubernetesObservability: Logs, metrics, tracing

Your plan

Chapter by chapter.

1~2 wks

See the work of a Back-End Developer

StartFree
2~2 wks

Code Quality and Review

Skills
3~2 wks

Architecture write-up: explain a system you built

Proof
4~2 wks

Data and APIs

Skills
51–2 wks

Meet people doing the work

People
6~2 wks

System Design and Infrastructure

Skills
7~2 wks

Security Fundamentals

Skills
8~2 wks

Finding the real cause of bugs

Skills
9~2 wks

Checking claims and adapting to change

Skills
10~2 wks

Collaboration and Communication

Skills
11~2 wks

URL shortener service with rate limiting and click analytics

Proof
121–2 wks

Prepare for Back-End Developer interviews

Interview
131–2 wks

Choose your route into Back-End Developer work

Decide
14on your timeline

Apply for Back-End Developer roles

Apply

By the last chapter

This is what you can show.

Things you've made

Architecture write-up: explain a system you built and URL shortener service with rate limiting and click analytics

Skills you can prove

14 skills, each rated on work you actually did.

People you've talked to

3 people who do the job, with a message ready for each.

Questions you can answer

20 interview questions and a mock interview, with feedback.

Credentials

12 credentials compared, so you can pick one, or decide you don't need one. None is required.

Ways in

There is more than one route.

Ways to study

  • Computer science or software engineering degree
  • Information technology diploma with programming focus
  • Coding bootcamp focused on back-end development
  • Self-study with online courses plus a strong portfolio

How people get their first job

  • Build 2 to 4 portfolio APIs with tests, docs, and a deployed demo
  • Apply for software development internships that include server-side work
  • Start as a full-stack developer and focus on back-end tasks
  • Contribute bug fixes to open-source back-end projects
  • Earn an entry-level cloud or database certification and use it in projects

Life skills on this path: Networking · Job interviews · Job search

How the work is changing

What AI is doing to this role

How AI is changing this role · one of 6 tasks we track

Design APIs and back-end architecture

Sped up a lot

What AI does

Cursor and Claude Code scaffold whole endpoints and stubs.

Still yours

The contract and tradeoffs still need your judgement.

Reviewed September 2026

In the app · Premium

The rest is in the app

  • How AI affects the other 5 tasks
  • Whether this job is growing or shrinking
  • How hard the first job is to get
  • Similar roles that are easier to get into
  • Updated every month, with sources
See it in the app →

How we rate a job →

Already working

Already a Back-End Developer?

Plan your move to Senior Back-End Developer: 14 chapters that end with a strong case for your next review.

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Questions

Questions about this path

How long does it take to become a back-end developer with Welica?

The path is 14 chapters, 5–6 months at 15 to 30 minutes a day. You can go faster or slower; the plan moves with you.

Do I need a degree?

Not always. Common routes are computer science or software engineering degree, information technology diploma with programming focus, coding bootcamp focused on back-end development, or self-study with online courses plus a strong portfolio.

What is free?

Chapter 1, See the work of a Back-End Developer, is free for good. Premium unlocks the rest of the path.

Start the Back-End Developer path.

Chapter 1 free. About 15 to 30 minutes a day.

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