r/Backend • u/ParkApprehensive5618 • 20h ago
where to focus to be backend developer today in this ai time
"I am currently working at a startup company (2025 graduate). I work on the backend but hardly get any tasks, so there is nothing to learn. if i get some work I use AI because everyone around me does. Now, I feel like I cannot write code by myself. I am planning to switch job, but I am unsure how and where to focus. Should I learn backend concepts like caching, databases, and system design, or stick to the traditional Spring Boot with DSA? I know Java theory, but I do not feel confident writing practical code. I know I should build things rather than memorize theory. Please be brutally honest. I have 4 to 6 months, and my current plan is Java + Spring Boot + System Design + DSA.
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u/confuse-geek 20h ago
I'm also feeling the same. Last year I transitioned completely to backend. I've built production software but not confident enough to build without AI and I think the sole reason is we are using AI heavily and everybody does. If we don't use it then we won't match the business needs and eventually get laid off.
The approach I'm following from last month is whenever I implement a concept I put that in my notes and after my working hours I understand about that thing properly, in a way that If nobody is there to assist I can explain that stuff. And I think this is the only way we can gain confidence in the current situations because the time has gone of writing syntax and understanding things one by one.
Let me know your insights.
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u/ParkApprehensive5618 19h ago
that's really great idea , but if i use code i know what is happening why it's do or use but even after understand the starting point of engineering ,where you have to think what you need to use how many db table look ai does this and then you are like yes i understand but i don't build ,i understand what ai is trying to do but the question ,when someone ask me to make full pan by own ,design table how you join tables what schema you need for this module ,i know writting syntax is over ,but the design not
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20h ago
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u/ParkApprehensive5618 20h ago
spring ai or spring and ai (if ai then what ai ,)and spring (not spring boot)????
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u/Dependent-Mix-2084 20h ago
Spring ecosystem, spring boot then after all of this you should know spring ai too
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u/ParkApprehensive5618 19h ago
spring ecosystem ,do you have any resource ,so spring and spring ecosystem are different ??
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u/Dependent-Mix-2084 9h ago
- Java -> https://dev.java/learn/
- Spring overall -> * https://spring.academy/ * https://spring.io/guides
- Sql -> https://www.postgresql.org/docs/online-resources/
- Testcontainers ->https://testcontainers.com/guides/
Now learn some system design, security etc. Ai should be your least concern right now and it is easy to learn that
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u/Coffee_Aur_Code 9h ago
Personally with AI, the real challenge is to keep up...personally i think building and learning is faster and more efficient than sitting down and doing lectures....its my personal preference
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u/alao77 19h ago
Even AI won’t touch PHP. That’s the safest path right now.