A complete guide to Web Application Architecture

Modern Web Application Architecture: Best Practices, Components, Layers & More

Modern Web App Architecture

To create anything, whether it is a building or a website, one needs a strong base or architecture. In terms of web architecture, with the expansion of technology, flexibility becomes the key. Moreover, with newer technologies coming up by the day, choosing the right web application architecture can become confusing.

Thus, to clear any confusion related to the ever-evolving web app architecture, we have discussed its every nuance in detail below. In addition, we understand that the performance and security of the website depend on how good is its infrastructure thus have listed all the details with precision.

What is web application architecture?

It is the subset of software architecture that has all the procedures involved along with the browser-based apps. Web application architecture is a framework that bridges different elements to render a more empowered web experience to the user. Thus, because of this, the website application architecture is different from IoT-based apps and mobile apps.

The entire web app architecture describes the logic interaction of the components apart from its collection. The ‘gold standard’ web app architecture includes attributes such as:

  • The architecture offers security
  • Makes sure of an optimal and quick user experience
  • Fixes different business issues
  • Logs out the bugs or glitches easily
  • Always backs visual creative
  • Easy A/B testing and analytics

Importance of web app architecture

Web application architecture is the fundamental stage of software development, so it has to be perfect. Distorted web architecture will waste a lot of time and money for the business organization. In contrast, a competent one will simplify, create and scale the components without any delay.

Business organizations have to understand that complex or high-level web architecture is complicated to modify. Thus, the developers have to be on the top of their game right from the nascent stage to avoid this situation. Along with being challenging to modify, a lapse in web architecture will also increase website maintenance costs.

Competent web app architecture is vital as it shapes everything related to the product’s future design:

  • Infrastructure
  • User experience
  • Software modules

In addition to the design, it helps in better marketing of the website as well.

Web app architecture diagram and its components

Web app architecture diagram

Looking at the complexity and its importance in the future, it becomes essential for businesses to understand the web application architecture diagram. Therefore, for the benefit of our readers, we have analyzed each component separately.

DNS

It is the acronym of Domain Name System. DNS is a fundamental system that assists in search of IP addresses and names. In addition, DNS allows a particular server to receive a specific request sent by the user. Thus, it will be safe enough to say that the Domain Name System is the phonebook for the websites.

Web app servers

When the user requests or sends different documents such as XMK, JSON, etc., it is processed by the web app servers. This component of the web app architecture diagram refers to the backend infrastructures to perform this task effectively.

Load balancer

The primary function of the load balancer is to send answers directly coming to one of the multiple servers. Thus, it can be said that load balancer deals with horizontal scaling.

In a general situation, there are multiple copies of the web application server that mirror each other. Thus, here the load balancer distributes equal tasks among them so they will not be overcharged.

CDN

CDN is the acronym of Content Delivery System. The web application architecture diagram component sends different types of files such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript along with the images. With CDN, the content of the end server is delivered throughout the world.

Caching services

It allows the searching as well as the storage of data. Every information of the user activity goes to cache so that upcoming related requests can return faster. Thus, the main function of the caching services is to make the computation process much faster.

Databases

This component allows adding, searching, deleting, updating, organizing, and performing different computations. In most cases, the databases directly interact with the job servers.

Data warehouse

It is imperative that any modern web application architecture work with data collecting, storing, or analyzing in foresight or hindsight. There are three stages here:

  • The data is sent to ‘firehose’ that processes the data by rendering a streaming absorption of interaction
  • After this, the raw data is processed, and the additional data is sent to the cloud storage
  • In the final stage, the data is processed, and the additional data also goes to the warehouse

Full-text search service

It is an optional component of the web application architecture diagram but is needed for websites that support search by text function. With this component, the website can respond with the most relevant results to the users. In addition, with the help of keywords, this component can search data among the vast documents.

Job queue

Job queue has two major components, viz. the servers and job queue itself. There are no qualms about the fact that most websites these days deal with a vast number of jobs that are not as important. Here, the job queue becomes essential as the job that needs to be fulfilled goes through it and is operated according to a schedule.

How does web app architecture work?

To understand the work of web app architectures, we have first to know that all the applications are made of two primary components. Moreover, along with these primary components, there is one additional component called database server. The main function of the database server is to send the requested data to the server-side.

Server-side

This component controls the business logic and also responds to HTTP requests. Server-side is also known as backend and is written in PHP, Python, Ruby, etc.

Client-side

Opposite to the server-side, the client-side is known as the frontend, and it is the place where user interaction takes place. The code of the front end is written in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.

Thus, when a user fills in its credentials in the form, that information is managed in the frontend. But when the user clicks enter to get registered, it is worked through in the backend.

Layers of web application architecture

The modern-day web application architecture has four different layers of architecture. They are:

  • Presentation layer
  • Business layer
  • Data access layer
  • Database layer

Simple or small applications have three layers, whereas complex applications may have five to six layers. Let us now discuss the four major layers of web app architecture in detail.

Presentation layer

The first layer in the web app architecture diagram consists of JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and other frameworks. Next, the presentation layer enables the communication between browser and interface to clear user interaction.

Business layer

In this layer, the business logic and rules are defined. The business layer also enables the appropriate data exchange. After the logic and rules are defined, the browser processes the request and then executes the business logic that is related to the requests. At the end of it, the browser sends everything to the presentation layer.

Data access layer

The data access layer is also known as the Persistence layer as it is responsible for the data persistence. This web app architecture layer is connected with the business layer. In addition, it also has a database server that recovers the data from corresponding servers.

Database layer

The database layer is also known as the Data service layer. It sends the processed data by the business logic layer to the Presentation layer. In this layer, the business logic is separated from the client-side, thereby assuring higher data security.

Types of web app architecture

Before selecting the web application architecture, the businesses need to consider various things in mind, such as:

  • Features
  • Functionalities
  • App requirements
  • App logic

Moreover, broadly, the modern web application architecture is classified into four types; let us have a look:

Multipage application

There is no doubt that multipage applications are in more demand in the web world currently. These days, business organizations use large websites that can handle traffic loads and are seamless to use. Moreover, in the multipage application, the loading and sending of data become easier either to or from the server.

Single-page Applications

The primary purpose behind developing single-page applications was to achieve an intuitive and interactive user experience and smooth application performance. The single-page applications dynamically load the content on the website, and the rest of the web pages remain untouched.

Progressive web applications

Progressive web applications are popularly known as PWA. These are web-based solutions that make native applications work on mobile devices. Google introduced pWAs in 2015 to render rich and enhanced capabilities and easy installation.

One of the USPs of PWAs is that they are compatible with any device. Therefore, if the user wants to work on the same application on smartphones, tablets, or laptops, it can adjust easily.

Serverless architecture

In this type of architecture, the whole execution of the code is by cloud service providers. As the name itself suggests, in Serverless web app architecture, the apps are run without human intervention. The servers here are maintained by third-party service providers such as Microsoft and Amazon.

Microservice architecture

If there is a requirement of a rock-solid alternative of monolithic architecture and Service-Oriented architecture, Microservice architecture is the best choice. The services can be developed, tested, maintained, and deployed independently as they are loosely coupled.

In Microservice architecture, the entire application is divided into multiple service components. Therefore, it fosters better connectivity and removes the need for service orchestration.

Types of web server architecture

Types of web server architecture

There is no doubt about the fact that web servers are vital in successful website application operation. Thus, it becomes essential to understand the types of web server architecture to make it easier to select it based on speed, storage, processing power, etc.

Cloud-based web architecture

This architecture is essential as it enhances the company’s parameters while they work on the server architecture. As the name itself suggests, the entire system is based on the cloud in Cloud-based web architecture. Because of this, it becomes necessary to separate the data to build a corollary. Through cloud-based web architecture, it becomes easier to store the data on local servers.

Java web app architecture

The JavaScript framework is popular for developing enterprise web application architecture. It is an excellent programming language that assists developers in delivering the project with the best development solutions that will exceed expectations.

In addition, the developers with Java web app architecture can utilize the tools and work on complex applications.

Laravel web architecture

With Laravel, it is easier for the developers to build a model view controller because of the PHP web framework. Furthermore, through Laravel web app architecture, the web apps have a creative, elegant, and expressive syntax.

The web development functions here are better in routing, session, caching, and authentication procedures.

.NET web app architecture

If you are willing to develop a cross-platform application, .NET web app architecture becomes the perfect fit. In addition, this web architecture helps store the data with the database and helps understand the codes easily.

.NET web app architecture also has microservices, side-by-side versioning, and Docker containers that make cross platform app development easier.

Node.js web app architecture

If your main focus is on the web model view aspect, the Node.js web app architecture will serve the best. Moreover, the developers can configure the mobile application’s components without routing.

Python web app architecture

Python is a concise programming language that is highly maintainable and readable. It is the reason why it is one of the most used scripting languages for server-side development. Along with this, Python web app architecture is highly instrumental in enhancing the entire maintenance cycle of web applications.

Steps to design web application architecture

There are some essential aspects that we need to consider while designing the web application architecture. These aspects are important as they will provide a complete understanding of what the architecture must look like:

API

API is a very important design factor that can handle HTTP requests easily. In addition, this design factor relies on POST, REST, and GET. The GraphQL allows the developers to make lean calls and bring objects from the server. Moreover, GraphQL also comes in handy where the internet bandwidth is restricted in a mobile app. To know more about API, read our API development guide.

Database

So for mobile web application architecture database, the developers must only choose the one that renders them features such as NoSQL and SQL. SQL is regarded for predefined tables and plans, whereas NoSQL is for large-scale projects because of its scalability and flexibility.

NoSQL is also regarded best for key-value structure, better load handling, etc.

Frontend

Another important factor in web app architecture is the selection between single-page applications and model view controllers. Thus, it is necessary to see what will happen in both cases before finalizing the architecture type.

Backend

As far as the backend is concerned, the business organization must choose a platform according to the static or dynamic nature of the domain. Moreover, make sure to select the server and language that work seamlessly with each other in tandem.

The web solutions operate over microservices or HTTP that supports multiple languages to make the communication process easier.

Final thoughts

As we have seen, web application architecture is the mainstay of the website, whether basic or complex. Therefore, working on the web app architecture is the most important junction in the product’s entire development.

In the modern business realm, there are many challenges in front of IT business owners. Thus, selecting only an experienced and qualified web app development company is advised to excel ahead in tough competition.

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