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Backend

A dictionary of terms related to the server side of applications, APIs, backend frameworks, performance and web infrastructure.

Backend fundamentals

Backend is the server-side layer of an application responsible for business logic, data processing, integrations, security and communication with databases and external services. It covers technologies, patterns and tools that users do not see directly, but that are essential to how IT systems work.

Technology scope

Backend includes languages, frameworks and runtimes used to build APIs, web applications and server-side services. Popular technologies include ASP.NET, Node.js, Laravel, Symfony, Spring Boot, Express.js, Flask, Ruby on Rails, CakePHP, CodeIgniter, Phalcon, Phoenix, Yii Framework and Zend Framework.

Infrastructure and performance components also play an important role, including Nginx, PHP-FPM, reverse proxy, middleware, cron job, OPcache, Varnish Cache, Cache-Control, Brotli, Gzip, HTTP/2, HTTP/3 and QUIC.

Role in IT projects

Backend determines the stability, scalability and security of an application. This is where data operations, authorization, session handling, payment integrations, background job processing and business process logic are implemented.

A well-designed backend layer supports product development, frontend integration, process automation and high system performance under load.

Backend-related roles

Backend developer
PHP developer
Node.js developer
Java developer
.NET developer
Python developer
Ruby developer
API developer
DevOps engineer
Software engineer

Keywords

Language versions

Alphabetical filter

Dictionary entries

31 results

ASP.NET

BackendEN

ASP.NET

ASP.NET Core

ASP.NET is Microsoft’s open platform for building fast, secure and scalable web applications within the .NET ecosystem.

Backend

Backend, Basic Terms and AcronymsEN

Backend

Application back end

The backend is the server-side part of a website or application responsible for business logic, data processing, databases, security and integrations.

Backend developer

BackendEN

Backend developer

Backend engineer

A backend developer builds the technical foundation of websites, online stores and applications. They work with business logic, databases, APIs, integrations, security and server-side processes.

Brotli

Backend, Website developmentEN

Brotli

Brotli Compression

Brotli is a lossless data compression algorithm that reduces web file sizes and speeds up delivery to the browser.

Cache-Control

Backend, Website developmentEN

Cache-Control

Cache-Control HTTP header

Cache-Control is an HTTP header that defines how browsers, proxy servers and CDNs should store and reuse website resources.

CakePHP

Backend, Website developmentEN

CakePHP

CakePHP Framework

CakePHP is an open-source PHP framework based on MVC that accelerates the development of secure, scalable and well-structured web applications.

CodeIgniter

BackendEN

CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter PHP Framework

CodeIgniter is a lightweight, high-performance PHP framework for building dynamic web applications, web services and backend systems.

Cron job

BackendEN

Cron job

Cron task, scheduled task

A cron job is an automated server task launched according to a defined schedule. It is used for backups, data synchronization, report delivery and recurring script execution.

Express.js

BackendEN

Express.js

Express

Express.js is a minimalist, flexible Node.js framework for building web applications, HTTP servers and scalable APIs.

Flask

BackendEN

Flask

Flask Python microframework

Flask is a lightweight and flexible Python microframework for building web applications, APIs, prototypes and microservices.

FuelPHP

BackendEN

FuelPHP

FuelPHP framework

FuelPHP is a flexible PHP framework for building scalable web applications, known for its modularity, HMVC architecture and intuitive development approach.

Gzip

BackendEN

Gzip

GNU zip

Gzip is a lossless data compression method that reduces the size of text files and speeds up website delivery.

HTTP/2

BackendEN

HTTP/2

Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2

HTTP/2 is a modern version of the HTTP protocol that improves communication between browsers and servers through multiplexing, header compression and binary transmission.

HTTP/3

BackendEN

HTTP/3

HTTP version 3

HTTP/3 is a modern version of the HTTP protocol that uses QUIC instead of TCP. It enables faster connections, lower latency and more stable websites, especially on mobile networks.

Laravel

BackendEN

Laravel

Laravel PHP framework

Laravel is a modern PHP framework for building scalable web applications, online stores, SaaS platforms and custom CMS solutions.

Memcached

Backend, DatabasesEN

Memcached

Memcached cache

Memcached is an open-source distributed caching solution that stores data in RAM to accelerate applications and reduce database load.

Middleware

BackendEN

Middleware

Middleware software

Middleware is a software layer that mediates communication between applications, services, operating systems and databases.

Nginx

BackendEN

Nginx

Nginx server, engine-x

Nginx is a high-performance HTTP server and reverse proxy that serves static content, forwards requests to applications, balances traffic and supports secure HTTPS connections.

Node.js

BackendEN

Node.js

JavaScript runtime environment

Node.js is an open-source, server-side JavaScript runtime used to build fast, scalable web applications and backend services.

OPcache

BackendEN

OPcache

Zend OPcache

OPcache is a PHP mechanism that stores compiled script code in server memory, reducing response times and CPU usage.

Phalcon

BackendEN

Phalcon

Phalcon PHP Framework

Phalcon is a high-performance PHP framework written in C and delivered as a PHP extension. It enables the development of fast, scalable web applications with low server resource usage.

Phoenix

BackendEN

Phoenix

Phoenix Framework

Phoenix is a modern web framework for Elixir, designed to build fast, scalable and reliable web applications, including real-time systems.

PHP-FPM

Backend, Servers and HostingEN

PHP-FPM

PHP FastCGI Process Manager

PHP-FPM is a FastCGI-based PHP process manager that improves the performance, stability and scalability of web applications.

QUIC

Backend, Servers and HostingEN

QUIC

Quick UDP Internet Connections

QUIC is a modern UDP-based transport protocol that reduces connection setup time, improves security and provides the foundation for HTTP/3.

Reverse proxy

BackendEN

Reverse proxy

Reverse proxy server

A reverse proxy is an intermediary server that receives client requests and forwards them to the appropriate backend servers. It improves security, enables load balancing, SSL termination and content caching.