Developer learning domain

Backend Development Learning Path & Roadmap

Build server-side applications with APIs, relational databases, testing, secure coding, Node.js, PHP/Laravel, Python/Django, Java/Spring Boot, or C#/.NET.

See the learning order Browse 16 paths

Dependency-aware sequence

Recommended Learning Order

Start with foundations, then move through the paths in an order that matches their prerequisite level.

1
SQL and Relational Databases
Design a relational schema, write reliable queries, update data safely, use transactions, and diagnose common correctness and performance problems.
Open path
2
HTTP and APIs
Trace HTTP requests and responses, use common methods and status codes, work with JSON APIs, handle authentication, and diagnose communication failures.
Open path
3
Software Testing Fundamentals
Design useful tests, separate unit and integration concerns, test error behavior, recognize unreliable tests, and create a balanced test strategy.
Open path
4
Secure Coding Fundamentals
Identify trust boundaries, validate untrusted input, protect credentials, apply authentication and authorization safely, and reduce common risks.
Open path
5
Node.js and Express
Build, validate, test, secure, and deploy a database-backed HTTP API with Node.js and Express.
Open path
6
PHP Fundamentals
Write, organize, debug, and test PHP programs that process input, work with arrays and files, handle web requests, use sessions, and access a database.
Open path
7
Modern PHP Web Development
Build a framework-free PHP web application with Composer, routing, controllers, templates, PDO, authentication, validation, testing, and secure configuration.
Open path
8
Laravel Development
Build, test, secure, and deploy a database-backed Laravel application using routing, Blade, Eloquent, validation, authorization, queues, and APIs.
Open path
9
Python Fundamentals
Build, test, and debug useful Python programs with clear control flow, reusable functions, structured data, files, exceptions, packages, and classes.
Open path
10
Python Automation
Automate safe, repeatable workflows involving files, structured data, spreadsheets, web requests, reports, scheduling, logging, and recovery.
Open path
11
Building APIs with Python
Build, validate, test, secure, and deploy a Python HTTP API with structured routes, persistence, authentication, reliability controls, and containers.
Open path
12
Django Web Development
Build a database-backed Django application with templates, models, forms, authentication, permissions, tests, and production deployment.
Open path
13
Java Fundamentals
Build, organize, test, and debug Java applications using modern language features, collections, object-oriented design, files, exceptions, and tests.
Open path
14
Spring Boot Development
Build, secure, test, containerize, observe, and deploy a Spring Boot API with controllers, services, persistence, validation, and authentication.
Open path
15
C# Fundamentals
Build, organize, test, and debug C# applications using modern .NET types, classes, records, LINQ, files, asynchronous work, and automated tests.
Open path
16
ASP.NET Core Development
Build, secure, test, containerize, monitor, and deploy an ASP.NET Core application with routing, services, persistence, validation, and authorization.
Open path

Structured curriculum

Learning Paths in This Domain

Foundation · 30 hours

SQL and Relational Databases

Design a relational schema, write reliable queries, update data safely, use transactions, and diagnose common correctness and performance problems.

View path

Foundation · 30 hours

HTTP and APIs

Trace HTTP requests and responses, use common methods and status codes, work with JSON APIs, handle authentication, and diagnose communication failures.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Software Testing Fundamentals

Design useful tests, separate unit and integration concerns, test error behavior, recognize unreliable tests, and create a balanced test strategy.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Secure Coding Fundamentals

Identify trust boundaries, validate untrusted input, protect credentials, apply authentication and authorization safely, and reduce common risks.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Node.js and Express

Build, validate, test, secure, and deploy a database-backed HTTP API with Node.js and Express.

View path

Foundation · 30 hours

PHP Fundamentals

Write, organize, debug, and test PHP programs that process input, work with arrays and files, handle web requests, use sessions, and access a database.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Modern PHP Web Development

Build a framework-free PHP web application with Composer, routing, controllers, templates, PDO, authentication, validation, testing, and secure configuration.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Laravel Development

Build, test, secure, and deploy a database-backed Laravel application using routing, Blade, Eloquent, validation, authorization, queues, and APIs.

View path

Foundation · 30 hours

Python Fundamentals

Build, test, and debug useful Python programs with clear control flow, reusable functions, structured data, files, exceptions, packages, and classes.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Python Automation

Automate safe, repeatable workflows involving files, structured data, spreadsheets, web requests, reports, scheduling, logging, and recovery.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Building APIs with Python

Build, validate, test, secure, and deploy a Python HTTP API with structured routes, persistence, authentication, reliability controls, and containers.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Django Web Development

Build a database-backed Django application with templates, models, forms, authentication, permissions, tests, and production deployment.

View path

Foundation · 30 hours

Java Fundamentals

Build, organize, test, and debug Java applications using modern language features, collections, object-oriented design, files, exceptions, and tests.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

Spring Boot Development

Build, secure, test, containerize, observe, and deploy a Spring Boot API with controllers, services, persistence, validation, and authentication.

View path

Foundation · 30 hours

C# Fundamentals

Build, organize, test, and debug C# applications using modern .NET types, classes, records, LINQ, files, asynchronous work, and automated tests.

View path

Practitioner · 40 hours

ASP.NET Core Development

Build, secure, test, containerize, monitor, and deploy an ASP.NET Core application with routing, services, persistence, validation, and authorization.

View path

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