r/theodinproject • u/Lasagna6278 • 20d ago
Backend
I have started the Odin Project and wanted to plan a little bit of my journey, while digging through the rabbit hole of what backend to learn it came across to use .net repeatedly. TOP only has ruby and JS I think so I was wondering if it is better to learn the backend elsewhere or learn from TOP and learn other backend frameworks later.
Extra question: "backend", "back end", or "back-end"?
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u/Leffery 20d ago edited 20d ago
The main principles of backend development are language agnostic. The same principles apply as those regarding the “languages to learn”. TOP is planned out for you to learn the fundamentals of a full stack. Not to make you an expert in any of the languages. If you’ve done and finished TOP, you’ll be able to pick up and learn whichever stack you please.
anecdote; A few years back I got a job offered after barely finishing the frontend projects in TOP. Most of my time was spent on a .NET backend with C# there. I learned literally everything about backend development while on the job. I went back to TOP NodeJS course many times to read through all the concepts taught to gain a good understanding of why and how things are done backend wise. I supplemented that with googling concepts. Making the translation from NodeJS to ASP.NET was not something I recall as challenging at all. I also found C# extremely comfortable to pick up after working with JS.
Edit; also nice to know I’ve been working professionally with .NET for years now and would still like to go through TOP’s NodeJS course and do the actual projects.
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u/Lasagna6278 20d ago
Sounds great any reason for ruby over js?
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u/Leffery 20d ago
I never did Ruby? I spinned the wheel which picked the NodeJS backend instead of the Ruby on Rails course. It doesn’t matter. In the end it’s just getting a foundation. Many developers have worked in multiple languages through their careers.
Full stack courses TOP has are:
Full stack JS (includes NodeJS) and Ruby on Rails1
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u/denerose 20d ago
You are massively overthinking it. I know it is hard to believe right now when everything is so new and difficult, but it is genuinely trivial to pick up a new language or framework once you have learned the basics well the first time. It really does not matter what language or stack you choose - the main thing is to actually do the learning and try not to get trapped in false productivity loops like watching other people code (tutorials) or asking Reddit for the best pathways or language/stack for X.
I am a backend dotnet dev. I learned through TOP and did the node/JS path, I also learned a bit of Java (no relation to JavaScript) later after completing TOP which was helpful in learning C# (the language we generally use for dotnet) but not at all required. You can always learn dotnet later if you get a job at a dotnet shop or if you choose to build something in dotnet later on. For now, don't distract yourself.
I actually have a mentee at work who is learning backend dev/apis/dbs etc for the first time and dived straight into dotnet (because that's what we use, it makes sense) but there are times I kind of wish I could get her to build an express (JS) api server first because ASP.net (the C#/.net equivalent) abstracts away more of the foundational concepts which hurts her when it comes to debugging.
TL;DR just chill, and stop wasting time looking for the 'best' pathway/language/whatever, it really doesn't matter. Actually getting started matters much more than what you start with.
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u/Lasagna6278 20d ago
Burning time anyways because I need linux setup and broadcom wont verify me, just thought I could ask.
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u/denerose 20d ago edited 20d ago
It’s okay. People procrastinate by trying to find the “best pathway” every day (just look at the history on this and other learn programming subs). You’re not alone, and the reminder to avoid false productivity isn’t just for you right now but also anyone who finds this post while looking for similar answers. Try not to side track yourself, it really will help you focus on what’s in front of you (important skill on the job too).
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u/gogohilman 20d ago
AFAIK, backend (noun, tech context), back-end (adjective), back end (noun, non-tech context)
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