How To Select The Right Tech Stack For Your Next Project

How to Select the Right Tech Stack for Your Next Project

Every application that is not comprised entirely of small homegrown programs makes use of a few technologies. Each layer of a system's architecture is determined by the options you select. The collection of technologies used to build a solution is referred to as the project's 'tech stack.'

What is a Tech Stack?

Consider a tower constructed entirely of Lego bricks. Each row corresponds to a different layer of the system. Each one may be made up of one or more bricks. The same holds true for applications. You can combine technologies to meet the requirements of your solution.

When a system grows in size, it becomes more difficult to change once a technology has been chosen. It is critical to make informed choices at the outset of your implementation.

Each team must decide which aspects of a product are the most critical. Additionally, they must concentrate on selecting the appropriate framework or technology for this layer.

However, any decision regarding the components of a technology stack will have an effect on the entire development process. It makes no difference whether the application is web-based, mobile-based, or desktop-based – each has its own technology stack.

Selecting Components 

There are four primary layers in web applications where an element of a tech stack can be selected:

1. Frontend

The term "frontend" refers to the client-side component of a project. Every web application almost certainly uses HMTL, CSS, and JavaScript to present content to the user. This is not, however, required. HTML + CSS are in charge of how our final product is presented to the client. The application deploys and delivers content via JavaScript.

Numerous HTML and CSS frameworks exist that address the majority of programmers' concerns. Each framework imparts mechanisms, components, and rules upon us. These all simplify the process of creating visual presentations. To make your page responsive, you must first include a framework that supports this option in your stack.

Among all programming languages, JavaScript has the most frameworks. There are legacy products that are still in use but are no longer supported frameworks. Knockout is an example. The following is a list of instances that have been consistently developed and improved:

• Angular
• Vue.JS
• React
• Backbone

Of course, programmers use a plethora of others.

2. Backend

The backend is the component of a system that is responsible for reading, writing, calculating, and manipulating data. You can specify two components for your technology stack. The first is the technology that is used to implement business logic. The second type is one that enables data connectivity.

Prior to deciding on the backend technology to use, you must decide on the programming language to use. This selection reduces the number of frameworks that are usable. At the moment, the most popular languages for developing new mobile applications are: Java, C# and Python.

You can choose from several frameworks to wrap your code in those options; the most popular are as follows: Spring, .NET Core and Django.

Specifically, pairing Django and React has become a common approach for many web developers. It helps combine Django's robust backend capabilities with React's dynamic frontend.

3. Database

Typically, the data layer of a system is a database. Databases are classified into two types: relational and non-relational. In the first case, all data is contained within the columns of a table. The data is arranged in rows here. There are connections between them called relations. Four database engines account for the lion's share of the market: Oracle, MySQL, MS SQL and Postgresql

The non-relational database stores data in a variety of models. The primary data structures used in these types of databases are key-value pairs, documents, and graphs. Today's systems are almost certainly: MongoDb, Redis, Cassandra and HBase

4. Environment

The final critical component of our technological stack is the environment in which everything will be housed. A few years ago, the choice was straightforward. You had to choose a server provider or purchase/use your own server.

Now, an increasing number of products are migrating to cloud services. Numerous developers choose to host their applications in the cloud. The reason for this is that it is easily accessible, quick to configure, and reasonably priced for basic plans. The most widely used cloud computing solutions are as follows:

• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon Web Services
• Google Cloud Platform

Not only web applications have their own technology stacks. While developing mobile or desktop solutions, there are also decisions to be made regarding the technology that should be included in a stack.

Mobile applications will almost certainly include a backend, data, and environment component as well. However, you will need to choose the platform on which the app will be built. For instance, if you want to develop an Android application, you must decide whether to use Kotlin, Java, or Xamarin.

With desktop applications, the situation is slightly different. In the majority of cases, the technology used to present content to users will also handle business logic. You can use Java or C# as a programming language and Swing or WPF as a technology.

Choosing a Tech Stack

Therefore, what are the best possible choices for the technology stack? There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Numerous factors influence what you should or want to use.

It is determined by your budget. Certain technical solutions are not free and must be paid for. Perhaps it would be better to spend time conducting research to locate a free, suitable service.

Additionally, you should consider the experience and preferences of your team members. Each developer has a preferred technology with which he or she prefers to work.

Occasionally, specific legal restrictions apply. In some countries, such as France, it is illegal to store sensitive personal data outside the country. Regrettably, this does not apply to all cloud solutions.

Finally, you should consider the end goal of your future product. Certain examples may not be attractive, fully responsive web applications. In that case, it must still be quick and secure. In this case, you should prioritize backend technology selection and spend less time worrying about the frontend.