Technology is constantly advancing, and it can be challenging for any sector to stay abreast of the rapid pace of change. A new phenomenon has surfaced that has captured the notice of corporate executives worldwide. For instance, storage containers have become extensively used.
Organizations used to rely heavily on the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) before container technology came into being to introduce new programmes and services. For many years, this monolithic programme environment has been a popular selection for enterprises looking to gain a competitive edge.
Undoubtedly, as we have already demonstrated, evolution takes place, and it does so at an exceedingly rapid pace.
The rapid expansion of tech stacks in their end form is happening at a similar pace to the emergence of dedicated applications a few years ago. As a result, the market is inundated with a diverse range of tech stacks, as developers explore combining various components to create more and more imaginative solutions.
This naturally brings us to the first inquiry we had.
A Definition of the Term “Tech Stack”
A tech stack, also referred to as a “solution stack,” is a set of coding languages, frameworks, and tools that facilitate developers’ ability to build web and mobile applications and services.
An exemplary illustration is the LAMP bundle of programmes, which includes:
- A scripting language, which is often employed for CGI scripting and interpreted, PHP
- Server software for the web: Apache
- An operating system: Linux
- Data storage, such as MySQL or MariaDB system
This stack can be used to deploy applications with exceptional performance and adaptability. However, that combination is not the standard for stack creation.
In a world that is becoming increasingly mobile, fast software development and deployment are imperative. However, relying solely on a LAMP stack may not meet these demands. Adopting a framework can improve efficiency and eliminate redundancies in the process.
A modern stack encompasses seven categories. Layering numerous stacks and services allows one to develop a complete application or service.
Programming Languages/Methods of Operation
This stack acts as the foundation for any supplementary stacks that may be constructed. Choosing an adequate operating system (OS) and programming languages as part of the stack is crucial to meeting the project’s requirements. It is important to select an OS that is easy to work with and can seamlessly integrate with other stacks that will be built. Typically, Linux is a prevalent choice for technology stacks.
The programming language to be used will depend on the project’s specifications. Any language that enables the development of the application or service is suitable, including but not limited to Java, JavaScript, .NET, C++, Ruby, and Python.
Load Sharing and Distributed Computing
This architecture includes Content Distribution Networks (CDNs), routing, caching services, resource management, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), and core services (such as compute, storage, and networking). These components enable applications and services to handle user and application requests, operate effectively, and scale up to meet surges in demand. For instance, AzureStack offers load balancing functionalities as an example of this.
Information Archiving and Retrieval
Relational and non-relational databases, along with data lakes, data warehouses, and data pipelines, provide the foundation for this stack. Neglecting to incorporate this stack can impede an application’s capacity to adjust to environmental changes or preserve data for future use.
The data stack can draw information from various sources, including Facebook, Twitter, user feedback, Google Analytics, Salesforce, and databases. The business analytics process commences with the ingestion of input into the data stack, which generates relevant data.
Server Stack
The server-side (or backend) stack offers a large portion of the fundamental elements necessary for creating applications in the backend of the stack. This enables the development of features such as managing user requests, connecting to databases, and resetting passwords. Operating behind the scenes, this stack remains invisible to users but provides vital support.
The server-side stack consists of popular programming languages, as outlined in our blog post, including Python and Ruby, as well as frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails, and the Node.js JavaScript runtime environment. Additional components of the server-side stack include database servers such as MySQL and web servers such as Apache.
System Architecture for a Client-Side Application
Users’ experiences are chiefly influenced by the client-side stack, also known as the frontend stack. This stack encompasses the tools required for creating user interfaces for applications, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as React and Angular. Certain developers opt to specialize in both server-side and client-side programming and earn the designation of “full-stack developer”. For more information about necessity for creating user interfaces, refer to our blog post.
API (Application Programming Interface) Stack
The API (Application Programming Interface) Stack is not a standalone stack but rather a critical component for achieving the stack’s overall objective. It offers the ability to connect the entire technology stack. Typically, API Stacks consist of two distinct layers: one for services and the other for infrastructure, featuring thousands of pre-existing APIs.
Devices and Services for Monitoring
To ensure that your stack is built and utilized properly, it is crucial to have the requisite devices and services in place for monitoring its performance. While monitoring the overall performance may be sufficient, it may also be necessary to track individual stack components such as the server, storage, and OS stacks, depending on the architecture. Thus, it is recommended to install monitoring tools within these components.
Monitoring closely allows for achieving more reliable and consistent optimization of the stack. Additionally, data collected from tracking each individual stack can prove invaluable in refining the effectiveness of each element. Ultimately, this level of detail has the potential to enhance the performance of the stack.
Is Investing in This Tech Stack or That One a Good Idea?
It is challenging to provide a definitive answer to this question because the technology stack you need will vary depending on the particular project. Choosing the appropriate technology from the outset is crucial to ensure the project runs smoothly and efficiently. Any missteps in this regard might necessitate restarting the construction process, which could lead to costly and time-consuming delays.
Choosing a technology stack that can adapt to varying levels of demand is crucial. For instance, a relational database may not be able to handle millions of queries per hour, necessitating the use of a NoSQL database in such a scenario.
There are numerous widely-used technology platforms to choose from. Below are some of the most well-known examples.
MEAN
The MEAN stack is a commonly chosen option when creating dynamic websites and online applications. This stack is based on JavaScript and comprises several components, including:
- MongoDB is a frequently used database option.
- Backend framework for Express.js.
- The Angular.js front-end framework.
- Node.js is a server platform that is not dependent on any particular operating system.
The widespread adoption of MEAN can be largely attributed to its utilization of JavaScript, eliminating the need for engineering teams to work with multiple languages on a single project. This simplifies the development of applications and services, resulting in a quicker turnaround time.
- Workflow management tools.
- Applications for monitoring expenses.
- Websites that aggregate multiple news sources into a single platform.
- Mobile apps that incorporate maps and/or coordinates.
- Application software, such as planners and reminders.
- Discussions within a community.
The MEAN stack provides significant advantages for businesses by allowing the creation of cloud-native, scalable applications using a single programming language. MongoDB allows for efficient management of large amounts of data, while the built-in web server simplifies deployment. This makes MEAN an appealing option for organizations seeking to benefit from modern development practices. Check out our blog post for a detailed discussion of MEAN’s advantages and drawbacks, as well as our blog post on how to create a data-driven culture within your organization.
MEVN
When comparing MEVN to MEAN, it is important to note that MEVN replaces Angular.js with Vue.js. This is because Vue.js is a popular choice that simplifies the creation of interactive web applications for users and can be utilized for both front-end and back-end development. In this context, MEVN stands for:
- MongoDB is a widely used database option.
- A backend framework for Express.js.
- A beginner’s guide to Vue.js, a front-end framework.
- Node.js is a server that is independent of the platform it runs on.
The MEVN stack can help you ensure that your web applications meet high standards. Vue.js presents a feasible alternative to frameworks like Angular and React, thanks to its versatility and ability to leverage external services. By utilizing Vue.js, you can significantly improve the performance and responsiveness of your web applications.
The MEVN stack provides a range of benefits, such as using JavaScript throughout the development process and a well-defined client/server architecture. In addition, due to the user-friendly nature of Vue.js, your developers should find it easier to adopt this stack as compared to Angular.
MERN
The MERN stack is similar to the MEAN stack, except that it uses the React front-end framework instead of Angular.js. Since React is a popular choice for creating single-page mobile applications, the MERN stack is widely regarded as an excellent option for mobile development.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, MERN stands for:
- MongoDB is a widely used database choice.
- An Express.js backend framework.
- A React-based front-end framework.
- The Node.js server is not bound to any specific platform.
The MERN stack offers many of the benefits of the MEAN stack, as it uses JavaScript throughout development. Moreover, the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture should be familiar to developers, making it a comfortable fit. The asynchronous capabilities of React enable improved front-end app performance. Lastly, React’s usage by prominent websites like Facebook and Dropbox make it readily scalable to meet any business’s needs.
LAMP
The LAMP stack is significant and thus deserves further discussion. Its components include:
- The Linux operating system
- The Apache web server
- The MySQL/MariaDB database management system
- The PHP scripting language for CGI
A significant number of WordPress installations are built with the LAMP stack as a foundation, with the possibility of exchanging certain components if required. Users can create a WAMP stack if running Windows, or a MAMP stack for macOS, by substituting Linux. Perl and Python both make viable alternatives to PHP. Regardless of which components are utilized, this stack remains among the most popular globally, powering countless websites.
The Implementation of the Meteor.js Stack
Meteor.js is an open-source stack designed for developing websites and applications. It is a JavaScript-based framework that simplifies the process of building desktop, mobile, and online applications. While compatible with various frameworks and development environments, it requires knowledge of MongoDB NoSQL database in order to employ this stack.
Developing applications with Meteor.js necessitates substantially less code than other stacks. This provides developers with a significant advantage. Moreover, applications built with Meteor.js are easily scalable. Furthermore, there are additional benefits to utilize.
- Incredibly simple to operate
- The exchange of data between the client and server executes seamlessly.
- Real-time testing tools
- Superb pre-installed debugging features
- A plethora of downloadable tools and libraries at your disposal
Serverless
A stack encompasses the range of technology components employed for development and implementation. In contrast, serverless systems constitute a distinct process that deviates from server administration. Cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, provide such solutions. Each of these third-party platforms delivers a complete stack comprising all the required components for development and implementation.
In summary, serverless computing provides three key benefits:
- Thus, it saves costs.
- Hardware provisioning is not a worry.
- It boasts significant scalability.
The Serverless Stack, an AWS CDK extension, offers various benefits, such as multi-regional and multi-environment deployment, advanced constructs, and automatic configuration for popular programming languages like JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Python, C#, and F#.
JAMstack
Though less familiar than the other options on our list, JAMstack is steadily gaining traction in modern web development.
J.A.M. stands for:
- JavaScript
- APIs
- Markup
The JAMstack platform has been meticulously crafted to streamline web development. While using JAMstack, it’s crucial to distinguish between development and hosting as they are separate processes. This allows websites to be created in any preferred environment, with all alterations automatically saved and published to a static site generator or content delivery network. Upon deployment of the build, a brand-new website is born.
JAMstack enables the creation of exceptionally efficient static web pages, and the process can even be automated using CI/CD. Developers have the freedom to choose the components used in each section (e.g. React for JavaScript, Elastic for API, and Gatsby for Markup). Thus, JAMstack is tremendously versatile.
DIY
Technology stacks provide significant flexibility in developing software solutions. In case you have a specific outcome in mind but are unable to locate an existing stack that caters to your requirements, you can always build a customised solution.
The DIY approach can be advantageous in this scenario. With a plethora of tools at your disposal, you can create a custom tech stack to meet project requirements. For example, the project may require a LAMA stack (Linux, Apache, MongoDB, and Angular), a JAN stack (JavaScript, Apache, Node.js), or even a LAN stack (Linux, NGINX, Node.js) as the foundational stack.
Technology stacks are highly adaptable and can be modified over time. Nonetheless, if you opt for this method, it’s crucial to have a clear comprehension of the stack’s requirements, ensuring the components are compatible with each other and that the stack can deliver the expected level of availability, scalability, and flexibility.
If you undertake the construction of your own stack and mid-way realise that it won’t suffice, you may have to begin from scratch. In the realm of modern computing, regressing poses the risk of failure. It’s essential for both your developers and organisation to progress constantly. Though DIY stacks can be viable, they require careful consideration.
Conclusion
The application of technology stacks has a rich past. In recent times, these platforms have been fine-tuned into specialised tools that streamline engineer work while allowing organisations to deploy highly scalable applications available to public interaction.
It’s essential to recognise that technology stacks facilitate the utilisation of pre-existing libraries and applications by your engineers, instead of starting every new project from scratch.
The software engineering industry is undergoing an unparalleled level of expansion, thanks to advanced tools. Cloud-native, containerised, online and mobile app development has intensified the significance of technology stacks.
