When it comes to mobile and web development, it’s essential to choose the right technology stack to ensure that the end product gets delivered in accordance with the requirements of clients.
When kickstarting a new project, choosing the right tech stack isn’t an effortless task as the project might come across different complexities like third-party integration and, needless to mention, the project sizes massively differ and so do the requirements.
In addition, the projects can be for mobile development, web development, or cross-platform development. Furthermore, some projects might ask for the development of user-friendly, interactive, and intuitive user interfaces.
It entirely depends on the project requirements and the client’s goals.
There are also a host of programming languages, frameworks, and technologies available on the market. Hence, it becomes extremely important to ensure that you go ahead with the right technology stack, else your business and project might have to bear the repercussions such as poor performance, bad user interface, or poor scalability and security.
To ensure that you end up choosing the right tech stack, we have curated a complete guide on what a technology stack is, how you should choose it based on the requirements, and tips for choosing the right technology stack for your next project.
What Do You Understand About Technology Stack?
In technical terms, a technology stack is a collection of a set of software development segments that are required to build a software project. It involves different programming languages, frameworks, tools, and cutting-edge technology.
In a nutshell, it consists of different web development layers such as the front-end, back-end and middleware.
The way the technology stack is implemented can have a significant impact on the application’s performance. Likewise, the type of application you want to have developed has an impact on the technology stack selection.
Hence, it’s wise to choose the right technology stack to reap the benefits of the application.
The structure of the technology stack comprises the front-end, also known as the client-side, the back-end, also known as the server-side, and middleware.
1. Front-end
The front-end is the user interface through which users interact with the app. Its primary function is to provide easy access and an interactive user experience.
It is the only part of the app that allows user interaction through various web browsers. Front-end developers typically use technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
2. The Back-end
The back-end comprises server-side frameworks, programming languages, operating systems, and APIs.
The back-end isn’t visible and works on the back-side of the server while ensuring that all the functionality and features meet the user requests.
Furthermore, the manipulation of data, reading, and writing are all done on the back side of the server.
It also supports hosting, deployments, and business logic.
As there are numerous programming languages available, it can be difficult to choose one before beginning the development of web and mobile applications.
It all boils down to choosing the right programming languages. The most popular programming languages are Python, C++, and Java.
The most popular frameworks are Django, .Net Core, and Spring.
3. The Middleware
It’s the hidden translation layer that connects the frozen-end and back-end. Middleware combines two or more frameworks, apps, or components to facilitate communication. It consists of app servers, web servers, content management systems, and other tools that aid in the development and delivery of apps.
It comprises application servers, web servers, content management systems (CMS), and technology tools that support application development and enables performance.
How To Select a Tech Stack?
There are numerous front-end and back-end technologies to pick from. JavaScript is the most commonly used front-end framework, but other frameworks such as Angular, React.JS, and Vue.JS are gaining popularity.
Back-end development typically involves the use of programming languages and frameworks such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python, C++, C#, and others.
Different projects may necessitate the use of different development stacks.
1. Web Development
When it comes to web development, Javascript is the most preferred scripting language to boost interactivity in web pages.
JavaScript libraries such as jQuery, Bootstrap, and Slick are integrated into frameworks such as Angular, Vue.js, and React.js to improve user interface functionality.
HTML primarily involves content placement and creation. It’s responsible for ordering and ordering page contents.
It also adds structure to the content. On the flip side, CSS is used for adding a front to the structured content.
It involves the use of fonts, colors, layout elements, background material, and many more.
2. Mobile Application Development
Mobile technologies are categorized as native, hybrid, or cross-platform.
Native app development relies on the usability of native programming languages such as Objective-C and Swift for iOS and Kotlin and Java for Android.
In hybrid app development, HTML5, JavaScript, Ionic, Cordova, PhoneGap, and Xamarin are used.
In cross-platform development, React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter are the most popular frameworks used.
Nowadays, native mobile applications are preferred due to their easy hardware access and control.
Tips to Consider to Ensure That You Choose The Right Technology Stack for Your Next Project
Developing a web application is quite a tedious and multidimensional process. Hence, unless you’re experienced or an expert in this domain, you won’t get any idea about selecting the right tech stack for web development.
Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind to ensure that you end up selecting the right technology stack.
1. The Type of Project You’re dealing with
Identifying the type of project you intend to work on is always a deciding factor in selecting the right tech stack.
Small Projects
If you have a small project and have requirements for a working prototype and have to deliver it within a short deadline, then technologies such as WordPress and CMS can be of great help.
In addition, you can also use design tools such as Readymag, Python, and Webflow for single-page sites, digital magazines, portfolios, and presentations.
Mid Projects
Government projects, online stores, digital multimedia, and enterprise apps necessitate a more complex technology stack, which may include a mix of programming languages and design tools.
It must be ensured that these applications must be developed using diverse cross-platform integrations and frameworks as they have multiple systems.
Complex Projects
Large or complex projects include trading platforms, social networks, and marketplaces. Such projects necessitate greater speed, usability, and scalability.
Due to the wide range of functions, these projects necessitate the use of multiple web app development technologies, which may include multiple programming languages.
2. Requirements
You must select a technology based on the problem you wish to solve.
Some tasks are better accomplished in one language over another.
For instance, it’s fair to say that Java is absolutely perfect for large-scale projects which involve platform-independent code and complex business logic.
Apps should be designed with the needs of the users in mind. It’s always recommended to research the users who will be operating the application and to know how to provide a great experience and a great user experience to them.
If you want to get into the market quickly, you can begin with a ready-made environment in which to deploy your code and apps before improving performance with your own infrastructure.
Spending a lot of time and money when you have a small user base is irrational, but once you reach the appropriate size threshold, you can start thinking about performance.
3. Scalability
If you intend to expand quickly, keep in mind that the technology stack you use should be scalable. Not every technology stack has the potential to scale sufficiently.
You can either scale up the app horizontally by adding more processing units to the server or vertically with new features.
There are two kinds of scalability:
1st: Vertical scalability
It’s the ability to add new functionality for a larger audience through different modules.
2nd: Horizontal Scalability
It refers to the capability of handling more requests while maintaining the same number of features.
Also, it must be ensured that the architecture is scalable, be it scaling sideways or upwards, as the architecture is the prime factor that helps to determine whether the project can easily handle and manage heavy loads without coming across any lags or getting offline.
Scalability is a strong suit for tools such as Angular, React, Vue, Node.js, Golang, and Ruby on Rails.
Read Also – Best React-based CMS
4. Time to Market
The time it takes for a product to reach the consumer market is referred to as its time to market.
If you think that your project has to be launched as easily and quickly as possible in the market, you should consider using MVP.
You can depend on ready-made solutions, agile development practices, and frameworks for easy integration.
A Minimum Viable Product could be a great option for a quick and easy launch of a product into the market as you don’t have to further spend time on researching and preparing for market entry. Instead, you can directly start with a ready-made solution.
You can also consider using Ruby to access a basic set of libraries.
You will end up saving time.
You don’t have to write the code from the start or add any functionality to the app with third-party integration to save time. In addition, well-documented technologies can also break down and simplify development.
5. Maintainability
Maintainability is an important factor to consider when selecting a technology stack, as web development involves important business assets.
The architecture that specifically supports reusability and concise codebases are the two kinds of maintainability.
Different people would be assigned to work on a project over time to ensure that it adapts to the project’s changing needs. Hence, make sure you select the right technology stack. It will ensure that developers work on it effectively and productively.
6. Development cost
Before kick-starting with the development, you should have a rough idea of what your purpose of web development is to ensure optimal budget allocation for hiring a team of developers for maintenance and security.
Before deciding which technology stack you want to go ahead with, visualize the team in mind. Choosing the tech stack on which your developer has no experience would lead to third-party integration, which can end up costing twice as much.
Read Also – History of Full Stack Development
7. Security
It is important to ensure that the app is built with the best security and threat mitigation practices in mind.
Security tests on the server-side and client-side are crucial to eliminating future security threats. Analyze the options before going forward with the development process, as not every technology stack is secure.
Assess all the security threats while going forward with any technology stack. Although it’s important to assess all the invinuerailes and hacking, however, it’s wise to assess the possible security threats.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best technology stack, there isn’t a hard and fast or universal rule as several factors influence it. It primarily depends on your budget.
If you have a tight budget, then you should perhaps do optimum research on free technical services and source free services as most technical services come with a budget that might not be favorable for you.
You should also include your preferences and the experience your team members have.
Also, you need to consider the requirements of your project
