For a software application to succeed, the most crucial role is played by the kind of tools and technology used to create that application. It directly has an impact on the performance of the software. The same is that while designing a product, creating an excellent user design interface and ensuring high usability isn’t the only goal. Deliver an effective, stable, and working solution that ultimately adds value to the users. Therefore, determining the technology stack should be the foremost task that should be kept in mind while developing a software application.
Certain features like infrastructure maintenance, performance, scalability, reliability, resilience, etc., are primarily determined by the technologies used. Also, the programming language, database type, client or server platform, frameworks are generally selected accordingly for customized web application development.
The engineers select the technology stack, whereas the others are preoccupied with multiple tasks like preparing a software requirements document, deciding a marketing strategy, etc.
But what is a technology stack? First, we need to define that.
What is a Technology Stack?
A combination of programming languages & software used to create web applications, and mobile applications generally form the Technology Stack. Also, A collection of specific components that make an application fully functional makes a Technology Stack. It mainly consists of the framework, servers, programming language, libraries, patterns, software UI/UX solutions, tools, etc.
Technology Stack Components for the Development of Web Applications
The Technology stack components for web development can be categorized into the Front end (client-side) and Back end (server-side). All of these areas have specific roles to play in web development. Also, they come with a vast and comprehensive set of tools.
Front end development (Client-side development)
The technology behind the visibility of a Web Application on an internet browser is Client-side programming or Front end development. It also decides on the interaction of users with the web application. Following technologies are required for the Front end development of web applications:
- HTML: This language is used for content structuring on a web page.
- CSS: CSS is behind the designing of the content style on a web page, which includes layouts, colours, fonts etc.
- JavaScript: This language makes the web application interactive while running. Making a web page more intuitive allows various interactive and animated elements.
Back-end development (Server-side development)
Back-End is a behind-the-scenes component, and it aids the functioning of Front-End in completing its jobs. Literally like its name, it isn’t visible to the users.
The primary function of the back end is the facilitation of communication between the components and ultimately providing the web application with logic. Each component can understand how to respond to users because of the back-end development.
There are three significant parts of Back-end Development: Databases, Programming Languages, and a Server.
Programming languages and frameworks needed for Back-end Web Development
The web application gets its logic from the back-end. The technology that creates this logic is a programming language.
There are many Programming Languages for developers to choose from for the coding of the application. Diverse frameworks are available in the programming languages that enhance and aid the coding process, making it easier and faster.
These are a few coding languages along with the frameworks available for them:
- Ruby (Ruby on Rails)
- Python (Django, Flask)
- Scala (Play)
- PHP (Laravel, CodeIgniter)
- JavaScript (NodeJS, MeteorJS, ExpressJS)
Database
Creating a web application is possible without a database, but the functionality of such an application will be limited. For data storage for a dynamic web application, the availability of a database is crucial, especially if the application from the users asks for the data.
The users are requested contact details at least once by the web applications today. Therefore, the database plays a vital role in each technology stack to develop web applications.
The two major types of database technologies that come in handy for developing web applications are Relational Databases and Non-Relational Databases.
The most commonly used databases for web development include:
- PostgreSQL (relational)
- MongoDB (non-relational, document)
- MySQL (relational)
Server
The activities that form an inevitable part of the server include reception, processing, and implementation of the requests received from the clients. Thus, a server should be present for hosting the applications for web application development.
The most sought after servers for web applications are:
- Apache
- Nginx
Choosing the Apt technology stack for Web Application
It is undoubtedly a cumbersome task to choose from in the presence of several technology stack options for various components. Every tool has its advantages and disadvantages and produces different results for various applications. Following parameters should be kept in mind while selecting a technology:
1. Project type and size
Simpler stacks like Django-Python can be picked up for small projects or MVPs. React- Nodejs would be the apt choice if a full-stack option is wanted and small applications.
Full stacks like MEAN or MERN turn out to be effective in the case of mid-sized projects like eCommerce applications or, for that matter, enterprise applications.
A deliberately chosen combination of efficient technologies is essential in the case of large-scale web applications like content-rich applications, online marketplaces, social media networks, etc. It is always a better option to choose core technologies like Ruby and Rails, ReactJs, AngularJS, etc., and then amalgamate it with other languages and tools depending on the functionalities needed in the web application.
2. Time to market
Time at your disposal is also a critical factor in choosing the tech stack before launching the application. Tools with easy third-party integrations and less development time come in handy if a project has a brief time for marketing activities. In that case, MEAN is the perfect technology stack.
3. Scalability
It is crucial to choose the right kind of tools at the time of development if a web application is built to scale it and expand the business. The tools that have made their way to the top of the list are Angular and Node.Js. So, one can choose either MEAN or get the right combination of Node.js and Angular web development stacks.
Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate technology stack for the development of web applications needs a comprehensive understanding of the tools involved. One has to be cautious about not being biased by personal preferences. If you lack the required knowledge and expertise which is generally required for web development, you might end up choosing the wrong technology stack.
Teaming up with an expert can help with the most appropriate combination of web development technology stacks to minimize the risks.