When you click on most backend development tutorials, they often teach you what To do, no A way of thinking.
This is why many developers only realize their mistakes when they start building.
So, how does one actually think like a backend developer? Before answering that, let’s start with the basics: What exactly is backend development?
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What is backend development?
Back-end development is the foundation of most web and mobile applications. It focuses on everything that happens behind the scenes, from processing logic and handling data to connecting to databases and APIs.
While it’s true that back-end developers create APIs that communicate with the front-end, the task goes far beyond that. The backend is where data is validated, stored, stored and retrieved.
In short, back-end development is about systems that ensure data integrity, performance and scalability.
Backend developers are the ones responsible for designing and maintaining these systems. They ensure that every customer request is processed efficiently and securely.
Now, how does the Django REST Framework (DRF) fit into all of this?
Why Django Rest Framework?
A beginner-friendly tutorial should use a tool that:
Teaches good structure
Encourages best practices
Hides unnecessary complexity
Backend helps you learn the basics properly
That’s why this guide is used Django Rest Framework (DRF). Here’s how it compares to other popular Python frameworks.
Flask
Flask is a lightweight and flexible micro-framework. This is great for small projects, but:
You have to configure everything manually (routing, JSON handling, database handling).
You need extra libraries for authentication, validation, or serialization.
Beginners often create unstructured projects because Flask does not enforce architecture.
Flask teaches freedom, not structure.
Fastpy
FastPy is modern, fast and Async first. However:
This assumes you already understand the APIs.
This requires a deep understanding of Python’s type notation.
The ecosystem is still growing.
Beginners may not understand its basic concepts (dependency injection, async IO).
Fastpy teaches speed, not fundamentals.
Django Rest Framework
DRF is ideal for beginners because:
It sits on top of Django, a very stable full-stack framework.
It encourages good architecture from day one.
It handles serialization, authentication, routing, authentication, and permissions for you.
It gives you structure instead of chaos.
Bottom line: DRF can help you learn how backend systems work from scratch.
How to Think Like a Backend Developer
Thinking like a backend developer isn’t about memorizing code. It’s about learning to see the big picture, how data moves, how logic flows, and how to build systems that work reliably and can scale.
Backward thinking can be summarized in six main principles:
1. Think in systems, not lines of code
Many beginners focus on writing code that works for one feature. A backend developer thinks about the entire system.
Analogy: Imagine a factory. Each machine (function or endpoint) performs a task, but the factory only works efficiently if each machine is properly organized and communicates properly.
Example: When a user submits a form to create a task:
The request reaches the server.
Validates background data.
The backend stores it in the database.
The backend sends a response to the user.
A backend developer doesn’t write a function just to save data. They ask:
Where should this logic live – the view, the serializer, or the service layer?
How will the data be validated and cleaned?
How will the system scale if thousands of users submit work simultaneously?
Seeing the system first makes code predictable, maintainable, and extensible.
2. Separate Concerns – Keep things organized
It’s about hindsight Structure. Each piece of code should have a clear responsibility:
Models: Store and describe your data
Serializer: Convert the data to a format that the client understands (eg JSON)
Thoughts: Apply business logic and respond to requests
Why it matters: Without separation, code becomes messy and difficult to debug. You may find yourself confusing database queries with validation or formatting, which later leads to errors.
Simple analogy: Think of a restaurant.
Chef Produces food (model/data).
Waiter Delivers food to customers in a serviceable manner (serializer).
The manager Decides who receives and handles special requests (view/logic).
Each character is separate but connected. So is the code behind the backend developers structure.
3. Anticipate problems before they happen
Backend developers don’t just code for today. He Think ahead:
What if the user sends wrong data?
What if two users try to edit the same record at the same time?
How will the system handle millions of requests in the future?
Example: If a user tries to create a task without a header, an initializer may cause it to crash. A backend developer writes validation rules to catch this and return an explicit error message.
Rule of thumb: always ask, “What could go wrong here?” And design your code to handle gracefully.
4. Make your code predictable and readable
Backend development is imminent Writing code for humans, not just computers.
Thus, Anyone can pick up your code and decipher itIncluding your future self.
Indications: A backend system that is easy to read and predict makes it easy to debug, extend and scale.
5. Think in Application → Logic → Response Cycle
Each backend process fits this pattern:
Application: Sends client data.
Logic: The server validates, executes and decides what to do.
Answer: The server sends the data back in a structured way.
Example: The user creates a task:
Application:
{ "title": "Learn DRF" }Logic: Check title is not empty → Save to database → Mark completely completed
FalseAnswer:
{ "id": 1, "title": "Learn DRF", "completed": false }
Thinking in this cycle makes debugging and designing systems intuitive.
6. Practice thinking like a backend developer
Questions to ask before coding: “Where should this logic live? How will it affect other parts of the system?”
Break problems into steps: Don’t just code the solution; Code the process.
Imagine the data flow: Create a diagram from the user application to the database and back.
Learn by doing: Make small projects and consider the role of each component.
Watch Andy Harris’ video on how to think like a programmer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azcrpfhay9k
Now that you understand how backend developers think, let’s walk through setting up a real backend environment using the Django REST framework.
How to Install Django Rest Framework
Here’s how to get the Django REST framework running on your machine from scratch.
Step 1: Install Python
Make sure you have it Python 3.8+ Install You can check if Python is installed with this command:
python --version
If it is not installed, download it Official Python documentation.
Step 2: Create a project folder
Choose a location on your computer and create a folder for your project:
mkdir my_drf_project
cd my_drf_project
It keeps all your files organized in one place.
Step 3: Create the virtual environment
A virtual environment isolates your project dependencies from other projects.
Create a virtual environment:
python -m venv venv
Next, activate it. For Windows (PowerShell):
.\venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
For Mac/Linux:
source venv/bin/activate
You’ll know it’s active when your terminal prompt starts (venv).
Step 4: Install Django
Now install Django inside the virtual environment:
pip install django
Check that Django is installed:
python -m django --version
Step 5: Create a Django project
Create a new Django project:
django-admin startproject core .
. In the end it means “create project here.” Run the server to make sure it works:
python manage.py runserver
See You should see the Django Welcome page in your browser.
Step 6: Install the Django Rest Framework
Install DRF using PIP:
pip install djangorestframework
Step 7: Add DRF to Install Apps
open core/settings.py And find INSTALLED_APPS Add list:
'rest_framework',
It should look like this:
INSTALLED_APPS = (
'django.contrib.admin',
'django.contrib.auth',
'django.contrib.contenttypes',
'django.contrib.sessions',
'django.contrib.messages',
'django.contrib.staticfiles',
'rest_framework',
)
Step 8: Run the initial migration
Set up your database:
python manage.py migrate
Create a super user to access the admin panel:
python manage.py createsuperuser
Follow the prompts for username, email and password.
Step 9: Start the server
Restart your development server:
python manage.py runserver
See:
Now you have Django + DRF installed and ready for API development.
Step 10: Verify DRF Installation
The easiest way to verify that the Django REST framework has been installed correctly is to create a very small test API. Each part of the setup helps you verify that DRF is working end-to-end.
Create a new app:
python manage.py startapp api
It creates a api Folder where you will place your test model, serializer and view. Adding to it INSTALLED_APPS Tells Django to recognize the new app.
Add to that INSTALLED_APPS:
'api',
Make a simple one models.py i api App:
from django.db import models
class Task(models.Model):
title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
completed = models.BooleanField(default=False)
This model represents a basic task with a title and completion status. Creating even a simple model allows you to test whether DRF can serialize and expose database objects as API responses.
Run the migration:
python manage.py makemigrations
python manage.py migrate
These commands create and apply database tables Task Model. Without migration, DRF would have nothing to retrieve and serialize.
Create a serializer (api/serializers.py):
from rest_framework import serializers
from .models import Task
class TaskSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Task
fields = '__all__'
A serializer replaces you Task model in JSON so that it can be returned as an API response. This step verifies that DRF’s serializer tools are working.
create a view (api/views.py):
from rest_framework import viewsets
from .models import Task
from .serializers import TaskSerializer
class TaskViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
queryset = Task.objects.all()
serializer_class = TaskSerializer
ModelViewSet Automatically creates CRUD API endpoints for your model. If it loads correctly, it means that DRF’s generic views and views are working.
String it to URLS (core/urls.py):
from django.urls import path, include
from rest_framework.routers import DefaultRouter
from api.views import TaskViewSet
router = DefaultRouter()
router.register('tasks', TaskViewSet)
urlpatterns = (
path('admin/', admin.site.urls),
path('api/', include(router.urls)),
)
A router generates routes /api/tasks/ If routing works for you, DRF is properly integrated into your Django project.
Test the API by visiting:
api/tasks/
If everything is configured correctly, you will see a browseable API of the Django REST framework. This verifies that DRF is installed, that your project recognizes it, and that it can serialize and return data successfully.
Backend developer mindset
When writing backend code, your goal isn’t just to build something work; It is predictable, scalable and maintainable.
Professional backend developers focus on:
More predictability than cleverness – Code should be clear to others.
Separation of concerns – Keep logic, data, and presentation layers separate.
Validation – Never trust user input. Always validate.
Consistency – Stick to naming conventions and reusable patterns.
This mindset is what sets the backs apart Coders from behind Engineers.
Beginners make mistakes Beginners make mistakes
Writing a lot of logic in ideas: Keep thoughts light. Move business logic to services or serializers.
Bypass authentication: Always specify validation rules in your serializers.
Not planning for scalability: Even small projects grow. Build the way you expect more users.
Further reading
How to create a REST API in Django
What is serialization?
REST API Best Practices – Rest Endpoint Design Examples
The result
Thinking like a backend developer isn’t about memorizing syntax. It’s about understanding how systems behave.
When you start reasoning through requests, logic, and reactions, you start to see the bigger picture, and that’s when you stop writing code and start building systems.
With the Django REST framework, this process becomes easier, cleaner and more intuitive.
Build smaller APIs and gradually add features as you continue to learn. The more you understand how data flows through a system, the more naturally the lateral thinking will come.