Understanding Web Application Architectures
Today, web applications are experiencing another phase of active development and demand. It all started in 2004 when Asynchronous JavaScript and XML allowed the creation of dynamic websites without reloading pages. And the first such “web app” was Gmail. The first wave of modern web applications was caused by HTML5, Angular, React, and Vue.js. These frameworks and tools allowed developers to design cross-platform web solutions, SPA and PWA. This, in turn, ensured businesses and users of their quality and reliability. Modern web application development already uses cloud services, API microservices and AI technology. So web solutions have become scalable, more flexible and more independent and are a priority solution in the market.
This article intends to talk about the web design architecture and the advantages of this solution for businesses. Delving into the technical components will allow you to understand the principle of the software product and what tasks and stages the hired IT development team overcomes.
A model that defines the components of a web program and provides it communication on all levels from the database to the client-server to deliver functionality and data to end-users is a brief definition of the web app architecture. Depending on the type of program and its meta, this term can be expanded. Although the construction has only three components: web browser, web server, and database server. In fact, the architecture of modern web applications is a complex structural backbone. The diagram below depicts the interdependence of components, and in order to provide a more sustainable perspective, we further elaborate on the function of each component within the construction.
The high-quality architecture allows you to create reliable, productive, adaptive software solutions that are easy to implement updates and modifications, thereby extending the relevance of the web product in the market. Most often, developers use a 3-level architecture – a software template that divides an application into three logical and physical layers, each of which is responsible for a specific set of tasks. This approach requires us to consider each component separately and determine its role and features. The above diagram visualizes the arrangement of the components of the architecture of a web application. Let’s look at each of them in more detail.
DNS
The component responsible for receiving user requests by the server. The Domain Name System associates IP addresses with domain names.
Caching
The principle of this component is clear: data storage and search, for subsequent rapid processing and calculation of data.
Load Balancer
Unified load distribution during peak activity ensures even distribution of traffic from users across multiple servers. Web services are typically deployed as identical copies to ensure the same query handling on all servers. The balancer is interconnected with the Content Delivery System, the user’s Browser and Web App Services.
Data Warehouse
It stores structured historical data and is optimized for analytical queries. Both components are also optional.
Web App Servers
Launches websites or web applications using the HTTP protocol. Depending on the specified business logic, this component delivers the requested information to the user. But to carry out the described operation, it is necessary to involve other components, which are reflected in the diagram above.
Full-Text Search Service
It is another optional component for performing text search.
Database
This component belongs to the Date Level, that we will discuss later. It stores and manages (deleting, ordering, ranking) information of webapp.
CDN
The component is responsible for distributing static materials such as images and files. The architecture is based on a network of servers geographically located near end users.
Job Queue
It is not a requirement, but it’s becoming more important in the architecture of modern web applications. It performs asynchronous processing of tasks. The component allows processing of long or resource-intensive operations outside the main query flow, for example, mass email, report generation or data export. It’s crucial when it comes to lessening the load on the main server and ensuring dependable task execution.
Job Service
It is an optional but primary partner of Job Queue. This component acts as a task handler from the queue and manages the life cycle of tasks (status, error handling, scaling). When an application creates a job and sends it to Job Queue, Job Service takes the job out of the queue and starts controlling it.
Data Firehouse
It is responsible for collecting and transmitting data in real time, performs fast processing of streaming data and provides buffering of incoming data.
Therefore, each component occupies a specific level and performs the corresponding functions. It’s easier to adjust the structure by dividing it into levels. Accordingly, these levels: customer, business, data.
Advantages of multi-level web systems architecture
Thus, there is a client side, front-end and backend areas, which includes: Presentation layer, API and App layers and data layer. Let’s describe each one.
Presentation layer and client side, responsible for handling UI and user engagement and associated with web browsers. Therefore, CSS, HTML, JavaScript are used to implement front-end solutions of web app architecture. The Web Server is responsible for the actual launch of a website or webapps through a browser, utilizing the hypertext transfer protocol. Finally, web servers have their own characteristics and are divided into static – those that send content unchanged, and dynamic – update the data before sending it to the browser. Web services can be hardware (a computer connected to the Internet with the necessary software and components of web applications) or software (which understands URLs and HTTP protocols and is accessible through domain names). To continue familiarization with web application architecture, let’s move on to the key components.
The back-end includes API, App, Business and data layers. The first three mentioned units often do not separate and allocate as one layer. The Application layer manages the business logic and application-specific rules. Here is the process of processing user requests using business logic and other rules. This level has a direct connection with the following. Developers prefer the use of non-service cloud platforms (PaaS) or special servers. The implementation of components of this level requires high specialization. Actually, this is the knowledge of Python, C #, PHP, JavaScript and Java. Also, it requires specialists’ experience with frameworks .Net, Spring, Flask, and others.
The API allows developers to access certain software data and functions. This layer contains the protocols and tools necessary to create applications. Simplifies the development process and actually speeds up market entry. For example, software engineers use RESTful API, SOAP, XML-RPC, and JSON-RPC. The data layer manages data storage, retrieval, and ongoing maintenance. The database must match the scale of the entire web project. This is the core of the software solution that actually, in the future, will affect the speed, reliability and size of the web program. Developers often choose basic data as PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL, MySQL, MongoDB, or Oracle DB. The type and scope of the application determine the choice of the basis. Therefore, the experience of specialists and their knowledge at this stage will set the pace for the entire architecture for web application development.
| Web App Arch Approaches | Client Side | Server Side | Hosting |
| Arch types | SPA Architecture | Microservices Architecture | Server-less architecture |
| PWA Architecture | Monolithic Architecture |
Let’s examine the key distinctions between different types of web applications and how they perform. The table above is given as a brief introduction to the types of web design architecture and divided according to purpose.
SPA or Single Page Application has a dynamic interface update and does not update the entire page unnecessarily. Asynchronous data sending provides fast performance and improved UX flexibility. JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, Vue.js are used for development. However, SPAs have low SEO adaptability, low first boot speed (because the application loads a large JavaScript package), there is also a risk of losing unsaved data. These issues have a solution, but it is important to evaluate the project at the first stage to avoid these challenges or be ready for them.
PWA or Progressive Web App, a solution that doesn’t lose relevance. They are increasingly used and provide speed, mobile adaptability, withstand high traffic, can run offline, support background synchronization and push notifications. Although PWAs have weaknesses, like using native APIs or working with iOS devices.
The choice of software architecture for web developers has several alternatives in the Server-Side approach. The traditional approach includes monolithic architecture. Under such conditions, the entire application is built in a single block, requires a single codebase and a centralized database. Monolithic architecture is characterized by simple development, testing and deployment. However, it faces scalability problems and the introduction of new technologies.
The microservice architecture is easily scalable, so it is suitable for developing large, complex web solutions. This construction makes it easy to divide the application into freely coupled components that communicate with each other through integrated API solutions. Such an architecture requires in-depth experience of specialists, involvement of DevOps solutions and requires managing multiple services.
Server-less architecture is used in hosting approach. It allows developers to outsource server and infrastructure management to a third-party cloud service providers. The security of a serverless approach is the main question. Despite the advantages of high scalability, flexibility, speed and economy, the hosting approach is not the right choice for all companies.
IaC or Infrastructure-as-a-Code is a crucial practice in modern architecture development. It helps to manage infrastructure (among servers, database, networks) through the code. We offer to get acquainted with some of them.
AWS Cloud Formation is a native IaC service used for modelling, supplying and managing AWS resources using JSON files. Amazon S3, Azure cloud Storage and Google Storage are typically used for web app hosting, backups, file storage, and data archival.
Load balancing tools – help distribute network and application traffic across multiple servers to balance the load on each of them. Furthermore, this group can be enriched with Nginx, Apache, and HaProxy tools, which, as indicated in the table, are utilized as web service tools.
In architecture for web application developers use caching and content delivery tools to optimize web app performance, reduce latency, and ensure scalability.
In web architecture, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) play a crucial role in enabling communication between different systems, services, and applications.
Each API approach has a distinct role in development. However, JSON-RPC and RESTful APIs are the most dominant in modern web-based application architecture.
Consequently, developers may face challenges to perform certain tasks depending on the type of architecture chosen, technologies and the volume of components. For example, an open-source web app framework like Angular can make debugging difficult. But a developer with sufficient experience can easily solve this issue. The very process of building an architecture is complex, requires extensive knowledge and experience of the development team. Therefore, to create an architecture of web solutions, it is desirable to hire professional teams for outsourcing.
PNN Soft is a developer company with over 20 years of experience. We offer services for the development of web, mobile, desktop solutions for large and medium-sized businesses. Our specialists have outstanding experience in various projects. We create modern commercial and corporate software solutions. PNN Soft takes a responsible approach to creating custom web applications. In the conclusion of this article, we offer you to get acquainted with the advantages of a modern and reliable web architecture.
A wide range of tools and practices with sustained community support.
Optimized performance at each stage
Clear structuring to ensure a clear digital product logic.
Flexible and scalable, the architecture is easy to maintain.
Security to protect user data and resilience and threats.
An integrated approach to development, testing and monitoring.
Understanding software architecture for web developers is crucial for building scalable, maintainable, and efficient applications. Our programmers have proven their knowledge and skills on more than one project, we will select qualified experts to the team for the needs of your project.
Hire a development team to get a structured, secure and flexible software architecture. Our programmers will thoroughly study your project and build a clean and clear hierarchy where each component will be in its place. We will advise and help you decide on technical difficulties, choose the appropriate type of architecture without branching your forces. Our teams adhere to the main trends of web development, although they do not limit themselves to them. We are looking for effective solutions that will suit your project.
Trends in software architecture:
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