In this article, we will explore some of the most popular web development tech stacks and the factors to consider while choosing one for your next project.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Introduction
For the state of a website to successfully go from development to production, the developer uses a couple of web development technologies to make that happen.
Some technologies were used on the front end, while others were on the back end and then the database.
In modern-day web development, there is an increasing need for full-stack developers who can develop both the front-end and the back-end.
As a result, developers tend to group these technologies into stacks, one or more technology from each layer until a stack is complete with all the technologies required to develop a website’s front-end, back-end, and database.
A good tech stack can help adapt the web app to your needs and improve its performance.
The tech stack that brings a web app to life will also determine its maintainability, scalability, and efficiency.
Hence, as a web developer, many factors need to be considered when choosing a tech stack to render your web development services.
And if you are looking to get hired, you need to consider the stacks that most businesses consider the best for their projects so you can stand a chance of being hired.
There are a lot of different technology stacks for web development out there.
As a beginner, you must know what is available and when to use each.
What’s a web development stack?
A stack in web development means a combination of technologies, such as programming languages, including their modules, libraries, and frameworks.
These technologies that make up a stack function as a tool that complement each other to create a web app effectively.
Web application stack as like a sandwich.
The combination of technologies for web app development is like choosing ingredients for your sandwich.
The success of any project directly depends on the right choice of technology stack for web application development.
Different Technology Stacks
There are lots of tech stacks you can use in web development. We outlined the most common ones below, and they include:
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MERN Stack: (MongoDB, Express, React.js, and Node.js):
This is the most common and used. It’s responsive and perfect for most projects you will be working on. With React, you are getting the popularity, good support, and speed that comes with it.
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MEAN Stack: (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js):
Suitable for enterprise applications. It’s perfect for highly scalable projects and brings out their high performance.
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MEVN Stack: (MongoDB, Express.js, Vue.js, and Node.js):
With Vue, you are getting the best of the Mern and Mean stack combined, and most of their unfavorable features are out of the way.
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LAMP Stack: (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl/Python):
This is one of the most secure, customizable, and flexible stacks available in the market.
The security is more advanced here when the P is python because python offers more security out of the box than any other web development programing language.
Factors to consider while choosing a Tech Stack
It would help to consider a few essential factors to choose the appropriate web development technology stack for your web app.
Although different projects exist which differ in nature, purpose, and functionality, there are two broad categories of web application tech stacks: client-side (front-end) and server-side (back-end).
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for web development stacks, particularly when it comes to startups.
You’ll have to consider the following factors when choosing a web stack.
1. Size and complexity
Large and enterprise web apps will require a more robust and sophisticated tech stack for effective and efficient operation.
Social networks, large trading platforms, and fintech applications should use the MEAN and LAMP stack should be considered here.
A stack that its web technologies are geared towards the organization, robust features, and so on.
Medium-sized web apps like e-commerce stores, and web portals for churches and schools, need more functionalities than frameworks can provide.
A small-sized web app usually requires easy-to-learn web dev tools that can work “out of the box” without additional libraries or modules.
The tech solutions could be the MERN stack or React.js since it doesn’t require many technologies.
However, more complex but smaller projects will require a more selection of technologies.
2. Extensibility
Another factor to consider is the expansion of the business. Make sure you foresee your project’s future and consider the room for expansion and extensions.
Remember that your client or company might want to scale up soon.
3. Time
Your client or project manager in your workplace will already have the stipulated time they want the app to move from production to deployment.
If this time is short, using a web development stack that’s best for “urgent” projects is much easier.
This stack, for example, the MERN or MEVN stack, fits this description and is very easy and fast to set up, and the technologies should be easier to work on.
There should be massive support for this stack in case you need any, and lots of libraries available geared towards helping you develop, test, and push to production fast.
4. Budget:
Some technology stacks will require more expensive hosting or other resources than others.
So, when choosing the one that makes the most financial sense for your product, consider the client’s financial capacity or the company you work for.
This factor also includes the development and maintenance costs of the web app.
5. Security of the tools:
Security is a big deal these days; with many platforms getting hacked daily, you wouldn’t like your web app to be easily taken over by hackers from an unknown location.
While it will be so bad for your reputation as a web developer, the client or your company will suffer the financial implications.
It’s important to factor in the security features available for the tech stack you will be using.
This factor is where the LAMP stack (where the P is python) always wins the game.
Final Thoughts
The tech stack used for a project defines the future of that project and what it can and cannot do.
If the web app ends up being a SAAS project, it will define the startup that comes with it.
Therefore, it will demand different layers of critical analysis to choose the right technology stack for a project before starting the project.
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Happy Coding!
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