What I Learned in Today’s Backend Engineering Class

Today’s session focused on the fundamentals of backend engineering and provided a clear understanding of how the internet works behind the scenes.

We began by exploring what happens when a website is opened. I learned about the client server model, where the browser sends a request, the server processes it, and a response is returned. This flow forms the foundation of all web applications.

The session also covered DNS and IP addresses. Domain names like google.com are converted into IP addresses, as systems communicate using numerical values such as 192.168.1.1. I also understood the difference between public and private IP addresses.

We were introduced to basic networking concepts, including subnetting and how devices communicate within a network through routers or gateways.

Another key topic was HTTP and HTTPS protocols, which are used for communication between client and server, with HTTPS providing secure data transmission.

We then learned about APIs and their role in enabling communication between frontend and backend systems. A key concept here was endpoints, which are specific URLs like /users or /login that handle different types of requests.

Additionally, we explored JSON as a standard data format and understood the use of HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.

The session also included hands on practice using tools like curl and Bruno to test APIs, which helped in understanding real time request and response behavior.

Overall, this class strengthened my understanding of backend fundamentals and provided a solid foundation for further learning in this area.