How to choose a technology stack for web application development

The popularity of every great web or mobile-based application depends upon how versatile and how much of an intuitive feeling does it give. Every software company, be it a 2 people startup to a global conglomerate that has offices in multiple countries, attribute their success solely on their product. The DNA of a great product depends upon the various tools and languages used to make it a successful product. Every software company is unique in its origins. Each company is created to solve a specific problem. There are companies that are in the same field and provide the same service but have uniqueness built into them through their tech stack, culture, and business model.

There is a demand for a certain application. It could be a mobile or web application or both. Many of the new and upcoming entrepreneurs don’t have a technical background. The lack of technical background didn’t stop some of the best companies from dominating the global environment, for example, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Steve Jobs of Apple, etc. The lack of technology knowledge definitely plays a role in choosing tools of technology for your next great business idea. The tools required for each application is different. The starting point for every tech entrepreneur, developer, or tech architect would be to decide what would be their product and what are the necessary tools to build the product.

The starting point is always daunting and has to be perfectly aligned with your goals of the products. A tech stack includes the languages and tools necessary to build the mobile or native applications. If a company wants to exclusively focus on building a web-based application then they would need to hire developers who have the proficiency in working with front end based tech stack such as HTML, Javascript, and CSS. To focus on building a native application then the organization should focus on hiring a native mobile developer who has experience in working with native languages such as Swift for iOS, React Native, etc.

Why do we need Tech Stacks?

The web applications are developed in such a way that they are highly responsive and have become increasingly interactive. The websites are developed using the widgets which make them perform at a much better rate. Websites are constantly expected to perform and deliver in higher quality as it is expected when using a mobile device-based application. There is a constant pressure that every software company faces to develop new and better-developing methods to deliver the latest applications while simultaneously providing updates to their products. The typical tech stack of combining Javascript, CSS, and HTML is no longer the viable option for most companies as they need to be up to date with different languages to stay ahead. Javascript and its JSX and ES6 has an advantage over other languages due to its ability to bring multiple technologies under the same system. Developers have the capacity to use Javascript in front-end development. Developers also have access to the databases. There are multiple tech stacks that a developer can choose.

What are the Best Tech Stacks?

The current tech market having the various stacks, the two outliers are the MERN stack and MEAN stack. MERN stack includes MongoDB, Express.JS, React.JS, and Node.JS. On the other hand, the MEAN stack includes MongoDB, Express.JS, Angular.JS, and Node.JS. The MEAN stack is focused completely on the open source components which are combined together. They are focused on providing a framework which gives a complete solution from beginning to end. The MEAN stack is focused completely on providing web applications which are dynamic on the client-side (browser) and on the server-side (databases). MEAN is focused on using Javascript and this helps developers to be comfortable in their environment. The environment of MEAN helps developers perform at a higher level as they are used to utilizing similar concepts. Similar concepts include such as asynchronous calls, etc.

What is Angular.js?

MEAN stack consists of AngularJS. It is a javascript based framework. Angular.js is an open-source framework that is maintained by Google. The framework is completely open-source. It is maintained by a dedicated community of developers and organizations and provides solutions to problems that arise from applications that are based on a single page. The applications which provide front end solutions have multiple components. They are designed in such a way that each has an HTML template and a typescript code. The capacity to integrate multiple components creates a complex application. The major advantage of Angular is that it has the capacity to enable automatic synchronization of the data. The automatic synchronization of the data happens through the link between View and the model components. The web pages have interacted at high speeds. This is due to the fact that data and server are enabled due to the synchronization. The projects are generally created using the MVC model.

How does Angular.js utilize MVC Model?

The MVC model stands for Model-View-Controller. This model is used by most projects due to it having industry-based standards which makes the projects scalable and also extensible.  The major drawback of Angular is that it is very vast and complicated. It takes a developer a lot of time and energy to master the concepts of Angular. Angular is not an easy framework to learn. There arises another challenge of different programming techniques which in turn creates variables which increases the difficulty of integrating the components. Angular also suffers from the difficulty of a complex life cycle. Angular also has a poor scalability which in turn affects the performance. The major drawback of Angular comes from the lag which is experienced in the UI when there are multiple users. Another drawback which Angular faces is that there is no backward compatibility.

What is Express.js?

Express.js is a  framework designed for Node.js. The speciality of Express.js is that it is very minimal in design and is very straight forward. It is extremely fast to use and the framework is specifically designed to be a web application for Node. The features of Express.js increase the efficiency of development of web applications using Node.js The various features of Express.js make it super accessible and versatile for web developers to use Node.js to develop applications. The design of Express.js has been made using the middleware module of the Node.js. This middleware module helps with the connection of implements and the https module. This leads to connection of most of the middleware modules which support integration of Express.js.

What are the Advantages of Express.js?

Express.js makes it effortlessly easy to use any Node.js web based applications. Express.js stands out from other frameworks by being very versatile and easy to configure and customise. The framework of Express.js makes it easier to configure and customise various components. Another advantage of Express.js is that it allows developers to maintain routes which are based on URLs and standard HTTPs methodology. The advantage of Express.js is the ability of having various middleware modules. They can be utilised to create extra routines for response and request. Template engines like Vash, EJS, etc are supported and are compatible with Express.js framework. Express.js also supports the procedures which deal with error-handling.There is also a feature of Express.js which serves the static files and provides resources and makes it easier for the usage of applications. Express.js also supports the API generation of RESTful. The major advantage of Express.js is that it connects with databases like MongoDB, MySQl,etc.

What is Node.js?

Node.js runs backend applications. It is a Javascript runtime environment. Node.js is completely based on the Google V8 JS Javascript engine. Node.js provides essential features which include networking protocols like HTTP which helps in developing web applications. Node.js has support for using and installing applications which are third party through the node package manager npm.It is completely asynchronous. Node.js is event driven as the application makes a query and simultaneously runs other modules without the need of stopping the complete process in wait for a response. Node.js uses the pushback function which enables computing on a parallel level. This pushback function helps node.js to perform the completed task and push back the results once they are done using the computing on parallel level function.

What are the Advantages of Node.js?

The major advantage of Node.js compared to other runtime environments is that it is extremely fast and responsive. It is an open source environment which means that the community is very active and it has a lot of users providing constant feedback. Node.js is increasing it’s base and more and more developers are adapting it which makes the technology to stay for a long time to come. Node.js provides support for the development of applications in Real-Time. The developers using Node.js find it that it enhances the overall productivity.

What are the Disadvantages of Node.js?

On the other hand, there are disadvantages for using Node.js. Node.js provides below optimum performance for CPU queries which are intensive. Node.js provides a completely low performance with applications which are large scale. Node.js also experiences the issue of not being consistent with the application program interface (API). Another issue which developers face while using Node.js is that they experience low quality usage of relational databases.

What is MongoDB?

MongoDB  is a document database. It is an open source database which aims  to provide continuous application data. MongoDB is designed by its developers to be excellent in scalability. The database is focused on keeping the agile needs of the developers. MongoDB provides a very diverse functionality which focuses on providing the solution to issues which have a difference between key-value stores. MongoDB is extremely fast. MongoDB makes sure that it’s easily scalable. MongoDB provides a relational database which is rich in functions. The data in MongoDB is stored in key pair values. MongoDB utilises this function over the traditional function of using rows and columns grid. MongoDB is a database which is designed to be not like NO-SQL. This highlights its use of key pair values unlike the traditional databases.

What are the Advantages of MongoDB?

The advantages of MongoDB includes it having a schema less database. MongoDB has an object structure which is focused on clarity. MongoDB is highly scalable and it focuses on supporting deep queries. MongoDB also has a higher quality of tuning.  Developers find MongoDB to be extra useful when unlike other databases, MongoDb stores the working set in internal memory which in turn provides quick access to data.

What are the Disadvantages of MongoDB?

MongoDB has certain disadvantages. MongoDB has a huge data size. MongoDB is quite inflexible when it is running queries. MongoDB also faces the problem of it not having a support for transactions. MongoDB is currently quite slow in performing the functions of data analysis and it’s speed can be improved.

What is MERN stack?

MERN Stack: The MERN stack focuses on being a multipurpose tool which makes it efficient to create applications which are multi purpose. MERN stack includes MongoDB, Express.js, React.js and Node.js. The major difference between the two stacks include that MEAN stack has Angular.js whereas the MERN stack has React.js. The advantage of MERN stack is that it is very easy to set up. MERN stack utilises previously considered excellent technology and makes it easier for developers to utilise it.

What is React.js?

React.js : React.js is a Javascript based library which was created at Facebook in 2013 by Jordan Walke. React.js is used to build user interfaces. React.js is used and maintained by developers and corporations all around the world. React.js is mainly maintained by Facebook and Instagram. React.js focuses on developing applications which are larger. React.js is unique in its way as it provides a support structure in loading new data without the need of page refresh.  React.js provides increased speed in the app and in turn gives an easier experience while using the application.The Mobile View Pattern is used in React.js as it utilises the view layer and provides interaction of javascript libraries and frameworks. The advantage of React.js includes it being lightweight. It utilises the lightweight DOM function which in turn provides an increased performance. It is easier to learn and master the React.js and new developers can get started using this technology. React.js has a better JSX support compared to other frameworks. React.js provides a comparatively better performance than its similar frameworks. The special characteristic of React.js is the support for the virtual DOM which makes it easier for data to be loaded. React.js provides unconditional flow of data.

 

Which is better: Angular.js or React.js?

Angular and React: The developers around the world prefer the MEAN stack for web development as it is considered the best when it comes to relevant practices of web development.  There is a huge number of web developers who prefer using React over Angular. There is a huge new crowd of developers who either stick with MEAN or MERN instead of Angular or React. This portrays the next level of web development as an increasing majority of web developers are supporting the use of React instead of Angular. The comparison of Angular to React can be unfair as React is just a basic Javascript library whereas  Angular is a framework which deals with the front end aspect.

What are the Advantages of Angular.js?

The difference between framework and library is that framework focuses on its structure to provide the code. The framework specifically provides the right architecture to make sure that the code is organised properly. Angular.js focuses on utilising the Model-View-Controller structure in development of front-end based applications. Angular.js also sets itself apart by providing additional functions. Angular.js has a specific built in function in order to make the https requests. Angular.js clearly has a lot of advantages over React.js yet both are utilised exactly for one reason: to make the presentation layer of the application to be organised and to be rendered nonchalantly. Angular.js and React.js both utilize MongoDB, Express.js and Node.js which in turn are aimed to achieve the same result.

What are disadvantages of Angular.js?

When compared on the basis of performance then React.js arguably performs better than Angular.js. Angular.js implements the data binding and digest cycles which is two way. This is done in order to enable the view layer synchronisation with the underlying layer of data. This provides a big drawback as tens of data items needs to be constantly updated and will be expensive for the developer. The changes of state are easily detected using the unidirectional data flow and it is extremely useful when there are data sets which are huge in size and easily thousands of records can be updated and rendered.

Which stack is better?

The choosing of the correct stack comes down to the choice of the developer at the end of the day. The two popular stacks in the market right now are the MEAN stack and the MERN stack. It is more advisable for a developer to choose MERN stack if they are only proficient in only React.js. When it comes to projects which are small or medium in size then the difference between using either of the stacks becomes negligible. The major contributing factor at the end of the day would be the developer’s experience and expertise in using the two stacks and which in turn will result in the completion of the project at the right time. A developer while choosing the correct stack needs to decide on the central aspect of the stack as both the stacks have similar features. Both React.js and Angular.js use the business logic to parse for web development.

Why is the MERN stack better?

 React.js is preferred in order that it has a higher rate of security for data which are sensitive in nature. React.js also makes it more secure by hiding the actual code from the user which in turn protects the application security. React.js can be extremely useful and can be increased in response time when combined with the use of servers. On the other hand Angular.js is completely run on the browser of the user. It’s run on the client side in order to save the costs of resources of servers which are run on in the background and this also decreases the latency. In comparison with MEAN stack and MERN stack on churn rate then MEAN stack has a lower churn rate. The need for tooling is lower in MEAN stack compared to the MERN stack. MERN stack performs better and over MEAN stack when it comes to efficiency of utilizing Javascript fatigue and abstraction. MERN stack also utilises virtual DOM which in turn provides a higher rate of efficiency and gives an increased performance compared to MEAN stack. As MEAN stack is dependent on the power of the machine which is on the client side.

How to Choose the Right Tech Stack?

The choosing of the right tech stack requires keeping all the variables in mind. The developer needs to focus on various factors such as the budget for the project and availability of the right team and the timeline to finish the project. The developer can choose either of the two popular tech stacks and fit in according to his/her goal of the completion of the project. There are many stacks but the two major stacks are preferred by developers and by corporations from all around the world. As the popularity of these stacks tend to continue the developer can easily build projects using these stacks as there will be a continuous support and development from the community which utilises these stacks.