Choosing a tech stack is important for your website, but what exactly is a tech stack? How many categories does it have? And which stack do you need to focus on?
A stack consists of all the technologies that are needed to build a website from scratch. In other words, a stack consists of all the building material that gives an IT product in the end.
The term “stack” is used to define the build-up of an IT product because several layers of technologies are used to give the result of a website or mobile application. Think of IT stacking the same way you make a burger. You stack up different ingredients depending on your liking.
IT stacking works in the same way. You have a ton of options to choose from but you only pick the ones compatible with your needs. Choosing a tech stack depends on your needs and company goals.
Before choosing the ingredients to be added to your stack, there is a broader category of the stack you need to choose and focus on.
COMPONENTS OF TECH STACK:
The tech stack consists of several different components. Broadly speaking these components are divided into two parts, the client side or the front end, and the server side or the back end of an IT product. Choosing a tech stack is dependent on the components of a particular stack. It is crucial you understand these components before you make a decision.
In this article, we will be discussing the front end or client side and the back end or server side of the tech stack. This article covers all that you need to know about the backend and frontend tech stack, the different technologies that make them up, and which ones you should choose depending on your needs.
FRONTEND TECH STACK:
Frontend tech stack or client-side stack refers to the technologies used to build the front view of your website. The reason why the frontend stack is generally referred to as a client-side stack is that this stack is the one that is visible to the client.
When it comes to the list of technologies used to build the front end, there are numerous you can choose from. With the advancement in technology, the list keeps on increasing. Regardless of all the fancy tech you can use, there are three main technologies that you will come across when developing the front end of your website, namely HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
These technologies are discussed in detail below:
HTML:
HTML or HyperText Markup Language is, as the name suggests, a markup language. HTML is used to describe the structure of the web pages you are developing. HTML can be thought of as the foundation of your website. This markup language is useful in building a base for you to work on. Headings, texts, paragraphs, links and more can be structured with the help of HTML.
CSS:
CSS or Cascading Style Sheet is used to bring your HTML code to life. CSS makes your front-end visuals pleasing to the eye. The formatting, layout, colours, and other such parameters are covered under CSS. In simple terms, CSS is used for the presentation of your website.
JavaScript:
JavaScript is one of the most imperative parts of your front-end stack development. The basic function of JavaScript is to turn static HTML-coded websites into interactive and user-friendly web pages. JavaScript is used for several reasons including creating animations, dynamically changing content, and so much more.
FRONTEND TECH DEVELOPMENT STACK
REACT:
ReactJS is a JavaScript library that is used to build interactive front-end projects. It is a free and open-source library that can be used to build UI components. React was deployed by Meta. Meta used React to build the front end of Instagram and now it is being used for the front of big brands including Netflix, Bleacher Report, Airbnb, and more.
The main reason why React is used is for speed. If you are looking to develop the front end of your website and want to focus on making sure it is fast and user friendly then React is your go-to library.
One of the main reasons why React is fast is because of virtual DOM. Virtual is a fundamental concept used in React to make it more interactive and fast.
ANGULAR:
Angular is a TypeScript web application framework. It is free and open source and can be used to design and develop Single Page Application (SPA) frameworks.
Angular was launched by Google and since then has gained popularity among users all over the world. Gmail, Upwork, PayPal and many other sites were developed with the help of Angular.
Angular is the best framework to use if you are looking to develop complex functionalities like single pages and native web apps. One of the main reasons why Angular is so famous is because it can be used to build seamless designs to serve the user experience properly.
VUE:
Vue.js is another open-source and free JavaScript library. It can be used to build user interfaces and single-page applications.
Vue js is lighter as compared to React and Angular and it is a lot simpler to use and implement on your web application.
The main reason why you should consider using Vue js is that it is an easily integrate library. For example, if you already have a website, Vue.js can be integrated with it without any hassle or fuss and provide the same cutting-edge results that a more fussy framework such as Angular and React might give.
SVELTE:
Svelte is a fairly up-and-coming framework written in Typescript. It is open source and free to use and it is a modern Javascript framework. There are many advantages to using Svelte. Companies like Apple use it for their front-end development as well.
One of the biggest advantages of Svelte is its speed. React might be fast but Svelte is faster, a lot faster. However, since this framework is potentially new, it is not recommended for bigger projects. Instead, it can be used to make simple and reusable components for larger applications written in React, Vue, and Angular.
METEOR:
Meteor js is an open-source and free JavaScript framework that can be used to develop both the front end and the back end of any website or mobile application. It was composed and built using Node.js and is used to build responsive systems.
With Meteor, you get access to thousands of useful libraries to make your development work easier and quicker.
If you are looking for a framework that can be used for the front as well as the back end of your application then Meteor is one of the best to consider.
BACKEND TECH STACK:
The component of the tech stack that makes sure that your digital product runs smoothly is the backend. Backend development refers to the internal and ‘behind the client’ working of your system.
The backend itself comprises several different components. These components include programming languages. Frameworks, libraries, servers, structures and so on. All of these components stack up to build the backend of a website. These components are thoroughly discussed below:
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES:
Programming languages are the backbone of logic building. Different programming languages can be used to develop the backend of a system. Some of the most famous programming languages for backend development are Python, JavaScript, and PHP.
FRAMEWORKS:
Frameworks define the structure of the backend of your software. These frameworks are the libraries of backend programming languages. The basic function of a framework is to provide support to the backend. Some of the most famous frameworks for the backend include Laravel, Django, swift, .NET, and Ruby on Rails.
WEB SERVER:
The main function of a web server is to provide or respond to client requests. Microsoft Internet Information Server (MIIS) and Apache are some good examples of web servers.
DATABASES:
Databases consist of the collection of organized data. Almost all websites require databases to store and keep track of their data. Some popular types of databases include the NoSQL database, MongoDB, and MySQL.
BACKEND TECHNOLOGY STACK:
Node.js
Node.js is an open-source and cross-platform JavaScript framework. What’s unique about Node.js is that it is the foundation of many other useful frameworks such as React, Angular, and more. Node.js provides many useful features and also helps build up backend API services. It is one of the most famous and widely used backend frameworks because it is easy to use and has many different features that make it worth the hassle. It is easy to learn and regarded as a full-stack JavaScript.
Laravel:
Laravel is another free and open-source framework. It is based on PHP and used for the development of web applications. Laravel provides a unique and easy-to-use environment with numerous features. Some of its strong features include a faster development cycle, reserve routing, great and easy-to-read documentation, and so much more.
The basic strong point of Laravel is that it aims to make difficult tasks easier by providing quick and simple solutions to different queries.
Express:
Express.js or simply Express is a backend application framework that is free and open source. It works alongside Node.js for the development of RESTful APIs. Express can be used to build single pages, multi-pages, and hybrid web applications.
Since Express works alongside Node.js, it is pre-built with numerous features that make it an attractive solution for building web pages.
If you are looking for fast app development, Express is your best bet. It has great documentation that makes it super simple to work with. With Express, third-party integration is also made easy. Further, it provides many more features that make it stand out.
Ruby on Rails:
Ruby on Rails is another open-source and free-to-use framework. One of the biggest advantages of this framework is that it is easy to use. Ruby on Rails has a ton of extraordinary features that makes it useful for developing projects rapidly.
The tools and libraries are fun to use and relevant in today’s market. Ruby on Rails has a huge and active community which makes it a great framework to use to build large and complex projects.
ASP.NET:
ASP.NET is a free and open-source backend framework that is used to build dynamic web pages. If you want to make web applications in the .NET space then ASP.NET is one of the most popular solutions to consider.
A big advantage of ASP.NET is that it can be easily operated on Linux, macOS and Windows.
ASP.NET delivers features that are updated and according to the standards of the market. It has some amazing and easy-to-use features that make it a user-friendly and powerful framework.
PYTHON:
Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. The reason for its fame is that it is easy to use and is a beginner-friendly programming language. Although it is slower compared to C++, its simplicity makes it one of the most used languages in the world.
Python is not only simple, but it is also strong. It can handle large sets of data and has several key features that make it useful. It is easy to integrate, serves impressive web service tools, provides object-oriented designs and modules and so much more.
CHOOSING A TECH STACK FOR YOUR BUSINESS:
Every industry is different and so is the requirement of every business. The front of the client side of your website is crucial and serves as the first impression anyone receives when they visit your website. Choosing a tech stack that is best suited for your business is imperative in helping you develop and grow your brand the right. When you are choosing a tech stack be sure to get proper consultation before you make a decision.
You must make sure you spend some time before deciding on the right technology for your business.
Stacks have another form of classification. Mean and Mern stack development. Learn more about it here.
GET EXPERT HELP:
Not everyone has to be tech-savvy or learn about the different technologies out there to make their business run smoothly. Leave it to the experts or even better consult us to further discuss your queries. Choosing a tech stack can be difficult, but with proper guidance, you too can develop a make a good choice.
Here, at Codesy Consulting, we have a team of experts who have years of experience in front-end development and design. Our team is available to guide you throughout the process and provide relevant and fruitful feedback to any of your concerns.
