Why I started with the backend

When I decided to learn programming on my own, I didn’t start with “hello world” and then hop straight into building UIs. I went for the backend first—APIs, services, databases. It felt like the right place to understand how things actually work before worrying about pixels and layouts.

Backend work taught me how data moves, how to structure logic, and how to think in terms of requests and responses. Once I had that, adding a simple frontend or a CLI felt like a natural next step. I could focus on one layer at a time instead of juggling everything.

If you’re self-taught and not sure where to start, consider spending some time in the backend. You don’t need a CS degree—you need docs, a small project, and the patience to break things and fix them. APIs and services are a solid foundation; frontend, apps, and games can follow.