What is the most crucial step to take when it comes to developing a successful digital software product?

It is choosing the right Technology Stack. 

You must be wondering why?

Because creating a product is not merely about designing a beautiful User Interface and convenient User Experience. Instead, it’s also about developing a stable, safe and easy to manage product that will not only win your client’s heart but simultaneously will allow you to scale your business to new heights. 

Let’s find out how the right technology stack comes to your rescue. 

With you, as a business owner, occupied in numerous things like presenting your business idea, outlining your product’s pricing model, and coming up with dynamic marketing strategies, choosing the right technologies for your new app is something you will be shouldering on your Web Development company. 

After all, it’s a common practice to rely on your technology partner recommendations. And, make sure your partner understands all the prerequisites and considers all the crucial features you want to integrate for selecting the perfect technology stack. 

All in all, a general understanding of the web Development stack is a must for the client. It helps both – the development company and client stay on the same page and speak the same technical language to accomplish their goals effectively. 

Without further ado, let’s find out what is technology stack and what tools prove to be the ideal resource to develop your product. But, first thing first – what is Web Development Stack?

Web Development Stack 

What you see on a web browser is developed through a set of frameworks, databases, programming languages and tools. The amalgamation of every piece of tools and technologies resulting in a web app is called the web development stack.  

Let’s start!

Sketching The Structure Of Your Web Project 

Most of us consider that a technology stack is a combination of software tools and programming languages used to bring mobile and web apps to life.  Roughly speaking, web and mobile apps consist of a frontend and backend, which are client-facing apps and a covert part that’s on the server-side, respectively.

Each layer of the app is built on atop of other, creating a stack. This eventually makes web stack technologies solely dependent on each other. In the above image, the crucial elements of a typical technology stack is shown, however, there may be supporting elements included. 

So, let’s view the standard elements of front and back-end development in more detail. 

Frontend Technology Stack 

Frontend, popularly known as client-side, represents the interface that users interact with. For a web app, the interaction takes place in a web browser. For example, an e-commerce store on the browser is the client-side of the web solution. Also, graphical layouts, visuals and user-friendliness are critical factors for a successful frontend.  

And, to develop a successful front end, hire a web developer that is well-versed with an amalgam of loosely termed tools as the frontend tech stack. 

Usually, client-facing web apps are developed using a combination of HTML, Javascript, and CSS. Let’s understand them in a brief way: 

• HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)

HTML is a programming language used for describing the structure of information presented on a web page. The leading web development companies in the UAE use the latest version of HTML –  HTML 5, which consists of new elements and attributes for creating web pages easily and effectively. 

The significant advantage that HTML5 offers is the audio and video support, which were not included in previous versions of HTML.

• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

CSS is a style sheet language that presents the look and  formatting of a document written in HTML. Also, CSS is used for annotating text and embed tags in styled electronic documents. 

The leading firm uses CSS3 along with HTML5. Unlike earlier versions of CSS, CSS3 braces responsive design, allowing website elements to respond differently when viewed on  different devices with different dimensions. 

Moreover, CSS3 is also split into lots of individual modules, both upholding its functionality and making it simpler to work with. To add, animations and 3D transformation work better in CSS3. 

• TYPESCRIPT

Typescript is a kind of JavaScript superset that is often included in the frontend toolkit. Typescript allows both a dynamic approach to programming and proper code structuring thanks to type checking. 

This makes it an ideal fit for developing complex and multi-tier projects. 

• JAVASCRIPT (JS)

Javascript is the third widely used technology for developing the frontend of a web app. JS is usually used for building dynamic and interactive web pages. Simply put, it allows simple and complex web animations, which significantly contribute to a positive user experience. 

Moreover, JavaScript is also actively used in many non-browser environments, consisting of web servers and databases.

THE FRONTEND FRAMEWORKS

Frontend frameworks are complete packages with pre-written and standardized code structured in files and folders. Thus, they offer developers a foundation of pretested, functional code to create and the potential to change the final design.  

Frameworks lend a helping hand to developers by saving their time as they don’t need to write every single line of code from scratch. The experts choice is always for React for frontend web development, as the JavaScript library is perfect for building user interfaces. 

BACKEND TECHNOLOGY STACK

Although the backend performs offstage and is not visible to users, it’s the engine that drives your app and implements its logic. For example, the webserver, a partial part of the backend, accepts requests from a browser, processes these requests according to a specific logic, turns to the database if needed, and sends back the relevant content. 

In simple words, the backend includes a database, a server app, and the server itself. 

Let’s delve a little deeper to understand the backend technology in detail:

Running on a server, the server app caters to requests, retrieves information from the database, and sends responses. The server apps are usually written in different server-side coding languages depending on the project complications. 

Many trusted web developers in Dubai use two-sided programming languages – Golang and Ruby. Both of these languages are versatile and bolster a list of indisputable benefits. 

Ruby offers good support for data validation, libraries for authentication and user management, and the list goes on. You can ask experts how Golang benefits the project development. 

Some experts also use Node.js, which dwells from the JavaScript environment. Node.js is commonly used for backend and full-cycle development and has many ready-to-use solutions for nearly all development challenges, eliminating the development time for custom web apps. 

Even web frameworks significantly simplify backend development, and the one you choose depends on the programming languages you have picked. Any programming language has at least one universal framework. And, that framework offers reusable bundles written in the language of the framework, for example, code for a drop-down menu. 

Although, frameworks are not just about the code. Instead, they are wholly layered workflow environments. 

• Databases

As you know, a database is an organized collection of information. Conventionally, databases consist of aggregations of data records or files. For instance, in e-commerce development, these files or records will be sales transactions, inventories, product catalogs and customer profiles. 

There are several types of databases. But here, I have pocketed databases that are professionals’ choice which depend on the particularities of a client’s project. 

• MySQL

This is specially designed for web development, as it offers high performance and scalability. This database is ideal for apps that rely heavily on multi-row transactions, like typical banking apps.

Casually speaking, MySQL is still considered a good choice for a wide range of apps.

• PostgreSQL

PostSQL database is a considerable choice for financial, manufacturing, research, and scientific projects, as PostgreSQL has excellent analytical capabilities and boasts a dynamic SQL engine, which makes processing of monstrous data easy and seamless. 

• Redis

Redis offers sub-millisecond response times, letting millions of requests a second. This high speed is required for real-time apps, sheathing advertising, IoT, and healthcare. 

• MongoDB

MongoDB database boasts several capabilities, like document-based data models. MongoDB is an excellent choice for evaluating distances and figuring out geospatial information about customers, as this includes geospatial features. 

Moreover, it’s a good part of the technology stack for e-commerce, gaming and event.

• Elasticsearch

This document-based data storage and retrieval tool are customized to store and retrieve information. Elasticsearch should be used to manifold the user experience with quicker search results.

What To Consider When Choosing The Right?

• First, remember the type of app you are developing influences the technology you would choose. For example, a medical app will need high security, while video/audio streaming and file sharing apps will require programming languages and frameworks that can easily manage high loads. 

• Second, while deciding on the elements of the tech stack, it’s important to analyze the criteria your web app is based on to funnel the options. Besides, keep in mind that web development technologies can be used in different combinations and frameworks only after selecting the programming language. 

Project Size 

Every project is classified depending on its complexity, which impacts the choice you make for the technology stack. As the project size grows, the complexity of the project surges. 

So, let’s classify your project according to the following categories: 

• Small-size Project

Single page website, portfolios, digital magazines, presentation and other small-sized web solutions can be easily integrated with the help of design tools like web flow and Readymag. 

• Medium-size Project

Financial, enterprises and online apps need a more complex tech stack with several layers and a combination of languages to accommodate more features.

In some scenarios, you can consider cross-platform integrations as medium-sized projects involving multiple systems. For example, there may be a connection between a web app and a company’s backend systems. 

• Big-size Project

Marketplaces and social networks are considered big-sized projects, and many need much more scalability, serviceability and speed. To easily ace large projects, first identify the features you need to integrate. 

Then prepare a list of relevant questions to ask your partnered web development company in Dubai if their technology and solutions support your idea. You can also analyze other similar solutions on the market and technologies to develop individual parts of the app. 

Therefore, deciding on a technology stack for a complicated large-sized project requires consideration of both – functional and non-functional requirements. 

Time To Market

The time your product needs to be developed and released ASAP, you will consider starting with a MVP (Minimum Viable Product). If you agree, its advised using ready-made solutions that help to minimize the time spent preparing to enter the market.  

Security and Scalability

Your app is always in the need of high security. For example, if you are developing a health app, be cautious while choosing technologies as many are not secure. Ruby On Rails will be a good choice to make as it offers DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), helping you configure a content security policy for your app. 

Besides offering security, the experts make sure the following: 

• Access to the API is token-based, with a limited time of token availability. 
• All interactions with the app are carried out using an API. 
• Backups are performed frequently.
• Access authorization is carried out for every request.
• The complete infrastructure is in AWS, and access from the internet is possible only to the API, everything else is behind the firewall. 

Now, time for scalability! 

If you are planning for instant growth, don’t forget the tools you choose for your technology stack might not have the potential to scale sufficiently. You can mount either vertically, adding additional software for new tasks, or horizontally, adding progressive units or physical machines to the server or database.  

Ruby On Rails, React, Node.js have unparalleled scalability. Even it’s easy for your app to scale well on AWS, as it uses advanced Ethernet networking technology designed for scale along with high availability and security. 

Finally…

In simple words, different web apps use various development tools. And, when choosing a technology stack for web app development, keep in mind the specifics of your project.

The solution experts at our company pay attention to every product requirements and then architect and design them to lay the foundation for a top-notch solution. The right team of web developers in Dubai can help you easily accomplish your web app idea with the best tool to make it happen.