August 23, 2022
8 mins to read
Introduction
Software application development is a huge umbrella term. With the evolving invention of cutting-edge technologies, frameworks, IDEs, programming languages, tools, etc., software development has become easy yet complex simultaneously.
Why Software Application Development is Complex?
You may have asked yourself, why? It becomes easy, especially with the new versions of existing frameworks, tools, and technologies used to build websites, web apps, and mobile apps to incorporate the trendiest features while cutting down the development time and efforts.
This creates a dilemma in selecting the right technologies depending on the size, nature, and capabilities you expect your software applications to have.
Every custom software app development project is complex. It may be an in-house software app you are trying to build for your client or your personal benefits.
You may have done your research and homework during the conceptualization phase by identifying challenges/obstacles of the market, resources, funding, marketing, etc., and resolved by ideating a streamlined process by judging various aspects.
One of these critical aspects is selecting the right technology stack from the very start.
In this article, I am trying to explain everything you need to know to choose the right technology stack for your software application development project.
What is a Technology Stack?
Let me explain the real scenario. Any software app, whether it is a web app or a mobile app, has two main software components:
App Front-end
Front-end (also known as client-side) using which the app users interact with the developed software app through their devices, either a desktop, laptop, or smartphone.
It delivers accessibility to the users with engaging experiences.
The most important elements to include in the software app front-end are given below:
The HTML markup language is responsible for displaying the content in the browser.
- CSS style sheets styling content.
- JavaScript programming language which makes interactive parts of the web application.
These technologies can be used with useful UI frameworks and libraries like Bootstrap or React.js, Angular, Node.js, jQuery, etc.
App Backend
Backend (also known as server-side) is the backbone of any software app as it ensures that every single feature that is on the front-end is functioning as expected by the users.
It includes programming languages, server-side frameworks, operating systems, databases, and APIs.
Business logic, hosting, and deployments are also involved in the back-end.
The app backend delivers the data to the front-end users and the technologies used to build the backend are:
- OS
- Web server: Nginx, Apache
- Programming languages C#, Java, PHP, Python, Objective-C, Ruby, etc.
- Various frameworks on top of programming languages: Node.js, .NET, Django, etc.
- Databases: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Neo4j, etc.
- Cloud infrastructures and services: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Heroku, etc.
Sometimes, depending upon the project requirements, Middleware is also created to act as a communication between two or more applications in a distributed network.
It can encapsulate the app front-end, tools for backend communication, a database to store real-time data, and containers to help the development team connect with resources distributed across multiple cloud platforms.
Middleware speeds up the software application development cycle and its time to market.
Every software development project is different as it comes with custom requirements.
Therefore, choosing the best combination of components and the right stack of technologies, tools, languages, etc. in the front-end and backend becomes critical.
What Happens in Web App & Mobile App Development?
As we have gone through the front-end and the backend, let us quickly look at what happens in the most common software app development practices.
Web App Development
JavaScript is the most popular and the most used scripting language to build interactions on web pages.
Then there are JavaScript-based libraries like jQuery, Bootstrap, Meteor, Next.js, Slick, etc. that are fitted to the frameworks such as Angular, Vue.js, React.js, Node.js, etc. to build interfaces and improve the web app functionality.
Also learn:- 7 Reasons for Web Developers to Choose Webflow
HTML5 technology is used for content creation and placement to finish off the page with well-defined and structured content.
Whereas CSS technology will help in enhancing the whole web page by formatting the structured content and implementing the effects of fonts, colors, layout elements, background material, and so on.
Mobile App Development
The mobile app development services domain is categorized into two main categories: Native mobile app development, cross-platform app development, and hybrid app development.
The native mobile apps will be platform specific. It means a native iOS app will be developed only for iOS-powered devices and similarly, a native Android app will be developed only for Android users.
Native app development is based on the use of native programming languages such as Java and Kotlin for Android, Objective-C, and Swift for iOS.
The cross-platform app development will be used to target users of both platforms, Android and iOS using a single code-based development environment.
The cross-platform app development uses technologies like Flutter, React Native, Xamarin, Ionic, etc.
Hybrid apps also are similar to cross-platform apps but with more limitations than cross-platform apps to incorporate native app functionalities.
Hybrid apps are built using technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript, along with frameworks like Ionic, Apache Cordova, Xamarin, etc.
Anyway, the chosen technology should enhance the performance of an application — while allowing your development team to maintain the product’s codebase and iterate faster.
Why Selecting the Right Technology Stack is Critical?
The software development team must have outstanding technical knowledge, and architectural and industry experience to identify all the differences among all the technologies, tools, frameworks, and languages.
When it comes down to creating a technology stack for the next development, they must not add the newest technologies just for the sake of adding.
Instead, they must build a tech stack using the technologies in which they have sheer expertise and experience.
However, it is also inappropriate to include outdated technologies as it will bring down the efficiency of the software app and deteriorate the app quality and experience.
Always keep in mind that it is not necessary that proven technologies have to be used in every project.
The same applies to the latest cutting-edge technologies too. You might not be needing them at all to develop certain functionalities given your resource & expertise limitations.
How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for Your Project?
Selecting the right set of technologies is the first and foremost step to start building a great software app that is highly functional, secure, and powerful as per your expectations and user needs.
Now let us come down to the key factors that must be considered while choosing the right technology stack for developing your next software application.
1. Balancing Personal Requirements & User Needs
First thing first, no matter what are your personal preferences and requirements, any software app must be designed and developed considering the end-user needs.
With every software app, you are building a solution to resolve existing problems. Always remember that.
Whether it’s a web app development project or a mobile application development project, always identify your end-user needs and keep your end-users in the center of everything you plan, design, and build.
2. Understanding the Project Scope, Size, and Complexity
The technology stack will differ based on the size, complexity, and structural scope of the project.
It is advised to go for a comprehensive and powerful programming language as the project complexity increases.
Small-scale projects or MVP development can be finished using open-source platforms, programming languages, and simple tools.
MVP development is a great option if you are facing a strict and shorter time to market the app.
Mid-size to large-scale software app development projects need a greater deal of brainstorming and understanding to create a tech stack for building and delivering stellar functionalities that meet user expectations.
Many times it can be the case where several programming languages and frameworks are combined and integrated with 3rd-party tools and platforms for enhanced security, functionality, and customisation.
Hence, mid-size and large-scale projects need a high level of tech stack development.
3. Creating A Scalable App Architecture
Meeting the scalability requirements of your app to be is critical for future development. The app architecture should be scalable for rapid growth.
The app architecture can scale up vertically by adding additional sophisticated functionalities to future app versions. You can also scale the app architecture horizontally by adding processing units to your app server.
Building a scalable software app architecture will empower your app to handle overloads. Also, this is quite important because the technology domain is evolving, changing, upgrading, and adapting daily. Hence, flexible and scalable architecture is recommended for future app updates, upgrades, and even redevelopment.
4. Meeting App Security Expectations
Would you like to run your app first and discover later that it is not well secured and can be tampered with by unlimited external factors? I guess it’s a big NO.
The development of Data-sensitive software applications shall always be followed with the best practices of security to align with security compliances. This includes thorough security checks on both, the front-end and backend, to mitigate the potential threats that challenge cybersecurity.
Of all the technologies, tools, etc. that are available to build a software application, not all of them are equally secure and stable. This knowledge will help you in selecting the best technologies based on the needed security levels for your next web app or mobile app.
Always remember that reliability in digital applications of today only comes through the security of data and privacy.
5. Analyzing Resources & Expertise
For all the top software development companies with in-house experts in multiple technology domains, the development phase is the make or break in determining the costs associated with every project.
They may need to plug in or hire skilled developers based on the size and complexity.
This scenario plays a key role in deciding the technology stack as you will need to complete the app in a given time frame.
Bottom line
Apparently, your app success is dependent largely on choosing the right tech stack from the start.
It is undoubtedly one of the several aspects you should be considering to design and create a successful software app.
For those who have already come up with a tech stack, please find the complete checklist having several factors to consider and improvise if needed.
- Define project needs & resources
- Have you bluntly imitated someone else’s tech stack? Not recommended.
- Create MVP & test it for large-scale projects with time constraints to launch.
- Use ready-made solutions when possible
- Stay Agile during the development cycle
- Save on cloud hosting platforms
- Be proactive & futuristic in your project planning
Need an Expert’s Help to Define a Technology Stack?
Then you are at the right place. Bytes Technolab Inc is a top software app development company that has been offering end-to-end digital solutions and services in web and mobile domains.
We have been helping our global clients with ideation and conceptualisation to designing prototypes, architectures, app UI/UX, cohesive development, testing, and deployment with post-launch maintenance & support.
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Our in-house experts have tons of experience of years in serving hundreds of clients in diverse industries and have successfully delivered desired digital solutions in the form of websites, web apps, mobile apps, and, connected solutions using the latest tools and technologies.
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Table Of Content
- Introduction
- Why Software Application Development is Complex?
- What is a Technology Stack?
- What Happens in Web App & Mobile App Development?
- Why Selecting the Right Technology Stack is Critical?
- How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for Your Project?
- Bottom line
- Need an Expert’s Help to Define a Technology Stack?
- Dedicated Team with Your Oversight
- Proactive Project Management
- Comprehensive Quality Assurance
- Advanced Security Measures
- Guaranteed 100% Delivery
