Backend development is evolving fast. Whether you're scaling a real-time chat application, diving into WebSockets, or building your own Python web framework, there's always something new to learn. I’ve written a collection of in-depth guides designed to help backend developers sharpen their skills and get hands-on with modern tools and patterns.
Each one is available as pay what you want. That means you can download it for free or chip in any amount if you find it valuable.
Here’s a look at the current collection.
Building a Lightweight Python Web Framework from Scratch (2025)
Want to know what really powers frameworks like Flask or FastAPI? This guide walks you through building your own minimal web framework using Python's standard library. You’ll learn how to implement routing, middleware, request parsing, and clean architecture principles step by step.
It's for developers who want to demystify their stack and understand exactly how things work under the hood.
Incorporating WebSockets with FastAPI Like a Pro (2025)
FastAPI supports WebSockets out of the box, but many developers only scratch the surface. This guide shows you how to use FastAPI for real-time apps like dashboards and chat systems.
You’ll learn about async connection handling, dependency injection in WebSocket routes, authentication, pub-sub integration, and building reliable real-time pipelines.
Mastering Real-Time Chat Applications Like a Pro (2025)
This guide breaks down how to design and deploy real-time messaging systems from scratch. You’ll explore architecture decisions, presence management, message delivery guarantees, and more.
Whether you’re building a messaging feature for an app or something more ambitious, this guide gives you the strategies and mental models to do it right.
Mastering Phoenix: A Practical Guide to Scalable, Secure, and Maintainable Applications (2025)
Phoenix is one of the fastest, most resilient web frameworks available, and it runs on the Elixir language and BEAM VM. This guide walks through everything you need to build reliable and scalable Phoenix apps, including contexts, channels, LiveView, and integration with Elixir OTP.
If you want to bring functional programming into your web projects, this is a great place to start.
Phoenix LiveView: The Pro’s Guide to Scalable Interfaces and UI Patterns (2025)
LiveView makes it possible to build real-time, reactive interfaces in Phoenix without writing JavaScript. This guide focuses on UI architecture, event handling, component structure, and performance optimization.
It’s a great complement to the core Phoenix guide, especially if you want to deliver responsive user experiences directly from the server.
Why Pay What You Want?
All of these guides are written for developers who want to learn by doing. Pay what you want means you’re free to explore without pressure. If something helps you, feel free to support it. If you’re just browsing or trying something new, take what you need.
You’re also welcome to share them with others or leave a review. More backend content is coming soon.
– Asher
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