A technology stack is the combination of different programming languages, frameworks, and tools that help you create web and mobile applications.
In this day and age, choosing the right tech stack can feel intimidating since there are simply more choices available than ever before.
The main goal when choosing a tech stack no matter your product is to make sure you’re choosing something built to last. You want there to be sufficient support, ongoing progress, and so on to ensure you don’t run into any problems in the future.
While it can be tempting to go with the latest-and-greatest tech stack, that might not be the right choice. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best technology stack for your project.
Best common Technology Stack:
1. .NET Stack
We’ll start our discussion with the most commonly used tech stack which is .NET. This is mainly used for creating web apps, and it’s based on a subset of Overflow Stack. It’s ideal both for front-end developers and database developers.
Why is .NET so popular? It is easy to combine with other open-source technology so you can utilize over 60 frameworks, platforms, libraries, and languages.
This stack is home to a number of development languages you probably already know like C#, F#, and Fantom.
Who is .NET ideal for? It’s a great choice for any developer who needs the freedom to choose their preferred language as well as extensive security.
2. LAMP Stack
Another open-source tech stack is the LAMP stack. This is one of the earliest tech stacks that quickly gained popularity, and it’s still really common today.
However, it’s important to note that LAMP uses the Linux operating system as well as the PHP programming language.
Who would be a good fit for a LAMP stack? LAMP works great for both dynamic websites and web applications. Because developers are starting to use Python or Perl instead of PHP, it’s likely to experience a resurgence in the next few years.
3. Python-Django Framework
Another popular framework for tech stacks is the Python-Django framework. This framework doesn’t use PHP, instead, developers use Python or Ruby.
These are popular frameworks since they’re great when it comes to data access, user authentication, and more.
Who is this framework ideal for? It’s common for entrepreneurs who need to create a quick working prototype. It’s unlikely that this framework would be used for a full-blown product, but it’s great for short-term prototypes.
What Will Make Your Tech Stack Different?
Now that you know a few of the most common tech stacks, it’s time to dive deeper into how to actually make a decision.
As we said before, it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re not careful. There are a few key components to keep in mind when making your decision:
- Project size- How large is the project? If it’s a small prototype, you’ll choose something different than a mid to large-range project.
- Latency – How responsive does your app need to be? Do you need your application to be highly responsive? If so, you’ll need low latency.
- Load size – Another question is whether you’ll be processing a large load. If so, you’ll need a framework built to support this.
- Team experience – How skilled are your developers? What frameworks work best for them in their opinion? These are the developers who will need to maintain the app long-term, so they should have a say in the tech stack.
- Support – Is there enough support available? Tech stacks are always evolving, and some even become obsolete. In general, open-source tech stacks have the most support and resources available.
- Scalability – Finally, how scalable is the tech stack? If you’re working in this day and age, you can’t afford to grow quickly when you need to. How flexible, agile, and scalable is your chosen tech stack?
The Benefits of Having the Right Tech Stack:
Newcomers to the world of web and mobile application development know they need a tech stack but aren’t sure why it is so beneficial.
Failing to realize every nuance related to choosing and implementing the right tech stack can lead to big problems in the future. Whether you are the owner of the app being developed or just a hired gun, knowing the benefits of a good tech stack is important.
Here are just a few of the benefits that come with putting together a great tech stack.
☛ Benefit 1: The Application Will Be More Efficient
Developing a new app is something businesses will do to either benefit consumers or their workforce.
If you are in the process of developing an app for employees to use, making sure it is functional and reliable should be one of your main concerns. The only way to ensure this goal is achieved is by choosing a powerful tech stack.
Failing to put the right technological components in place to power the app can lead to lots of problems in the future.
The last thing any business owner wants is for their new app to cause downtime and productivity issues.
While putting together a powerful tech stack can be expensive and time-consuming, it is definitely worth it.
Regardless of if the app in question is being built for employee or consumer consumption, making sure it has the right technological components is vital.
Instead of making important decisions regarding your tech stack in haste, take time to weigh all of the options.
☛ Benefit 2: The Adaptability Factor
When trying to figure out the crucial components of your program’s tech stack, you need to also consider what the future may bring. Technology changes at a very rapid pace.
This is why focusing on making your app’s infrastructure adaptable is essential.
Choosing tried and true programs and languages to use in your tech stack is crucial.
Oftentimes, technology trends that are considered fads will not last. Ignoring the need for a high level of adaptability can create lots of headaches for you and your team in the future.
Without adaptability, your tech stack will have to be completely revamped to keep up with the changing tides of technology.
Not only will this create increased amounts of downtime for the program, but it can also be very expensive.
While no one can see what the future holds, you can take a look at tech stack trends to see where they may be headed.
Tech Stack Tools You Need to Use:
When creating a tech stack for a new piece of software or app, using the right tools is imperative.
Luckily, there are a number of great tools that make creating and maintaining tech stacks much easier.
Here are just some of the tech stack tools you need to think about using:
☛ Tool 1: Amazon Web Services
One of the biggest names in the world of cloud computing is Amazon Web Services or AWS for short. When it comes to infrastructure as a service (IaaS), AWS definitely reigns supreme.
The AWS system has millions of users and a variety of integrations developers can use to their benefit.
Whether you need help with content delivery, computing power, or database storage, AWS is where you can get this assistance.
A number of larger entities, such as the U.S. government use AWS in their tech stacks.
☛ Tool 2: Google Cloud
For years, the team at Google has used Google cloud to back up all of the services under the company’s umbrella.
Recently, they started offering Google cloud to other companies and tech entrepreneurs.
They offer many of the same things as AWS such as migration, container storage, and a powerful computing engine.
If you are like most people, Google is a name you know and trust. One of the biggest benefits of using Google Cloud for your tech stack is the support they offer.
☛ Tool 3: PostgreSQL
If you are looking for hosted database solutions for your tech stack, then be sure to consider PostgreSQL. This open-source relational database is designed to accommodate structured data.
One of the main reasons why developers like using open-source tools like PostgreSQL is due to the vast amount of information available.
If you run into a problem with this database, you can easily find answers about how to fix it from other users. Recently, PostgreSQL introduced JSON columns to their program.
With this addition, programmers and developers are able to deal with less structured data with ease. Having a powerful and easy-to-use database for your new program will make security and functionality a breeze.
Make the Right Decision
Now that you know the most common tech stacks and the questions to ask, you’re ready to make a decision you feel confident about.
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding this process, but there doesn’t have to be. Research is key, as well as knowing your goals for your project.
Once you’ve decided, it’s time to hit the ground running. There’s no room for second-guessing yourself in this market. Are you ready to take this next step?