backend-development

Design REST APIs by implementing OAuth 2.1 and JWT for authentication, applying OWASP Top 10 security practices, and structuring endpoints around resources. Use frameworks like NestJS, Express, or FastAPI to handle routing, middleware, and token validation efficiently.

Optimize queries through indexing, query analysis, and N+1 prevention; implement caching with Redis or in-memory strategies to reduce database load. Monitor query performance and cache hit rates to ensure scalability under production traffic.

Build microservices using containerization with Docker, orchestrate with Kubernetes, and establish CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment. Design services around business domains, implement inter-service communication via REST or gRPC, and add observability for monitoring.

Yes, GraphQL and gRPC are production-ready alternatives to REST. GraphQL excels at flexible queries and reducing over-fetching; gRPC provides high-performance binary communication for microservices. Choose based on client needs, latency requirements, and team expertise.

Implement OWASP Top 10 mitigations including input validation, secure authentication with OAuth 2.1 and JWT, encryption in transit and at rest, and proper error handling. Apply principle of least privilege, manage secrets securely, and conduct regular security audits.

Yes, CI/CD pipelines automate testing, building, and deployment to catch issues early. Observability through logging, metrics, and tracing is essential for monitoring production health, debugging issues, and optimizing performance across distributed systems.