The best thing you can do for your web app project lifecycle is to choose the appropriate technology stack. If the stack is right, you will end up with an app tailored to your needs, which also has strong performance and brings value to your productivity.
Even more importantly, a well-chosen tech stack meets the expectations of end-users. You need to make sure you have the right people with the right tools, so you don’t have to fix and update the app all the time. It is the best way to meet deadlines and cut costs.
The Backend Technology for Your Mobile App
Backend or ‘server side’ are the common terms for combining core functionalities and bringing business logic to life. Access to the database, user requests, and execution of Create/Read/Update/Delete operations are all handled backend.
When it comes to these operations, there are many tech stacks you can consider. These are the most popular ones:
- LAMP combines four essential tools:
- the Linux server operating system,
- the Apache Web Server,
- the MySQL Database
- and the Python (PHP) scripting language.
The techies among you will notice that the stack contains only open-source software components. This means that you can easily combine it with any free software package or open-source component. The kit is very flexible and customizable and offers lots of functionalities.
- Nest.js is another popular server-side framework you can use for web applications. It makes use of progressive JavaScript tools and combines a variety of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) elements. You can also count on TypeScript support. Last but not least, Nest is enabled for Functional programming (FP) and Functional Reactive Programming (FRP).
- Vue.js. If you like the idea of a progressive programming framework, give Vue a look. The kit is used for single-page apps and user interfaces, and you can scale it between a framework and a library, depending on what you need. The core library is easy to use and focuses only on the view layer. This way, you get an ecosystem of diverse libraries that can make your app more complex. You can look at a Vue JS development agency or two and see what they’ve created with it.
- Django specializes in backend works for mobile apps. The open-source framework is also multifunctional, but also very stable, mature, and easy to use. We recommend the stack for building prototypes and simpler apps.
- Ruby on Rails is free of charge, which is probably its biggest advantage. The robust repository of library integrations helps to accelerate web development. It builds apps that are expandable in many ways and used for many purposes. Plus, there is full MySQL compatibility.
A Native Mobile Technology Stack
Native stacks are there to help you create a mobile app that performs on a specific mobile OS. They are more secure and significantly faster and put you in control of the development project. Users benefit from enhanced responsiveness, easy navigation, notifications, and gesture control. The stack is scalable to adapt to different hardware/software, and can also offer offline usage. On top of that, native technology stacks are more cost-efficient.
The leading ones are, as you know, Android and iOS.
Why Should You Use the Best Tech Stack You Can Find?
In short, all critical performance aspects are at stake. The better the stack is, the more secure, scalable, fast, and easy to maintain an app you will get. The stack also has a direct impact on your costs and your future market ratings.
At the end of the day, we all want a modern and robust solution that brings clients our way, not the other way around.
All Considerations in a Nutshell
Once you’ve decided on the technology stack, you need to find engaged and competent programmers that can apply it. Developers with experience in building mobile apps and such who can handle all stacks are your best choice. Next, sit with them and work out the functions and the specifications.
As the investor, you will have the final say on which programming language will be applied and which tools will be used. Before you discuss this with the programmer, pre-select stacks that fall within your budget and meet your exact needs.
Last but not least, listen to what your programmer has to say.
Your Tech Stack Needs To Be Flexible
As mentioned before, you need to compile a list of all aspects and components that are important to you. Flexibility should be on top of this list, namely receiving an app that keeps up with time. The app should also be scalable. Instead of a single set of components that are trending for the time, you need such that can be scaled against any trend or necessity that may come.
The rule of thumb states, to go for tech stacks that last at least 5 years. It is very difficult to prove that a stack will be functional in the future, but research should help.
For instance, don’t observe the stack as a whole, but rather focus on various elements that are most likely to change in the future. Observe frontend and backend separately. Then, distinguish the components that can cause trouble in the future. If you do this, you want to have to take the app offline to update it.
Stay Current
We all want the best for our apps, but we tend to exaggerate. Entrepreneurs, for instance, rely on the urban myth of getting their money’s worth and go for the best and most complicated components they can find. As a result, they end up with a complex tech stack that is a nightmare to maintain. The nightmare only gets worse when they need to update something and can’t do so without a whole team of developers.
When it comes to your tech stack, the sky is the limit. You are free to combine the components and make them more intricate, depending on the time and budget you have. Smartly chosen components will you’re your app faster and more reliable.
Conclusion
It is important to choose solid technology stacks for your mobile app. This way, you can ensure the app is fast and responsive, and that it caters to the needs of end-users. Before you decide, however, research multiple stacks and define your project in advance.
At the end of the day, the choice will fall on an optimal stack that corresponds to your business situation. There is no such thing as a universal stack that works for everyone, so do your research promptly.