6 Steps To Choose Technology Stack For Web Application

When someone uses the software, they are not just looking for features, they are looking for an approach. They are looking for a vision. Decide what your vision is and run with it.” By Jason Fried, CEO of Basecamp.

Are you a founder, CTO, CEO, consultant, or any other stakeholder who is responsible for the development of your product and trouble choosing the technology stack for your web application? Should you use Java, Python, or Ruby on the backend? What are the best front-end options: Angular, React, or VueJS? And what are the preferred database options – MySQL, MongoDB, or Postgres? Should you self-host with Nginx or Apache on DigitalOcean, or prefer to use Amazon AWS?

If you have countless questions and uncertainty regarding where to start, then this article can help you take the right decision.

What Is The Technology Stack?

Technology stack is an amalgamation of programming languages, frameworks, tools, and advanced technologies that developers use to build mobile and web applications.

According to layman’s terms, website and mobile app development need a front-end, back-end, and a database. And all these layers form a tech stack.

Structure Of A Technology Stack

Structure-wise it has three components, including:

• Front-End: Here are the following three technologies mostly used for front-end development:
  • Hypertext Markup Language [HTML]: defining the proper structure of the information that was presented in the browser.
  • Cascading Style Sheets [CSS]: It is used to determine the style of the app content like fonts, colors, and layouts.
  • JavaScript: it enables the interactivity of the website page in which the application is running.
• Back-End: Basically, the back-end component powers the front-end allowing website users to perform specific actions. Unlike the front-end, the back-end handles the server-side communication and is not visible to the end-user. And the back-end languages are Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, CoffeeScript, Erlang so on.
• Middleware: It is the layer in a technology stack that consists of content management systems, web servers, and other similar tools that support web application development.
  These middlewares are written in C# OR Java languages which simplify data management and communication processes between the front-end and the back-end.

How To Choose The Appropriate Tech Stack For A Web Application?

Many founders face issues in choosing the right technology stack for their projects. Here, we are going to highlight some techniques that can help you to select the right tech stack that can accomplish your needs. Let’s take a closer look:

• Keep it simple: If you want to build a product from scratch, then the best option is to use the most natural solution. For a landing page, WordPress or Unbounce can be the best platform to use. Create an attractive and informative website page that can deliver relevant information regarding your product to the customers. For a mobile application, native development using Swift/Objective C/ Java can be preferred. It is essential to gauge interest in your product; otherwise, you will feel trouble building it. Just keep it in your mind, create a simple and easily accessible product to drag the customers’ attention. Don’t overthink too much to use complex technology as no technology will wind up before your product in most cases.
• Identify your requirements: Use technology that fits your development needs. Don’t try new techniques that you don’t have an idea about or if you have doubts about the processes of its implementation. Some things are better done in one language than another; for example, Python is a greater option for computation and statistics.
• Licenses: When deciding on a tech stack, be sure to apply solutions that are open source. They are free of charge and are obtainable for use with limitless modifications, according to the project requirements. Open-source technologies have greater talent availability and zero dependencies or fee required.
• Developer community and documentation: When you are dealing with obscure technologies, developers do get stuck. Consider technologies with proper documentation and a considerable developer community for your project. Also, take into consideration the developer access that you have. This combination ensures to find out the necessary solution quickly. Well, a vibrant community of expert developers and contributors can identify how to prevail over an issue if the documentation lacks the solution.
• Just Get started: If you have a startup, getting quickly to this ever-changing market is the main concern rather than having the perfect technology. In the beginning, focus on your business and marketing processes rather than spending time to choose the perfect tech stack solution. In your early stage, maybe you don’t have enough knowledge, or limitations known hence just get started. You can fine-tune or optimize all the necessary things or change technology stack as you grow.