Home » Topics » Start Learning Free: Become a Microsoft Back-End Developer and Build Job-Ready Server-Side Development Skills

Topics

Start Learning Free: Become a Microsoft Back-End Developer and Build Job-Ready Server-Side Development Skills

Coursyz

July 1, 2026

0 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Modern websites, mobile applications, cloud platforms, and business systems depend on reliable back-end technology.

When a customer signs in, submits an order, requests information, uploads a file, or completes a payment, the back end processes the request behind the visible interface.

Back-end developers build the server-side systems, APIs, databases, security controls, and application logic that keep digital products running.

The Microsoft Back-End Developer Professional Certificate provides a structured learning path for beginners who want to develop practical server-side programming skills using C#, .NET, ASP.NET Core, SQL, Entity Framework Core, Microsoft Azure, Azure DevOps, and Microsoft Copilot.

You may be able to start learning free by opening one of the individual courses and checking whether a Preview option or another no-cost learning option is currently available.

Throughout the program, you will learn how to write C# applications, design REST APIs, manage relational databases, secure application endpoints, improve performance, apply data structures and algorithms, automate deployment, and monitor cloud applications.

Why Learn Microsoft Back-End Development?

A polished interface is only one part of a complete application.

The back end manages essential operations such as:

• Processing requests
• Applying business rules
• Authenticating users
• Authorizing access
• Managing databases
• Creating APIs
• Protecting sensitive information
• Improving application performance
• Connecting systems
• Automating deployment
• Monitoring production applications
• Scaling services as traffic grows

For example, when someone places an order through an online store, the back end may:

1. Verify the user’s account.
2. Validate the submitted information.
3. Check product availability.
4. Calculate the total price.
5. save the order in a database.
6. Update inventory.
7. Return a confirmation response.
8. Trigger additional services or notifications.

Back-end developers make these operations possible.

About the Microsoft Back-End Developer Professional Certificate

The Microsoft Back-End Developer Professional Certificate is a beginner-friendly, eight-course learning program.

It is designed to be completed in approximately six months when studying around 10 hours per week.

No previous programming or back-end development experience is required.

The program follows a flexible, self-paced structure, allowing learners to develop skills according to their schedules.

The eight courses are:

1. Foundations of Coding Back-End
2. Introduction to Programming with C#
3. Back-End Development with .NET
4. Database Integration and Management
5. Security and Authentication
6. Performance Optimization and Scalability
7. Data Structures and Algorithms
8. Deployment and DevOps

The curriculum moves progressively from programming foundations to secure, scalable, cloud-deployed back-end applications.

What You Will Learn

By completing the learning path and practising independently, you can develop skills in:

• Back-end development principles
• Computational thinking
• Algorithms and flowcharts
• C# programming
• Object-oriented programming
• Asynchronous programming
• Debugging
• .NET and .NET Core
• ASP.NET Core
• RESTful API development
• Routing and middleware
• Dependency injection
• JSON serialization
• Entity Framework Core
• SQL
• Relational databases
• Database transactions
• Object-relational mapping
• Authentication
• Authorization
• ASP.NET Identity
• JSON Web Tokens
• Role-based access control
• Encryption
• Secure data storage
• Caching
• Query optimization
• Load balancing
• Application scalability
• Data structures and algorithms
• Microsoft Azure
• Azure DevOps
• Continuous integration
• Continuous deployment
• Application monitoring
• Microsoft Copilot

Course 1: Foundations of Coding Back-End

Estimated duration: 40 hours

The first course introduces the fundamental principles of programming and back-end development.

It helps learners develop the logical thinking required to solve programming problems before moving into advanced C# and .NET development.

Topics include:

• Back-end development principles
• Computational thinking
• Problem-solving
• Algorithms
• Flowcharts
• Variables
• Conditional statements
• Loops
• Functions
• Methods
• Modular programming
• Debugging
• Code reusability
• Version control
• Git
• GitHub
• Microsoft Copilot

Understand Computational Thinking

Computational thinking is a structured way to solve problems.

It may involve:

Decomposition

Breaking a large problem into smaller, manageable parts.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying similarities between problems or repeated processes.

Abstraction

Focusing on important information while removing unnecessary details.

Algorithm Design

Creating a clear series of steps that solves the problem.

These skills help developers design reliable application logic before writing code.

Create Algorithms and Flowcharts

An algorithm describes the logical steps required to complete a task.

For example, an authentication algorithm might:

1. Receive a username and password.
2. Confirm that both fields are present.
3. Find the user account.
4. Compare the submitted password securely.
5. Return an access token when the credentials are valid.
6. Return an error when authentication fails.

Flowcharts help developers visualize this process.

They can improve communication and make complex logic easier to review before implementation.

Build Modular Code

Modular programming divides software into smaller functions or methods.

This can make applications:

• Easier to understand
• Easier to test
• Easier to debug
• More reusable
• Simpler to maintain
• Less repetitive

Instead of placing all application logic inside one large block, developers create separate methods for individual responsibilities.

Course 2: Introduction to Programming with C#

Estimated duration: 30 hours

The second course introduces C# programming within the .NET environment.

C# is used to build web applications, APIs, cloud services, enterprise systems, desktop applications, and other Microsoft-based solutions.

Topics include:

• C# syntax
• Variables
• Data types
• Operators
• Conditions
• Loops
• Methods
• Classes
• Objects
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism
• Object-oriented design
• Asynchronous programming
• Debugging
• .NET project structure
• Development environments
• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Microsoft Copilot

Understand the .NET Development Environment

The .NET ecosystem provides tools, libraries, and frameworks for developing modern applications.

A typical .NET project may include:

• C# source files
• Project configuration
• Dependencies
• Application settings
• Tests
• Build instructions
• Environment-specific configuration

Understanding this structure helps developers organize and manage larger projects.

Learn C# Programming Fundamentals

C# applications use fundamental programming concepts such as:

• Variables
• Constants
• Data types
• Operators
• Conditions
• Loops
• Methods
• Collections
• Exception handling

These concepts allow applications to process information, make decisions, repeat operations, and organize reusable logic.

Apply Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming organizes software around classes and objects.

Important principles include:

Encapsulation

Encapsulation protects internal data and controls how other parts of the application access it.

Inheritance

Inheritance allows a class to reuse or extend features from another class.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism allows related objects to respond differently to the same operation.

Abstraction

Abstraction hides unnecessary details and exposes only the functionality needed by other components.

These principles support modular, maintainable, and scalable software.

Use Asynchronous Programming

Back-end applications often communicate with databases, APIs, files, and cloud services.

These operations may require time to complete.

Asynchronous programming helps applications continue processing other work rather than blocking while waiting for one operation.

It can improve:

• Responsiveness
• Resource usage
• Request handling
• Scalability
• User experience

Course 3: Back-End Development with .NET

Estimated duration: 44 hours

The third course focuses on building server-side applications and REST APIs with C# and ASP.NET Core.

Topics include:

• ASP.NET Core
• RESTful APIs
• API endpoints
• Routing
• Middleware
• Dependency injection
• JSON
• Serialization
• Deserialization
• Secure coding
• Application architecture
• API documentation
• Performance tuning
• Microsoft Copilot

Build APIs with ASP.NET Core

An API allows different applications to exchange information.

For example, a mobile application may send a request to an ASP.NET Core API.

The API can:

1. Receive the request.
2. Validate the submitted data.
3. Apply business rules.
4. Communicate with a database.
5. Return a structured response.

Common API operations include:

• GET
• POST
• PUT
• PATCH
• DELETE

These operations frequently correspond to creating, reading, updating, and deleting information.

Configure Routing

Routing determines which application code should process a request.

For example:

• /api/customers
• /api/products
• /api/orders/150
• /api/accounts/login

A clear routing structure makes APIs easier to understand, test, document, and maintain.

Understand Middleware

Middleware components process requests and responses as they move through an application.

Middleware may manage:

• Authentication
• Error handling
• Logging
• Security headers
• Request timing
• Response compression
• Routing

Developers can combine several middleware components into an application pipeline.

Apply Dependency Injection

Dependency injection provides objects with the services they need instead of requiring them to create those services directly.

This approach can make applications:

• More modular
• Easier to test
• Easier to maintain
• Less tightly coupled
• More flexible

Dependency injection is a central part of modern ASP.NET Core development.

Work with JSON

JSON is commonly used to exchange data between APIs and client applications.

Example:

{
  "customerId": 105,
  "name": "Alex Smith",
  "status": "active"
}

Serialization converts application objects into JSON.

Deserialization converts JSON into application objects.

Developers must validate incoming data and avoid exposing sensitive information in responses.

Course 4: Database Integration and Management

Estimated duration: 28 hours

Most back-end applications depend on databases.

This course focuses on relational databases, SQL, Entity Framework Core, data modeling, transactions, concurrency, security, and performance.

Topics include:

• Relational databases
• SQL
• Database design
• Data modeling
• Entity Framework Core
• Object-relational mapping
• Database queries
• Data manipulation
• Transactions
• Concurrency control
• Query optimization
• Data integrity
• Secure database operations
• Microsoft Copilot

Understand Relational Databases

A relational database stores information in structured tables.

A business application may include tables for:

• Customers
• Products
• Orders
• Payments
• Employees
• Departments
• Transactions

Relationships connect these tables.

For example, one customer may place many orders, while one order may contain multiple products.

Learn SQL

SQL allows developers to communicate with relational databases.

It can be used to:

• Create tables
• Insert records
• Retrieve information
• Update data
• Delete records
• Filter results
• Join tables
• Group data
• Create reports

Example:

SELECT CustomerName, Email
FROM Customers
WHERE AccountStatus = 'Active';

SQL knowledge is essential for building reliable data-driven applications.

Use Entity Framework Core

Entity Framework Core is an object-relational mapping technology.

It allows developers to work with C# classes while the framework manages many database operations.

For example, a C# class representing a customer can be mapped to a database table.

Entity Framework Core can help with:

• Querying data
• Adding records
• Updating records
• Deleting records
• Managing relationships
• Creating migrations
• Tracking changes

Developers should still understand SQL and database design, even when using an ORM.

Manage Transactions and Concurrency

A transaction groups several database operations into one controlled process.

For example, transferring money may require:

1. Subtracting funds from one account.
2. Adding funds to another account.
3. Saving a transaction record.

When one operation fails, the entire transaction may need to be reversed.

Concurrency control helps manage situations in which multiple users or processes attempt to update the same information.

Course 5: Security and Authentication

Estimated duration: 39 hours

Security is a critical part of back-end development.

This course introduces authentication, authorization, role-based permissions, token security, encryption, and safe data storage.

Topics include:

• ASP.NET Identity
• Authentication
• Authorization
• JSON Web Tokens
• Role-based access control
• Identity and access management
• Encryption
• Secure data storage
• Endpoint security
• Data protection
• Secure coding
• Microsoft Copilot

Understand Authentication and Authorization

Authentication confirms the identity of a user.

Authorization determines what that user is allowed to access.

For example:

• A customer may view their own account.
• An employee may update orders.
• A manager may view reports.
• An administrator may manage user permissions.

Both processes are essential for protecting application resources.

Secure APIs with JSON Web Tokens

JSON Web Tokens can be used to represent authenticated user information.

A typical process may include:

1. The user submits credentials.
2. The server validates them.
3. The server generates a token.
4. The client includes the token with later requests.
5. The API validates the token before returning protected data.

Tokens must be handled carefully and transmitted through secure connections.

Apply Role-Based Access Control

Role-based access control assigns permissions according to a user’s role.

Possible roles include:

• Customer
• Employee
• Manager
• Administrator

This helps prevent users from accessing functions they are not authorized to use.

Use Encryption and Secure Storage

Sensitive information should be protected when stored and transmitted.

This may include:

• Passwords
• Access tokens
• Customer information
• Financial data
• Private business records

Developers should apply secure password hashing, encryption, secret management, controlled permissions, and encrypted network connections.

Course 6: Performance Optimization and Scalability

Estimated duration: 44 hours

Applications must continue operating effectively as users, requests, and stored information increase.

This course focuses on performance analysis, caching, query optimization, load balancing, and scalable architecture.

Topics include:

• Performance tuning
• Caching
• In-memory caching
• Distributed caching
• Query optimization
• Database indexing
• Load balancing
• Traffic management
• Scalability
• Performance testing
• Application architecture
• Distributed systems
• Microsoft Copilot

Improve Performance with Caching

Caching stores frequently used information so it can be retrieved more quickly.

Examples include:

• Product information
• Application settings
• Frequently requested reports
• User-session information
• Reference data

Caching can reduce database workload and improve response time.

However, developers must decide when cached information should expire or be refreshed.

Optimize Database Queries

Slow database queries can reduce application performance.

Query optimization may involve:

• Selecting only required columns
• Creating appropriate indexes
• Reducing unnecessary joins
• Reviewing execution plans
• Avoiding repeated requests
• Improving database design
• Using caching appropriately

Performance should be measured rather than guessed.

Understand Load Balancing

Load balancing distributes traffic across multiple application instances.

It can improve:

• Availability
• Reliability
• Performance
• Fault tolerance
• Scalability

When one server becomes unavailable, traffic may be directed to another healthy server.

Course 7: Data Structures and Algorithms

Estimated duration: 48 hours

Data structures and algorithms help developers organize information and solve problems efficiently.

This course applies them to back-end development and scalable .NET solutions.

Topics include:

• Arrays
• Linked lists
• Trees
• Graphs
• Sorting
• Searching
• Traversal
• Complexity analysis
• Algorithm optimization
• Performance
• Scalability
• Large-scale data processing

Understand Data Structures

Different data structures are suitable for different problems.

Arrays

Arrays store values in an indexed structure.

Linked Lists

Linked lists connect individual nodes.

Trees

Trees organize information hierarchically.

Graphs

Graphs represent relationships between connected entities.

Choosing the right structure can improve the speed and clarity of an application.

Analyze Algorithm Efficiency

Developers should consider how resource requirements change as the amount of data grows.

An algorithm that performs well with 100 records may become inefficient with one million records.

Complexity analysis helps developers compare alternative approaches and avoid unnecessary processing.

Apply Algorithms to Back-End Problems

Algorithms can support:

• Searching large datasets
• Sorting records
• Routing requests
• Processing queues
• Traversing connected information
• Optimizing database operations
• Managing large-scale data

A strong understanding of algorithms also helps with technical interviews and system-design discussions.

Course 8: Deployment and DevOps

Estimated duration: 37 hours

The final course focuses on preparing, deploying, scaling, automating, and monitoring back-end applications.

Topics include:

• Microsoft Azure
• Azure Cloud Services
• Azure DevOps
• CI/CD
• Continuous integration
• Continuous deployment
• Deployment scripts
• Cloud security
• Application monitoring
• Cloud application management
• Automated maintenance
• Scaling
• Deployment troubleshooting
• Microsoft Copilot

Understand Continuous Integration

Continuous integration automatically builds and tests application changes.

A pipeline may:

1. Download the latest source code.
2. Restore dependencies.
3. Build the application.
4. Run automated tests.
5. Check code quality.
6. Report failures.

This helps identify problems before code reaches production.

Understand Continuous Deployment

Continuous deployment automates the process of releasing successful changes.

A deployment pipeline may:

• Create a production build
• Apply configuration
• Deploy to Azure
• Run validation checks
• Monitor the release
• Roll back unsuccessful changes

Automation can make releases faster and more consistent.

Deploy Applications to Microsoft Azure

Azure provides cloud services for hosting, managing, monitoring, and scaling applications.

Developers can use cloud environments to:

• Host APIs
• Run application services
• Manage databases
• Store files
• Monitor performance
• Configure scaling
• Apply security controls

Cloud skills are increasingly important for modern back-end development.

Monitor Production Applications

Deployment is not the final step.

Applications should be monitored for:

• Errors
• Availability
• Response time
• Failed requests
• Resource usage
• Security events
• Performance problems
• Unexpected traffic

Monitoring helps teams identify problems and improve reliability.

How Microsoft Copilot Supports the Learning Path

Microsoft Copilot is integrated throughout the program as an AI-assisted development tool.

It may support activities such as:

• Generating code suggestions
• Explaining code
• Identifying errors
• Assisting with debugging
• Writing API logic
• Improving SQL queries
• Supporting secure coding
• Optimizing performance
• Creating deployment scripts
• Improving CI/CD workflows

AI-generated code should always be reviewed and tested.

Developers remain responsible for verifying:

• Correctness
• Security
• Performance
• Maintainability
• Compliance
• Business logic

Copilot should support technical understanding rather than replace it.

Hands-On Projects and Portfolio Development

The certificate includes practical projects designed to help you apply the skills covered in each course.

Possible project activities include:

• Creating programs with conditions, loops, functions, and variables
• Writing and debugging C# code
• Building REST APIs
• Managing relational databases
• Writing and optimizing SQL queries
• Creating secure authentication workflows
• Applying authorization and role-based access
• Optimizing application performance
• Implementing caching
• Applying data structures and algorithms
• Creating deployment scripts
• Building CI/CD pipelines
• Deploying applications to Azure

These projects can become part of a professional development portfolio.

Suggested Portfolio Projects

After completing the lessons, consider building an independent application such as:

• E-commerce API
• Customer-management system
• Inventory-management platform
• Appointment-booking service
• Help-desk ticket system
• Employee-management API
• Financial transaction simulator
• Learning-management back end
• Restaurant-ordering API
• Project-management system

A strong portfolio project could include:

• C# application logic
• ASP.NET Core REST API
• Entity Framework Core
• SQL database
• Authentication
• JWT security
• Role-based permissions
• Automated tests
• Caching
• Logging
• Azure deployment
• CI/CD pipeline
• API documentation

Who Should Take This Program?

The certificate may be suitable for:

Complete Beginners

No previous back-end development experience is required.

Career Changers

Professionals interested in software development can follow a structured learning path.

Aspiring C# Developers

Learners can develop practical knowledge of C#, .NET, and ASP.NET Core.

Front-End Developers

Front-end developers can expand into APIs, databases, authentication, and server-side development.

Software Engineering Students

Students can complement academic studies with practical Microsoft development tools.

Application Support Professionals

Support specialists can strengthen their understanding of APIs, databases, security, deployment, and monitoring.

Freelancers

Freelancers can develop skills for creating server-side systems and business APIs.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can understand how secure, scalable application back ends are designed and deployed.

How to Start Learning Free

You may be able to explore selected lessons before paying for complete access.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the program page using the call-to-action button in this article.
2. Scroll down to the eight individual courses.
3. Select the course you want to explore.
4. Open the individual course page.
5. Click Enroll.
6. Sign in or create an account.
7. Choose Preview instead of Start Free Trial, when that option is available.
8. Open the available videos and start learning free.

Important Access Notice

Preview availability may vary according to:

• The individual course
• Your account
• Your location
• Your device
• Current enrollment options

Preview access may not include:

• All lessons
• Graded assignments
• Hands-on projects
• Complete assessments
• Instructor support
• The professional certificate

Always review the current enrollment and payment information before confirming a subscription.

How to Get the Best Results

Practise C# Regularly

Write small programs involving conditions, loops, functions, classes, objects, and collections.

Build APIs Independently

Create your own endpoints rather than only copying guided examples.

Learn SQL Alongside Entity Framework Core

ORM tools are valuable, but developers should still understand the database operations happening underneath.

Apply Security from the Beginning

Do not wait until the project is complete before considering authentication, permissions, encryption, and data protection.

Write Automated Tests

Test business logic, APIs, validation, security rules, and database operations.

Measure Performance

Use monitoring and testing tools to identify real bottlenecks.

Use GitHub

Store projects in repositories with clear commit history and documentation.

Build a CI/CD Pipeline

Automate the testing and deployment of at least one portfolio application.

Document Your Work

Include:

• Project overview
• Architecture
• Technologies
• API endpoints
• Database schema
• Authentication process
• Installation instructions
• Testing instructions
• Deployment information
• Known limitations
• Future improvements

Potential Career Opportunities

After developing sufficient skills and building a strong portfolio, learners may explore roles such as:

• Junior back-end developer
• C# developer
• .NET developer
• ASP.NET Core developer
• API developer
• Database application developer
• Cloud application developer
• Junior software engineer
• DevOps development intern
• Application-support developer

Completing the certificate does not guarantee employment.

Employers may also evaluate:

• C# knowledge
• .NET experience
• API development skills
• SQL proficiency
• Security awareness
• Azure knowledge
• Git experience
• Testing ability
• Portfolio quality
• Technical interview performance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start learning free?

You may be able to preview selected lessons by opening an individual course and choosing Preview when the option is available.

Is previous programming experience required?

No. The certificate is designed for beginners.

How many courses are included?

The program currently contains eight courses.

How long does the program take?

The suggested completion time is approximately six months at around 10 hours per week.

Does the program teach C#?

Yes. C# programming is a central part of the learning path.

Will I learn .NET and ASP.NET Core?

Yes. The program covers .NET-based back-end development and building APIs with ASP.NET Core.

Are databases included?

Yes. You will study SQL, relational databases, Entity Framework Core, transactions, data modeling, and query optimization.

Does the program cover security?

Yes. It includes authentication, authorization, ASP.NET Identity, JWT, RBAC, encryption, and secure data storage.

Are performance and scalability included?

Yes. You will learn about caching, indexing, query optimization, load balancing, and scalable architecture.

Does it include Azure?

Yes. The final course covers Microsoft Azure, Azure DevOps, cloud deployment, CI/CD, scaling, and monitoring.

Are practical projects included?

Yes. The certificate includes projects involving code, APIs, databases, security, optimization, and deployment.

Does Preview access include the certificate?

No. Preview access generally does not include the complete graded experience or professional certificate.