# Backend Development Learning Resources

Welcome to the **Backend Development Learning Resources** repository! 🎉 This is your guide to learning backend development, from the basics to advanced concepts. Whether you're just starting or looking to enhance your skills, you’ll find curated resources, organized by languages, frameworks, and libraries, to support your journey.

Backend development involves creating the server-side of applications that interact with databases, handle APIs, and ensure smooth app functionality.

> **Remember:** Every expert was once a beginner. You’ve got this! 🙌

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## 📰 Join a Newsletter

Stay updated with the latest tutorials, resources, and backend development tips by subscribing to these newsletters curated for backend developers:

- **[Code With Tomi](https://www.codewithtomi.com/p/newsletter.html)**: You will get one email every month on tips, tutorials, and resources, to improve your skills as a developer. 
- **[Node Weekly](https://nodeweekly.com/)**: A newsletter for all things Node.js.
- **[PyCoders Weekly](https://pycoders.com/)**: Weekly updates on Python development.
- **[Django News](https://django-news.com/)**: A newsletter for Django-related news, tutorials, and resources.
- **[The Changelog](https://changelog.com/)**: News and updates from the open-source community, including backend technologies.

📧 **Subscribe to these and more** to keep learning and improving your skills!

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## 📑 Table of Contents
1. [Beginner Level](#-beginner-level)
2. [Intermediate Level](#-intermediate-level)
3. [Advanced Level](#-advanced-level)
4. [Tools & Resources](#-tools-and-resources)
5. [Communities](#-communities)
6. [Contribute](#-contribute)

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## 🟢 Beginner Level

### 🛤 Roadmaps for Beginners

If you're just getting started, these roadmaps will guide you through the essential skills and tools for backend development:

- [**Backend Developer Roadmap (2024)**](https://guides.codewithmosh.com/backend-developer-roadmap)
- [**Step-by-Step Guide to Django Backend Development**](https://www.codewithtomi.com/2021/06/roadmap-for-learning-django.html)
- [**Backend Roadmap**](https://roadmap.sh/backend)

![Learning Roadmap GIF](https://media.giphy.com/media/26tPplGWjN0xLybiU/giphy.gif)

### 🟢 Languages

Mastering programming languages is the foundation of backend development. Here are some of the most commonly used languages, with paths to frameworks that help you build powerful web applications.

#### 👨‍💻 **Python**
Python is known for its simplicity and readability, making it a great language for backend development. Once you're comfortable with Python, your next step is learning frameworks like Flask, Django, or FastAPI.

- [**Learn Python**](https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python-3) - **CodeAcademy**: Beginner course to get started with Python.
- [**Python for Everybody**](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/python) - **Coursera**: Comprehensive Coursera specialization for beginners.
- [**Learn Python By Making Games**](https://www.udemy.com/share/106Jb83@tq08STjpx6Ww7Jpkyi4aJhhsfxhCgbGtTknQAkzQvPmJkInJjaTdTZW7rAV_RJI7Fg==/) - **Udemy**: The most fun way to learn programming. 
- [**Python Mastery: From Beginner to Expert**](https://www.udemy.com/share/109oyg3@5gUKxlwNCQxD4X1f_NdZj27gQjaPex6LImN-981mBxPqKEU879-7rQoWnQLr8qpR8A==/) - **Udemy**: Unlock the Full Potential of Python with Comprehensive Hands-On Training! (Regex, JSON, Data Science, and more)
- [**CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript**](https://cs50.harvard.edu/web/2020/) - Harvard's comprehensive course on web development.

**Books**
- *Python Crash Course: A Hands-On Project-Based Introduction to Python by ERIC MATTHES*
- *Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners by AL SWEIGART*

#### 👨‍💻 **JavaScript (Node.js)**
JavaScript, traditionally a frontend language, can also be used for backend development with **Node.js**. It allows you to use the same language for both frontend and backend, simplifying full-stack development.

- [**The Complete JavaScript Course**](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-javascript-course/) - **Udemy**: Learn the fundamentals of JavaScript.
- [**JavaScript Full Course**](https://youtu.be/EerdGm-ehJQ?si=0rcBVRLhcqiBmFQr) - **Youtube**: Learn JavaScript from scratch.
- [**Node.js, Express, MongoDB & More: The Complete Bootcamp**](https://www.udemy.com/course/nodejs-express-mongodb-bootcamp/?couponCode=MTST7102224A2) - **Udemy**: Master Node.js by building a RESTful API and web app.
- [**The Complete Node.js Developer Course**](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-nodejs-developer-course-2/) - **Udemy**.
- [**Learn Node.js**](https://nodeschool.io/) - **NodeSchool**: Interactive tutorials for Node.js.

### 📚 Courses & Tutorials:
- [**Introduction to Backend Development**](https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/apis-and-microservices/) - **freeCodeCamp**: Basics of backend development, including APIs and microservices.
- [**SQL for Data Science**](https://www.coursera.org/learn/sql-for-data-science) - **Coursera**: Learn SQL and relational databases.
- [**CS50: Web Programming with Python and JavaScript**](https://cs50.harvard.edu/web/2020/) - Harvard's free web programming course.
- [**Complete SQL Mastery**](https://codewithmosh.com/p/complete-sql-mastery) - **CodeWithMosh**: Everything you need to design and query databases in one course
- [**Version Control with Git**](https://www.udacity.com/course/version-control-with-git--ud123) - **Udacity**: This course covers the essentials of using the version control system Git. 
- [**Unit Testing in Python**](https://youtu.be/6tNS--WetLI?si=kdo0WWNQD6KhiYvX) - **Youtube**: Learn how to write unittest using the unittest module.

### 🧠 Key Concepts:
- [**Introduction to Databases**](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/sql) - **Khan Academy**: Basics of SQL and database management.

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## 🟠 Intermediate Level

Explore more advanced backend topics such as server-side frameworks, database management, and API security.

### 🟠 Frameworks

Frameworks speed up backend development by providing pre-built components and tools. After mastering a language, learning a framework is your next step. Each framework has its strengths and is suitable for different use cases.

#### 🚀 **Flask (Python)** 
Flask is a lightweight web framework for Python that is simple but extensible, ideal for small projects or learning purposes.

- [**Flask Documentation**](https://flask.palletsprojects.com/) - Official Flask docs.
- [**Free Course**](https://www.udemy.com/course/python-flask-for-beginners/) - **Udemy**: Flask for Beginners: Build a simple Flask app from scratch.

#### 🚀 **Django (Python)**
Django is a high-level framework that includes many built-in features, such as authentication and an admin panel, making it perfect for building larger applications.

- [**Django Documentation**](https://www.djangoproject.com/) - Official Django docs.
- [**Udemy**](https://www.udemy.com/course/django-for-beginners/) - Django for Beginners.
- [**Youtube**](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-51WBLyFTg2vW-_6XBoUpE7vpmoR3ztO&si=YaYMe11Ob3PIGRJW) - Django 3 Crash Course Tutorials | *Customer Management App* - Dennis Ivy
- [**Youtube**](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEt8Tae2spYnEeJM9ZDgSrA5_7Cl3nLaI&si=zwRg34sD7hbsc7Ee) - Django for Absolute Beginners - Ssali Jonathan


##### 📖 Books
- *Django 4 By Example by Antonio Mele*
- *Django 5 By Example by Antonio Mele*

#### 🚀 **FastAPI (Python)**
FastAPI is a modern, fast (high-performance) framework for building APIs with Python, ideal for asynchronous applications.

- [**FastAPI Documentation**](https://fastapi.tiangolo.com/) - Official FastAPI docs.
- [**Youtube**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t2alSnE2-I) - FastAPI Crash Course.
- [**Youtube**](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEt8Tae2spYnHy378vMlPH--87cfeh33P&si=qkA-Z1oQKjLWPTEk) - FastAPI Beyond CRUD.

#### 🚀 **Express (Node.js)**
Express is a minimalist web framework for Node.js, making it a popular choice for building APIs and single-page applications.

- [**Express Documentation**](https://expressjs.com/) - Official Express docs.
- [**Youtube**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L72fhGm1tfE) - Express.js Crash Course.
- [**Youtube**](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu71SKxNbfoBGh_8p_NS-ZAh6v7HhYqHW&si=QiZZPLGMXev4p7t2) - JavaScript Backend | Hindi

### 🔴 Libraries

Libraries provide reusable code for solving common backend problems like authentication, data validation, and more.

#### 🛠 **Django REST Framework (DRF)**
DRF is a powerful toolkit for building Web APIs in Django, making it easier to handle common API features like authentication, throttling, and serialization.

- [**DRF Documentation**](https://www.django-rest-framework.org/) - Official DRF docs.
- [**Paid Course**](https://codewithmosh.com/p/the-ultimate-django-series) - The Ultimate Django Series
From zero to hero: Learn to build fast and secure APIs with Django and MySQL.
- [**Building RESTful APIs with Django REST Framework**](https://www.udemy.com/course/django-rest-framework/) - **Udemy**: Advanced API development using Django.

##### 📖 Books
- *Django for APIs: Build Web APIs with Python and Django by William S Vincent*

#### 🛠 **SQLAlchemy (Python)**
SQLAlchemy is a popular Python library for SQL databases, giving you tools to handle database migrations and relationships in a Pythonic way.

- [**SQLAlchemy Documentation**](https://www.sqlalchemy.org/) - Official SQLAlchemy docs.

#### 🛠 **Mongoose**
Mongoose is an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library for MongoDB and Node.js, providing a schema-based solution for application data.

- [**Mongoose Documentation**](https://mongoosejs.com/) - Official Mongoose docs.

#### ⬢ **Node.js**
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows you to build scalable and efficient backend applications, ideal for handling asynchronous operations and real-time data.

- [**Intermediate Node.js**](https://www.udemy.com/course/understanding-nodejs/) - **Udemy**: Dive deeper into Node.js and its ecosystem.


### 📚 Courses & Tutorials:
- [**Securing APIs**](https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/securing-restful-apis) - **Pluralsight**: Best practices for API security.
- [**Docker Handbook**](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/the-docker-handbook/) - Intro to Docker and containerization.
- [**Understand Django: Beginner to Intermediate Guide**](https://www.mattlayman.com/understand-django/) - A comprehensive guide to learning Django.
- [**The Ultimate Git Course**](https://codewithmosh.com/p/the-ultimate-git-course) - **CodeWithMosh**: Everything you need to know to use Git & GitHub to work effectively as a team.
  
### 🧠 Key Concepts:
- [**System Design Handbook**](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/systems-design-for-interviews/) - Guide to system design principles.
- [**Middleware in Express.js**](https://expressjs.com/en/guide/using-middleware.html) - Express Docs: Middleware usage in Express.
- [**JWT Authentication**](https://jwt.io/introduction/) - JSON Web Tokens for authentication.
- [**RESTful API Basics**](https://restfulapi.net/) - Overview of RESTful API principles.
- [**Basic Authentication and Authorization**](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Authentication) - MDN Web Docs: Basics of authentication and authorization.
  
### 📚 Resources
- [**Awesome Django**](https://github.com/wsvincent/awesome-django) - Curated collection of essential resources for Django.
- [**Built with Django**](https://builtwithdjango.com/blog/) - Blog for Django tips and best practices.
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## 🔴 Advanced Level

At this level, you’ll explore in-depth backend topics such as advanced data modeling, microservices architecture, containerization with Docker, CI/CD workflows, and system design. This section will prepare you for scalable and production-ready applications.

### 📚 Courses & Tutorials:
- [**Database Performance Tuning**](https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/database-performance-tuning) - **Pluralsight**: Strategies for optimizing database performance.
- [**The Ultimate Docker Course**](https://codewithmosh.com/p/the-ultimate-docker-course) - **CodeWithMosh**: Everything you need to master Docker in one clear, concise, and practical course
- [**The Ultimate Design Pattern Series**](https://codewithmosh.com/p/design-patterns) - **CodeWithMosh**: Learn to write maintainable and extensible code. Become a senior software engineer.
- [**System Design Playlist**](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMCXHnjXnTnvo6alSjVkgxV-VH6EPyvoX&si=yVaGqcr77fUaqBE1) - **Youtube**: This series covers essential system design topics like load balancing, microservices, and NoSQL, with video lectures, architecture diagrams, and practical evaluations for real-world application.
  
### 🧠 Key Concepts:
- [**Microservices Architecture**](https://microservices.io/) - Comprehensive guide to microservices.
- [**20 System Design Concepts Explained in 10 Minutes**](https://youtu.be/i53Gi_K3o7I?si=80IKVI0wYJsMqbNL) - A brief overview of 20 system design concept.
  
### 📖 Books
- **Designing Web APIs that Developers Love by Brenda Jin, Saurabh Sahni & Amir Shevat**
- **Django Design Patterns and Best Practices by Arun Ravindran**

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## 🛠 Tools and Resources

Equip yourself with these must-have tools for backend development:

- ![Postman](https://img.shields.io/badge/-Postman-orange?logo=postman) - API testing and development tool.
- ![Docker](https://img.shields.io/badge/-Docker-blue?logo=docker) - Containerization platform.
- ![GitHub Actions](https://img.shields.io/badge/-GitHub%20Actions-181717?logo=github-actions) - CI/CD workflows for your projects.
- [**pgAdmin**](https://www.pgadmin.org/) - GUI tool for managing PostgreSQL databases.
- [**RapidAPI**](https://rapidapi.com/products/vs-code-rapidapi-client/) - A seamless, connected experience to design, develop, test, and monitor APIs in your favorite IDE.
- [**Thunder Client**](https://www.thunderclient.com/) - Lightweight REST API client for testing APIs.
- [**Mailtrap**](https://mailtrap.io/) - Email testing tool to capture and inspect emails sent from your application.

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## 📅 Project Management and Collaboration Tools

Stay organized and collaborate effectively with these essential tools:

- [**Jira**](https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira) - Powerful project management tool for agile teams.
- [**Trello**](https://trello.com/) - Visual project management tool to organize tasks and projects.
- [**Live Share**](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/services/live-share/) - Collaborative coding tool for Visual Studio Code, enabling real-time collaboration.
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## 🌍 Communities
- [**Django Africa**](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D5O7Ef51xEDEhuns8hClaI)
- [**Developers of Value**](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BY8mLdHaD81BqpgCmwumbU)
- [**Django Discord Community**](https://discord.com/invite/xcRH6mN4fa)
- [**MLH Discord Community**](https://discord.com/invite/mlh)

## 🤝 Contribute

Want to add a resource? Contributions are welcome! Please check out the [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md) file for guidelines on how to contribute.

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Feel free to explore and share with your community! 🚀
