The Beginner's Guide to Python Back-End Development

The programming language Python is more popular than ever. So it’s no surprise that Python back-end development — and Python back-end developers — are now in high demand.

If you’re looking to dive into the world of Python, this is the post for you. We’ll break down Python back-end basics and share helpful resources to help you get started. You’ll also see common paths to becoming a Python back-end developer.

Keep reading for the full beginner’s guide to Python back-end development. Have something more specific in mind? Use our table of contents to make the jump.

Table of Contents

• What is Python back-end development?
• What is a Python back-end developer?
• How to Become a Python Back-End Developer
• Five Helpful Python Courses

Let's get started.

What is Python back-end development?

Back-end development refers to the development of server-side operations. These operations can fetch information from data storage sites, script website functions, and ensure seamless communication between browsers and databases.

Remember, web development is divided into two parts: front end and back end.

Front-end development refers to the user- or client-side elements. That’s everything that users see when they access a website or web application. For example, the front-end elements of a website include text, fonts, colors, photos, videos, and links. These elements can be created in Python using common frameworks such as CSS, HTML, or JavaScript.

Back-end elements are the functions that work behind the scenes to make the front-end features possible. In practice, this means that Python back-end development focuses on creating and maintaining the server-side components that underpin web-based applications and services.

What is a Python back-end developer?

A Python back-end developer is an IT professional who specializes in creating, testing, and managing Python code used for back-end functions. These professionals understand the web development frameworks of Python, as well as the basics of data management.

October 2022 saw Python with 17.80% of the total market share, according to the Tiobe Programming Community Index. That’s up 5.81% from the year prior. As a result, these developers are in high demand as companies look to create improved website and application experiences for users.

Python Back-End Developer Skills

To become a Python developer, the most important skill required is — not surprisingly — knowledge of Python.

Thankfully, Python is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn. While Python can be used to create complex functions and power in-depth web features, the basics of this language are straightforward. Beginners can start building simple programs and scripts very quickly.

Along with Python expertise, back-end developers also need a passion for problem-solving. The nature of web-based services and solutions means that they don’t always work as intended. Back-end Python developers are often tasked with unpacking potential problems to create effective solutions.

In some cases, this is easy. In others, it may require substantial time and effort. As a result, a preference for Python problem-solving is essential.

Python Back-End Career Paths

As Python becomes more popular, new career paths are opening up.

The most popular Python positions are for full-stack developers. These professions are responsible for front-end and back-end development. A complete understanding of python plays an essential part in these roles.

Other common career paths include web developers who have skills in Python along with other languages like C or JavaScript. You can also find administrator roles where developers manage the larger scope of application development and design across an organization.

Python developers may also choose to freelance and work as independent developers or consultants. As a freelancer, a developer can choose to focus exclusively on back-end development.

Potential Salaries

The average Python developer's salary in the United States is just over $120,000, according to Talent.com. More experienced professionals can earn more than $150,000, while junior developers come in at around $100,000.

It’s also worth noting that salary may depend on where you’re looking to work. For example, the average salary for a developer in Virginia Beach is $130,000, while in San Francisco you can earn $140,000. Meanwhile, developers in Columbus, Ohio, stand to make $105,000 each year.

What’s next for Python?

Python has been steadily growing in popularity for the last few years. It finally took the top spot ahead of C in 2021 and has since expanded its lead. Moving forward, developers can expect demand to rise. This is especially true as new tools and frameworks are created for Python that makes it more powerful and easier to use.

In addition, Python is an open-source language managed by the Open Source Initiative (OSI). As a result, it can be customized to meet specific use cases and enjoys support from a dedicated developer community.

How to Become a Python Back-End Developer

So what does it take to become a Python back-end developer?

First, learn Python. Spend time with the language getting to know what it’s capable of, where it struggles, and how it can be used for back-end development.

Next, it’s worth learning Flask and Django, which are two of the most popular back-end frameworks for Python web development. Flask is effectively a micro version of Python that’s easy to learn and implement. This is a great way to start your back-end development journey.

Django, meanwhile, is the most-used Python web framework. It’s more powerful than Flask but also more complicated. Expect to spend more time learning this framework. This effort will be well worth it, however, since many organizations — including NASA — use Django for their Python back-end development.

Lastly, consider Python certifications that demonstrate your skills with this programming language. Some of the most popular include:

• The Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP).
• The Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP).
• The Certified Professional in Python Programming (PCPP).
• The Mircosoft Technology Associate 98-381: Introduction to Programming Using Python.

These certifications can give your resume a boost, all while backing that you know your stuff.

Five Helpful Python Courses

As noted above, the first step in becoming a Python back-end developer is understanding Python itself. Not sure where to get started? Here are five courses that can help.

1. Crash Course on Python

This Coursera course offered by Google is all about teaching you the Python basics necessary to create simple programs. No prior experience is necessary and the course is free to take.

Price: Free

2. Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero in Python

This Udemy includes 22 hours of video, 19 coding exercises, and 14 additional articles and resources. It’s designed to take students from the basics of Python to creating more complex functions and applications. This is a great starting point for your Python journey.

Price: $120

3. Practice Python with 100 Python Exercises

Practice makes perfect. This Udemy course takes you through 100 Python problems from easy to advanced. You’ll cover a wide range of such as data analysis, image processing, web apps, and visualizations.

Price: $39.99

4. Introduction to Python

Offered by Datacamp, this free course helps you master the basics of analytics using Python. From storing and manipulating data to conducting your own analyses and learning scientific computing with NumPy, this course is a great option to expand your skill set.

Price: Free

5. The Python Mega Course: Build 10 Real World Applications

Back-end python development is all about building apps and services that work exactly as intended. The Python Mega Course from Udemy teaches you how to build Python applications from scratch that include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and make the best use of powerful web application programming interfaces (APIs).

Price: $120

Unlock your Python potential.

The nature and number of career paths for Python back-end developers are growing. To unlock your Python potential, invest the time in learning the language, understanding the frameworks, and investing in certifications that align with your goals.

Need help getting started? The courses listed above can get you on the right track to discover if Python back-end building is the best fit for you.