When it comes to the Mobile development life cycle of an application, selection of appropriate technology stack for the application becomes one of the most crucial steps. The technology stack is termed as a collection of frameworks, technologies, software, programming languages, tools and so on that are utilized in the deployment and development of applications and websites. Undoubtedly, the evolution in the tech industry is visible so much so that there are a plethora of frameworks and tools to select from which can easily overwhelm developers. The framework of an application can have multiple unforcing implications in the future steps, which makes it important to conduct complete thorough research before deciding on any web framework while choosing a framework for your application.
There are two major areas in application development, namely backend and frontend development. The latter is the presentation of the topmost layer of your app that is accessible to the user and is displayed in the screens of user devices. While the prior one, that is, the backend is the end of a framework that is not accessible to the end-user and is not visible to them. It is also known as the server-side. The frontend technology stack, in its basic form, includes CSS, HTML, Javascript, and in its advanced framework form, it includes VueJS, React, and Angular. The backend technology is the backbone of any application and is generally developed by using multiple programming languages such as Python, PHP, Ruby, or web frameworks such as Spring Boot, NodeJS, and Django.
Before choosing a suitable backend or frontend framework for your application, different criteria must be considered in order to select the best for your application. These criteria include:
- Ease of integration with other libraries.
- Language
- Learning curve
- Popularity
- Core features, and so on.
An appropriate technology stack makes sure that your application project not only meets clients expectations but also high-quality standards.
Some of the frontend and backend technology combos are enlisted below that are known for working wonders during the development of application:
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The friendly pair of TypeScript: Angular and Express(Node.js)
Node.js and Angular are one of the popular combinations in the world of web development. Angular is a type of Javascript framework that is open source and is developed by Google. It is often used for developing single-page applications. Some of the major advantages of using Angular is that it is easy to develop, in client-side development one gets responsive and fast applications because of its structured nature, DRY nature, and dynamic data binding.
Angular works perfectly and strongly support the usage of Typescript. Static typing feature of Typescript is one of the most useful features and is very useful while detection of bugs throughout the writing part of code and it also helps developers to write and maintain a strong code. Therefore, Typescript has made its path for the development of applications at a large scale that is written in Javascript.
Although the use of NodeJS in Angular application is not compulsory, it makes the development of Angular application easier because of multiple reasons. Below given are some of the notable reasons:
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Both Angular and Express support Typescript
Browsers can not execute Typescript directly for which one requires to transpile codes of Typescript into Javascript. One also needs to bundle up the JS files, CSS files, and HTML DOC for preparing the application for web hosting. For the background, Angular CLI assists in performing all these tasks. By default settings, ng CLI or Angular CLI (Angular Command Line Interface). Uses Webpack for bundling up the application and is proved to be helpful for beginners who were foreign to Angular development, as it easily hides many complexities.
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Simple webserver
Nod system allows you to set up a rather simple web server for hosting your application locally in your system.
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Node Package manager provides ng CLI
The angular tool is one of the useful tools for scaffolding your application. So, there is no requirement to write boilerplates in a hard way, that is manual.
2. The All-Javascript Pair: React and Express (Node.js)
One of the popular open-source front-end frameworks and based on Javascript is React.js/React that is developed by Facebook, and also known for its virtual DOM feature. Generally, the recommended backend service to implement with React is Express.js/Express. It is a non-opinionated form of backend framework for Node.js. Also, it is a form of an underlying library that assists many other Node web frameworks.
ReactJS is primarily utilized to create interfaces for frontend users and has one of the most sought out Javascript libraries. ReactJS was introduced by Facebook and is now maintained with the assistance of multiple companies and individual developers. One of the foremost reasons to imply React for your project is that it can fetch fast-changing data, and is also required to be logged. Moreover, it is an open-source technology which is utilized along with React and Model-View-Controller (MVC) that contributes to the new layer.
An essential advantage of React is that it consists of primarily custom HTML elements that can be utilized for building components. These components are then reused for developing efficient user interfaces. Also, the organisation of stored data and handling of data is done by React with the assistance of state and props.
Undoubtedly, one of the best solutions for complications like slow user interaction and low performance that are caused by DOM manipulation is React. It is also important that React addresses these issues with the help of virtual DOM in which all the changes are stored. The two UI states have differences that can be resolved by analyzing the algorithm.
One of the minimalist and fast frameworks built on NodeJS is Express. It allows users to easily create REST APIs by enabling the user to define the code and it runs on multiple requests set in the server. Moreover, NodeJS is a type of open-source based on Javascript that works on runtime environments and is built on the V8 JavaScript engine of Google Chrome. Or it can be stated that Google V8 JavaScript engine is utilized by NodeJS for the execution of code.
Moving forward, NodeJS is made up with a built-in library that works on a Web Server without using software like IIS or Apache HTTP Server.
For hosting a React application, one of the most convenient platforms is NodeJS and the reason for that is the following:
- React application is packaged with ode and gives an outcome as a single file to have easy execution by utilizing WebPack and many other Node molecules.
- By using Node Package Manager (NPM), NodeJs can easily work in parallel in order to do NPM registry for convenient installation through NPM CLI for any package.
If you fall under one of the following categories then you should choose to React and Express:
- If you want to develop a single page application (SPA), Express is perfect for such a lightweight model in order to have smooth asynchronous data loading.
- It can provide great assistance to developers and different development teams by providing extensive Javascript experience. This is because both React and Express work on Javascript.
- If you want to increase the stability of your project, you can do it by using a Node web framework for the backend of your project. Also, if you want to grow your website it is a perfect pair.
- For handling large amounts of traffic on the internet React was designed. Hence, its combination with Express can help to manage heavy load and also helps you cater to multiple simultaneous requests.
Drawbacks
React has a single drawback that can be counted which is its ability to bear the learning curve when it gets involved in JSX. As it can prove to be quite foreign for budding developers.
How Express and React are compatible?
- React DOM consists of components that are particularly designed to pair with NodeJS, it helps in the reduction of lines in code and makes the rendering of server-side easy.
- NodeJS can be utilized to provide speed and optimize V8 engines in order to work with bulk requests that can be handled via callback functions to make sure quality and quantity are maintained.
- React code can be directly run by developers in the NodeJS environment.
- Since React and NodeJS are both based on Javascript languages which can be easily executed on both client and the server-side.
3. The famous Duo: Laravel and Vue
Laravel:
Laravel is one of the open-source PHP-based frameworks which is widely used especially for the development of web applications. This framework has built-in functionalities and a variety of supportive tools. It has MVC architecture, which stands for Model, View, Controller. This famous architecture helps developers to build web applications that are rich in features with flexibility, scalability, and easy to use.
Below given are some of the well-known features of Laravel:
- Artisan command-line interface
- Automatic Package Delivery
- Blade Template Engine
- Database Migration
- Eloquent ORM
Vue.js or Vue: It is a JavaScript framework based open-source that is utilized to design the view layer of a web-based application in SPA. Many developers find it easy to integrate with multiple libraries which makes it a popular option. Also, for the best match, one can try using Laravel with Vue for backend services.
Reasons for Laravel and Vue being considered as a Popular Duo:
Despite both Laravel and Vue being frameworks that are supported by two different programming languages, Laravel can be coupled with VueJS. What one is required to do this, is to do some data requests to the backend, that is Laravel to fetch data. VueJs on the other end, that is the front end will handle activities without excess reloading the page, and provides a great user experience.
How does one need to write for Frontend Scaffolding in this case?
Scaffolding is the process of designing a skeleton for the application. The implementation of Vue scaffolding in the UI can be done easily with the help of Laravel. Below given are the steps to do it:
- For the generation of scaffolding, you need to install laravel/UI by running composer require laravel/UI --dev
- In the second step, you run ui artisan command in order to generate a base of scaffolding with the help of PHP artisan UI Vue command.
- At last, you need to install and then compile the scaffolding with the below-given set of command:
- npm install
- npm run dev
For the generation of scaffolding with authentication, the user can add --auth with the above-mentioned commands.
One can make their web applications outstanding by merging the multifarious features of either framework.
Laravel works on smoothening the development process by making it easy to perform common tasks like routing, authentication, sessions, and caching. Vue helps in making the interface more interactive and rich.
If you are not satisfied for pairing Laravel and Vue, read below-given pointers that will provide you with some other reason for the same:
- Laravel requires making fewer backend requests and makes it possible to change the data in the UI by just switching the components. It is done without reloading the page when you use Vue in the frontend. Vue, while working in the frontend, is used to write applications that are event-driven. These can be easily handled in the frontend with this pair.
- Laravel has PHP which is an eloquent Object Relational Mapping (ORM) feature, it makes the data flow consistent when paired with Vue as it has virtual DOM features.
- Vue has a UI framework of JavaScript which makes the layout making an easy experience without any hassle when working with Laravel. Laravel has a lightweight template that helps in creating perfect layouts. That can even be run by using JS and CSS code, making the process smooth.
Laravel and Vue are great as a pair for all types of teams and organizations that are working on developing SPAs. But, the teams that have no efficiency in using PHP as a language for developing applications must not use this pair. As this pair has different frameworks and it takes experienced hands to work with these frameworks. If an amateur developer tries this pair, it can blow out the application.
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The OG Duo: Spring Boot and Angular
Spring Boot is based on Spring MVC and is written in Java. It was first introduced to eradicate the lengthy amount of work for configurations that are required for setting up a Spring project.
After the introduction of virtual DOM features in React, Angular lost its popularity. Despite this, still, it is one of the favourites for many teams and developers. As it finds the data in a bidirectional (two-way) fashion which is opposite of React and Vue. Hence, along with Node, as a backend framework, Spring Boot can be the best suit for Angular.
Spring Boot and Angular are perfect for both Java enterprises and Java developers for developing dynamic web applications.
Drawbacks of Spring Boot and Angular as a pair:
- Developers look for un-opinionated frameworks but this pair has opinions of their own.
- They work best for teams of small size.
- They provide applications for the web that are not so complex.
How Spring Boot and Angular are compatible as a pair?
- Angular and Spring Boot, when paired together gives a secure experience to the user.
- It is the best pair for every Java developer.
Below given is an example/Demo to create a secured login page by using Angular and Spring security:
- For setting up REST API with the help of Spring Security write the perfect code in your spring boot application.
- For creating endpoints, in order to apply REST service for 'Log in' and 'User', you write a code that goes in the controller class.
- Lastly, set up the client’s side (User) that is Angular. For talking to Rest services you use ‘Observables’ and ‘Subscribe’.
5. The flexible Duo: Django and React Native
Django is a Python-based framework which is open source and is specially designed for development at the backend. It is perfect for medium to large applications that are embedded with multiple features. Since Django works on the principle of rapid development it comprises almost everything in order to make flawless backends so that you do not need to incorporate any third-party plug-ins it follows common paradigms like MVC architecture. It also uses ORM (Object Relational Mapper) in order to make CRUD operation calls to the database. It helps the developer to develop complex features seamlessly.
There are a plethora of features of Django that are extensively scalable, and customizable. Moreover, it has a great community and a lot of documentation for referring. Django does not stop developers from including his creative side by implementing strict rules. Django also provides a big library of top-notch quality community packages.
React Native is a JavaScript-based framework which is powerful enough to create mobile applications. React Native works and is built on the basics of ReactJS. Some of the features included in React Native are its efficient code sharing across multiple platforms which include Web, IOS, and Android. It also allows developers to make a speedy mobile development. Along with speed it also offers robust mobile applications even if the developer uses their pre-existing JavaScript skills. Hence, if one requires to build a mobile app for more than one platform, then React Native is the best choice. It was first introduced by engineers of Facebook and since then it has been used by some of the techno giants which include Instagram, Pinterest, Bloomberg, Skype, Walmart, Discord, and so on.
How does Django and React Native fit all?
- Django supports plugins of many other frameworks. It allows organisations to work freely by using a preferable framework. This combination also works perfectly with other frameworks.
- Django and React Native are perfect for teams and developers that look for cross-platform compliance. Different web applications that are based on different platforms can be easily built with this pair by incorporating small amounts of code when compared to other frameworks.
- Any application that is written with the help of this combination is secure, cost-efficient and fast.
- React Native and Django are perfect for enterprises of different range from small to large sizes that have different goals and traffic. Developers can easily scale up all down with this duo.
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