Backend Engineering and Database Systems

Study Notes

Backend Engineering Overview

Backend engineering focuses on the server-side logic and data management of an application.
It handles tasks such as data processing, storage, communication, and security.
This is in contrast to frontend engineering which handles the user interface.
Backend engineers often use programming languages including Python, Java, Ruby, Node.js, and Go.
Frameworks and libraries are frequently used to streamline the development process.

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

A database management system (DBMS) is software for interacting with databases.
It allows users to store, retrieve, modify and manage data efficiently.
Common DBMS examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Oracle.
Key characteristics of DBMS include data integrity, security and concurrency control.
Different DBMS types have varying data models including relational and NoSQL.

Relational Databases

Relational databases organize data into tables with predefined schemas.
Data is related through relationships between tables.
SQL (Structured Query Language) is used to interact with relational databases.
Key components include tables, rows, columns, primary keys, foreign keys, and indexes.
Relationships between tables enforce data integrity and structure, reducing data redundancy.

SQL (Structured Query Language)

SQL is a standard language for managing and manipulating relational databases.
It allows for querying, creating, updating and deleting data within database tables.
Common SQL commands include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, and DROP.
SQL commands can be used to retrieve specific information, add new data, modify existing data, and delete unwanted information.
Knowing SQL is crucial for database interaction and management.

NoSQL Databases

NoSQL databases offer flexible schemas and unstructured data storage.
They are suitable for handling large volumes of data with varying structures and formats.
Categories of NoSQL databases include document databases, key-value stores, wide-column stores, and graph databases.
NoSQL databases are often preferred for applications that generate large amounts of data with evolving data models, and rapidly growing data sets.
They offer higher scalability and flexibility than relational databases.

Backend and Database Interaction

Backend applications interact with DBMS to handle data operations.
Efficient database interactions are critical for application performance.
Developers often use object-relational mapping (ORM) tools to simplify database interactions with programming languages.
ORM tools map objects and classes in the application to tables and columns in the database.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) facilitate communication between backend and databases.

Database Design Considerations

Choosing the right database type depends on the application's needs.
Data modeling is important to understand the structure and relationships of data in the application.
Normalization is crucial to avoid data redundancy and improve data integrity in relational databases.
Database security is an essential consideration, often involving user authentication, authorization and encryption.

Data Security

Ensuring data security on the backend is critical.
Techniques like encryption, access control and authorization are necessary to protect sensitive data.
Data backups and recovery plans should be in place for data loss prevention.
Handling data breaches requires efficient and coordinated responses.

Database Performance

Performance tuning involves optimizing queries, indexing strategies, and server configuration.
Optimizing database performance is important for application responsiveness and user experience.
Database profiling and monitoring tools help identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
High-performance databases are crucial for applications handling significant user traffic and data.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of backend engineering, emphasizing server-side logic and data management. It also delves into database management systems (DBMS), exploring their functions, types, and key characteristics. Test your knowledge on these essential components of modern software development.