Hey everyone! I’m curious about what you’d look for in a backend developer who’s been in the field for about two years. What kind of skills and knowledge should they have? What tasks should they be able to handle on their own?
I know different companies might have different standards, but I’d love to hear your personal thoughts on this. Maybe you’ve worked with or managed someone at this level before?
Some things I’m wondering about:
- Proficiency in specific programming languages
- Understanding of databases and API design
- Familiarity with version control and deployment processes
- Ability to debug and optimize code
- Soft skills like communication and teamwork
Share your experiences and opinions! It would be great to get a range of perspectives on this. Thanks in advance for your input!
Hmm, interesting question! have you considered the impact of different tech stacks on skill expectations? like, a dev working with microservices might need different skills than one in a monolithic setup. what about cloud tech knowlege? curious to hear others’ thoughts on how company size affects expectations too. anyone wanna chime in?
From my experience, a backend developer with two years under their belt should demonstrate proficiency in handling more complex tasks independently. They ought to have a solid grasp of design patterns and be able to implement them effectively in their code. Performance optimization skills are crucial at this stage, including the ability to identify and resolve bottlenecks in database queries and API calls.
Security considerations should be at the forefront of their mind when developing, with a good understanding of common vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them. They should also be comfortable with unit testing and have some experience with integration testing.
In terms of infrastructure, familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker and basic cloud platform knowledge (AWS, Azure, or GCP) is increasingly important. The ability to participate in architectural discussions and contribute meaningful insights is also a valuable skill at this level of experience.
after 2 years, a backend dev should be comfortable with at least 1 language + framework, know basic db design/queries, and handle simple API endpoints. they should get git, CI/CD basics, and be able to troubleshoot common issues. soft skills are key too - communicating clearly, estimating tasks, and working in a team are musts.