How to choose the right technology stack for web application development?

Technology stack for web application development

Technology stack is the bundle of technologies that are used to develop applications for web and mobile. It comprises of UI/UX solutions, programming languages, libraries, servers, frameworks, and tools that work together to function for the front-end and back-end development. All these are collectively called as a stack on which the web app will be developed.

“The success of a software solution for web development relies on the chosen technology stack.”

These days, technology stack has come to limelight because of its ability to make top-notch web applications.  Sticking to one technology won't cut the ice anymore as new technologies and tools are emerging and had gained a lot of traction too. The face of 
web application development services dramatically changed with emerging technologies. Understand your business requirements first so that you can choose the right technology stack for your product since the application performance depends on the chosen stack. Performance depends on the chosen technology stack and technology stack selection depends on the business requirements. 

1. Why technology stack?

“Technology stack is behind the scene of a successful software solution”

The web application's functionality, usability, quality,  and UI/UX relies on it. Technology stack is a combination of front-end, back-end, and middleware. The front-end tech stack consists of Server, Operating system, Webserver, Database, Web Framework, and Programming languages. And the back-end tech stack comprises users’ browsers, Programming languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Middleware is the mediator between front-end and back-end. 

1. Framework:

A software application that provides generic functionality and is used for faster and easy development. It depends on the chosen programming languages.

2. WebServer:

It processes the requests that come from servers and provides information to the users.

3. Database:

It is a storage unit that stores the application data.

4. Programming languages:

These languages create logic using different codes for the applications. No two languages have the same functionalities.

The right combination of the chosen framework, Webserver, database and programming languages will produce a robust and flawless web application.

In a nutshell,

• Libraries and frameworks: These are used for making web development faster and hassle-free.

• Servers: Servers are used to manage all the requests and queries from front-end i.e. from the browsers. 

• Caching system: It helps minimize the data load on the database and manage the high traffic efficiently. 

• HTML: It directs the browser on how to display the structure of the content of web pages.

• CSS: The style (font, layout, color) of the content depends on this.

• Bootstrap: It is used to manage HTML and CSS.

• JavaScript: It helps in making the web pages interactive by adding dynamic features.

• Python: It is the programming language that is rocking in scientific computing.

• Angular: The single-page web applications can be built with this framework.

• Django: The authentication, database schema migrations, template engine, URL routing, an object-relational mapper (ORM) will come in this single framework.

2. Tech stack models:

These stack models are the combination of Framework, Web server, Database, and Programming language. All these are tailor-made solutions that cover every need for application development. These are the popular technology stack models for web application development. These models have redefined the web app development paradigm with a new definition.

Stack Models

MEAN

MERN

Python Django

LAMP

Framework

Express.JS (application)

Angular(front end)

Node.JS(back end)

React JS/Redux (front-end)

Node.js (back-end)

Django

Linux (OS)

Zend framework

Web server

(Node+Express+your code)

Express 

Apache

Apache

Database

MongoDB

MongoDB

MySQL

MySQL

Programming language

JavaScript

JavaScript

Python

 PHP

Used for

Medium size projects

Medium size projects

Both Small and large size projects, and MVPs.

Medium size projects

• MEAN stack:

It is used for both progressive and responsive web application development. MEAN stands for a group of technologies such as MongoDB, Express.JS, Angular, and Node.JS. It is a full-stack since it covers both front and back-end development tools. And same programming language is used at both ends. This open-source JavaScript technology simplifies complex application development. This model provides

• Easy application development

• High performance

• More Flexibility

• MERN stack:

MERN stands for the combination of technologies such as MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js. The combination of React JS/Redux (front) and Node.js. (back-end) will help to build single-page apps. This model gives

• Agility

• high productive

• LAMP stack:

This back-end stack stands for Linux(One can also prefer Windows and Mac OS without interrupting other functionalities), Apache, MySQL, and PHP. 

• It provides impeccable security

• It can be customizable and scalable

• It is cost-effective

• It is suitable for dynamic sites

• Python Django

It uses Django (this framework is written in Python language), Apache (webserver), MySQL (database), and Python (programming language).

• It helps in the quick development

• Quality is guaranteed with this model

• It is best suitable for MVPs and complex projects

Have a glance at the below table for more understanding of the technology stack.

TECHNOLOGY STACK

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

FRAMEWORKS

SERVERS

CACHING SYSTEM

DATABASE

BACK END

Ruby 

Ruby on Rails

Apache

Nginx

Memcached

Redis 

MySQL 

PostgreSQL 

MongoDB 

Python

Django, Flask, Pylons

PHP

Laravel

Java

Spring Boot,  Node JS

Scala

Play

 FRONT END

HTML5

Bootstrap or Foundation

CSS3 

Bootstrap 

JavaScript 

Angular, Vue, Backbone,  Ember

React, Redux

Based on your business requirements, ask yourselves these questions and decide.

1. What is the type of my business and the size of my project?

2. Which framework works better?

3. Whether the SQL data storage fits my project or not?

4. Which programming languages work well for my application?

5. Does my budget meet the total development cost?

6. Is the adopted technology provides impeccable security to my application?

7. Does the chosen stack handle the complexity of my project?

8. How long it takes for time-to-market?

The outcome should be stable, secure. Robust, quality, flawless web application.

Summary:

In the near future more and more web applications are going to be developed. One size doesn’t fit all. Having profound knowledge of the underlying technology stack gives you a top-notch software solution for your product. Make sure that your product should beat the competitive edge by availing 
application development services that offer reliable battle-tested stacks model for your business. If making the best choice among all the technology stacks boils you down, then contact our developers to help you.