As technology continues to evolve, it can be difficult for any industry to keep up with the rapid pace of change. Recently, a new trend has emerged that has gained the attention of business leaders across the globe. For instance, storage bins have become increasingly popular.
Prior to the emergence of container technology, the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) was frequently utilized by organizations to introduce new programmes and services. This monolithic application environment has been a popular choice for firms seeking to gain a competitive advantage for many years.
Of course, as we’ve already shown, evolution occurs, and it occurs extremely rapidly.
The proliferation of tech stacks in their final form has been occurring at a rapid rate, akin to the emergence of single-purpose programs a few years ago. Consequently, the market is flooded with a wide range of tech stacks, as developers experiment with combining different components to create increasingly inventive solutions.
This naturally leads to the first question we had.
An explanation of the term “Tech Stack”
A technology stack, otherwise known as a ‘solution stack’, is a set of programming languages, frameworks, and tools which come together to enable developers to create web and mobile applications and services.
A good case in point is the LAMP set of programs. This best-selling set features:
- An interpreted scripting language (often used for CGI scripting), PHP
- Web server software; Apache
- An OS, Linux
- Data storage, such as MySQL or MariaDB
Applications with high performance and adaptability may be deployed using this stack. But that combination isn’t the default for stack construction.
In today’s increasingly mobile world, the need for fast software development and deployment has never been greater. A LAMP stack alone may not be sufficient to meet these demands. Utilizing a framework can help increase productivity and reduce redundancies in the process.
There are 7 classes that define a contemporary stack. One may build a comprehensive application or service by layering many stacks and services.
Methods of Operation/Programming Languages
This stack would form the basis for any additional layers which may be developed. In order to ensure the project’s needs are met, an appropriate operating system (OS) and programming languages should be selected as part of the stack. Consideration should be given to the OS which is most comfortable to use, and how it can integrate with the other stacks which are to be implemented. Generally speaking, Linux is a popular choice for technology stacks.
The project requirements will determine the programming language to be used. All languages that facilitate the development of the application or service are acceptable, such as Java, JavaScript, .NET, C++, Ruby, and Python.
Distributed Computing and Load Sharing
Content Distribution Networks (CDNs), routing, caching services, resource management, Role-based Access Control (RBAC) and core services (such as compute, storage, and networking) all form part of this architecture. This allows applications and services to take requests from users and other applications, function efficiently and scale up to meet increases in demand. An example of this is the load balancing functionality provided by AzureStack.
Info archiving and retrieval
Relational and non-relational databases, together with data warehouses, data lakes and data pipelines, form the basis of this stack. Failing to implement this stack can hinder an app’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment or store data for future use.
Facebook, Twitter, user input, Google Analytics, Salesforce and databases are all potential sources for the data stack. The process of business analytics starts with the data stack ingesting the input and producing the corresponding data.
To the Server Stack
Much of the foundational components needed to generate applications for the backend of your stack are provided by the server-side (or backend) stack. This will give you the tools to construct features such as connecting to databases, managing user requests, and resetting passwords. This stack functions in the background, not visible to users, but providing essential support.
The server-side stack is comprised of popular programming languages, such as Python and Ruby, frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails, and the Node.js JavaScript runtime environment. Database servers, such as MySQL, and web servers, such as Apache, are additional components of the server-side stack.
System Architecture of a Client-Side Application
Users’ experiences are largely determined by the client-side stack (also known as the frontend stack). This stack contains the tools necessary for creating user interfaces for applications, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript and the React and Angular frameworks. Some developers prefer to specialize in both server-side and client-side programming, earning the title of “full-stack developer”.
Application Programming Interface Stack
This is not simply a stack in its own right, but is instead a fundamental component of establishing a stack which is able to fulfil its purpose. The API Stack provides an opportunity to connect an entire technology stack. Such API stacks usually comprise two separate layers, one for services and the other for infrastructure, and contain thousands of pre-built APIs.
Devices and Services for Keeping an Eye on Things
In order to ensure that your stack is constructed and used correctly, it is important to have the necessary tools and services in place to monitor its performance. Whilst monitoring the overall performance may suffice, depending on the architecture, it may be necessary to also track the individual components of the stack, such as the server stack, storage stack and OS stack. Therefore, it is advised to install the necessary screens within these components.
By monitoring more closely, it is possible to achieve more consistent and reliable optimization of the stack. Furthermore, the data collected from tracking each separate stack could be invaluable when it comes to refining the effectiveness of each element. This level of detail ultimately offers the potential to optimise the performance of the stack.
Should You Invest in This Tech Stack or that One?
It is difficult to provide an accurate response to this question, as the technology stack required will depend on the individual project. Selecting the right technology from the beginning is essential to ensure the project runs smoothly and efficiently. Any mistakes made here could result in a need to restart the construction process, which could lead to a loss of time and money.
It is essential to select a technology stack that can be adjusted according to the amount of demand. A relational database may not be able to cope with millions of queries per hour, so it is advisable to use a NoSQL database for such a setup.
One might choose from a variety of widely used technology platforms. Here are some of the more well-known examples.
MEAN
When developing dynamic websites and online applications, the MEAN stack is a popular choice. This JavaScript-based stack consists of a number of components, including:
- As a database, MongoDB is a popular option.
- Backend framework for Express.js
- The Angular.js Front-End Framework
- Node.js is a platform-independent server.
The popularity of MEAN can be largely attributed to its use of JavaScript, meaning that teams of engineers no longer need to use multiple languages for a single project. This streamlines the development of applications and services, enabling a quicker turnaround.
- Workflow management instruments
- Apps that monitor spending
- Sites that compile many news sources into one
- Mobile applications that use maps and/or coordinates
- Application software such as planners and reminders
- Community discussions
The MEAN stack offers significant benefits for businesses by enabling the development of cloud-native, scalable applications using a single programming language. MongoDB makes it possible to manage large quantities of data efficiently, while the built-in web server simplifies deployment. This makes MEAN an attractive choice for organizations looking to leverage the advantages of modern development practices.
MEVN
When looking at MEVN in comparison to MEAN, it is essential to bear in mind that MEVN utilizes Vue.js in place of Angular.js. This is due to the fact that Vue.js is a preferred choice, as it makes it simpler to deploy interactive web applications for users, and can be implemented for both front- and back-end development. In this context, MEVN stands for:
- As a database, MongoDB is a popular option.
- Backend framework for Express.js
- An introduction to Vue.js, a front-end framework
- Node.js is a platform-independent server.
Maintaining a high standard of web applications is achievable with MEVN stack. Vue.js is a viable alternative to frameworks such as Angular and React, due to its adaptability and capability to use external services. With the implementation of Vue.js, web performance and responsiveness can be significantly enhanced.
The MEVN stack offers a number of advantages, including the use of JavaScript for the entire development process, as well as a clearly defined client- and server-side architecture. Furthermore, given Vue.js’s user-friendly nature, your engineers should find it easier to pick up this stack than they would with Angular.
MERN
The MERN stack is comparable to the MEAN stack, with the primary distinction being the usage of the React front-end framework in lieu of Angular.js. Owing to React’s popularity as a platform for single-page mobile applications, MERN is a highly sought-after mobile stack.
For those of you who don’t know what MERN is, it means:
- As a database, MongoDB is a popular option.
- Backend framework for Express.js
- Front-end framework that uses React
- Node.js is a platform-independent server.
MERN provides many of the same advantages as MEAN, since JavaScript is used across all stages of development. Furthermore, developers should find the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture familiar and comfortable. Additionally, React’s asynchronous capabilities allow for superior performance in front-end apps. Finally, given that large websites such as Facebook and Dropbox use React, it is primed to scale to suit any business’s requirements.
LAMP
The LAMP stack is of great importance, and thus merits another discussion. Components of LAMP include:
- Operating System Linux
- The Apache Web Server
- The MySQL/MariaDB database system
- CGI language written in PHP
Many WordPress installations rely on the LAMP stack as their foundation. It is also possible to interchange certain components if needed. If a Windows operating system is preferred, it is possible to create a WAMP stack, or if macOS is preferred, a MAMP stack can be created by substituting Linux. Perl and Python are both viable alternatives to PHP, but whichever components are used, this stack is one of the most widely used web server stacks globally, powering millions of websites.
Use of the Meteor.js Stack
Meteor.js is an open-source stack for building websites and applications. It is a JavaScript-based framework that streamlines the development process for desktop, mobile and online applications. It is compatible with multiple frameworks and development environments, however, relevant knowledge of MongoDB NoSQL database is required in order to utilise this stack.
Using Meteor.js to create applications requires significantly less code than other stacks, providing a major advantage to developers. Furthermore, applications created with Meteor.js are highly scalable. Additionally, there are further benefits to be gained.
- Amazingly straightforward in its operation
- The client and server are able to communicate without any hitches.
- Tools for real-time testing
- Excellent built-in facilities for debugging
- Numerous downloadable tools and libraries available
Serverless
A stack refers to the range of technology components used for development and deployment. A serverless system is a distinct process that differs from server administration. Such solutions are available through cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Each of these external sites provides a comprehensive stack containing all the necessary components for development and deployment.
To summarize, serverless computing has three major benefits:
- As a result, it saves money.
- Provisioning hardware is not a concern.
- It has tremendous scalability.
The Serverless Stack, an extension of AWS CDK, provides various advantages, such as support for deploying to multiple regions and environments, higher-level constructs, and automatic configuration for programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Python, C# and F#.
JAMstack
JAMstack isn’t as well-known as the others on our list, but it’s seeing increasing usage in today’s web development despite its lower profile.
The initials J.A.M. mean:
- JavaScript
- APIs
- Markup
The JAMstack platform has been specially designed to facilitate web development. It is important to bear in mind that development and hosting are two distinct processes when using JAMstack. This means that websites can be built in the environment of your choice, with any changes to the build being automatically published to a static site generator or content delivery network. Finally, once the build has been deployed, a brand new site is created.
JAMstack can be utilised to build highly performant static webpages and the process can even be automated, as is the case with CI/CD. It is important to note that developers are able to select the components that are used in each section (e.g. React for JavaScript, Elastic for API and Gatsby for Markup). As a result, JAMstack is highly flexible.
DIY
Technology stacks offer great flexibility when it comes to developing software solutions. If you have a clear vision of the desired outcome, but cannot find an existing stack that meets your needs, it is possible to create a customised solution.
The DIY approach can prove beneficial here. With the abundance of tools available, you can construct a tailored technological stack to fulfil the necessary requirements of the project. For instance, a LAMA stack (Linux, Apache, MongoDB, and Angular) may be needed, or a JAN stack (JavaScript, Apache, Node.js) may be the ideal choice. Alternatively, a LAN stack (Linux, NGINX, Node.js) could form the basis of the project.
Technology stacks offer a great deal of flexibility, enabling them to evolve over time. However, if you decide to use this approach, it is essential that you have a clear understanding of the requirements of the stack, that the components are compatible with each other, and that the stack is able to meet your expectations for availability, scalability, and adaptability.
If you attempt to construct your own stack and discover midway through the process that it won’t be successful, you will have to start again from the beginning. To regress in the field of modern computing carries the danger of failure. Both your developers and your organisation must be continually progressing. DIY stacks may be viable if done with caution.
Conclusion
The use of technology stacks has a long history. In recent years, these platforms have been refined to become specialised tools that help to optimise the work of engineers and enable organisations to launch highly scalable applications that the public can use to interact with them.
It is important to be aware that, through the use of technology stacks, your engineers can utilise existing applications and libraries instead of beginning from the ground up for every new project.
The software engineering industry is experiencing an unprecedented level of growth due to the availability of advanced tools. Cloud-native, containerised, online and mobile app development has resulted in the increased importance of technology stacks.
