Starting backend developement, what to learn?

Hi,

I started learning PHP a while ago and coded some smaller web applications.
But I recently noticed that I probably need to lean some JS in order to improve the overall workflow of e.g. writing data to the DB, displaying it, filtering...

But I'm not sure how to start, learning the basics of JS and then some sort of framework, e.g. vue? But do I even need a framework?

And how would the overall structure of the app look like?
Writing a API in PHP and doing the rest in JS and sending the data to the API?

Thanks!

Comments

[Rishiraj Purohit]

being a senior backend developer in PHP I will recommend learning the core concepts, develop APIs , design databases.

In context to your question, mostly the flow is backend provides restful APIs and frontend calls (consumes) those APIs.

Once you are sure about backend and feel confident in core PHP, then and only then learn a MVC framework, laravel is popular nowadays. Can learn slim as well to start quick and easy

Do learn atleast some frontend as the opportunities will always require either knowledge of frontend or deep knowledge of backend.

So either, reactjs or data structures and algorithms

[Vanadir Strejthsson]

I guess this is a 'pick your poison type' question.

I don't really know what to suggest, but rather, stick to one language for the back-end, and then for the front-end, learn HTML, CSS, and JS.

• If you pick PHP, pick any reliable frameworks (Laravel or Symfony, you decide).

• If you pick JS, (node.js to be precise), then pick Express as it is the most commonly preferred.

But I recently noticed that I probably need to lean some JS in order to improve the overall workflow of e.g. writing data to the DB, displaying it, filtering...

Only if you use JS (node.js) as your back-end.

For the front-end, either:

• you go the old ways (html, bootstrap, jquery, any other things that could compliment the front-end); or
• learn SPA (Angular, React, or Vue which I think you've mistaken for a back-end framework when it is a front-end).

But I'm not sure how to start, learning the basics of JS and then some sort of framework, e.g. vue? But do I even need a framework?

If you want it as simple as possible, just learn JS and how it works (its quirks, its flaws, and its power).

And how would the overall structure of the app look like?
Writing a API in PHP and doing the rest in JS and sending the data to the API?

You (and I) will not know the overall structure, until you've started it. Sometimes when you plan on something, you just don't follow it midway. Just have fun writing code and it will pop up. But some foundations would be nice.

Hope this could help (although not sure...)