Choosing the right web application structure sets the basis for the entire development. Read this article till the end to find out which approaches are used by Google Maps, Twitter and Ebay. On this channel, we share our experience in the latest news in the world of tech. Follow us not to miss anything web application architecture describes.
Web application architecture describes the relationships between databases, servers and applications in a system. All web applications are made up of two basic components, like what you see in the diagram, client side, front end. The code that’s stored in the browser and displayed to a user. Server side the code that application runs on the server and uses to communicate with the hardware.
The Most Common Approaches to Implementing a Server-side
Monolithic Architecture
Monolithic Architecture is a traditional approach to developing a web app with a single code base. The structure of an app is broken down into three basic web application layers:
- Presentation tier: Refers to user interface and interface related processes.
- Logic tier: Describes the sequence of events that allow users to perform a useful action.
- Data layer: That handles all the user data.
Our team recommends monolith for small products and services but it would be a risky choice for highly scalable platforms.
Microservice
Each Microservice is responsible for a single operation which it performs flawlessly.
Advantages
- Isolation: Services can be developed independently
- Scalability: A new service can be added at any stage of development.
- Flexibility: You can quickly change a structure or text stack.
- Development process is simplified.
Disadvantages
- Microservices require changes in the organization and communication
- Without secure algorithms, information can end up leaking.
- If you are switching the existing app to microservices, you need to first figure out how to break the monolith architects down to smaller features.
Serverless Architecture
The serverless architecture uses servers to run a web application. However, they are not hosted by the company. Teams deploy an app on virtual servers provided by vendors like Amazon, Google or Microsoft.
Advantages
- Businesses only have to pay for used server space
- You get tech support.
Which approach is a better choice: Monolith, Microservices or Serverless?
EZtek’s team’s Best Practices in Web Application Architecture
Our developers made a checklist of the key principles of architecture development.
1. Find a solution that covers most of your goals.
2. If there’s a way to build your app with a minimalistic architecture choose the simplest option.
3. Try to keep your architecture as lightweight as possible.
4. Your architecture should be able to identify and repair issues on its own.
5. Try to automate as many processes as possible.
6. Pay attention to your data story.
Strategies to Implementing the Client-side
Progressive Web Apps
This is an approach to web app development where a page is essentially a hybrid between a website and a native mobile app.
Advantages
- Accessible in browser
- Mobile as PWAs are developed with a mobile-first approach
- PWA can be accessed offline.
Disadvantages
- Limited browser support
- Limited use of native APIs
Single Page Application
This is an app where all functionality takes place on a single page. SPA dynamically rewrites page content in real time without changing the page itself.
Advantages
- Fast performance
- Flexible UX
Disadvantages
- Reminding users of saved updates. In multi-page web apps, developers can write before uploading events to remind users of unsaved changes. In SPA, there is no such straightforward mechanism.
- Some automation testing algorithms can’t distinguish between Ajax changes. Therefore, tests take more time and are harder to prepare.
- When a user first opens an SPA, the browser has to render the entire code to bring it to the client side. However, some frameworks allow lazy loading.
We find SPA’s perfect for utilities and small services. Google Maps, Google Drive and Twitter apps rely on real time updates and SPA architecture allows delivering responses much faster.
Multi-Page Application
MPA represents a traditional approach to web application development. Every action of a user is reported back to the server, it then triggers the re-upload of the page.
Advantages
- Rich functionality
- SEO optimization
- Analytics.
They are easily tracked and monitored by most analytical tools.
Disadvantages
- More complex back-end development
- Lower performance speed
- Complicated debugging
MBAs strong suit is delivering a lot of content. Ebay and Magento are examples of multi-page web apps.
You already know the basics of a web app structure and understand the practical differences of each. If you want a more professional outlook, you can contact the EZtek team of web app architects, UI/ UX design and testing services.
