Web Application Architecture - Detailed Guide for 2023. Web apps have been a game changer for businesses. Not only do they serve the needs of websites but they also fulfill the needs of apps. And with the rise in the demand for web apps, developers are looking for new methods and practices to enhance their web app development processes.
One such methodology is web application architecture. It plays an important role in web app development and also helps in selecting the right components to build future-proof applications. So, if you are interested in learning more about the same then keep reading!
What is Web Application Architecture?
Web application architecture is a layout that contains all the software segments like applications, databases, and middleware systems and describes how these components communicate with each other to provide an unmatched user experience.
It is important to choose the right web application architecture to ensure the performance, scalability, and reliability of your business.
In addition, it not only caters to changing business needs, but it also helps in handling huge amounts of traffic with ease.
It has three main components.
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Database Server
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Web Browser
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Web Server
Database Server - It handles data-related tasks by providing the required data.
Web Browser - It is the client-side/frontend component of the web app architecture, that enables the users to view, interact and access the web content.
Web Server - It is the server-side/backend component that receives and processes the client-side request by providing the requested data on the user interface.
Read: Web Application Development Cost
Besides this, web application architecture is classified into different types.
8 Types of Web Application Architecture
Here is the list of 8 different types of web app architectures.
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Single-page Application Architecture
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Client-side Rendering
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Two-tier Architecture
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Three-tier Architecture
Single-page Application Architecture
It contains only a single web page and it dynamically updates the content on the user interface. These applications are quick, cost-effective, and provide a seamless and responsive user experience. Gmail and Google Maps are common examples of SPA architecture.
Monolithic Architecture
It is a traditional software development model with three components i.e. the backend, frontend, and database. These types of applications are easy to develop but difficult to manage since the code grows bigger. In addition, it also makes it easier to debug and deploy the code.
Microservices Architecture
It helps the developers to develop applications quickly alongside increasing their productivity. It is a scalable and flexible architecture that is compact and independent and carries out a specific function of the applications.
Read: Benefits of Microservices Architecture
It also enables continuous delivery and also eliminates the need for service orchestration. Netflix and Sound Cloud are the famous industry giants who use this architecture.
Serverless Architecture
It helps the developers to write and deploy the code without worrying about the infrastructure. It is cost-effective, simple, and scalable and also helps in faster time to market.
The servers are provided by third-party service providers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Google Cloud.
Server-side Rendering
These types of applications are rendered on the web server, where the server compiles and delivers the data to the client side on an HTML page in the browser.
Read: Types of Software Architecture Patterns
These apps are scalable, SEO-friendly, and provide faster page loading speed, which in turn enhances the user experience. Next.js and Django are some of the popular server-side rendering technologies.
Client-side Rendering
Here the data is fetched on the client side in the browser using JavaScript. It helps in developing applications with large and dynamic data with a huge number of users.
Two-tier architecture
It has two different layers i.e the database server and the application server and is based on the client-server model. The components of this architecture are compiled in one location using a single code base.
Three-tier architecture
It has three different layers i.e. the presentation/client layer or the UI, the application/business layer where the data is processed, and the data layer where the application data is stored and managed. It helps in improving the scalability, security, and performance of the applications.
Benefits of Web Application Architecture
The ever-changing business needs and consumer demands have led to the growth of architectural patterns. And now that you are familiar with the components and types of web application architecture, here are the benefits of the same.
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It helps in improving the performance of an app along with its capability to adapt to changing business needs.
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It helps in handling a variety of loads and multiple development tasks in one go.
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It also cuts down the development time making it easy to integrate new features into the application.
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It ensures a high level of flexibility and reliability, which in turn also helps in providing an improved user experience.
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In addition, it also provides security to each of the constituents which eliminates the risks and all the possible cyber threats.
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It also helps in enhancing the business with increased traffic, is cost-effective, and streamlines business operations.
An added note, also learn about the drawbacks and challenges all well. Conduct thorough research so that you can emit the problems and issues and develop a future-proof solution for your business.
Tools to Consider for Web App Architecture
After learning about the benefits if you have reached here, this means you are considering the use of web application architecture while developing a web application for your business. So, below are some tools that will help you develop top-notch solutions for your business.
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IDE Tools - AWS Cloud9, NetBeans, and WebStorm.
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UI/UX Tools - Figma, Invision Studio, and Sketch.
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Integration Tools - Automate.io, JitterBit, and MuliSoft.
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Libraries and Frameworks - Angular, React, Vue, Express, and many more.
Wrapping It Up
Web applications are on the rise after businesses have seen exponential growth. And it is more important that you should choose the right web application architecture as well to enable superb app performance and provide a seamless user experience.
So, if you are thinking of developing a web application for your business, then why wait?
Schedule a free consultation with us and we will help you choose the best architecture according to your business goals and develop a feature-loaded and high-performing software for your business.
FAQs about Web Application Architecture
What is a web application?
It is a type of software that is accessed in a web browser with an active internet connection. Unlike mobile apps or desktop apps, these applications do not require any additional space on your device. Examples of web apps include Google Docs, Netflix, Gmail, and many others.
What are the different components of a web app architecture?
There are three main components of a web application architecture namely the Web Browser, the web server, and the database server.
What are the best practices for a good web application architecture?
The best practices for a good web app architecture are as follows -
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Choose the suitable web app architecture according to the business goals.
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Use a well-planned technology stack.
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Follow all the security guidelines.
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Enable user feedback areas to improve the software.
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Automate the code deployments, and
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Use a content delivery network.