presentation layer web application

Web Application Architecture: How the Web Works

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• Published: 25 Jul, 2019
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When building a web application, there are three main principles to bear in mind. From a customer’s point of view, the application should be simple, aesthetically pleasing, and address most of their problems. From the business aspect, a web application should stay aligned with its product/market fit . From a software engineer’s perspective, a web application should be scalable, functional, and able to withstand high traffic loads. All these issues are addressed in the web application’s architecture. We’ll cover the basic concepts of any modern web application and explain how the architecture patterns may differ depending on the application you’re building.

What is Web Application Architecture?

So, what is a web application, and how is it different from a website? The basic definition of a web application is a program that runs on a browser. It’s not a website, but the line between the two is fuzzy. To differentiate a web application from a website, remember these three formal characteristics. A web application:

• addresses a particular problem, even if it’s simply finding some information
• is as interactive as a desktop application
• has a Content Management System

A website is traditionally understood to simply be a combination of static pages. But today, most websites consist of both static and dynamic pages, which makes almost all modern websites - you guessed it! - web applications. In this article, we will use the terms interchangeably. Your computer, or smartphone, or any other device you’re browsing with is called a client. The other half of the web equation is called a server because it serves you the data you request. Their communication is called a client-server model, whose main concern is receiving your request and delivering the response back. Web application architecture is a mechanism that determines how application components communicate with each other. Or, in other words, the way the client and the server are connected is established by web application architecture. Web applications of different sizes and complexity levels all follow the same architectural principle, but details may differ. We will further explain how a basic request-response process works and what components comprise the architecture.

How does the web request work?

Web request-response cycle

Let’s look at Amazon.com to illustrate our explanation. First, you visit amazon.com . You type in the URL and as you hit Enter, your browser prepares to recognize this URL, because it needs to know the address of the server where the page is located. So it sends your request to the Domain Name Center (DNS), a repository of domain names and their IP addresses. If you've already visited Amazon from the same browser, it will pull the address from the cache. Then, a browser sends the request to the found IP address using the HTTPS protocol. Second, the web server processes the request . The web server where Amazon.com is located catches the request and sends it to the storage area to locate the page and all data that follows with it. But its route is held via Business Logic (also called Domain Logic and Application Logic). BL manages how each piece of data is accessed and determines this workflow specifically for each application . As BL processes the request, it sends it to storage to locate the looked-for data. Third, you receive your data . Your response travels back to you and you see the content of the web page on your display. The graphical interface you see when scrolling Amazon's or any other website is called the front end of an application - it depicts all UX and UI components so that a user can access the information they came looking for.

Web application architecture components and Three-Tier Architecture

Web application architecture following the three-tier pattern

Presentation layer

The presentation layer is accessible to users via a browser and consists of user interface components and UI process components that support interaction with the system. It’s developed using three core technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While HTML is the code that determines what your website will contain, CSS controls how it will look. JavaScript and its frameworks make your website interactive - responsive to a user’s actions. Developers use JavaScript frameworks such as Angular and React to make the content on the page dynamic.

Business layer

This layer, also called Business Logic or Domain Logic or Application Layer, accepts user requests from the browser, processes them, and determines the routes through which the data will be accessed. The workflows by which the data and requests travel through the back end are encoded in a business layer. For example, if your application is a hotel booking website, business logic will be responsible for the sequence of events a traveler will go through when booking a room. Although business rules can be a manifestation of the business logic, they are not the same. Sometimes business rules are extracted and managed separately, using a Business Rules Management System, as we discussed in our article on back office systems .

Persistence layer

Also called the storage or data access layer, the persistance layer is a centralized location that receives all data calls and provides access to the persistent storage of an application. The persistence layer is closely connected to the business layer, so the logic knows which database to talk to and the data retrieving process is more optimized. The data storage infrastructure includes a server and a Database Management System , software to communicate with the database itself, applications, and user interfaces to obtain data and parse it. Typically you can store your data either in owned hardware servers or in the cloud - meaning, that you purchase data center management and maintenance services while accessing your storage virtually. Using the services of cloud technology providers such as Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, you can utilize Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, or serverless approaches to cloud management. There are also components that usually exist in all web applications but are separated from the main layers: Cross-cutting code. This component handles other application concerns such as communications, operational management, and security. It affects all parts of the system but should never mix with them. Third-party integrations . Payment gateways, social logins, GDSs in travel websites are all integrations connected to the application’s back end via pieces of code called APIs. They allow your software to source data from other software and widen your functionality without coding it from scratch. Read how APIs work in our dedicated article. Let’s see how the three-tier architecture is implemented in different types of web applications.

Example #1. Dynamic web pages, SPAs, and MPAs

The application’s front end can serve either static or dynamic content. In most cases, it’s a combination of both. Static Web Pages exist on a server as they are and contain information that doesn’t change. Dynamic Web Pages change information every day or in response to a user’s request - think of any news website or your Twitter feed. The combination of dynamic and static content makes up a web application. The simplest example of a web application with dynamic content is a Single Page Application.

Single Page Applications

Single Page Application architecture

When the role of the server is reduced to data services, this is sometimes called thin server architecture. We can’t talk about SPAs without mentioning the more traditional model - Multi-Page Applications.

Multi-Page Applications

MPA architecture

As opposed to the SPA’s client-side scripting, traditional applications are written using both client- and server-side languages. Server-side scripting means that all operations are performed on the server’s end, so when you request content, it processes the script, retrieves data from the storage and chooses the content to display. Server-scripting languages you should be familiar with include PHP, Java , Python, Ruby, C#, and more.

Example #2. Enterprise applications

Enterprise application architecture

Apart from an extra layer, enterprise applications have access to data sources from other applications in an organization, making it a network of software solutions, connected by APIs. Besides, there are more groups of users who have access to different functional components - they can be business partners, clients, admins, and several groups of staff. Sometimes the presentation tiers are separate for all of them, so you can deploy the application as intranet or extranet.

To conclude

This, hopefully, sheds some light on the backstage of building modern websites. In this article, we dipped our toes into the complicated subject of software engineering. If this wasn’t enough for you, feel free to roam around our blog a bit more and specifically explore the following articles. The Good and the Bad of JavaScript Full Stack Development Technical Documentation in Software Development: Types, Best Practices, and Tools How to Use Open Source Software: Features, Main Software Types, and Selection Advice

Architecture of Web Applications: Types, Diagram, Example, Architecture in Java

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Understanding the architecture of web applications is crucial if you want to become a highly successful web developer. So, learn everything you need to know about web application architecture here!

Architecture of Web Applications: Web applications seamlessly blend technology and user experience. Web app architecture invisibly coordinates servers, databases, and client devices, forming a seamless backbone.

This complex connection includes various elements like front-end frameworks, back-end languages, and databases, all collaborating to provide a dynamic and responsive user interface. The architecture guides data and functionality flow from the client’s browser to the server’s databases, shaping the core of user interaction.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the architecture of web applications, its types, diagrams, examples, and more!

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Table of Contents

Web Application Architecture Diagram

In a typical web application architecture, the system comprises several layers that work together to deliver a seamless user experience. The following is a textual representation of a web application architecture:

• User Interface (UI):
• The front-end layer where users interact with the application.
• Built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Responsive design for optimal user experience across devices.
• Presentation Layer:
• Handles the logic related to the presentation and user interface.
• Includes front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Responsible for rendering data received from the server.
• Application Logic Layer:
• Manages the core functionality of the application.
• Utilises back-end frameworks like Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails .
• Processes requests from the presentation layer and communicates with the database.
• Web Server:
• Acts as an intermediary between the front-end and back-end.
• Responds to HTTP requests from the client and routes them to the appropriate components.
• API (Application Programming Interface):
• Defines how different software components should interact.
• RESTful or GraphQL APIs are common for communication between the front-end and back-end.
• Business Logic Layer:
• Implements the business rules and logic of the application.
• Validates and processes data before storing it in the database.
• Stores and manages the application’s data.
• Relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, or NoSQL databases like MongoDB are commonly used.
• Data Storage:
• Includes file storage systems or cloud storage for storing user uploads, media files, etc.
• Authentication and Authorization:
• Manages user identity and access control.
• Ensures secure user authentication and authorization to access specific resources.
• Security Layer:
• Implements security measures to protect against common web application vulnerabilities.
• Includes encryption, input validation, and other security protocols.

Also Read: What is AngularJS? A Complete Guide for Beginners to Master in 2024

Web Application Architecture Example

A common web application architecture includes a User Interface (UI) layer for user interaction, a Presentation layer for rendering content, an Application Logic layer for core functionality, and a Web Server handling client requests. The API facilitates communication with a Business Logic layer, managing rules and data processing .

Data is stored in a Database, with additional layers for Data Storage, Authentication, and Security. This orchestrated structure, often utilising front-end and back-end frameworks, ensures seamless user experiences by efficiently processing requests, managing data securely, and separating concerns for scalability and maintainability.

Architecture of Web Application in Java

The structure of an application explains how its parts are linked and how they talk to each other. It can also be explained as the link between the user and server that outlines the connection, along with the server managing the communication between the user and server.

Web applications are built with an architecture that outlines how components are connected. The web application architecture decides how the client and server communicate with each other.

Various sizes and complexities of web applications adhere to a common architectural structure, yet their specifics are distinct. Apart from understanding the functioning of a request-response process and its components, we will also explore the mechanics of a basic request-response cycle.

What is Web Architecture?

Web architecture involves the creation and implementation of an internet-based computer program. Frequently, these programs take the form of websites that provide valuable information to users, and web developers may design them for a specific purpose, company, or brand.

Web architecture includes all aspects of an application and aids web developers in crafting designs that improve a user’s experience. Ideally, the finished project enables users to effortlessly access information and comprehend how to navigate through its content.

Though there exist various methods, tactics, and patterns for web application architecture, the process typically impacts these components:

What are the 3 types of Web Architecture?

There are various types of web architecture. However, here are 3 of the most common types of web architecture:

• Design: This pertains to how the program looks visually to a user.
• IT infrastructure: This aspect of a web architecture program involves coding and software development used in creating a program.
• User experience: In addition to design elements, web architecture concepts enable developers to implement other program functions that appeal to a user, such as simple language or easy navigation.
• Software: Effective web architecture often includes the development of robust software to support the functions of a program or application.
• Monetization: This involves the ability to generate revenue from a web program, which developers incorporate into the foundational architecture of a program.
• Efficiency: The methods employed to create a program directly impact its efficiency—both in its design and at a software level.
• Reliability: This refers to the trustworthiness and consistency of a web application when a user tries to access it. Prioritising this component can help developers avoid technical glitches and other issues that may arise on a user’s end.
• Scalability: During the design phase, it’s crucial for web developers to consider the potential need to expand the size and reach of the program.
• Security: This relates to the level of network security a web program possesses to ensure the protection of user data.

Serverless Architecture

Serverless architecture is a way of building web applications that don’t require any servers. Instead, the application is built to run directly on cloud platforms like AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Functions. The development of software applications is done using serverless architecture.

An infrastructure service provider is responsible for managing the provisioning of the underlying infrastructure in this arrangement.

• You don’t pay for idle CPU time or idle storage – you only spend money on the infrastructure when it’s being used.
• Expenses are reduced – resources are only utilised when the application is running.
• The cloud provider handles the difficult scaling tasks.
• The backend code is made simpler.
• It lowers development strategies.
• Reduces cost
• Increases market time efficiency

You don’t need to manage servers or scale them out as your application grows. You can also use serverless architecture to build microservices that scale automatically when there’s more demand for them.

Also Check: 8 Best Android Frameworks for App Development in 2024

Monolithic Architecture

Traditional software development models like monolithic architecture, commonly referred to as web development architecture, are still used today.

Monolithic architecture is a software design pattern in which an application is written as a single, cohesive unit. It is the opposite of microservices architecture, which consists of multiple, independent applications that communicate with each other to perform tasks. It indicates that all of the parts are interrelated, interdependent, and necessary for the application to function.

• It creates a lightweight application.
• Cost efficiency – Monolithic architecture will suffice if money is of the essence.
• Its deployment is manageable.
• Building a new project, using frameworks, scripts, and templates, and testing it becomes straightforward since it treats the entire code as a single program.
• It makes it easier for developers to work on the code – since they don’t have to worry about how their changes will affect other parts of the application.
• It makes it easier for developers to make changes quickly – because they’re not waiting for other teams to implement changes before moving forward with their work.

However, monolithic architectures have drawbacks as well. For one thing, if one part of the system breaks down or stops working correctly for any reason, then all parts of the system will be impacted by that issue until it gets fixed and everything starts functioning normally again. The same goes when the code becomes bigger.

AWS Lambda is a service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. It is a serverless computing platform that supports any programming language and can be used for any kind of application or backend service. It was launched in 2014 and was initially offered by Amazon.

• With lambda, you can build applications that respond quickly to new information.
• You don’t have to worry about scaling your application, or retooling it when things change.
• According to the demands of the traffic, servers are automatically added and removed.
• Lambda provides simple execution.
• Delivers a cost-effective solution and better app resiliency.
• Only the necessary features need to be uploaded, and then the app can be activated to start the service.

The environment cannot be controlled, which is a drawback.

What is the 3 Tier Architecture of Web Application?

A 3-tier application architecture is a modular client-server architecture that consists of a presentation tier, an application tier and a data tier. The data tier stores information, the application tier handles logic and the presentation tier is a graphical user interface (GUI) that communicates with the other two tiers. The three tiers are logical, not physical, and may or may not run on the same physical server.

• Presentation tier : This tier, which is built with HTML5, cascading style sheets (CSS) and JavaScript , is deployed to a computing device through a web browser or a web-based application. The presentation tier communicates with the other tiers through application program interface (API) calls.
• Application tier : The application tier, which may also be referred to as the logic tier, is written in a programming language such as Java and contains the business logic that supports the application’s core functions. The underlying application tier can either be hosted on distributed servers in the cloud or on a dedicated in-house server, depending on how much processing power the application requires.
• Data tier : The data tier consists of a database and a program for managing read and write access to a database. This tier may also be referred to as the storage tier and can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud. Popular database systems for managing read/write access include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server and MongoDB.

Also Read: HTML Tags List: HTML Cheat Sheet

What is Application Architecture and Types?

Application architecture defines the methods and patterns you can follow to design and build your application. It provides the direction and best practices to build your application with the right features and structure. The behaviour of your application is determined by the architecture it is built upon.

Architecture is the starting point in the process of developing an application and it shows how different components of your application are to be arranged. It also provides details on how different components will interact and deliver functionality.

Types of Architecture

Monolithic architecture provides a cohesive application structure where all of the business concerns are coupled in a single codebase. Therefore, it’s a tightly packed system of interdependent functionalities. It is a primary architecture for most legacy applications. Simpler design and fast performance are among the key benefits of monolithic application architecture.

Although this is an efficient and coherent system, it has numerous disadvantages, like limited flexibility and stability. Further, a complex structure makes system updates and maintenance a hard nut to crack. Hence, monolithic architecture is a more suitable option to develop mobile apps with fewer functionalities.

N-Tier Architecture

Tiered architecture is divided into separate layers that stack above each other to manage various aspects of an application. These layers pass on data either downward or upward, depending on the application architecture design.

These layers work with each other and data moves from one layer to another. In the N-tier architecture, there can be any number of layers, but usually, there are 3-4 layers. Also, typically, two layers, the Data layer and UI layer, are common for most n-tier architectures.

Microservices Architecture

Today, businesses have accelerated their digital transformation efforts with the increasing customer needs. Therefore, they need more flexible applications that can be quickly adapted to meet the rising demands. Microservices is the best-suited application architecture for creating complex decoupled applications.

Microservices architecture is composed of smaller services and these services lack interdependence, meaning they are not dependent on each other. Every microservice can be developed, deployed, and modified without affecting the whole application because of its exclusivity.

Also Read: How to Center Text & Headers in CSS Using the Text-Align Property

What is the Layered Architecture of a Web Application?

The application architecture is made up of several layers: design layer, frontend layer (HTML and CSS), backend or data layer (database and scripting languages), platform (browser/OS), and business layer. These layers are built on top of each other and depend on each other to create a successful project.

Presentation Layer

This layer represents the design and UI components on the client side. Users interact with this layer to send requests through the application layer to the server. It displays the data flow for the users. The main purpose of this layer is to take data from users and show the response from the server (data layer). Our UI team can help you create the right experience to help your business attract customers’ attention.

Application Layer

The application layer consists of an API gateway. Front-end developers write code to pass the data from the presentation layer to the business logic layer where it is processed. Data will pass to APIs and get stored in the database, depending on the feature it is utilised in the business layer for application logic and to perform certain actions.

Business Layer

This layer has all implementations of application logic. Data from the application layer gets utilised here for example in a lead generation application a form is submitted in the presentation layer and data travels through APIs and is then used to send out emails or to perform any action on the lead before getting stored in the database.

Data or Backend Layer

All the data gets stored in the database and retrieved from it to use on the front end (client-side). Data travels from the database through APIs, from the application layer in creating modules or components that are converted to UI and the user then interacts with that in the presentation layer.

The architecture of web applications plays a pivotal role in their performance, scalability, and maintainability. Adopting a suitable architecture is crucial for ensuring a seamless user experience and efficient development process. Whether opting for monolithic, microservices, or serverless architectures, it’s essential to align the chosen approach with the specific requirements of the application.

Striking the right balance between front-end and back-end components, utilising robust frameworks, and prioritising security measures are integral aspects. As technology evolves, staying abreast of emerging trends like progressive web apps and single-page applications is essential for building modern, responsive, and resilient web applications.

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Architecture of Web Applications FAQs

What is the architecture of web applications.

Web application architecture refers to the structured design and organisation of components that make up a web application, including the client-side and server-side elements. It typically involves components like the user interface, application logic, and databases working together to deliver a seamless user experience.

Why is web application architecture important?

Effective web application architecture ensures scalability, performance, and maintainability. It helps in organising code, handling user interactions, managing data securely, and providing a foundation for future growth and updates.

What are the key components of web application architecture?

Web application architecture consists of three main components: the presentation layer (user interface), the application layer (business logic), and the data layer (database and storage). These components work together to deliver a functional and user-friendly web application.

What are common web application architectural patterns?

Common architectural patterns include Model-View-Controller (MVC), Microservices, and Serverless. These patterns offer different approaches to organising and structuring code, depending on the application's requirements and complexity.

How does web application architecture impact performance?

Well-designed web application architecture contributes to optimal performance by ensuring efficient data flow, minimising latency, and enabling effective caching strategies. Performance considerations include server response times, data retrieval, and rendering on the client side.

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Web App Architecture: Components, Layers, and Types

Businesses and organizations of all kinds build apps of different levels of complexity, and it can be overwhelming to understand what technologies will be best suited for your individual case. Choosing the web app architecture design is the most important step in its development

Long gone are the times when web pages were static and their main goal was to provide information. Now apps are highly functional and user-oriented, which means they’re rather heavy and require robust architectures that can sustain constant data flows and execute complex business logic.

Choosing the right architecture is the most challenging step in web app development , as the architecture is the backbone that unites and organizes all web application components.

In this article, you’ll get familiar with basic terms of web app backend architecture like components, models, and types.You’ll also see how developers choose an architecture depending on the complexity and specific functionality of a web application.

First, let’s figure out what web applications and architectures are.

What is a web application architecture?

A web application is a piece of software that works on the internet through a browser. It isn’t much different from a traditional desktop application, but it relies on an internet connection and needs to constantly share and receive data from a server to work.

A web application architecture is essentially a framework that unites all components of the application into one system that exchanges data and allows a user to interact with the product through requests to and responses from a server.

Every good web app architecture should:

• Solve business problems
• Support the brand’s visual aesthetic
• Be maintainable and reliable
• Be secure and robust
• Scale easily
• Automate some business operations
• Log errors for easier quality control
• Enable A/B testing and support analytics

A web app architecture should meet the needs of three groups of people:

• End-users — The app should be user-friendly, responsive, fast, and provide offline functionality.
• Engineers — The architecture should be functional, fast to develop, scalable, maintainable, and allow for automated testing.
• Business owners and stakeholders — The app should cover business needs and bring more profit than the resources it takes. Also, it should be highly secure and easy to support.

There are two main components of a web app architecture: the server side and the client side. Let’s find out the differences between these components and define their functions.

Web application architecture components

Beyond server-side and client-side, you can divide web app architecture components into two other categories:

• UI/UX components
• Structural components

UI/UX components represent all elements of a web app that are visible to a user. They include layouts, notifications, and dashboards.

Structural components include the server and the web application database architecture. They’re responsible for a website’s data structure and business logic.

Each web application has two components (the client and the server) that connect with each other through a framework.

The client is essentially the interface a user interacts with. It’s a visual representation of all the functionality of a web application that users see when they enter or follow a URL. The client side of a web application is written with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and is the frontend part of the web software.

The backend part of a web application, also called the server side, is often written in PHP, Java, Ruby on Rails, Python, or Node.js. The server side usually consists of two parts: a server that contains all the business logic of your software product and a database where you store all the information used by your app, including user data.

These components are parts of the web application layers we’ll discuss now.

Web application architecture layers

There are four common layers of a web application architecture:

• Presentation layer (PL)
• Business logic layer (BLL)
• Data service layer (DSL)
• Data access layer (DAL)

The presentation layer is what a user sees and interacts with. This is essentially the client side of an app. It contains interface components and user process components that facilitate the user’s interaction with the app.

The presentation layer provides all data to the client side. It processes the user’s requests and sends them to the server, and it shows the response in the browser and receives input data.

The business logic layer is responsible for data exchange and the app’s overall functionality. It contains all the logic for business operations, such as rules and conditions.

Architecture is a backbone that holds all the layers and components together and defines their communication patterns

The data service layer transfers data from the server to the presentation layer. It separates business logic from the client side and serves as an intermediary between the server and the presentation layer.

The data access layer provides access to your data, including binary and XML files. This is the layer that performs data management operations such as create, read, update, and delete (CRUD).

Every good architecture needs to be scalable, which means you need to be able to easily add more servers and databases.

The term “web application architecture” can refer to two different things:

• The configuration and number of databases and servers
• The business logic of interactions between the client and server sides of a web app

In this article, I’ll refer to the database and server configuration as the web component model and will refer to the business logic and interactions between components as the web application architecture.

Let’s start with the component models of web applications.

Web app component models

Every application has at least two components: a server and a database. However, to increase security and performance, software architects often choose to add more servers and databases to the ecosystem. Let’s review all possible component models and discuss their pros and cons.

One server and one database

This is the most common and basic web application architecture, but it’s also the riskiest. If your app doesn’t have a backup server, the whole system can go down if the server stops working. This model is suitable only for simple apps that are created to test the waters or that belong to an individual who wants a minimal digital presence.

Two servers and one database

This is a more risk-proof approach to building a web application. In this case, the server doesn’t store any data but rather transfers it to a separate database. Having a backup server reduces the risk of the system crashing, as the second server will automatically take over all tasks if the first crashes, and your app will stay live.

However, you still have only one database, and if it crashes, you risk losing all your data.

2+ servers and 2+ databases

This option is the most reliable. In this case, you’ll have a backup for all vital components of your system and will be able to work with large amounts of data and divide it into streams. You can also use several databases with different properties to achieve different goals.

For example, you can choose a fast database for processing regular requests. This will speed up your loading time and improve search visibility. You can also duplicate data across databases to make sure you always have a backup. Another option is to distribute data between databases.

At Mobindustry, we advise you to choose this web app database architecture to create a complex business application that’s reliable and secure.

Serverless and microservice models

These are two relatively new models that avoid the monolithic nature of the three models I’ve mentioned above. While the previous models have stable structures, serverless and microservice models are more flexible and easier to change.

A serverless model is a scalable web app architecture that allows developers to focus on their code, while the server provider handles all tasks concerning the server, such as provisioning, configuration, and maintenance.

Another option for architecting web applications is a microservice model , according to which a site consists of loosely coupled services that can be modified and replaced separately. This makes the microservice model flexible and maintainable.

However, both these approaches have their downsides, and only a professional will be able to determine which approach is best for your needs.

Now that I’ve discussed the components of a web application and the ways you can arrange them, let’s talk about the types of architectures.

Types of architectures for a web application

Generally, there are four main types of architectures:

• Legacy HTML web app architecture
• Widget web app architecture
• Single-page web app architecture
• Progressive web application architecture

The differences between these types of web application architecture patterns lie in how they process requests and load data.

A legacy HTML web app architecture is the most straightforward approach to loading data upon request, as it returns complete HTML code, meaning it fully reloads the whole page, loading both the business logic and page logic. This approach is suitable only for static pages — not for dynamic apps.

The widget web application architecture is a modern web app architecture that is suitable for dynamic web applications. Instead of pages, it’s constructed of services, where each page is essentially a widget. When services receive an AJAX query, they send chunks of data in HTML or JSON to widgets. This data can then be displayed without having to reload the page.

Widget web applications are popular for mobile web application architectures because of their dynamic properties. However, this type of architecture has security flaws, as the app is partly exposed on the client side. Also, this is the most time-consuming architecture to set up and develop.

A single-page application is based on HTML and JavaScript requests that the user sends to load a page once. Because these requests aren’t translated to JSON, they’re lightweight and responsive. The client side has a JavaScript layer that communicates freely with web services. This significantly reduces the amount of data that’s transferred from the server to the client.

Progressive web apps are aimed at mobile devices, as their main features are increased speed, offline functionality, home screen installation, and push notifications. The main advantage of a progressive web app architecture is fast loading. PWAs use caching and storage APIs to precache parts of an application and then load it instantly the second time a user opens the app. The PWA architecture is built specifically for minimizing data traffic and saving user-generated data for offline functionality.

Web server architecture

A server is the backbone of the whole web application, so it’s vital to choose the correct server technology stack for your app. The best server architecture depends on the programming language and framework you choose for your product. This choice should depend on your individual needs as well as your server’s performance, processing power, speed, storage type, and ability to connect to other apps, operating systems, and networks.

These are the most popular web server architectures:

• Cloud-based

A PHP-based web server architecture is one of the most popular and simplest options for development. Because the PHP language is so widespread, it’s easy to find a team of developers who can rapidly build a secure and maintainable server for your web app.

Laravel is a PHP-based framework that implements an MVC architecture. Many developers choose Laravel because of its wide functionality that includes modular packaging, caching, sessions, and better routing and authentication. Laravel is an efficient framework that helps developers deliver projects fast.

A Python-based architecture is perfect for creating prototypes because of Python’s dynamic properties. There are several great Python frameworks you can use in your project simultaneously while also pairing them with other languages in the same app. Python is beginner-friendly, so you’ll have no problem finding a developer or training your current development team.

AngularJS is a platform and framework for TypeScript and HTML. This architecture is based on NgModule blocks. Lazy loading is one of the biggest benefits of AngularJS, as it improves the user experience and helps reduce code size.

The Azure architecture is a perfect solution if you want to combine the web application cloud architecture with traditional tools. Microsoft Azure allows you to create a web application using the best practices of web architecture development.

Java is the most widely used language for web development, and it’s only natural that it has the most options when it comes to architectures. With Java, you can create both highly complex and very simple pages and be sure they’ll be maintainable in the long-term perspective.

A Java-based server architecture is also extremely versatile, as Java offers a large number of tools that allow you to create highly functional solutions.

The .NET architecture is notorious for its cross-platform support and microservices. Its framework is called Data Access Layer, and it allows you to use data without a specific database code. The .NET architecture currently uses ASP.NET Core and .NET Core, making it easy to optimize and support your web app.

If you choose Node.js for your server, you can build your architecture according to one of the three most popular web development patterns:

• MVC (Model–View–Controller)
• MVVM (Model–View–ViewModel)
• MVP (Model–View–Presenter)

Node.js allows you to identify code elements to configure and route them properly. This architecture is great for data systematization, as it breaks logic into modules, and analyzes logs to make sure your web app works properly. With Node.js, you can build highly scalable and maintainable apps.

Cloud-based web app architectures are a big trend, as cloud servers allow for instant scalability and flexibility and provide easy full-system backups. To make your app architecture more robust, you can store data on both your local server and a cloud server. Cloud-based architectures are also secure if you develop them right, using identity management technologies to protect access.

Wrapping up

Deciding on your app’s architecture is the first step in web application development. There’s no best option when it comes to an architecture, as each programming language and framework has its own pros and cons.

Whichever architectural pattern you choose, it should ensure your product:

• Is stable and doesn’t crash frequently
• Can scale up and down
• Is easy to maintain and support
• Logs errors
• Has robust security
• Supports automated testing
• Responds fast

Your app architecture should also correspond to your business goals, which is why it’s best to choose the technology stack with your development team after you’ve explained the vision for your web application.

If you need to develop a secure and reliable web app that will help your business grow, contact us. We’re a business-oriented company, and we’ll make sure your web app’s architecture performs well in the years ahead.

Mobindustry creates web applications of any complexity and scale, from MVPs for startups to large enterprise solutions.

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