A basic guide into the Back-End Software Developer technology stacks

May 29, 2021

Software Engineering is defined as “the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software; that is, the application of engineering to software” (Fenton, N., Pfleeger, S., Glass, R, 1994). It should be noted, for organisations to attract and retain talent, they must ensure the tools, programming languages, and technologies align with their work but also, organisations are invested in educating them in the latest technology trends. Productive developers could help reduce costs, increase profits, and improve product quality. Retaining talent is especially important because high turnover introduces challenges with software quality when important knowledge is lost (P. C. Rigby, Y. C. Zhu, S. M. Donadelli, and A. Mockus, 2016). In this blog, I will be discussing the basic technology stacks back end Software Engineers use to build applications.


Programming Language


A programming language is a formal language comprising of a set of instructions that produce various kinds of output. Programming languages are used in computer programming to implement algorithms. Most programming languages consist of instructions for computers. Examples include Java, .NET, Python, C#, etc.


Framework and Libraries


A web framework (WF) or web application framework (WAF) is a software framework that is designed to support the development of web applications including web services, web resources, and web APIs. Web frameworks provide a standard way to build and deploy web applications on the World Wide Web. Web frameworks aim to automate the overhead associated with common activities performed in web development. For example, many web frameworks provide libraries for database access, templating frameworks, and session management, and they often promote code reuse. Examples include Spring Boot, Django, ASP.Net Core, etc.


Testing Tools


Software testing can be defined as products that support various test activities starting from planning, requirement gathering, build creation, test execution, defect logging and test analysis. Back-end testing elements include testing the Database, API’s and Servers. These testing tools are mainly used for testing software firmness, thoroughness, and other performance parameters. The most popular tool used for API testing is SOAPUI.


Database


Open source databases are free community databases with the source code available to the general public to use and may be modified or used in their original design. Popular examples of open source databases include MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB.


Integrated Development Environment (IDE)


An integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of at least a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. For example, Python IDE’s can include IDLE, PyCharm, Eclipse, etc.


CI/CD


Continuous delivery (CD) is to package and deploy what CI is to build and test. Teams practicing CD can build, configure, and package software and orchestrate its deployment in such a way that it can be released to production in a software-defined manner (low cost, high automation) at any time. For example, Maven is a dependency management and build automation tool from the Apache Software Foundation. Based on the concept of a project object model (POM), Maven can manage a project’s build, reporting and documentation from a central piece of information.


Monitoring and Logging


Logging is a method of tracking and storing data to ensure application availability and to assess the impact of state transformations on performance. Monitoring is a diagnostic tool used for alerting DevOps to system-related issues by analysing metrics.


Cloud Platform


Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a secure cloud services platform, offering computer power, database storage, content delivery and other functionality to help businesses scale and grow. Running web and application servers in the cloud to host dynamic websites.


Servers


A server is a software or hardware device that accepts and responds to requests made over a network. The device that makes the request, and receives a response from the server, is called a client. On the Internet, the term "server" commonly refers to the computer system that receives requests for a web files and sends those files to the client. Application Server examples include IBM, Tomcat, Oracle WebLogic, etc.


Version control


Version control, also known as source control, is the practice of tracking and managing changes to software code. Version control systems are software tools that help software teams manage changes to source code over time. The best version control systems include GitHub, GitLab, Beanstalk, Apache Subversion, etc.

By Mimi Petrakis May 1, 2025
Hiring IT Web Developers on Contract is a Smart Move for Your Transformation and Security Projects
A man is sitting at a desk in an office holding an ipad.
By Mimi Petrakis March 31, 2025
In the fast-evolving IT and digital industry, organisations must constantly adapt to new technologies, processes, and strategies to remain competitive. A Change Manager plays a critical role in ensuring these transitions are smooth, effective, and embraced by all stakeholders.
By Mimi Petrakis February 28, 2025
As the IT & digital industry continues to evolve, staying informed on salary trends and employment dynamics is crucial for both professionals and businesses. Last month, Peoplebank’s highly anticipated February 2025 Salary Guide was released, offering comprehensive salary insights, job market analysis , and hiring trends to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of IT & digital employment in Australia. Key Insights from the Peoplebank Salary Guide 2025 Our latest salary guide delivered state-by-state salary benchmarks for various IT & digital roles, providing clarity for job seekers, hiring managers, and industry leaders. It also includes expert insights from Peoplebank specialists, highlighting the latest employment trends shaping the industry. “Our Salary Guide reflects the major challenges and opportunities within the dynamic IT & digital industry. The guide serves as a critical resource for stakeholders, providing insights into commercial realities as the year begins and empowering both talent managers and IT & digital professionals to make informed strategic decisions aligned with the current market.” Tim Moran, Executive General Manager, Peoplebank and Leaders IT What’s Trending in the IT & Digital Job Market? Job Market Stability : The number of professionals changing jobs has continued to decline since 2024, with a rise in job tenure. This suggests a growing emphasis on job security and long-term career planning in the IT sector. Contractor Rates & Permanent Roles : A softening of contractor rates indicates a shift in preference towards permanent employment, reflecting a changing job market dynamic. Talent Development Focus : Companies are prioritising in-house talent development , tailoring skills to meet their specific organisational needs rather than solely relying on external hires. Most In-Demand Roles : Software Engineers are in high demand as businesses invest in AI, automation, and cloud-based solutions to accelerate digital transformation. Solutions Architects are increasingly sought after to design scalable, efficient, and secure IT infrastructures that support evolving business needs. Download the Full Salary Guide Understanding salary trends, hiring patterns, and emerging job market shifts can give you a competitive edge—whether you’re an IT professional planning your next career move or a business seeking top digital talent. Download the full Peoplebank Salary Guide now to access the latest insights and ensure you're staying ahead in the IT & digital industry.
An older woman working in tech faces the camera in the boardroom men are working on tablets in the background
February 2, 2025
As we wrap up the first month of 2025 what have our experts learned? Peoplebank Account Manager Elizabeth Fairweather shares her thoughts and predicts the trends to come
By Mimi Petrakis December 31, 2024
What's ahead for 2025?
By Mimi Petrakis November 7, 2024
Your resume is the first thing a potential employer will see from you. Make sure you take time planning and thinking about your resume.
Blue tile with white text that shows the new Leaders IT and Peoplebank logos and title 'a new look'
By Mimi Petrakis November 1, 2024
Peoplebank and Leaders IT: A fresh look for a new era in recruitment
A poster for navigating the current it job market
September 4, 2024
Read about Navigating the Current IT Job Market: Strategies for Success Amidst Uncertainty from Peoplebank
A group of people are working on a project together.
By Mimi Petrakis July 13, 2024
Read about “How do I Ask for a Reference?” Your Key to Landing the Perfect Role from Peoplebank
A group of people are sitting at a table with laptops.
By Mimi Petrakis June 5, 2024
Read about Career CUSP: Empowering Talent & Employers from Peoplebank
More Posts